"Go For Soda" by Kim Mitchell

Canadian rocker Kim Mitchell had one minor hit in the US in 1985, released from his album, "Akimbo Alogo." Most people don't remember this tune, but end up loving it after they hear it. "Go For Soda" only bubbled up to #86 on the US charts.

Prior to his solo career, he was in the hard rock band Max Webster. Mitchell continued to release solo records and maintained a presence on the Canadian music charts well into the 90s. One of his more contemporary songs that I liked is "Love Overtime" from 2007.

"Whole Lot Of Shakin' In My Heart (Since I Met You)" by The Miracles

The Miracles were one of greatest soul groups to emerge from Detroit. Led by the amazing Smokey Robinson, the group dominated the 60s with an impressive string of top 40 hits that earned them the 18th most successful group of the decade. Some of their best known classics include "Shop Around" (#2), "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" (#8), "The Tracks Of My Tears" (#16), "I Second That Emotion" (#4), and "Baby, Baby Don't Cry" (#8).

The Miracles could boast two #1 hits in their career: "The Tears Of A Clown" from 1970 and "Love Machine (Part 1)" from 1976. The latter was with Robinson's replacement, Billy Griffin, after he left The Miracles in 1973 for a solo career. It was also the group's final appearance on the chart.

"Whole Lot Of Shakin' In My Heart (Since I Met You)" is a lost gem from 1966 that stalled at #46.

"Turn It Into Love" by Kylie Minogue

Australian soap opera star, Kylie Minogue, is better known stateside for her appearances on the music charts. She seemed destined to be a one-hit wonder of the 80s when her cover of "The Loco-Motion" soared to #3 in 1988. Her follow-up single, "It's No Secret," only reached #37 and nothing charted from her next record, 1989's "Enjoy Yourself."

But Minogue mounted an unlikely comeback in 2002 when "Can't Get You Out Of My Head" reached #7, having everyone asking, "Is that the same Kylie Minogue from the 80s?" The answer is yes.

The comeback didn't last long. Her immediate follow-up single, "Love At First Sight," did well landing at #23, but she hasn't seen the charts again since 2004 when "Slow" struggled to reach #91.

The fan of 80s music that I am, I can't help but highlight another cut off her 1988 debut album, "Kylie." "Turn It Into Love" is pure bubble gum fluff, but dammit I like it.

"As Long As I Have You" by Garnet Mimms

How was Garnet Mimms nothing more than a one-hit wonder in the 60s? This Philly raised soul singer soared up the charts to #4 with his debut single, "Cry Baby," in 1963 (the same song Janis Joplin took to #42 in 1971). He had a few other top 40 singles hit as the decade progressed, including "For Your Precious Love" (#26), "Baby Don't You Weep" (#30), and "I'll Take Good Care Of You" (#30), but he remains largely unknown.

In a perfect musical world, "As Long As I Have You" from 1964 would be a classic from the era that everyone knows. After floundering in the biz in the 70s and releasing some funk tunes, he gave up pop music for gospel and ministering to prisoners.

"I Wouldn't Have Missed It For The World" by Ronnie Milsap

Although he was born blind, Ronnie Milsap would become one of the biggest stars in country through the 70s. His popularity reached a peak at the start of the 80s when he crossed over to the pop charts.

His big smash hit was "(There's) No Gettin' Over Me," which soared to #5 in 1981. The follow-up single, "I Wouldn't Have Missed It For The World," should have bested this in my opinion, but it stopped at #20. 

Milsap would return to the charts with a couple singles from his next LP, including "Any Day Now," which peaked at #14. His last Top 100 appearance came in 1984 when the rocking "She Loves My Car" stalled at #84.

Milsap was inducted into the C&W Hall of Fame in 2014.

"Cool Magic" by Steve Miller Band

The Steve Miller Band first hit the charts way back in 1969 with "Living In The USA," which just barely managed to break in at #94 (the same song would resurface in 1974 to hit #49). Many readers will be surprised to hear that their classic song, "Space Cowboy," from 1969 never charted.

