"Caught Up In A Feeling" by Linus of Hollywood

Linus of Hollywood is the stage name of power pop singer/songwriter Kevin Dotson. Not because he drags around a blue security blanket, but because he wears shirts resembling what the Peanuts character would choose. Dotson is also a member of the indie band Nerf Herder.

Linus of Hollywood has released numerous records over the past 20 years, each consistently filled with catchy ear worms like this one from his 2014 effort, "Something Good." In a just world, Linus of Hollywood would be all over the charts.

"Victory Line" by Limited Warranty

Limited Warranty is a lousy name for a band, but they did release a good song that deserved better than the #79 position it earned in 1986. This techno pop band from Minneapolis never scored another chart appearance, so I guess they were limited.

"The Day That I Met You" by Lillian Axe

New Orleans hard rock band Lillian Axe released one of the best 80s rock records...in 1992. A day late and a dollar short, I am confident that "Poetic Justice" would have made Lillian Axe a household name had it been released four years sooner. Cuts like "True Believer," "Body Double," and the epic ballad "See You Someday" were killer and would have been all over radio in 1988. "Poetic Justice" was packed with scorching rockers that had plenty of melody that kept you coming back for more.

As a follow-up, the band released the markedly heavier album, "Psychoschizophrenia," in 1993. Unfortunately, they ditched much of the catchy melodies that made their previous work so palatable. There are some standouts on this mixed effort, though. "Deep Blue Shadows" is great and "The Needle And Your Pain" is a heart wrenching song about childhood cancer. "The Day That I Met You" is an atypical break from the crushing guitars that allows Steve Blaze to showcase his gifted vocals. A simple yet beautiful and magical tune that gives you chills every time.

"All In" by Lifehouse

Lifehouse began as a pop rock band named Blyss in 1995. Their lucky break came when introduced to Jude Cole, who got them in the door with a major label. Cole was so taken with the band that he's been a songwriter, producer, and manager for them for years. 

Lifehouse had the potential to keep rock's flame alive in the new millennium. Bursting onto the scene in 2001 with their #2 smash "Hanging By A Moment," the band was off to a great start. However, no other singles from their notable debut effort made the charts, and they suffered a sophomore slump with their follow-up record, which yielded only a modest chart hit with "Spin" (#71).

The band struck back with their self-titled third album, which produced a monster ballad: "You And Me" soared to #5 in 2005 and put the band back on the map...temporarily. The record failed to generate another hit, and their follow-up limped out with the awesome "First Time" only reaching #26 in 2007.

"All In" is the lead-off track from Lifehouse's 2010 release, "Smoke and Mirrors." Another hugely underrated effort. 

"Ya Had Me Goin'" by L.E.O.

In 2006, modern powerpop songwriter Bleu gathered some of the best players in the genre to pay homage to Jeff Lynne and E.L.O. Likeminded musicians who contributed to the project included Mike Viola, Hanson, and Andy Sturmer (Jellyfish).

The project resulted in a single album called "Alpacas Orgling" and it is simply magnificent. A mix of upbeat rockers and melodramatic ballads, this record sounds more E.L.O. than some of their own. Channeling the ability of Jeff Lynne to effortlessly blend rock, pop, and dance, "Ya Had Me Goin'" is the ultimate feel-good party song. Sounds like it came out of a late 70s time capsule (in a good way)!

"Finally Found A Home" by Huey Lewis and the News

The 80s are synonymous with Huey Lewis and the News, everyone's favorite bar band that made the big time. With their catchy hooks and delectable harmony vocals, Huey and the boys became the 13th most successful act of the decade. Three #1 hits adorn the band's resume, including "The Power Of Love" (from the film Back to the Future), "Stuck With You," and "Jacob's Ladder" (written by Bruce Hornsby).

While Huey's sophomore record, "Picture This," produced three charting singles, it was the third album, "Sports," that launched the band into the stratosphere. "Finally Found A Home" is one of the great deep tracks on this phenomenal record, and one of the few not released as a single. It's also rare to hear acoustic guitar featured in their songs.

Huey Lewis and the News stayed strong into the 90s, with tunes like "Couple Days Off" (#11) and "It Hit Me Like A Hammer" (#21). The band's last chart appearance occurred in 1994 with a cover of "But It's Alright," which reached #54.

"The Loser (With A Broken Heart)" by Gary Lewis & The Playboys

Gary Lewis is the son of comedy legend Jerry Lewis, but there's nothing funny about the way he and his band ripped up the charts in the 60s. Beginning in 1965 with their now classic anthem, "This Diamond Ring," which spent two weeks at #1, Gary Lewis & The Playboys would rack up six additional top 10 hits and several more top 40 hits.

