"Running In The Rain" by The Paley Brothers

Bursting with talent that was never widely embraced, brothers Andy and Jonathan of The Paley Brothers fell through the cracks of the late 70s music scene. The closest they came to breaking onto the charts was in 1978 when "You're The Best" bubbled under at #109. Consequently, their debut album fizzled and the brothers were relegated to underrated power pop pioneer status.

"Running In The Rain" is one of their unreleased tracks, which was probably destined for a second album that went unreleased at the time. Many tracks for that record finally saw the light of day in 2013 with the release of "The Complete Recordings."

"Indecision" by Steven Page

Steven Page was one of the principle songwriters and vocalists in Canadian band Barenaked Ladies, but decided to try out a solo career in 2009. He's released several albums to date, most of which continue the quirky pop songwriting that made fans fall in love with Barenaked Ladies.

Page has yet to crack the US Top 100 as a solo artist, but don't let that deter you from enjoying his catalogue. "Indecision" comes from his 2010 record called "Page One."

"Anywhere You Go" by David Pack

After his departure from the soft rock band Ambrosia, which scored a string of memorable hits in the latter half of the 70s, lead singer David Pack struck out on a solo career. He barely managed his single chart appearance as a solo artist in 1984 when "Prove Me Wrong" crawled up to #95, thanks in part to being featured in the movie, White Nights.

"Prove Me Wrong" was also on his 1985 album, "Anywhere You Go." The title track is probably my favorite song by Pack, who didn't release another solo album until "Unborn" in 2004.

"This Time" by Pablo Cruise

Putting the "yacht" in Yacht Rock, Pablo Cruise embodied the San Francisco pop scene in the late 70s. They scored two top 10 hits that each went to #6: "Whatcha Gonna Do?" and "Love Will Find A Way." A number of other minor hits may also sound familiar to you, such as "A Place In The Sun" (#42), "Don't Want To Live Without It" (#21), and "Cool Love" (#13).

With the arrival of the 80s, Pablo Cruise struggled to maintain a presence on the charts and broke up by 1986.

"This Time" is an underrated anthem that kicks off the band's 1981 effort, "Reflector." With a bit more pep and energy than their usual soft rock style, this motivational tune gets you moving - more speedboat than sailing.

"Sonny Boy" by Owsley

How Will Owsley III, known better as simply Owsley, never became a chart success I'll never know. Owsley was an uber-talented singer and songwriter who specialized in pop rock melodies that are just a joy to listen to again and again.

Owsley got his start in Judson Spence's band, but came into his own with the 90s power pop band called The Semantics, which also featured Ringo Starr's son. The band was terrific but their music did not fit with the times. 

Owsley then went solo, releasing his first self-titled effort in 1999 to critical acclaim but into a commercial abyss. "Sonny Boy" is just a taste of wonderful stuff from this record, which includes other highlights like "Coming Up Roses" and "Good Old Days."

Starting in 1994, Owsley also became a longtime player with superstars Amy Grant and Shania Twain. He still found time to release a second solo record in 2004 called "The Hard Way" (be sure not to overlook "Undone" and his version of Paul McCartney's "Band On The Run"). Sadly, he died from an apparent suicide in 2010 at the age of 44.

"Take Me Home" by The Outfield

There are so many enjoyable songs performed by London band The Outfield that didn't appear on the US charts that it is very hard to select just one to highlight. The band knocked its first hit out of the park in 1986 when "Your Love" soared to #6, followed by "All The Love In The World," which went to #19. A third single from their debut album ("Play Deep"), the ballad "Everytime You Cry," deserved better than #66.

The band sustained a modest chart presence on the strength of lead singles from their subsequent albums. The awesome "Since You've Been Gone" only went to #31, "Voices of Babylon" only #25, "For You" got to #21, and "Closer To Me," their final chart appearance in 1992, only reached a disappointing #43 despite having comeback hit written all over it. And somehow, the incredible "My Paradise" only went to #72.

"Take Me Home" is from the band's 1992 effort, "Rockeye." Not a lyrical masterpiece, but just a feel good, silly lust song.

