Music Makers Encyclopedia: N

Click on a letter to choose an act ("S" for Bruce Springsteen, "B" for Beatles, etc.). Shown with the act are its major awards, short bios for select acts, and links to albums and songs reviewed by the DMDB.

Nacho

Song(s):
Báilame (remix with Yandel & Bad Bunny, 2017)

Mark Naftalin

Blues-rock keyboardist born 8/2/1944 in Minneapolis, MN. With Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

Naked Eyes

Song(s):
Always Something There to Remind Me (1983)

Napalm Death

Album(s):
Scum (1987)

Napoleon XIV

Song(s):
They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-haaa! (1966)

Nas

Rap singer born Nasir Bin Olu Dara Jones on 9/14/1973 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY.

Song(s):
The World Is Yours (1994)
NY State of Mind (1994)
If I Ruled the World (with Lauryn Hill, 1996)
Made You Look (2002)

Album(s):
Illmatic (1994)
It Was Written (1996)
I Am… (1999)
Hip Hop Is Dead (2006)
Nas (Untitled) (2008)
Life Is Good (2012)
King’s Disease (2020)

Graham Nash

Singer/songwriter and guitarist born 2/2/1942 in Blackpool, England. With the Hollies (1962-68, 1981-83) and Crosby, Stills & Nash (1968-2015). Also worked as a solo artist.

DMDB profile page

Song(s):
Crosby Stills Nash Young: Top 100 Songs

Johnny Nash

Song(s):
Hold Me Tight (1968)
I Can See Clearly Now (1972)

The Nashville "A" Team

The Nashville Teens

Song(s):
Tobacco Road (1964)

Natti Natasha

Song(s):
Criminal (with Ozuna, 2017)
No Me Acuerdo (2018) – see Thalia

Nate Dogg

Song(s):
Regulate (1994) – see Warren G
Till I Collapse (2002) – see Eminem
21 Questions (2003) – see 50 Cent

Syd Nathan

Record executive (King Records) born 4/27/1904 in Cincinnati, OH. Died 3/5/1968.

The National

Post-punk revival rock band formed in 1999 in Brooklyn, New York, although the members are originally from Ciincinnati, Ohio. Matt Berninger (vocals), Aaron Dessner (guitar, bass, keyboards, etc.), Bryce Dessner (guitar keyboards, etc.: 2001-), Bryan Devendorf (drums, percussion), Scott Devendorf (bass, guitar).

Song(s):
Bloodbuzz Ohio (2010)
Don’t Swallow the Cap (2013)
Tropic Morning News (2023)
The Alcott (with Taylor Swift, 2023)

Album(s):
Alligator (2005)
Boxer (2007)
High Violet (2010)
Trouble Will Find Me (2013)
Sleep Well Beast (2017)

Joe Natus

Song(s):
The Song That Reached My Heart (1892)
The Fatal Rose of Red (1900)
Coon! Coon! Coon! (1901) – see Arthur Collins

Naughty Boy

Song(s):
La La La (2013) – see Sam Smith

Naughty by Nature

Song(s):
O.P.P. (1991)
Hip Hop Hooray (1993)

Album(s):
Poverty’s Paradise (1995)

Nayer

Song(s):
Give Me Everything (2011) – see Pitbull

Nazareth

Song(s):
Love Hurts (1975)
Hair of the Dog (1975)
My White Bicycle (1975)

Nazz

Song(s):
Open My Eyes (1968)

Me'Shell Ndegeocello

Song(s):
Wild Night (1994) – see John Mellencamp
Better Than I Imagined (2020) – see Robert Glasper

Youssou N’Dour

Song(s):
7 Seconds (with Neneh Cherry, 1994)

Album(s):
Immigrés (1983)
The Lion (1989)

John Mason Neale

Song(s) written by Neale:
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (1851)
Good King Wencelas (1860)

Theresa Needham

Joe Negroni

Doo-wop singer born 9/9/1940 in New York, NY. With Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers.