The band's big break arrived in 1973 when "The Joker" landed at #1, the first of three chart-toppers for the band. The other two were "Rock'n Me" in 1976 and "Abracadabra" in 1982. In-between #1 smashes, the band was on a roll through the 70s with classics like "Take The Money And Run" (#11), "Fly Like An Eagle" (#2), "Jet Airliner" (#8), and "Jungle Love" (#23).

"Cool Magic" was the follow-up single from "Abracadabra," and it surprisingly only went to #57. The band tried to adapt to the changing sound of 80s music, but it didn't work out to well and their last chart appearance came in 1993 when "Wide River" landed at #64. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.

"Four-Eyed Girl" by Rhett Miller

Rhett Miller, also a member of the alt-country band Old 97's, is an acclaimed singer/songwriter who has yet to make an appearance on the charts despite releasing quality albums as a solo artist since "The Instigator" in 2002.

The best known track from the record is "Come Around," but "Four-Eyed Girl" is a fun, overlooked gem.

"Be Good To Yourself" by Frankie Miller

Frankie Miller is like the Scottish Bob Seger who didn't have commercial success. Seger even once remarked that Miller was a strong influence on him. Releasing a string of classic rock albums through the 70s and early 80s, Miller only managed two top 100 singles in the US: "The Doodle Song" (#71 in 1977) and "To Dream The Dream" (#62 in 1982).

"Be Good To Yourself" is the leading track off his 1977 album, "Full House," largely regarded as one of his best records.

"In Between Tears" by Lenny Miles

Lenny Miles was a promising R&B singer from Texas whose life was cut short way too early at the age of 27 from cancer. Before his death, he scored two chart appearances in 1961 with "Don't Believe Him, Donna," which went to #41, and "In Between Tears," which went to #84. What a shame we did not have the opportunity to hear more from the talented Lenny Miles.

"Poor Boy Down" by Mike + The Mechanics

When he wasn't busy in Genesis or making solo records, Mike Rutherford jammed with his musical all-stars in Mike + The Mechanics. Rutherford recruited "ace" vocalists Paul Carrack (Ace, Squeeze) and Paul Young (but not the same Paul Young who had a hit with "Every Time You Go Away"). 

The band's first effort (self-titled) appeared in 1985 and quickly spawned two top 10 hits with "Silent Running" (#6) and "All I Need Is A Miracle" (#5). The band's follow-up LP, "Living Years," featured a title track that soared to #1, and some decent but lesser known singles like "Nobody's Perfect" (#63) and "Seeing Is Believing" (#62). Their last chart appearance arrived in 1991 with a single from their third effort, the title-track to "Word Of Mouth," which stalled at #78.

Young passed away from a heart attack in 2000 at the age of 53 and saw Carrack taking over all vocal duties until they broke up a few years later. Rutherford has released a couple more records in recent years under the Mike + The Mechanics name, but with a different crew.

"Poor Boy Down" is one of the underrated cuts from "Living Years."

"The Heartbreak Thing" by The Mighty Lemon Drops

English alternative rock band The Mighty Lemon Drops released several albums in the late 80s and early 90s, but all the stars came into alignment for their 1989 LP entitled, "Laughter." It is astonishing that this fantastic record didn't make these guys a household name. 

"Laughter" was hotly anticipated given the modest success of the band's single "Inside Out" from their previous record, "World Without End." This catchy little song saw a lot of airplay on MTV's 120 Minutes and helped the band generate a small cult following. The first single, "Into The Heart Of Love," was a delicious confection made for radio, and showcased the pop sensibilities the band had embraced for this record. Unbelievably, the single went nowhere and the band quickly dissolved into obscurity.

"The Heartbreak Thing" is another terrific cut from this underrated record, a must for any collection! 

"Sometimes" by Midnight Oil

Australian rock band Midnight Oil struck an unlikely chord with the US in the late 80s, scoring a single top 40 hit with "Beds Are Burning," a song about the hardships faced by native Australians. The politically charged tune hit #17 in 1988.

The band would score two additional charting singles building off this momentum. "The Dead Heart" reached #53 and "Blue Sky Mine," from their follow-up LP, went to #47 in 1990. Surprisingly, a terrific radio-friendly song called "Forgotten Years" from this record failed to chart.

