Today, I want to talk about mainstream musical artists that in “recent” years I loved listening to on repeat but somewhere between then and now, I have become very disconnected with them. Whether it be because of what many would label as “selling out,” be a matter of growing taste and relatability, a disappearance from the music scene, or a reason I haven’t mentioned… I will always have a special place in my heart for these artists but that doesn’t negate how much of a stranger I feel to them now. So…

10 Musical Artists That I Used to Know
1. Nelly Furtado
Her first two albums are staples in my music collection. After that…too much collaboration in my opinion. Because of this, the songwriting wasn’t as organic and heartfelt as it once was. That’s really what I loved most about her music so when that began to suffer, the whole thing just fell apart for me.

2. Vanessa Carlton
Vanessa’s first two albums also stand out in my collection but then she started to lose me. I can listen to Be Not Nobody and Harmonium without skipping a song. When Heroes & Thieves came along, that changed and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, nothing appeals to me on Rabbits On the Run. Her latest might just be a bump in the road and her next album, if she chooses to release another one could be just as amazing as I hope it will be. But once I stop relating to the music, it becomes really hard to care. She’s a great singer, songwriter, and musician so regardless of her recent release and what’s ahead, I’ll always be more than satisfied with what she gave to the music community with her first two albums.

3. Stacie Orrico
Seriously, where has she been? (I used to check her website & fan sites, I’m not even exaggerating, EVERY SINGLE DAY. For five years. Even started an unofficial street team. I was a hardcore fan. (Anyone reading from the SO forum? Those were the days!) Come back to us, Stacie! Can I be picky and say, with a worship album? Probably not but that would be awesome.

Photo Credit: Josh Baker

4. Alicia Keys
Honestly, I think my interest died shortly after Unplugged. Listening used to be so exhilarating and inspiring…and then over time, it just wasn’t. And that’s okay. It happens.

5. Aly & AJ
Where have Aly & AJ been? Whether as Aly & AJ, 78 Violet, or whatever they want to be called today, they need to get back in the studio and release an album soon. If you haven’t listened to their music, don’t sleep on it. These girls are talented and have something to say.

6. Avril Lavigne
I haven’t listened to her last two albums and after following her interviews on her promotional route for her latest and hearing bits, I can’t say that I am interested in listening. Avril’s music gave me so much that I’ll be forever grateful for with her first two albums in particular (although I enjoyed her third album) but I think her music served its time and place in my life.

7. Madonna
I’m a fan of her music but not a fan of her and that overshadows my interest in whatever music she releases now that this has happened. You’d never know it though if you put on the right Madonna song! I will rock out so hard!

8. Mary J. Blige
As with Avril, I think her music served its time and place in my life.

9. John Mayer
The same thing I said for Madonna can be said here.

10. No Doubt
When it was announced that No Doubt would finally reunite, I was excited for about…two seconds. Too little, too late? I just wasn’t interested. I’m satisfied with the music they released and have been happy with them moving on from that period of their lives. Whatever their latest release is…I’ll never know it.

Who are some artists you loved and wish would come back to the music scene, go back to basics, be more relatable, or go away?