The Neighbourhood

Song(s):
Sweater Weather (2012)
Daddy Issues (2015)

Neiked

Song(s):
Sexual (with Dyo, 2016)

Fred Neill

Song(s):
The Other Side of This Life (1965)

Album(s):
Fred Neil (1966)

Nelly

Rap singer born Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. on 11/2/1974 in Austin, TX.

Song(s):
Hot Shit (Country Grammar) (2000)
Girlfriend (2001) – see NSYNC
Where the Party At? (2001) – see Jagged Edge
Hot in Herre (2002)
Dilemma (with Kelly Rowland, 2002)
Shake Ya Tailfeather (with P. Diddy & Murphy Lee, 2003)
My Place (with Jaheim, 2004)
Over and Over (with Tim McGraw, 2004)
Grillz (with Paul Wall, Ali, & Gipp, 2005)
Call on Me (2006) – see Janet Jackson
Just a Dream (2010)
Cruise (2012) – see Florida Georgia Line

Album(s):
Country Grammar (2000)
Nellyville (2002)
Suit (2004)
Sweat (2004)

Billy "Bass" Nelson

Funk bassist born William Nelson on 1/28/1951 in Plainfield, NJ. With Parliament/Funkadelic.

George Nelson

Baritone singer born in 1925 in Baltimore, MD. Died 6/30/1959. With The Orioles.

Ken Nelson

Nate Nelson

Doo-wop tenor singer born 4/10/1932 in Chicago, IL. Died 6/1/1984. With The Flamingos and The Platters.

Oliver Nelson

Song(s):
Stolen Moments (1961)

Album(s):
The Blues and the Abstract Truth (1961)

Ozzie Nelson

Jazz/big band leader and actor born Oswald George Nelson on 3/20/1906 in Jersey City, NJ. Died 6/3/1975.

Song(s):
And Then Some (1935)
About a Quarter to Nine (1935)

Ricky Nelson

Pop singer born Eric Hilliard Nelson on 5/8/1940 in Teaneck, NJ. Died 12/31/1985. Son of famous parents Ozzie and Harriet Nelson. Sons formed pop-rock duo Nelson ("Can't Live without Your Love and Affection").

Song(s):
A Teenager’s Romance (1957)
I’m Walking (1957)
Poor Little Fool (1958)
Hello Mary Lou (1961)
Travelin’ Man (1961)
Garden Party (with the Stone Canyon Band, 1972)

Album(s):
Ricky (1957)
Greatest Hits (compilation: 2003)

Sandy Nelson

Song(s):
Let There Be Drums (1961)

Skip Nelson

Song(s):
That Old Black Magic (1943) – see Glenn Miller

Willie Nelson

Country singer/songwriter born 4/29/1933 in Abbott, TX. Wrote hits for others before becoming a successful singer in his own right. Moved to Nashville in 1960. Moved back to Texas in 1970. Pioneered the "outlaw" country movement. Appeared in several movies including The Electric Horseman (1979), Honeysuckle Rose (1980), and Barbarosa (1982).

DMDB podcast: Willie Nelson: The Best of, 1961-2023

Song(s) written by Willie Nelson:
Crazy (1961) – see Patsy Cline
Hello Walls (1961) – see Faron Young

Song(s) performed by Willie Nelson:
Willie Nelson: Top 100 Songs
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain (1975)
Good Hearted Woman (1975) – see Waylon Jennings
If You’ve Got the Money I’ve Got the Time (1976)
Mammas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys (1978) – see Waylon Jennings
Georgia on My Mind (1978)
Blue Skies (1978)
Heartbreak Hotel (with Leon Russell, 1979)
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (1979)
On the Road Again (1980)
Angels Flying Too Close to the Ground (1980)
Always on My Mind (1982)
Just to Satisfy You (1982) – see Waylon Jennings
Pancho and Lefty (with Merle Haggard, 1983)
To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before (1984) – see Julio Iglesias
City of New Orleans (1984)
Seven Spanish Angels (1984) – see Ray Charles
Highwayman (1985) – see The Highwaymen
Forgiving You Was Easy (1985)
Living in the Promiseland (1986)
Nothing I Can Do About It Now (1989)
Beer for My Horses (2002) – see Toby Keith
Just Breathe (w/ Lukas Nelson, 2012)
Live Forever (with Lucinda Williams, 2022)

