“Love This Way” (2001) Popstars
Hot 100: —
Days on TRL: —
Overall score: 5.52 High score:10 (supaspaz) Low score:1 (Taste of Honey)
The original Nicole Scherzinger girl group. (You probably don't remember them, but they actually had more U.S. impact than Scherzy's solo career ever did.) Created on the TV competition Popstars, the horribly-named Eden's Crush initially appeared headed for success when their debut single reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. Unfortunately, they forgot one of the golden rules of girl groups: Wait until the third single for a ballad. Though genuinely lovely, "Love This Way" went nowhere and they eventually disbanded.
Best bit: "Doesn't everybody wanna give their heart away?"
The music video... doesn't exist, but this Flash animation from CartoonNetwork.com does.
“If You Wanna Dance” (1999) Nobody's Angel
Hot 100: —
Days on TRL: —
Overall score: 5.45 High score:9.5 (KillingYourCareer) Low score:1 (MWB)
When the Spice Girls broke up, they left a double-decker bus-sized hole in the pop music scene. Among the mostly unsuccessful attempts to fill it was Nobody's Angel, another multicultural girl group with an infectiously danceable debut. Their career highlights include reaching #39 on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart and appearing on a very special episode of Boy Meets World in which Cory takes Shawn on a road trip to get Shawn's mind off his father's death. Nobody's Angel played waitresses who sing in a diner, which was probably a bit closer to reality than they would have liked.
Best bit: the groovy horn line, which elevates "If You Wanna Dance" above throwaway teen pop
The music video... = the set from TLC's "Waterfalls" + leftover costumes from a Britney Spears mall tour + iMovie effects.
“Krazy” ft. Loon (2003) Reality
Hot 100: —
Days on TRL: 18
Overall score: 5.53 High score:10 (Cherry Noir) Low score:1 (PeopleLikeUs, MWB, Taste of Honey)
Voters were not here for Dream 2.0, who returned in the summer of 2003 with a new sexier image and a replacement for original member (and undercover superstar) Melissa Schuman. Though the Middle Eastern-inspired "Krazy," produced by an emergent Scott Storch, was a minor TRL hit, it failed to chart and their second album was shelved, effectively ending the group's career.
Best bit: the minor-key la la la la las, which nicely mirror the piano hook
The music video... takes place in a desert brothel where barely legal girls! girls! girls! will dance for your entertainment.
Gimme (Santa Baby) deserved top 10.
