"Got My Mojo Working" by Muddy Waters

Muddy Waters (born McKinley Morganfield in Mississippi) was one of those musical legends who was hugely influential, garnering boatloads of critical acclaim and awards, yet never saw a single entry make its way onto the Top 100. Granted, he was a blues artist, but some of his songs are classics that mostly everyone knows, so how come none of them were able to crossover?

Some of his best known tracks include "Mannish Boy," "I'm A King Bee," "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man," "Rollin' Stone," and this one, "Got My Mojo Working."

Muddy Waters passed away in 1983 at the age of 70.

"Broken Arrow" by Waterfront

Most people in the US probably don't remember the duo from Wales calling themselves Waterfront, but they scored a Top 10 hit in 1989 with "Cry" (#10). Their follow-up single, "Nature Of Love," stalled at #70 and they were all but forgotten.

"Broken Arrow" is another track from their self-titled record that should have done better. Waterfront is not remembered as much as their counterparts like Breathe and Johnny Hates Jazz, but if you liked late 80s pop, check them out.

"Knocked Down, Made Small" by Was (Not Was)

Most people remember Was (Not Was) as a one-hit wonder that started a minor dance craze in the late 80s with their classic, "Walk The Dinosaur," which strutted to #7 in 1989. The group is essentially a duo of Don Fagenson (Don Was) and David Weiss (David Was) with multiple vocalists.

Was (Not Was) had two additional chart appearances before and after "Dinosaur." In 1988, they took "Spy In The House Of Love" to #16, and "Anything Can Happen" stalled at #75 in 1989, their final chart appearance.

The versatile and often quirky group had a few additional radio-friendly cuts scattered across their records. "Knocked Down, Made Small" is an awesome song that kicks off their debut 1983 album, "Born To Laugh At Tornadoes."

"Soulville" by Dinah Washington

Born Ruth Lee Jones, Dinah Washington is one of the legends of jazz and blues. Her stunning voice sang a ton of material during her all-too-brief life, which came to a tragic end in 1963 at the age of 39 following an overdose.

Washington was singing in various outlets since the 40s, but had an impressive run on the pop charts starting in 1958 when "What A Diff'rence A Day Makes" peaked at #8 and won a Grammy for R&B Record. She followed it up with her version of "Unforgettable," which landed at #17. Both singles are in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Washington landed two additional Top 10 hits, both with Brook Benton. "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" and "A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around And Fall In Love)," which reached #5 and #7, respectively. During her hey day, Washington racked up additional Grammy winners and R&R Hall of Famers that didn't chart, like "Am I Asking Too Much," "TV Is The Thing (This Year)," and "Teach Me Tonight." She herself was inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame in 1993.

The brilliant "Soulville" has the distinction of being her final chart appearance, only reaching #92 in 1963, the year Washington's voice left us mortals.

"I've Got A Feeling" by Baby Washington

Born in South Carolina and raised in Harlem, Baby Washington got her start as a member of a vocal group called The Hearts. The Hearts landed a single minor chart appearance in 1963 when "Dear Abby" reached #94. In parallel, Baby Washington was trying to jumpstart a solo career that never quite took off for reasons that defy all logic.

Washington only managed a single Top 40 appearance when the ballad "That's How Heartaches Are Made" landed at #40 in 1963. She scored a few other Top 100 entries but nothing that delivered the attention she deserved. Her short chart career ended in 1965 when "Only Those In Love" stalled at #73.

"I've Got A Feeling" is a taste of what the world has missed.

"Get Rid Of Him" by Dionne Warwick

Dionne Warwick is one of the most popular vocalists of all-time, ranking #34. She was also the 23rd most successful chart artist of the 60s. Her long-running chart career spans 4 decades and began when "Don't Make Me Over" peaked at #21 in 1963. The song has since earned an entry into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Warwick herself was awarded the Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in 2019.

Dionne Warwick is the older sister of Dee Dee Warwick and Whitney Houston's cousin. The bulk of her extensive catalogue was written by the epic songwriting duo of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. The biggest hits Warwick had each decade include "(Theme From) Valley Of The Dolls" (#2 in 1968), "Then Came You" (#1 in 1974, a team effort with The Spinners), and "That's What Friends Are For" (#1 for four weeks in 1986, a group effort with Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Gladys Knight). Warwick scored one lone chart appearance in the 90s when a new superstar version of "What The World Needs Now Is Love" crawled up to #87 in 1998.