Album(s):
Red Headed Stranger (1975)
Wanted! The Outlaws (1976) – see Waylon Jennings
Stardust (1978)
Greatest Hits & Some That Will Be (compilation: 1973-81, released 1981)
Always on My Mind (1982)
A Beautiful Time (2022)

Nena

Song(s):
99 Red Balloons (aka “99 Luftballoons”) (1983)

The Neptunes

Production duo of Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams.

N*E*R*D

Song(s):
Lapdance (with Lee Harvey & Vita, 2001)

Album(s):
In Search Of (2001)
Fly or Die (2004)

Peter Nero

Neutral Milk Hotel

Song(s):
Holland 1945 (1998)

Album(s):
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (1998)

Aaron Neville

R&B singer with the Neville Brothers. Also a solo artist. Born 1/24/1941 in Louisiana.

Song(s):
Tell It Like It Is (1966)
Louisiana 1927 (1991)

Album(s):
Tell It Like It Is (1965)

The Neville Brothers

Song(s):
Mona Lisa (1981)
Brother John/Iko Iko (1981)

Ethelbert Nevin

The Newbeats

Song(s):
Bread and Butter (1964)

Phineas Newborn, Jr.

Jazz pianist.

Newcleus

Song(s):
Jam on It (1984)

New Edition

R&B group formed in Boston, MA in 1978. Members included Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe, who went on to form Bell Biv DeVoe. Members Bobby Brown and Ralph Tresvant were later solo artists, as was Johnny Gill, who joined in 1987 after Brown departed.

Song(s):
Candy Girl (1983)
Cool It Now (1984)
Mr. Telephone Man (1984)
If It Isn't Love (1988)
Can You Stand the Rain (1988)
Hit Me Off (1996)

Album(s):
Home Again (1996)

Bob Newhart

Album(s):
The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart (comedy, 1960)
The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back! (1961)

New Kids on the Block

Song(s):
You Got It (The Right Stuff) (1988)
I’ll Be Loving You Forever (1988)
Hangin’ Tough (1988)
Step by Step (1990)

Album(s):
Hangin’ Tough (1988)
Step by Step (1990)

Anthony Newley

Alfred Newman

Musical theater composer born 3/17/1900 in New Haven, CT. Died 2/17/1970.

David "Fathead" Newman

John Newman

Song(s):
Feel the Love (2012) – see Rudimental
Love Me Again (2013)

Randy Newman

Singer/songwriter and film score composer born 11/28/1943 in Los Angeles, CA.

Song(s):
I Think It’s Going to Rain Today (1968)
Sail Away (1972)
God’s Song (That’s Why I Love Mankind) (1972)
Political Science (1972)
Short People (1977)
In Germany Before the War (1977)
Theme from The Natural (1984)
You've Got a Friend in Me (with Lyle Lovett, from Toy Story, 1995)
We Belong Together (2010)

Album(s):
Randy Newman (1968)
12 Songs (1970)
Sail Away (1972)
Good Old Boys (1974)

Ruby Newman

Song(s):
My Silent Love (with Gordon Graham, 1932)

New Order

Techno-dance group from Manchester England. 1980-2005. Bernard Sumner (v/g/k), Peter Hook (b), and Stephen Morris (d), Gillian Gilbert (k – New Order: 80-01), Phil Cunningham (g/k: 01-05). Sumner, Hook, and Morris had all been in Joy Division and, after lead singer Ian Curtis hung himself, formed New Order. Morris and Gilbert, who are married, also formed The Other Two.

