Many of you have likely seen the new SWV & Xscape: The Queens of R&B reality show by now. Both groups are no strangers to the charts, reality TV and their share of drama. However, it seems like Xscape may be the group that ruins chances of a joint tour before it even gets off the ground. Ironically, SWV was in that same hot seat when they had a reality show with Salt N Pepa (remember Ladies Night?) a few years ago.

Nonetheless, it’s International Women’s Day, so we’ll focus on the positive. I’m a fan of both groups and the show brings back 90s nostalgia from their respective hey days. Here are three of the best album deep cuts that never made it as singles from each group.

Xscape:

Hard to Say Goodbye: A quintessential breakup song from their sophomore album, Off the Hook, this song showcases the vocals of each member fluidly. They were really going through it and made the fans feel it to the point that they almost wanted to be in a relationship just to experience this level of pain.

Softest Place on Earth: Pure sexiness from their third studio album, Traces of My Lipstick. How can you not like this song? Their vocals coo like warm honey down your neck and…..other places. Yep, the softest place on earth indeed and honestly one of the best songs in their entire catalog.

Work Me Slow: I understand why this song wasn’t a single from Off the Hook. After all, Do You Want To? has a similar groove and features Tiny on lead (a rarity). However, this song could have easily been released as a single and killed on the charts. Xscape was on fire at this time. This song could have kept the fire going in more ways than one.

SWV:

Fine Time: Lifted from their sophomore album, New Beginning, this track trudges through the mud of heartbreak in a way that only SWV can deliver. Somehow, they seem hurt but not too shook up about the end of the relationship. The last 30 seconds of the song really does it for me with the layered background vocals.

Do Ya Feat. Brianna Perry: SWV is known for their uptempo hits as much as some of their ballads. I Missed Us kept this hidden gem under wraps. The track is bubbly and reminiscent of their early days, with a sample of Rufus & Chaka Khan’s “Do You Love What You Feel”. My guess is this one wasn’t chosen as a single because it may have been compared to The Pussycat Dolls’ hit, “Don’t Cha”.

Blak Pudd’n: If you’re a longtime SWV fan, you know Taj has spit a few rap bars over the years. She wasn’t half bad either. This song is one of the more comical ones in their catalog. It’s lighthearted, fun and full of 90s flare. It was a smart decision to not release this one as a single. TLC and Salt N Pepa were driving well in the R&B/Hip Hip fusion lane. It’s About Time had plenty other hits to choose from anyway.

Also, whether you’re a woman or man, don’t forget to pick up the presale bundle for my new book on independent publishing, Can I Pick Your Brain?