Going all the way back to the beginnings of her stellar career, Warwick was churning out so many great tunes that the chart couldn't hold them all. "Get Rid Of Him" from 1964 is a fine example.

"You're No Good" by Dee Dee Warwick

Dee Dee Warwick is the younger sister of Dionne Warwick, both of whom are cousins of Whitney Houston. Lots of vocal prowess in this family!

Dee Dee did not have the illustrious career of Dionne, but it's not for lack of talent. Dee Dee did a ton of backup vocals for others, and nearly cracked the Top 40 in 1966 when "I Want To Be With You" landed at #41.

Her version of "You're No Good" is also worth a spin. The version of the song most people are familiar with is Linda Ronstadt's, which went to #1 in 1975. Dee Dee's version was released in 1963 and it's stunning that it didn't claim the top spot first.

Dee Dee passed away in 2008 at the age of 66.

"Ultraphobic" by Warrant

Warrant quickly rose to fame during the hairband craze of the late 80s and just as quickly fell out of fashion with the advent of grunge. But during that brief period this California band led by Jani Lane racked up some 80s classics like "Down Boys" (#27), "Heaven" (#2), "Cherry Pie" (#10), and "I Saw Red" (#10).

Jani Lane was a terribly under-appreciated songwriter, pigeon-holed for cock rock. But some lesser known tunes like "Uncle Tom's Cabin," "Bed Of Roses," and "Quicksand" showcased his talent.

The band started on its downward spiral with their third album, an overly ambitious and confused effort called "Dog Eat Dog." Nothing from this record found its way onto the Top 100, but their cover of Queen's "We Will Rock You" for the Gladiator soundtrack landed at #83 in 1992, giving them one final entry.

The band tried to give a nod to grunge with 1995's "Ultraphobic" and it's follow-up, "Belly To Belly, Vol. 1," alienating old fans and failing to win new ones. Lane would soon leave the band to attempt a solo career and work with other musicians, notably in Saints of the Underground. Warrant soldiered on and has endured tons of personnel changes over the years. Lane passed away from acute alcohol poisoning in 2011 at the age of 47.

While "Ultraphobic" catered to the grunge fad, it contained some tracks reminiscent of the classic melodic rock that made Warrant famous. In addition to the excellent title track, check out "Undertow," "Crawl Space," and the acoustic ballad "Stronger Now."

"Tear Jerker" by Warpipes

If the music of the band Warpipes sounds familiar, that's because you've heard them before. The group is a mix of musicians best known for playing in Elton John's band, including Nigel Olsson, Guy Babylon, Bob Birch, and Davey Johnstone. Billy Trudel was brought on as the lead vocalist for this project.

The group released only one album, 1991's "Holes In The Heavens." Despite favorable reviews, the music label collapsed at the time of its release, no doubt hurting its chances of breaking through to the mainstream. A real shame, since the record is bursting with talent and contains several strong rockers and ballads in the epic Elton John tradition.

"Tear Jerker" is one of the ballads to give you a sample of what the world has missed.

"It Goes Like It Goes" by Jennifer Warnes

Actress and vocalist Jennifer Warnes enjoyed several notable appearances on the Top 100, beginning with "Right Time Of The Night,' which went to #6 in 1977. She was back in the Top 20 in 1979 when "I Know A Heartache When I See One" reached #19.

In the 80s, Warnes shared some big soundtrack hits as a duet partner, including "Up Where We Belong" with Joe Cocker from the film An Officer and A Gentlemen, and "(I've Had) The Time Of My Life" with Bill Medley from the film Dirty Dancing. Both of those hit #1 and won the Oscar the Best Song.

"It Goes Like It Goes" is a bittersweet ballad from the 1979 film Norma Rae. It didn't chart, but did win Warnes her first Oscar for Best Song.

"You Can't Keep A Good Man Down" by Billy Ward

Billy Ward was a songwriter and pianist backed by "His Dominoes," which included several different lead singers. He and his musicians scored a handful of minor hits in the 50s including "Sixty Minute Man" (#17 and a Grammy Hall of Famer), "St. Therese Of The Rose" (#13), and "Star Dust" (#12). He passed away in 2002 at the age of 80.

"You Can't Keep A Good Man Down" is one highlight among many from this underrated project led by Ward.