Song(s):
Ceremony (1981)
Temptation (1982)
Blue Monday (1983)
Age of Consent (1983)
The Perfect Kiss (1985)
Bizarre Love Triangle (1986)
True Faith (1987)
World in Motion (1990)
Regret (1993)

Album(s):
Power, Corruption & Lies (1983)
Low-Life (1985)
Brotherhood (1986)
Substance (compilation: 1981-87, released 1987)
Technique (1989)
Republic (1993)

New Pornographers

In Concert (2023)

Song(s):
Challengers (2007)
Dancehall Domine (2014)
Really Really Light (2023)

Album(s):
Twin Cinema (2005)

New Radicals

Song(s):
You Get What You Give (1998)

New Riders of the Purple Sage

Song(s):
Henry (1971)

New Seekers

Song(s):
I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing (1971)

Joanna Newsom

Indie-folk singer/songwriter born in 1982 in Grass Valley, California. Raised in North Carolina.

Album(s):
Ys (2006)
Have One on Me (2010)

Jason Newsted

Heavy metal bassist born 3/4/1963 in Battle Creek, Michigan. With Metallica (1986-2002).

John Newton

Song(s) written by John Newton:
Amazing Grace (1779)

Juice Newton

Song(s):
The Sweetest Thing I’ve Ever Known (1981)
Angel of the Morning (1981)
Queen of Hearts (1981)
You Make Me Want to Make You Mine (1985)
Hurt (1985)
Both to Each Other (Friends & Lovers) (1986) – see Eddie Rabbitt

Wayne Newton

American singer and entertainer ("Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast", "Danke Schoen") born 4/3/1942. Nicknamed "Mr. Las Vegas."
Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast (1972)

Olivia Newton-John

The country/pop singer was born 9/26/1948 in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England. She died on 8/8/2022. Her family moved to Australia in 1953. At age 16, won talent contest to England. Granddaughter of Nobel Prize-winning German physicist Max Born. She was in the Pat & Olivia duo and group Tomorrow before going solo. She won the CMA Award for Female Vocalist of the Year in 1974. In movies Grease, Xanadu, and Two of a Kind. Married actor Matt Lattanzi in 1984, divorced in 1995. Opened own chain of clothing boutiques (Koala Blue) in 1984. Her daughter Chloe was born in 1986. She battled breast cancer in 1992, was diagnosed with cancer again in 2013, and a third time in 2017. Married John Easterling in 2008. She sold more than 100 million records in her career.

DMDB Profile Page
DMDB Podcast: Olivia Newton-John – Celebrating Her Life and Music

Song(s):
Top 50 Songs
Banks of the Ohio (1971)
I Honestly Love You (1974)
Have You Never Been Mellow (1975)
Please Mr. Please (1975)
You’re the One That I Want (with John Travolta, 1978)
Summer Nights (with John Travolta, 1978)
Hopelessly Devoted to You (1978)
A Little More Love (1978)
Magic (1980)
Xanadu (with Electric Light Orchestra, 1980)
Physical (1981)
Make a Move on Me (1981)
Heart Attack (1982)
Twist of Fate (1983)
Soul Kiss (1985)
It’s Not Heaven (1988)
Grease Megamix (with John Travolta, 1990)

Album(s):
If Not for You (1971)
Olivia (1972)
Let Me Be There (1973)
Long Live Love (1974)
If You Love Me Let Me Know (compilation: 1972-74, released 1974)
Have You Never Been Mellow (1975)
Clearly Love (1975)
Come on Over (1976)
Don’t Stop Believin’ (1977)
Making a Good Thing Better (1977)
Greatest Hits (compilation: 1971-77, released 1977)
Grease (soundtrack with John Travolta et al, 1978) – see Various Artists
Totally Hot (1978)
Xanadu (soundtrack with Electric Light Orchestra, 1980)
Physical (1981)
Olivia’s Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (compilation: 1978-82, released 1982)
Two of a Kind (soundtrack, 1983) – see Various Artists
Soul Kiss (1985)
The Rumour (1988)
Warm and Tender (1989)
Back to Basics (compilation: 1971-92, released 1992)
Magic: The Very Best of (compilation: 1973-90, released 2001)
Gold (compilation: 1971-98, released 2005)