"Sometimes" was the closing track to their breakthrough 1987 record, "Diesel and Dust." It is an inspirational anthem that reminds us that sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, so don't give in.

"Time Machine" by Ingrid Michaelson

New York native Ingrid Michaelson has been busy cranking out tunes since her first record in 2005, "Slow The Rain." She had her first taste of chart success in 2007 when "The Way I Am" reached #37, the only time she's been able to crack the top 40 to date. Her next chart single was "Be OK," which stalled at #91. Michaelson would not pay the chart another visit until the super catchy "Girls Chase Boys" hit #52 in 2014.

"Time Machine" is a terrific cut from "Lights Out," the same record that spawned "Girls Chase Boys."

"Something To Save" by George Michael

Most of what George Michael released in his heyday easily had instant chart success, so there isn't too much from his prolific era to highlight that is "off the chart." Capitalizing on the success he had in Wham!, Michael's solo career made him the 5th most successful artist of the 80s. The 90s weren't too shabby to him, either, as he managed to maintain a healthy chart presence to be the 33rd most successful artist in the 1990s.

His masterpiece album, "Faith," spawned four #1 hits and two more top 10s, but the monster success left Michael struggling with artistic identity. Wanting to be taken more seriously as a songwriter, Michael did a complete 180 with his follow up, 1990's "Listen Without Prejudice, Vol I." (There was a Vol. II but it was abandoned for reasons that remain unknown.) On "Listen," Michael left the catchy pop and dance music behind and focused more on acoustic guitars and piano. The lyrics were more thoughtful and surprisingly darker. While vastly different than its predecessor, the album produced two top 10 hits ("Praying For Time" hit #1 and "Freedom" hit #8) and 2 more top 40 hits: "Waiting For That Day" reached #27 and the haunting "Mother's Pride" (one of Michael's strongest compositions in my opinion) hit #46.

"Something To Save" is an underrated cut from "Listen" that didn't chart. A simple piece featuring voice and guitar, the song lets his raw talent shine.

Michael would hit the top again soon enough one last time: his cover (and duet) of Elton John's hit, "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" was #1 in 1992. His last chart appearance occurred in 1996 when "Jesus To A Child" and "Fastlove" hit #7 and #8, respectively. Then he faded from the limelight, largely by choice of not wanting to perform as frequently.

Sadly, Michael passed away from heart failure on Christmas Day in 2016 at 53 years old. His amazing voice and songwriting legacy endures, and he is currently ranked as the 49th most successful artist of all-time.

"Fuel" by Metallica

Arguably one of the most successful heavy metal bands to ever thrash the charts, Metallica's history goes all the way back to 1981. An unexpected hit emerged with their ballad, "One" (from the album "...And Justice For All"), which crept up to #35 in 1989 and earned the band their first Grammy. The first video Metallica ever made, "One" haunted the minds of viewers and had them all checking out the book and movie, Johnny Got His Gun.

Expectations were running high for Metallica's next album, which was self-titled but is commonly referred to as "The Black Album." The band did not disappoint. The album yielded five top 100 singles - unprecedented for a heavy metal band. The best performer was "Enter Sandman," which peaked at #16 in 1991.

But that would not be Metallica's best chart performance. The band delivered two albums in quick succession in 1996 and 1997 and the lead single, "Until It Sleeps" hit #10, giving Metallica their only top 10 hit to date. "Fuel" comes from the album "Reload" and is one of the finest tracks I've heard from any heavy metal band. Everything that is great about this band is encapsulated in this one amazing song. It was the third single, but didn't chart.

"Troubled Times" by The Merrymakers

The Merrymakers may be one of the finest bands to come out of Sweden since ABBA. With a knack for amazing hooks and well-crafted harmonies, The Merrymakers released some of the best power pop records of the 90s. The masterminds behind the group are Anders Hellgren and David Myhr.

"Troubled Times" is just a sample of the terrific songs packed into their 1999 release called "Bubblegun," which is easily one of my dessert island records.

"High Wire" by Men At Work

Before Crocodile Dundee, Fosters, and Outback Steakhouse put all things Australian in fashion in the US, there was Men At Work. Few bands can boast back-to-back debut #1 singles, but Men At Work pulled it off with "Who Can It Be Now?" and "Down Under." Surprisingly, nothing else charted from their landmark debut album, "Business As Usual." Still, their out-of-the-box success won them the 1982 Grammy for Best New Artist.