"Magic Mountain" by War

Funk rock all-stars War rode a wave of popularity through the 70s that made them the 33rd most successful artist of the decade. They racked up 7 Top 10 hits including classics like "Spill The Wine" (#3), "The Cisco Kid" (#2), "Low Rider" (#7), and "Why Can't We Be Friends?" (#6).

"Magic Mountain" is one of those infectious jams with a terrific vocal that fell through the cracks among all the other material released by this illustrious outfit. Their final chart appearance was in 1982 when "Outlaw" stalled at #94.

"Fire In The Twilight" by Wang Chung

Wang Chung was originally called Huang Chung, which means "yellow bell," and refers to the first note on the Chinese classical music scale.

This English new wave band started making waves on the chart in 1984 when "Don't Let Go" landed at #38. Their follow-up single, "Dance Hall Days," reached #16 and has become an 80s staple.

Wang Chung then delved into soundtrack work, including this underrated track for The Breakfast Club (which failed to chart), and a full soundtrack for To Live And Die In L.A., whose song of the same name peaked at #41 in 1985.

The band came back in a big way in 1986 with their album "Mosaic." The lead single, "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" spent 2 weeks at #2 and had everybody wondering what it meant to "Wang Chung Tonight." "Let's Go" gave the band their final Top 10 hit, peaking at #9. "Hypnotize Me," which was also featured on the soundtrack for Innerspace, landed at #36 and would become the band's final Top 40 appearance.

The band's final album of the 80s was "The Warmer Side of Cool," and only produced a minor hit with "Praying To A New God," which stalled at #63 in 1989. It's puzzling since I consider this record to be one of their stronger efforts. Wang Chung has released sporadic tunes since, including a reworked version of their biggest hit, "Everybody Stay Safe Tonight," to wish everyone well during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I Walked" by Wanderlust

There was a lot of buzz surrounding the Philly power pop band Wanderlust in the mid-90s. With two extremely talented songwriters with knacks for big juicy hooks (Scot Sax and Rob Bonfiglio), Wanderlust seemed poised for a breakthrough.

Of course that didn't happen, despite the popularity of the song "I Walked," the lead single from their 1995 debut record, "Prize." The band wrote material for a second album that did not happen before their breakup in 1997 (that material found its way to release on a double record from 2004 called "Lust And Found.")

Sax went on to a solo career, plus other projects like the amazing band Feel and Bachelor Number One, which landed a song called "Summertime" on the soundtrack to American Pie. Sax also has some impressive co-writing credits for artists like Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. Bonfiglio, who married Carnie Wilson of Wilson Phillips, also embarked on a solo career that included other projects like The Skies of America. 

The band got together for an unexpected reunion that produced a new album in 2012 called "Record Time."

"Joanne" by Waltham

Taking their name from their home base in Massachusetts, Waltham is a hard rock band with pop flair that released two albums in the first decade of the new millennium that surprisingly failed to catch on. 

"Joanne" is a sample to highlight their style and comes from their 2005 self-titled record. The band has released a handful of new songs more recently, but the long-awaited third album has yet to materialize.

"Analog Man" by Joe Walsh

Like many of the other Eagles, Joe Walsh has had a successful solo career. This noted guitarist, songwriter, and singer was a member of The James Gang and his own band (Barnstorm) prior to his long term position in The Eagles, which began in 1975.

Walsh's first chart appearance as a solo artist goes all the way back to 1973 when "Rocky Mountain Way" reached #23. He scored his biggest hit, "Life's Been Good," which reached #12, in 1978. Another notable Top 20 entry is his contribution to the Urban Cowboy soundtrack: "All Night Long," which peaked at #19 in 1980.

Walsh's chart career ended when "Space Age Whiz Kids" stalled at #52 in 1983, although his 1991 tune, "Ordinary Average Guy," received a lot of airplay and remains a fan favorite.

After a long hiatus, Walsh released an album a new songs in 2012 entitled, "Analog Man." Walsh proves he hasn't lost his touch for clever songwriting and self-effacing humor.

"How Good It Can Get" by The Wallflowers

Late in 1969, Bob Dylan and his first wife, Sara, had a child they named Jakob. By 1989, Jakob set out to follow in his old man's tracks to start a career in music with his band, The Wallflowers.