The New Vaudeville Band

Song(s):
Winchester Cathederal (1966)

New York Dolls

American punk rock band from New York. Hugely influential in the look of many new wave and glam metal groups. Active: 1971-76, 2004-. Members: David Johansen (v: 71-76, 04-), Johnny Thunders (g/v: 71-75), Sylvain Sylvain (g/b/piano: 71-76, 04-), Arthur Kane (b: 71-75, 04), Billy Murcia (d: 71-72), Rick Rivets (g: 71), Jerry Nolan (d: 72-75), Peter Jordan (b: 75-76), Blackie Lawless (g: 75), Chris Robison (k: 75), Tony Machine (d: 75-76), Bobby Blaine (k: 76), Steve Conte (g/v: 04-10), Gary Powell (d: 04), Sami Yaffa (b: 05-10), Brian Koonin (k: 05-06), Frank Infante (g: 10-11), Jason Hill (b: 10-11), Jason Sutter (d: 11), Earl Slick (g: 11-), Kenny Aaronson (b: 11-), Brian Delaney (d: 05-)

Song(s):
Personality Crisis (1973)
Babylon (1974)

Album(s):
New York Dolls (1973)

New York Philharmonic

New York Pro Musica

Album(s):
The Play of Daniel: A Twelfth-Century Drama (with Noah Greenberg, 1958)

New York Strings Quartet

Song(s):
Black Angels (Thirteen Images from the Dark Land) (1972)

Next

Song(s):
Too Close (1998)
Wifey (2000)

Ne-Yo

R&B singer/songwriter and record producer born Shaffer Chimere Smith on 10/18/1979 in Camden, Arkansas.

Song(s):
So Sick (2005)
Miss Independent (2008)
Give Me Everything (2011) – see Pitbull
Play Hard (2011) – see David Guetta

Album(s):
In My Own Words (2006)
Because of You (2007)

NF

Song(s):
Let You Down (2017)

Album(s):
Perception (2017)
The Search (2019)

The Nice

Song(s):
America (1968)

Red Nichols

American jazz/big band leader, songwriter, and composer born Ernest Loring Nichols on 5/8/1905. Died 6/28/1965.

Song(s):
Ida! Sweet As Apple Cider (1927)
I Got Rhythm (1930)
Embraceable You (with Dick Robertson, 1930) Strike Up the Band (1930)

Nickelback

Song(s):
How You Remind Me (2001)
Someday (2003)
Figured You Out (2003)
Photograph (2005)
Far Away (2005)
Animals (2005)
If Everyone Cared (2005)
Gotta Be Somebody (2008)

Album(s):
All the Right Reasons (2005)
Dark Horse (2008)
Best of, Vol. 1 (compilation: 2001-11, released 2013)

Stevie Nicks

Singer/songwriter born Stephanie Lynn Nicks on 5/26/1948 in Phoenix, AZ. With Fleetwood Mac ("Dreams", "Sara") and a solo artist.

Song(s):
Whenever I Call You Friend (1978) – see Kenny Loggins
Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around (with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, 1981)
Edge of Seventeen (1981)
Leather and Lace (with Don Henley, 1981)

Album(s):
Bella Donna (1981)

Nicky Jam

Song(s):
Travesuras (2014)
El Perdon (Forgiveness) (with Enrique Iglesias, 2015)
Hasta El Amanecer (2016)
El Amante (2017)
Te Boté (2017) – see Casper Magico
Perro Fiel (2017) – see Shakira
X (Equis) (with J. Balvin, 2018)

Nico

Song(s):
These Days (1967)
Frozen Warnings (1968)

Album(s):
Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) – see Velvet Underground
Chelsea Girl (1967)
The Marble Index (1969)

Alice Nielsen

Song(s):
Home Sweet Home (1915)

Rick Nielsen

Rock guitarist and bassist born 12/22/1948 in Elmhurst, IL. With Cheap Trick (73-).

