2pac - Changes ft. Talent
Released: October 13th, 1998
Album: Greatest Hits
Changes was originally written in 1992, but was re-mixed and released in 1998 following the death of 2pac. It samples 1986 hit song “The Way It Is” by Bruce Hornsby and the Range, which was re-sung by Talent.
The song only reached #32 on the Billboard Hot 100 but topped the charts in Norway, the Netherlands and the UK. It was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards in 2000, losing to My Name Is by Eminem.
Interesting Facts: The lyrics “two shots in the dark, now Huey’s dead” is Huey P. Newton, founder of the Black Panther Party.
Lisa Loeb - Stay (I Missed You)
Released: May 17th, 1994
Album: Tails
Stay (I Missed You) was the lead single off of the Reality Bites soundtrack. Lisa Loeb wrote and composed the song herself and it reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 before Loeb was even signed to a record label. The song was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals, but it lost to “I Swear” by All-4-One.
Interesting Facts: Loeb found success after her neighbour, Ethan Hawke, submitted her song to Ben Stiller for his upcoming film Reality Bites.
Beck - Loser
Released: March 8th, 1993
Album: Mellow Gold
Loser was originally released in 1993, but after gaining success on several radio stations, Beck was signed to major record label Geffen Records. The song was re-released in April of 1994 and reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and found success in a number of other countries.
Interesting Facts: When struggling in the LA music scene, Beck would often play coffee houses filled with uninterested people ignoring his music, so he began to play jokey, sarcastic songs to keep their attention. Loser was one of those songs.