While their debut self-titled album didn't produce a hit single, the band soared to fame with their 1996 sophomore set, "Bringing Down The Horse." Thanks to a little help from Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows, who recently enjoyed superstar success, the album's first single "6th Avenue Heartbreak" gave the band their first chart hit, landing at #33. The follow-up single, "One Headlight" shot to #2 for five weeks, won a Grammy, and made the band a household name.

The Wallflowers would enjoy a couple more Top 40s hits, but failed to maintain their success in the new millennium. It's unclear why. Jakob Dylan's raspy vocals and thoughtful lyrics seem perfect for rock radio. Not even the brilliant "How Good It Can Get" from their 2002 album, "Red Letter Days," was able to renew enough interest at the radio stations that used to adore them.

Jakob Dylan has also released a couple of folkier solo albums, and The Wallflowers have not released anything new since 2012.

"Right On Brothers And Sisters" by Jr Walker & The All Stars

His name was Autry DeWalt-Mixom, but this saxophonist, vocalist, and songwriter from Arkansas was known to the world as Jr. Walker. He shot to fame with his classic hit "Shotgun," which reached #4 in 1965 and earned both Grammy and R&R Hall of Fame awards.

He and his "All Stars" would rack up a few other minor hits, including "(I'm A) Road Runner" (#20), "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" (#18), and "Come See About Me" (#24), before lunging back into the Top 10 with "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)" (#4) in 1969.

Walker's final chart appearance was in 1972 when "Walk In The Night" reached #46, unless you count his sax contribution on Foreigner's 1981 hit, "Urgent." Walker died of cancer in 1995 at the age of 64.

"Right On Brothers And Sisters" is one of Jr Walker's more laid back offerings, but this groovy song and its message always needs to be heard. It comes from his 1971 LP, "Rainbow Funk."

"Summer Of 89" by Butch Walker

Butch Walker got his start playing lead guitar for a glam band called SouthGang before forming his own alternative rock outfit (and one of the most underrated bands of the 90s), The Marvelous 3. After their demise, he struck out on a prolific solo career as a singer, songwriter, and producer.

Despite churning out tons of hit songs for a wide variety of other artists, Walker has yet to break onto the charts and remains an unsung hero in the music biz. His albums are as diverse as the acts he works with, but each one is a cohesive effort. If you're in the mood for arena rock, check out 2002's "Left Of Self-Centered." If you're in the mood for T. Rex-inspired 70s rock, check out 2006's "The Rise And Fall Of...Butch Walker And The Let's-Go-Out-Tonights." If it's a rainy Sunday and you need some acoustic tunes, check out 2015's "Afraid Of Ghosts." You get the idea.

"Summer Of 89" is Walker doing what he does best - combining punk lyrics with a bold, bombastic chorus that begs you to sing along. The track comes from his excellent 2011 album, "The Spade."

"Hard Times" by Wendy Waldman

Through the 70s, Wendy Waldman alternated between folk, pop, and soft rock to release a number of albums that didn't get much attention. Even an endorsement from Rolling Stone in 1973, which named her record the singer/songwriter debut of the year, failed to help. Her lone Top 100 appearance arrived in 1978 when "Long Hot Summer Nights" peaked at #76.

"Hard Times" comes from her 1978 LP, "Strange Company," on of her most consistent and radio-friendly efforts. Since then, Waldman largely focused on writing songs for a wide variety of other artists. 

"Change" by John Waite

English singer and songwriter John Waite has seen the upper echelons of the Top 100 in three different capacities: as a member of The Babys in the late 70s and early 80s, as a solo artist in the 80s, and as a member of the supergroup Bad English as the 80s turned into the 90s. Waite returned to making solo records, but his final chart appearance was back in 1995 when "How Did I Get By Without You?" stalled at #89.

Waite's biggest hit as a solo artist is the 80s classic, "Missing You," which spent one week at #1 in 1984. Strangely, Waite never saw the Top 10 again as a solo artist and in fact only breached the Top 40 twice more: "Tears" went to #37 in 1984 and "Every Step Of The Way" went to #25 in 1985.

"Change" is one of several tunes Waite performed that graced movie soundtracks. This great song only reached #54 in 1985, thanks to being featured in the movie Vision Quest. The song, penned by Holly Knight, originally appeared on his debut solo record, 1982's "Ignition."

"Easy Way Out" by Jack Wagner

On the acting side, Jack Wagner is best known for his stints on several soap operas in the 80s, and the prime time soap opera Melrose Place in the 90s. On the music side, he is largely considered a one-hit wonder thanks to "All I Need," which went to #2 in 1985.