Steve Nieve

Punk-rock musician born Stephen John Nason on 2/21/1958 in London, England. With Elvis Costello & the Attractions and Madness.

Robert Nighthawk

Blues guitarist born 11/30/1909 in Helena, AR. Died 11/5/1967.

Song(s):
Black Angel Blues (1949)

Album(s):
Live on Maxwell Street (year?)

Maxine Nightingale

Song(s):
Right Back Where We Started From (1975)

Night Ranger

Song(s):
Sister Christian (1983)
Four in the Morning (1985)
Reason to Be (1988)

Nathaniel Niles

Song(s):
The American Hero (words by Niles, music based on “Bunker Hill” and “Heroism;” 1775)

Harry Nilsson

Song(s):
Everybody’s Talkin’ (1968)
Without You (1971)

Album(s):
Nilsson Schmilsson (1971)
Everybody’s Talking: The Very Best of (compilation: 1997)

Nine Days

Song(s):
Absolutely (Story of a Girl) (2000)

Nine Inch Nails

Industrial rock group formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1988. Singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Trent Reznor is the only consistent member. Other members have included Alex Carapetis (d: 05), Charlie Clouser (k: 94-01), Alessandro Cortini (b/k/g: 2005-), Jerome Dillon (d/g: 99-05), Josh Eustis (g/b: 13), Robin Finck (g/b: 1994-00, 08-), Josh Freese (d: 05-08), David Haymes (k: 90), Danny Lohner (b/g: 93-03), Lee Mars (k: 90-91), Kevin McMahon (g: 96), Justin Meldal-Johnsen (b/g: 08-09), Ron Musarra (d: 88), Aaron North (g: 05-07), Pino Palladino (b: 13), Richard Patrick (g: 89-93), Atticus Ross (k/b: 2004-), Ilan Rubin (d: 08-), Nick Rushe (k: 89), Gary Talpas (k: 89), Chris Vrenna (d: 89-97), Jeff Ward (d: 90-91), Jeordie White (b/g: 05-07), James Wooley (k: 91-94).

Song(s):
Head Like a Hole (1990)
Closer (1994)
Hurt (1994)
The Perfect Drug (1997)
Only (2005)
Every Day Is Exactly the Same (2005)
Survivalism (2007)

Album(s):
Pretty Hate Machine (1989)
The Downward Spiral (1994)
The Fragile (1999)
With Teeth (2005)

1910 Fruitgum Company

Song(s):
Simon Says (1968)
One Two Three Red Light (1968)
Indian Giver (1969)

The 1975

Song(s):
Love It if We Made It (2018)

Album(s):
The 1975 (2013)
I Like It When You Sleep for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It (2016)
A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships (2018)

Nipsey Hussle

Song(s):
Racks in the Middle (with Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy, 2019)

Nirvana

Grunge rock trio from Aberdeen, Washington. Active: 1987-94 Members: Kurt Cobain (v/g: 87-94), Jason Everman (g – Nirvana: 89; Soundgarden; Mindfunk), Krist Novoselic (b: 87-94), Chad Channing (d: 87-90), Dan Peters (d – Mudhoney: 88-; Nirvana: 90), Dave Grohl (d: 90-94).