By 1967, their amazing chart run was nearing an end. Perhaps they had saturated the airwaves enough, but they were still making strong songs with attitude like "The Loser (With A Broken Heart)." This feisty song stalled at a surprising #43. The band would have a modest resurgence in 1968 when "Sealed With A Kiss" went to #19.

"What A Walk" by Bobby Lewis

Indiana native Bobby Lewis scored a massive hit in 1961 with "Tossin' and Turnin'," which spent an impressive 7 weeks at the #1 spot. He hit the top 10 again when the follow-up single "One Track Mind" reached #9 later that year.

Also in 1961 came his grossly underrated tune, "What A Walk." This danceable ditty stalled at an inexplicable #77. Lewis would make one final chart appearance in 1962 with a sequel to his smash hit; but, "I'm Tossin' And Turnin' Again" went to sleep at #98.

"I'll Make Him Love Me" by Barbara Lewis

Michigan singer and songwriter Barbara Lewis had a big splash debut when her classic "Hello Stranger" landed at #3 in 1963. She scored a handful of other top 40 hits throughout the decade including "Puppy Love" (#38), "Baby, I'm Yours" (#11), "Make Me Your Baby" (#11), and "Make Me Belong To You" (#28). She really liked songs with "make" in the title!

Her final chart appearance was in 1967 when the peppy and wonderful "I'll Make Him Love Me" stalled at #72. This one sounded like top 10 material to my ears, but Lewis could not make radio love her anymore.

"Running In The Family" by Level 42

Level 42 was a quintessential synth-pop 80s band best known for their monster hit "Something About You," which soared all the way to #7 in 1986. They'd nearly breach the top 10 again in 1987 with "Lessons In Love," which reached #12.

Follow-up single, "Running In The Family," however, stalled at #83 and would become this London band's final US chart appearance. Sounding very much like Howard Jones, this is a solid tune from the era and deserved better.

"Every Word Means No" by Let's Active

Despite lots of critical acclaim, the North Carolina power pop band Let's Active were never active on the charts. They released a trio of records and an EP during the 80s that never caved to trends. In addition to fronting Let's Active, singer and songwriter Mitch Easter produced several of R.E.M.'s early records.

"Every Word Means No" comes from their debut 1983 EP called "Afoot." There's hints of genius here, but the band never rose above cult status.

"You Can Leave The Light On" by Andy Lehman

Andy Lehman is a masterful independent singer/songwriter who blends pop and rock effortlessly, whether in his acoustic ballads or power pop anthems. "Low Country" (under the name of Andy Lehman and the Night Moves) is a masterpiece of a record, a concept album about a lover's triangle gone bad.

"You Can Leave The Light On" helps introduce the tale. It is a heartbreaking song about our protagonist, who is "caught up in something bad" and can't come home ever again. This song contains the final words he has for his worried mother.

"Co-Pilot" by Letters To Cleo

Letters To Cleo rose to fame in the mid-90s with their post-grunge pop rock sound. Featured on the soundtrack to Melrose Place, and their 1994 album, "Here & Now" reached #56 on the Top 100. Their next album yielded another chart appearance when "Awake" topped out at #88. "Awake" would mark this Boston band's final showing on the charts.

"Co-Pilot" comes from their 1997 effort, "Go!" and should have been the winning song that breathed a second wind into their sails. But I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Shortly thereafter, drummer Stacy Jones went on the front his own band, American Hi-Fi.

Singer Kay Hanley used to write a childhood pen-pal named Cleo, which is where the band got its name.

"Saltwater" by Julian Lennon

Julian Lennon was born to Cynthia and John Lennon in 1963, the first child to be born to any of The Beatles. As a child, Julian provided the inspiration behind the massive Beatles hit, "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," Lucy being a nursery school friend featured in one of his paintings.

Following in his father's footsteps, Julian had immediate success on the charts with his 1984 debut album, "Valotte." In addition to the title track, which hit #9, the album yielded the #5 smash, "Too Late For Goodbyes," and the lesser-known but excellent #21 hit "Say You're Wrong." But the flame died out quickly, with Julian's only other top 40 appearance coming in 1986 when "Stick Around" topped out at #32.

In 1991, Julian Lennon released an underrated effort called "Help Yourself," a snarky rebuttal to his father's band's mantra, "Help!" Despite Julian's well-documented beefs with his father, the single "Saltwater" proves he is John Lennon's son. "Saltwater" extends the message his father championed and would have made John proud. Despite achieving success in other countries, the single was a flop in the US.