Wagner achieved a handful of other Top 100 entries, including "Lady Of My Heart" (#76), "Too Young" (#52), and "Weatherman Says" (#67). All told, he's released six albums to date.

"Easy Way Out" is from his 1987 effort, "Don't Give Up Your Day Job," which turned out to be good self-advice for this actor. Although, with cuts like "Easy Way Out," Wagner might have been able to reinvent himself as a rocker instead of a crooner.

"It's My Life" by The Wackers

The Wackers were a quirky garage rock and pop band from Canada that managed to score a single chart entry in the US when "Day And Night" peaked at #65 in 1972.

The band was probably a bit too unusual for American radio in the early 70s, but "It's My Life" is great and worth a spin. Hard to imagine a song like this not doing better in the US.

"Just What It Takes" by Roger Voudouris

Roger Voudouris was a singer and songwriter from California who made a brief chart appearance in 1979 when "Get Used To It" reached #21. Surprisingly, he was not able to leverage this minor hit into a sustainable chart career to make himself a hard-to-pronounce household name.

The single came from his sophomore record, "Radio Dreams," which also contains one of his more upbeat rockers, "Just What It Takes." He followed this LP with 1981's "On The Heels Of Love," a record full of ballads in the style of Christopher Cross or Michael McDonald but without the memorable hooks. Strangely, he won over bigger audiences in Japan. 

Voudouris passed away in 2003 from liver disease at the age of 48.

"Hanging On" by The Volcanoes

The Volcanoes are an indie pop punk band that released their self-titled album in 2016. It didn't set the world on fire, but "Hanging On" is a great rocker worth checking out if you're a fan of the genre.

"Cape Of Our Hero" by Volbeat

Volbeat is an interesting band that fuses metal, hard rock, pop, and rockabilly. Huge in their native Denmark, the band has accumulated a loyal following in the US but they've yet to break the Top 100. Formed in 2001, they've released 7 albums to date and keep getting better. I'm surprised they haven't broken through to the mainstream in the US yet.

It was not easy selecting just one song to highlight from their bounty of terrific tunes. "Cape Of Our Hero" comes from Volbeat's amazing 2013 record, "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies."

"I Walk The Earth" by Voice of the Beehive

Voice of the Beehive was an underrated pop rock group led by the Belland sisters, daughters of Bruce Belland (The Four Preps). The sisters, Melissa and Tracey, sound wonderful together and gave their songs a harmonious edge that should have translated into more success on the charts. 

The group's drummer, Dan Woodgate, came from a successful 80s band called Madness, best known for the hit "Our House," which reached #7 in 1983.

Voice of the Beehive scored only two minor hits in the 90s. "Monsters And Angels" reached #74 in 1991 and "Scary Kisses" reached #77 in 1996.

"I Walk The Earth" is from their 1988 debut album, "Let It Bee," which contains another signature song that did not chart: "Don't Call Me Baby."

"That's The Tune" by The Vogues

The Vogues were a popular vocal group from Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania that racked up a hot streak of hits in the second half of the 60s, including four Top Ten classics: "You're The One" (#4), "Five O'Clock World" (#4), "Turn Around, Look At Me" (#7), and "My Special Angel" (#7). 

A few excellent singles got buried in their sudden burst of hits, including "That's The Tune," which only reached #99 in 1966.

The Vogues soldiered on through the decade as musical styles changed, achieving their final chart appearance in 1969 when "Green Fields" stalled at #92. Lead singer Bill Burkette passed away in 2018 at the age of 75.

"Nightmares" by Violent Femmes

Led by Gordon Gano, Milwaukee's Violent Femmes made one of the most popular albums of the 80s yet never scored a chart hit. Their self-titled 1983 debut of largely acoustic punk rock was a huge underground hit, spawning classics like "Blister In The Sun," "Add It Up," and "Gone Daddy Gone."

The Femmes have released plenty more records since then, but haven't quite matched the success of the debut record. In 1989, following a brief break-up, it was believed that "3" might put them back on top. Led by "Nightmares," there were high hopes this album would be a breakthrough for the band, but that was just a dream.