Song(s):
About a Girl (1989)
Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991)
Come As You Are (1991)
Lithium (1991)
In Bloom (1991)
Something in the Way (1991)
Polly (1991)
Aneurysm (1991)
Heart-Shaped Box (1993)
All Apologies (1993)
Rape Me (1993)
Where Did You Sleep Last Night? (live, 1993)
Lake of Fire (live, 1993)
You Know You're Right (recorded 1994, released 2002)

Album(s):
Bleach (1989)
Nevermind (1991)
In Utero (1993)
MTV Unplugged in New York (live, 1993)
From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah (live: 1989-94, released 1996)
Nirvana (Greatest Hits) (compilation: 1988-94, released 2002)
With the Lights Out (box: 1987-94, released 2004)

Jack Nitzsche

Song(s):
The Lonely Surfer (1963)

Nitty

Song(s):
Nasty Girl (2004)

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Country-rock band from Long Beach, California. 1966-. Members have included Jackson Browne (g/v: 66), Bob Carpenter (k: 77-), Jimmie Fadden (multiple instruments: 66-), Jeff Hanna (v/g: 66-), John McEuen (multi-instrumentalist: 66-86, 01-17).

Song(s):
Mr. Bojangles (1970)
Can the Circle Be Unbroken (By and By) (1972)
An American Dream (with Linda Ronstadt, 1979)
Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper’s Dream) (1984)
Modern Day Romance (1985)
Fishin’ in the Dark (1987)

Album(s):
Will the Circle Be Unbroken (1972)
Will the Circle Be Unbroken Vol. 2 (1989)

Marni Nixon

Song(s):
Getting to Know You (from The King and I, 1956)
Shall We Dance? (with Yul Brynner, from The King and I, 1956)
Hello Young Lovers (from The King and I, 1956)
Tonight (with Jim Bryant, from soundtrack: 1961)
Somewhere (from West Side Story, 1961)
Maria (from West Side Story soundtrack: 1961) – see Jim Bryant
I Could Have Danced All Night (1964)

Mojo Nixon

Song(s):
I Hate Banks (with Skid Roper, 1986)

Ray Noble

Jazz/big band songwriter born 12/17/1903 in Brighton, Sussex, England. Died 4/3/1978.

Song(s):
Love Is the Sweetest Thing (with Al Bowlly, 1933)
The Old Spinning Wheel (with Al Bowlly, 1933)
The Very Thought of You (with Al Bowlly, 1934)
Isle of Capri (with Al Bowlly, 1934)
Let’s Swing It (with the Freshmen, 1935)
Paris in the Spring (with Al Bowlly, 1935)
I’ve Got You Under My Skin (1936)
Nice Work if You Can Get It (1937) – see Fred Astaire
A Foggy Day in London Town (1937) – see Fred Astaire
Change Partners (1938) – see Fred Astaire
Linda (with Buddy Clark, 1947)

Gene Nobles

No Doubt

Song(s):
Just a Girl (1995)
Don’t Speak (1996)
Simple Kind of Life (2000)
Ex-Girlfriend (2000)
Hey Baby (with Bounty Killer, 2001)
Underneath It All (with Lady Saw, 2001)

Album(s):
Tragic Kingdom (1995)
Rock Steady (2001)

Noel

Song(s):
Silent Morning (1987)

NOFX

Album(s):
Punk in Drublic (1994)

Shannon Noll

Song(s):
What About Me? (2004)
Learn to Fly (2004)
Shine (2005)

Noa

Song(s):
Eye in the Sky (2002)

Loulie Jean Norman

Song(s):
Summertime (1959)

Jessye Norman

Soprano opera singer born 9/15/1945 in Augusta, GA.

Monty Norman

Album(s):
Songbook (composed with Julian More, musical: 1979)
Poppy (composed with Peter Nichols, musical: 1982)

Theodore Havermeyer Northrup

Song(s):
The Louisiana Rag (1897)

Red Norvo

American jazz/big band leader born 3/31/1908. Died 4/6/1999.

Song(s):
Please Be Kind (with Mildred Bailey, 1938)
Says My Heart (with Mildred Bailey, 1938)

Jack Norworth

Vaudevillian performer married to singer Nora Bayes (1908-13).