The boys, led by vocalist Colin James Hay, were under a lot of pressure to avoid a sophomore jinx, but once again they pulled it off. "Overkill" went to #3, "It's A Mistake" hit #6, and "Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive" landed at #28.

Then Men At Work were forced into early retirement. Their third album, 1985's "Two Hearts" was a flop, generating their last top 100 single, "Everything I Need," which stalled at #47. The sessions for the album got heated and caused some members to leave. Colin James Hay embarked on a quiet solo career after "Two Hearts" broke.

"High Wire" is a great tune from their sophomore record, "Cargo." I recall hearing it on the radio, but it did not hit the chart.

"Someday" by John Mellencamp

Hailing from southern Indiana, rock artist John Mellencamp started his career as John or Johnny Cougar, a name given to him by David Bowie's manager, thinking it would help him mass an audience. Mellencamp was likely destined for superstardom no matter what because he had songs. The prolific singer and songwriter has amassed 22 top 40 hits: 10 reaching the top ten, and one reaching #1 ("Jack & Diane"). He was the 9th most successful artist in the 80s and won a Grammy for "Hurts So Good," which reached #2 in 1982.

Mellencamp stayed true to his midwestern sound throughout the 90s, but what brought him continued success was his fearlessness to experiment. He fused some reggae, rap, and electronic beats into some of his tunes, keeping critics interested and audiences entertained. He's also performed some high-profile duets, the most successful being a cover of Van Morrison's "Wild Night" with Me'Shell Ndegeocello, which hit #3 in 1994. The brilliant "Peaceful World" from 2001 was recorded with India.Arie but it bubbled under.

Mellencamp hasn't seen the top 100 since 2006, when "Our Country" stalled at #88. The single comes from the album "Freedom's Road," an underrated effort in his catalogue that seemed poised to be a major comeback. "Someday" is another terrific cut from this record that should have restored him to top 40 glory.

"Built To Last" by Melee

With the resurgence of piano rock in the 2000s, led by groups like The Fray, Keane, and Five For Fighting, you'd think Melee would have been able to capitalize on it. Sadly, their 2007 major label debut, "Devils And Angels" went nowhere. For me, it was one of the best records of the year.

"Built To Last" is the leadoff track from the record, and it surprises me to no end that it wasn't a hit. After the follow-up record in 2010 called "The Masquerade" also tanked, the band called it quits. What a waste of chemistry and talent! 

"If It Ain't Broke, Break It" by Meat Loaf

One of the most successful artists to pioneer theatrical rock is none other than Michael Lee Aday, better known as Meat Loaf, a nickname given to him by a football coach. His unique style and voice was getting noticed early in his career, as he was cast in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and was invited to sing most of the tracks on the 1976 Ted Nugent record, "Free-For-All."

Meat Loaf's big break arrived with his epic 1977 record, "Bat Out Of Hell." It became one of the biggest selling albums of all-time and produced three top 40 hits that are now staples of classic rock: "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad" (#11), "Paradise By The Dashboard Light" (#39), and "You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth" (#39). His follow-up record was delayed four years thanks to a vocal injury, and after "I'm Gonna Love Her For Both Of Us" stalled at #84 in 1981, it appeared Meat Loaf was toast.

Enter one of music's most unlikely comebacks: in 1993, Meat Loaf scored his biggest hit with "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)." The song, which had everyone guessing what he wouldn't do, stayed at #1 for a ridiculous five weeks and earned the Loaf a well-deserved Grammy. The song came from his 7th album, and second in the "Bat Out of Hell" trilogy. The success helped keep Meat Loaf on the charts until 1996, when "Not A Dry Eye In The House" stalled at #82.

There were high hopes in 2006 that the third installment of the "Bat Out Of Hell" trilogy would make people hungry for Meat Loaf once again. The record still has the epic (in other words, overly long), soaring ballads one would expect, but it also rocks harder than its predecessors. It failed to reignite his chart career, but there are some worthy cuts like "If It Ain't Broke, Break It."