"The Strawberry Blonde" by Mike Viola

You probably haven't heard of Mike Viola but odds are you've heard his work at some point. Viola got his start in the mid-90s with his band, Candy Butchers, writing and performing delectable power pop. His songwriting and producing talents have since been embraced by a multitude of artists ranging from Mandy Moore to Fall Out Boy to Matt Nathanson.

In addition to his work with Candy Butchers, Viola has released numerous solo records. "The Strawberry Blonde" is one of many highlights in his catalogue, and it can be found on his 2007 album, "Lurch."

"Pushin' U Away" by Vinyl Candy

Vinyl Candy is a throwback to 70s bubble gum pop, whose sunny songs and breezy harmonies are guaranteed to put more bounce in your step. This indie band released their debut record, "Pacific Ocean Park" in 2004 and have since followed it up with two more records.

"Pushin' U Away" is a highlight from their debut.

"Wake Me Up (When The World's Worth Waking Up For)" by Kyle Vincent

Kyle Vincent is a singer and songwriter from California who is strongly influenced by the bubblegum power pop of the 70s. He's never hit the charts since he started releasing solo records in 1994 (his debut album was called "Trust"). Prior to his solo career, he was in the band Candy, which released the album "Whatever Happened To Fun..." in 1985.

"Wake Me Up (When The World's Worth Waking Up For)" nearly cracked the Top 100, bubbling under in 1997. It comes from his sophomore LP, which was a self-titled effort. It's a terrific song, but perhaps not for the 90s.

"5 O'clock In The Morning" by The Village People

In the late 70s, The Village People became synonymous with disco thanks to their classic dance hits "Macho Man" (#25), "Y.M.C.A." (#2), and "In The Navy" (#3). They had two additional chart appearances after these impressive hits: "Go West" landed at #45 and "Ready For The 80's" reached #52 in 1979.

Despite proclaiming to be ready for the 80s, the charts did not agree. The Village People couldn't crack the charts again, despite some strong cuts on their 1981 LP, "Renaissance." 

Included on "Renaissance," "5 O'clock In The Morning" is an atypical track from the group that deserved greater attention. Slower and moody, this one lets the vocal talents shine and adds a new dimension to the group that is refreshing to hear.

"Plain Jane" by Donnie Vie

Donnie Vie was the lead singer for one of the most underrated power pop and rock bands of the 80s and 90s: Enuff Z'Nuff. While he has scored a couple minor hits with the band back in the day, he has yet to crack the charts with his solo material, much of which is just as underrated.

"Plain Jane" comes from Vie's latest effort, 2019's "Beautiful Things." Simply pure pop bliss.

"Tomorrow" by Victory Group

Victory Group was a Canadian AOR band that deserved more attention with their brand of 80s melodic rock.

"Tomorrow" is just a sample of many highlights from this overlooked band's one and only release from 1982.

"'Cause You're Mine" by The Vibrations

The Vibrations had a string of minor hits through the 60s but should be remembered as much as their contemporaries like The Four Tops and The Temptations.

They first hit the charts in 1961 when "The Watusi" landed at #25 and hit again in 1964 when "My Girl Sloopy" reached #26. The latter became a #1 hit for The McCoys a year later as "Hang On Sloopy."

The group managed two additional chart appearances before their career was over: "Misty" peaked at #63 in 1965 and "Love In Them There Hills" stalled at #93 in 1968.

It should be added that these guys originally recorded under the moniker of The Jayhawks, scoring a hit with "Stranded In The Jungle," which reached #18 in 1956. And in 1961, The Vibrations recorded another hit, "Peanut Butter" (#20), but the record label they recorded under called them The Marathons.

It's a complete mystery way something as amazing as "'Cause You're Mine" failed to reach the charts.

"Happiness Is" by The Verve Pipe

When most people hear The Verve Pipe, they usually remember one of two things. They correctly remember their monster hit called "The Freshman," which graduated to #5 in 1997, or they mistakenly remember the Verve's hit, "Bitter Sweet Symphony." Both are one-hit wonders from the 90s with similar names, but very different bands!

Led by a masterful singer and songwriter, Brian Vander Ark, The Verve Pipe hails from Michigan and scored a lesser-known chart appearance before "The Freshman." Their single, "Photograph," reached #53 in 1996. Both come from their most successful album, "Villains."

The Verve Pipe could not maintain their momentum, and their follow-up singles floundered. The group retooled a bit with 2001's record, "Underneath." It's a shame this record did not spark a comeback for the band. Produced by Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne), "Underneath" was considerably lighter, energetic, and radio-friendly. "Happiness Is" serves as a fine example.  