Sadly, primary songwriter and guitarist John Spinks passed away in 2014 at the age of 60. Vocalist and bassist Tony Lewis released a fine solo album in 2018 that fans of The Outfield would appreciate. 

"Annie" by Our Lady Peace

Lead by the distinctive vocals of Raine Maida, Our Lady Peace is a post-grunge band hailing from Ontario, Canada. Formed in 1992, they attained their first chart appearance in the US with their breakthrough 1997 album, "Clumsy." Two singles from this record put the band on the Top 100: "Superman's Dead" flew to #74 and the title track stumbled to #59 (it was also featured in the hit movie, I Know What You Did Last Summer).

The band returned in 1999 with a strangely named yet terrific follow-up record called "Happiness...Is Not A Fish You Can Catch." I thought the single, "One Man Army," was amazing and would secure the band a longterm home on the US charts. But it was not to be and the band fell off the radar until they retooled their sound with producer Bob Rock in 2002 and scored their biggest hit yet, "Somewhere Out There," which went to #44. Despite many strong tunes thereafter ("Life," "Innocent," "Where Are You," "All You Did Was Save My Life," "The Right Stuff," "Head Down"), the band has yet to crack the US charts again.

"Annie" is another great cut from the "Happiness" album. Check it out, as well as the band's extensive catalogue of nine albums and counting.

"Holiday" by The Other Ones

The Other Ones were an Aussie band consisting mostly of brothers and sisters who squeaked out two minor hits in the US in 1987. 

The first was "We Are What We Are," which peaked at #53, and the much more upbeat "Holiday," which topped out at #29. Not sure why this fun tune didn't do better and help secure the band more staying power. Also unsure why you rarely hear it on any 80s station or program.

"Living Without You" by The Organ Beats

After the demise of her rock band Damone, lead singer and guitarist Noelle LeBlanc formed a new power rock outfit called The Organ Beats. The Organ Beats largely follow in the footsteps of Damone, but with a slightly more melodic edge.

"Living Without You" is from the band's sophomore release, 2012's "Goldenheart." Aside from an EP released in 2016, the band appears to be inactive. I hope they release more - there's a huge amount of potential here, and LeBlanc is too talented to be off the charts.

"You Got Me Going" by Gilbert O'Sullivan

Irish singer/songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan is best known for his tear-jerking #1 smash, "Alone Again (Naturally)," which wept at the top of the chart for 6 weeks in 1972. Most people struggle to think of another hit by O'Sullivan, but he's had several, including "Clair," which stayed at #2 for 2 weeks. He's not just a balladeer, either, as evidenced by the upbeat tunes "Out Of The Question" (#17), "Get Down" (#7), and "Ooh Baby" (#25).

After these chart bursts, O'Sullivan quickly cooled off in the US, his last top 100 appearance being "Happiness Is Me And You" landing at #62 in 1974. He's continued to make tons of records through the years, the last one in 2018.

"You Got Me Going" comes from O'Sullivan's hitless 1977 effort, "Southpaw." Not sure why audiences abandoned his pop sensibilities so prematurely. This song, and many others, deserved better.

"I Don't Want To Change The World" by Ozzy Osbourne

John Michael Osbourne, more commonly known as Ozzy, rose to fame in his groundbreaking heavy metal band Black Sabbath in the 70s. Earning himself the nickname "The Prince of Darkness," Ozzy lived up to this reputation with outrageous partying and on-stage antics, which only increased in intensity after he was fired from the band in 1979.

Osbourne has sustained remarkable success ever since, which came full circle with a Black Sabbath reunion in 2011. While never a major presence on the Top 100, he's sold tons of records around the world and he's known for a number of classic rock hits like "Crazy Train," "Goodbye To Romance," and "Mr. Crowley."

The first single Ozzy landed on the chart was "Shot In The Dark," which managed to reach #68 in 1986. His biggest chart success came soon after in the form of a haunting duet with Lita Ford called "Close My Eyes Forever," which peaked at #8 in 1989. 

