{"id":2591,"date":"2026-06-09T13:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T17:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.songfacts.com\/articles\/?p=2591"},"modified":"2026-06-09T13:14:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T17:14:18","slug":"in-1993-natalie-merchant-left-10000-maniacs-at-the-height-of-their-popularity-to-launch-a-solo-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.songfacts.com\/articles\/in-1993-natalie-merchant-left-10000-maniacs-at-the-height-of-their-popularity-to-launch-a-solo-career\/","title":{"rendered":"In 1993, Natalie Merchant Left 10,000 Maniacs at the Height of Their Popularity To Launch a Solo Career"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Initially, it seemed 10,000 Maniacs helped launch Natalie Merchant’s career. As the singer’s popularity grew within the group, her unique and dominant voice helped take the band to new heights. There’s no denying that 10,000 Maniacs featured an incredibly dynamic set of musicians behind Merchant. It’s not for lack of success with the group that led to Natalie Merchant<\/a> leaving the group. Since joining the band in 1981, 10,000 Maniacs slowly built a status within the burgeoning alternative rock movement. By the 1990s, they were at the forefront of the alternative movement alongside bands such as R.E.M. and Pixies. These bands helped carve out a future for alternative bands heading into the 1990s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1991, Merchant took an extended hiatus from the band. During this time, Merchant worked with homeless youth, among other philanthropic endeavors. When she returned to the band, she told them she would be leaving the group in roughly one year. Following this, the band went into the studio to record their fifth studio album. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Released on September 28, 1992, Our Time In Eden<\/em> was a massive success. It generated three successful singles, including “These Are Days”<\/a>, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard<\/em> Modern Rock Tracks chart. “Candy Everybody Wants” was the second single released and peaked at No. 5 on the Alternative Airplay chart. The song was performed with Michael Stipe of R.E.M. at Bill Clinton’s Presidential Inaugural Ball on MTV in 1993. Notably, 10,000 Maniacs was Chelsea Clinton’s favorite band, the president’s daughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10,000 Maniacs\u2019 Swan Song Performance With Natalie Merchant and Her Solo Career Launch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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