In 2004, Brian Vander Ark struck out on a solo career, but reunites with the band to beef up their catalogue with more records, two of which were family-friendly and geared towards children.

"Sonnet" by The Verve

In 1997, an English band called The Verve was taking the US by storm with their breakthrough release, "Urban Hymns." Bolstered by the epic single "Bitter Sweet Symphony," which reached #12, The Verve seemed poised for longterm success.

Instead, they became a one-hit wonder. Despite some other incredibly strong cuts from the record, like "Lucky Man" and "The Drugs Don't Work," nothing else charted. My biggest surprise was not seeing the beautiful "Sonnet" hit the charts.

The band fell apart soon after, but reunited to release a long-awaited follow-up called "Forth" in 2008. Perhaps it was too long a wait; the album received little attention in the US. Lead singer Richard Ashcroft enjoyed success as a solo artist in the UK in-between his work with The Verve.

"Laughing In The Sugar Bowl" by Veruca Salt

Named after the spoiled brat from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Veruca Salt sweetened up the charts a bit in the 90s with their brand of alternative rock. Mixing grungy guitar with confectionary harmonies helped propel "Seether" and "Volcano Girls" to #53 and #59, respectively.

One of the lead vocalists and guitarists, Nina Gordon, left to pursue a solo career in 1998, but failed to get anything on the chart. The other vocalist and guitarist, Louise Post, attempted to carry on the band, releasing "Resolver" in 2000 and "IV" in 2006. The new records went nowhere.

The original lineup resolved their differences and reunited to record "Ghost Notes" in 2015. The record marked a welcomed return to form, but failed to gain any traction. "Laughing In The Sugar Bowl" should have been a comeback single for the band.

"When You Cry" by Vertical Horizon

Vertical Horizon formed in 1991 as a collaborative duo between Matthew Scannell and Keith Kane. After a couple indie releases, they landed at the top spot on the charts at the dawn of the new millennium with their breakout hit, "Everything You Want." 

They followed this up with another score: "You're A God" reached #23 later in 2000. A third single from this winning album, "Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)" reached #58 in 2001.

You'd think this group would score at least one more chart appearance with the release of their lead single from the next record, but no. The next record, "Go" arrived in 2003 and "I'm Still Here" went nowhere. The label really dropped the ball. "I'm Still Here" should have been a hit and "When You Cry" should have followed suit.

The group has continued to quietly release additional records, but it seems that's not what everybody wants. Kane left in 2010 to pursue a solo career and a side project called Boys Gone Wild, which includes members of Stroke 9.

"Running Home" by Venice

Named after the California town where they formed, Venice is a band of brothers and cousins that have been quietly cranking out amazing songs since their first (self-titled) record arrived in 1990. Despite crafting beautiful acoustic heartfelt ballads and mood-lifting pop, they have yet to see any chart success.

One of the additional draws of the group are the astonishingly well-crafted harmonies, sung like only brothers can.

Reaching for one of those ballads, I am going to highlight "Running Home," a gorgeous song about the refuge that home provides when times get tough. It comes from their 1997 record, "Born And Raised."

"So Much For Love" by The Venetians

The Venetians began as a synth-pop band in the early 80s. As they gained popularity in their native Australia, their sound evolved to have more of a rock edge. With this new sound, they were able to land a minor hit in the US when "So Much For Love" peaked at a modest #88 in 1987.

Aussie bands like Men At Work and INXS became hugely popular in the US during the 80s, and many thought the same could happen for The Venetians. But that time passed and their lone chart appearance remains scarcely remembered.

"Who Loves The Sun" by The Velvet Underground

While they never had a single chart hit, The Velvet Underground is considered one of the most influential groups of the late 60s and early 70s. Lou Reed's trademark spoken-word delivery and John Cale's incorporation of varied musical styles were revolutionary at the time. 

The group has secured their place in music history with a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement (2017) and induction into the R&R Hall of Fame (1996).

The group crafted diverse music with an intellectual edge, probably too smart and avant-garde for radio. But it is strange that a sweet little ditty like "Who Loves The Sun" couldn't even crack the Top 100. The song comes from their 1970 record, "Loaded."

