Four MTV Unplugged albums that failed to meet expectations

  • MTV Unplugged albums sold over 80 million copies.
  • They weren't all huge hits or well-received though.
  • Here are four big names who didn't hit the mark with their unplugged albums.
Korn
Korn / Matthew Baker/GettyImages
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While there are many absolutely superb Unplugged albums from the MTV series, there are a few that didn't quite hit the mark. Sales for albums released from MTV Unplugged exceed 80 million copies. So there are some big hitters from the concept, including many big-name artists. But even they can fall flat if things don’t quite go right on the day. 

There was perhaps some excuse in the early days of the unplugged shows. Artists were adapting to the format, getting used to the cut-back format, and arranging their songs to suit. Oddly enough though it was quite late in the series when several artists stumbled through the approach. 

For some, they couldn't quite get to grips with the unplugged approach, to the extent that they pretty much ignored the rules. Others maybe just weren't prepared or ready enough for it. And some found it just didn't work for them and their music. 

Four MTV Unplugged albums that don't connect

There is also personal opinion wrapped up in all this too. Fans maybe didn't adapt as well as the artists did and were unhappy with the way their favorite songs sounded. Others loved the new arrangements. And of course, there are always those who want to avoid live albums altogether.

 It’ll be no surprise to find divided opinions among music lovers on the unplugged series. Eric Clapton and Nirvana sold close to a total of 40 million albums for their two MTV albums combined. Yet you’ll find them both regularly cited as albums from the series that people dislike.  With that very much in mind here are four MTV Unplugged albums which many have found difficult to connect with. 

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