"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" by John Lennon

Yes, I know it ain't Christmastime. But it is virtually impossible to find a John Lennon song that hasn't done well on the music charts. The genius of John Lennon goes back to his tenure in the legendary Beatles, but his solo work took on a somewhat different direction.

A man all about peace and justice, many will be surprised to hear that "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" never made a chart appearance, despite its omnipresence on every radio station each December. Many other artists have covered this terrific song, but only one group managed to get the song on the charts: The Fray took it to #50 in 2006.

Ironically, this beloved pacifist was taken from us too early when he was shot in December, 1980 at the height of a successful comeback.

"Confetti" by The Lemonheads

Led by the dreamy stoner dude, Evan Dando, Boston's The Lemonheads are an alternative rock band that tasted their 15 minutes of fame in the early nineties. After amassing a cult following since their formation in 1986, the band settled into a slacker acoustic rock niche that wrote artsy tunes that provided a reprieve from the gritty grunge of the '90s.

The band scored some major airplay with their excellent LP, "It's A Shame About Ray," thanks to the title track (whose video featured Johnny Depp) and their cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson." The '90s darling Juliana Hatfield played bass and sang on some of the tracks, too.

The band followed these singles up with their 1993 record, "Come On Feel The Lemonheads," which yielded their only chart hit, "Into Your Arms." "Into Your Arms" embraced the #67 position in 1993. Despite some other strong potential hits on this record, such as "The Great Big No," the band pretty much soured after this flash of fame.

"Confetti" comes from their landmark "It's A Shame About Ray" album. To this day, I am surprised this catchy song was not one to put them on the map sooner.

"She May Call You Up Tonight" by The Left Banke

The Left Banke was a baroque pop band from Manhattan that made their debut on the charts in 1966 with the sweet classic, "Walk Away Renee," which hit #5 and became a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame song. Their follow-up, "Pretty Ballerina," also did well, landing at #15. Outside of a blip on the chart at #98 with "Desiree" in 1967, the band was never heard from again.

Going through some of their other songs, I can understand why. While nothing is horrible, nothing particularly stands out. Perhaps they set too high a bar with the magical harmonies in "Walk Away Renee." There is one track, however, that I stumbled across that deserved chart action, the infectious "She May Call You Up Tonight."

The band broke up in 1969 after releasing just two albums, although they did release an attempted comeback LP in 1986. Primary songwriter and pianist Michael Brown would later join a band called The Stories. He passed away in 2015.

"Good Times" by Tommy Lee

Most know Tommy Lee as the theatrical drummer for glam band Motley Crue, but during their downtime he's put out a couple solo records. In 2005, he released his sophomore album, "Tommyland: The Ride," which accompanied his book of the same title and his reality TV show, Tommy Lee Goes To College.

"Good Times" was the lead off track to this album, and also the theme song for his TV show. The tune gave Lee his one and only chart appearance, making at showing at #95 that year. It is a fun song to play with the top down, thanks to a killer chorus that was taken up a notch by Butch Walker (SouthGang, Marvelous 3).

Other guests on this solid effort range from Chad Kroeger (Nickelback) to Nick Carter (Backstreet Boys) to Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers).

"Wedlock Is A Padlock" by Laura Lee

Laura Lee is hands-down one of the most underrated soul singers of her time. During the late 60s and early 70s, this gifted vocalist from Chicago was belting out some awesome tunes, many with lyrics to empower women. She only scored a single top 40 hit when "Women's Love Rights" landed at #36 in 1971. How songs like "Wedlock Is A Padlock," "Crumbs Off The Table," and "Rip Off" didn't soar into the top 10, I'll never understand.

"American Television" by Ben Lee

It's a bit surprising that the Aussie radio star, Ben Lee, has never scored a hit on the US Top 100 music chart. This quirky and fun singer/songwriter got his start in a band called Noise Addict, and has released 11 solo records since their breakup in 1995.

Lee came close to hitting the US chart in 2005 when his album "Awake Is The New Sleep" arrived, which spawned familiar tunes like "Catch My Disease" and "We're All In This Together." 

"American Television" is a perky tune from his excellent 2007 record called "Ripe." In addition to enjoying this upbeat song, see how many hit TV show references you can spot in the video.

"Megalomania" by Last Autumn's Dream

European melodic rock band Last Autumn's Dream formed in 2002 and have cranked out over a dozen studio albums so far. Recalling the best of bands like Journey and Foreigner, Last Autumn's Dream puts a modern spin on what would otherwise be considered a dated musical genre.

"Megalomania" is an anthem made of pure ear candy and comes from their 2011 album "Nine Lives."