Riding this resurgence of popularity, Ozzy worked on his biggest commercial success yet, the 1991 effort "No More Tears." The title track went to #71 and his acoustic-driven power ballad, "Mama, I'm Coming Home," landed at #28, giving him his second best chart success. Ozzy's only other Top 100 appearance came in 2007 when "I Don't Wanna Stop" reached #61.

"I Don't Want To Change The World" is another cut from "No More Tears" that remains one of my favorite Ozzy tunes. It didn't chart, but won a Grammy for Metal Performance. Like several other songs from this masterpiece of an album, it was co-written with Lemmy from Motorhead.

"The Okay Song" by Orson

Orson was a modern rock band from California that formed in the early 2000s and released their debut record, "Bright Idea," in 2006. The album is one of my favorites from the decade, and it soared to the top of the UK chart on the strength of the first single, "No Tomorrow." It is truly baffling that the band couldn't land a song on the US Top 100. Consequently, the world would hear from them no more.

"The Okay Song" ends the album, but it is actually a great pick-me-up tune. Check out this band!

"Goin' Places" by The Orlons

The Orlons were a Philly R&B outfit whose members formed the group while still in high school. They scored three classic hits in a row starting in 1962 with "The Wah Watusi" (#2), "Don't Hang Up" (#4), and "South Street" (#3).

After a couple more top 40 hits the next year, "Not Me" (#12) and "Cross Fire!" (#19), the group began to fade away into obscurity. Changing musical times were eclipsing the malt shop style music popular in the 50s. The group's final chart appearance was in 1964 when the fun tune, "Knock! Knock! (Who's There?)" stalled at #64.

"Goin' Places" is an underrated tune they performed that was just out of time. Back in the 50s, it could have been a chart success. It was the B-side to "Knock! Knock!"

"Fresh Wind" by Orleans

Orleans was a soft rock band from New York that rode the yacht rock wave through the 70s. Their mix of acoustic rock and country with stunning layered harmonies sometimes rivaled The Eagles, but they didn't have the same success on the charts.

Lead singer and guitarist John Hall left to form his own band in 1977. Orleans would forge ahead and nearly hit the top 10 again in 1979 when "Love Takes Time" flew to #11. The band could not capitalize on this momentum, and "Love" became their last chart appearance.

"Fresh Wind" is from the band's breakthrough 1975 effort, "Let There Be Music," which gave the band one of their biggest hits, "Dance With Me" (#6), and a minor one, the title track (#55). My favorite Orleans cut, "Still The One," arrived the following year to hit #5.

"Be Careful" by Dolores O'Riordan

Dolores O'Riordan was the Irish siren fronting the 90s hitmakers known as The Cranberries. The group scored a number of top 40 hits but by 2003, O'Riordan was ready to try her hand at a solo career.

She released two albums that decade in 2007 and 2009, just before The Cranberries reunited. Her sound did not deviate too much from The Cranberries, which may or may not be the reason she failed to become a chart presence on her own. Nevertheless, there are some gems on these albums that deserved to be heard.

"Be Careful" feels like a sequel to "Zombie," the haunting rocker that The Cranberries took to #22 in 1994. Sadly, O'Riordan died unexpectedly in 2018 at the age of 46, drowning in a bathtub because she was intoxicated.

"It Ain't Gonna Be Like That" by The Orioles

As you might surmise, The Orioles were a band from Baltimore, Maryland that rose to fame during the dawn of doo-wop. The Orioles mixed all sorts of other genres into their music, including jazz, blues, boogie, and soul. It is surprising they only had two hits, but they were big ones: "It's Too Soon To Know" hit #13 in 1948 and "Crying In The Chapel" bowed at #11 in 1953.

"It Ain't Gonna Be Like That" is just one example of how many other great songs they recorded. The band was inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame in 1995, noted for their pioneering influence on the music to come.

"So Tough" by The Original Casuals

The Original Casuals were a doo-wop trio from Texas who scored a single chart hit in 1958 when their tune, "So Tough" managed to climb up to #42. That same year, R&B outfit, Kuf-Linx, took the song to #76. It is a terrific lost classic from the era.

The Original Casuals came to an abrupt and tragic end when one of the members died after accidentally shooting himself.