Song(s):
Shine on, Harvest Moon (1909, written with Nora Bayes) – see Harry MacDonough

The Notorious B.I.G.

Rap singer born Christopher George Latore Wallace on 5/21/1972 in New York City, NY. Died 3/9/1997. Sometimes known as Biggie Smalls, Big Poppa, or the Black Frank White. Killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles.

Song(s):
Juicy (1994)
Big Poppa (1994)
One More Chance (1995)
Stay with Me (1995)
Mo Money, Mo Problems (with Puff Daddy & Mase) (1997)
Hypnotize (1997)
Nasty Girl (with P. Diddy, Nelly, Avery Storm, & Jagged Edge, 2005)

Album(s):
Ready to Die (1994)
Life after Death (1997)
Born Again (1999)
Greatest Hits (compilation: 2007)

The DMDB Blog:
14 Years Ago Puff Daddy Memorialized Notorious B.I.G. (6/14/2011)

Heather Nova

Song(s):
Walk This World (1995)

Album(s):
Siren (1998)

Donald Novis

Song(s):
Sweet and Lovely (1931) – see Gus Arnheim

Krist Novoselic

Rock bassist born on 5/16/1965 in Compton, CA. With Stiff Woodies, Skid Row, Nirvana (1987-1994), Sweet 75, and The No W.T.O. Combo (2000).

Rick Nowels

NRG

Snyth-pop/neo-prog rock group led by Kevin Gilbert. Only released one album in 1984.

Album(s):
Live at Keystone (1982)
No Reasons Given (1984)

NSYNC

Song(s):
Bye Bye Bye (2000)
It’s Gonna Be Me (2000)
Pop (2001)
Girlfriend (with Nelly, 2001)

Album(s):
No Strings Attached (2000)
Celebrity (2001)

N-Trance

Song(s):
Stayin’ Alive (with Ricardo Da Force, 1995)

Ted Nugent

Rock guitarist born 12/13/1948 in Redford, Michigan. With Amboy Dukes ("Journey to the Center of the Mind," "The Great White Buffalo") before embarking on a solo career ("Cat Scratch Fever," "Wango Tango"). Also worked with Damn Yankees (89-94).

Song(s):
Stranglehold (1975)

Gary Numan

Song(s):
Cars (1979)

Album(s):
The Pleasure Principle (1979)

Paolo Nutini

Song(s):
New Shoes (2006)

Album(s):
These Streets (2006)

The Nutmegs

Song(s):
Story Untold (1955)

Nutty Squirrels

Song(s):
Uh! Oh! Part 2 (1959)

N.W.A.

Rap group formed in Compton, California in 1987. Arabian Prince (87-88), DJ Yella (87-91, 99-02, 15-16), Dr. Dre (87-91, 99-02, 16), Eazy-E (87-91), Ice Cube (87-89, 99-02, 15-16), MC Ren (88-91, 99-02, 15-16).

Song(s):
Fuck tha Police (1989)
Straight Outta Compton (1989)

Album(s):
Straight Outta Compton (1989)
N****z 4 Life (1991)

Nyla

Song(s):
Light It Up (2016) – see Major Lazer

Laura Nyro

Singer/songwriter and pianist born 10/18/1947. Died 4/8/1997. Began recording as a teenager. Known mostly for her songs covered by others, including "And When I Die" (Blood, Sweat & Tears), "Wedding Bell Blues" (The 5th Dimension), and "Eli's Coming" (Three Dog Night). Worked in the legendary Brill Building, known for housing some of pop music history's most famous songwriters and publishers.

Song(s):
Wedding Bell Blues (1966)
Stoney End (1966)
Stoned Soul Picnic (1968)

Album(s):
Laura Nyro (1966)
Eli and the Thirteenth Confession (1968)

Click on a letter to choose a recording act ("S" for Bruce Springsteen, "B" for Beatles, etc.). Shown with the act are its major awards, short bios for select acts, and links to albums and songs reviewed by the DMDB.