"That Lucky Old Sun" by The Velvets

The Velvets were a talented doo-wop group from Texas that sounded so good to Roy Orbison that he helped get them signed to a record deal in 1960. Although doo-wop was beginning to fade from popularity by then, The Velvets scored with a minor hit called "Tonight (Could Be The Night)." The song reached #26 in 1961 before they quickly fell off the map.

Lead singer Virgil Johnson later became a school principal before his death in 2013 at the age of 77.

The peppy "That Lucky Old Sun" was the group's first single and should have been their first chart hit.

"The Last Fight" by Velvet Revolver

Velvet Revolver was a supergroup consisting largely of members of Guns N' Roses, but with Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots at the vocal helm. The band's first single, "Slither," made a decent splash, reaching #56 in 2004 and winning a Grammy for Hard Rock Performance.

Hopes were high that the band had even better tricks up their talented sleeves, but those hopes were dashed when the follow-up single, "Fall To Pieces," stalled at #67 and became their final chart appearance. No further singles charted and the band's sophomore release, "Libertad," drew little interest. Weiland then left to return to STP.

The aptly titled "The Last Fight" was the second single from "Libertad."

"These Things Will Keep Me Loving You" by The Velvelettes

The Velvelettes seemed poised to be as big as their contemporaries, The Supremes, but the changing musical landscape of the mid-60s is probably what prevented them from doing so. The Velvelettes could be considered a family group of sorts as two members were sisters and two were cousins. The fifth member, Betty Kelley, left in 1964 to join Martha & The Vandellas.

They almost hit the Top 40 with "Needle In A Haystack," but it was stopped cold at #45 in 1964. The group would enjoy one more Top 100 appearance before fading into underserved obscurity: "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'" stalled at #64 in 1965.

"These Things Will Keep Me Loving You" is another cut that should have taken this group to the upper echelons of the charts, but it bubbled under in 1966.

"The Last Thing On My Mind" by The Vejtables

The Vejtables were an obscure garage rock band from San Fransisco and one of the few to feature a female drummer (Jan Ashton). They barely managed to crack the Top 100 in 1965 when "I Still Love You" reached #84.

I found the follow-up single, "The Last Thing On My Mind," even more charming. Wonder why it didn't perform better?

"Left Of Center" by Suzanne Vega

Suzanne Vega scored her breakthrough hit with the stunning song about child abuse called "Luka." It soared to #3 in 1987 and made Vega a staple at radio. She seemed poised to be a superstar, but her follow-up single (and album's title track) "Solitude Standing" barely made a dent on the chart, stopping at #94.

Also on the "Solitude Standing" record was an a cappella opener called "Tom's Diner." The song was remixed by a pair of DJs known as D.N.A. and became an unexpected hit, reaching #5 in 1990.

Vega retooled her sound in the 90s to incorporate more electronic and experimental elements. The formula worked and she received considerable airplay with tunes like "Blood Makes Noise" and "99.9F," although neither charted.

Vega's first hit should have been "Left Of Center" in 1986. Featured in the hit movie Pretty in Pink, this is a terrific song made even better with Joe Jackson on piano.

"Cry" by Vega

Vega is a modern AOR band that released their first record, "Kiss Of Life," ten years ago in 2010. The throwback sound to the glory days of bands like Survivor and Journey brought them a loyal following of AOR fans, but unfortunately music like this doesn't usually find its way onto the charts these days.

"Cry" comes from their sophomore effort, "What The Hell," and still stands as one of my favorite cuts from this band.

"Someday (When I'm Gone From You)" by Bobby Vee

A teenage heartthrob from North Dakota, Bobby Vee was omnipresent on the radio and big screen throughout the 60s, ranking as the 20th most successful artist of the decade. His first big hit arrived in 1960 when "Devil Or Angel" soared to #6.

Vee would rack up an impressive list of Top 40 hits, notably "Rubber Ball" (#6), "Run To Him" (#2), "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes" (#3), and "Come Back When You Grow Up" (#3). He also landed at the top spot once: "Take Good Care Of My Baby" stayed at #1 for three weeks in 1961. Many of his songs were covers, and a large number written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King.

By the end of the decade, Vee was struggling to adapt to the shifting musical landscape. His last chart appearance was in 1970 when "Sweet Sweetheart" stalled at #88.

Vee collaborated with many others during his hey day, and "Someday (When I'm Gone From You)" is from a 1962 album he did with The Crickets. It was featured on the "Punish Her" single that went to #20. "Someday" only reached #99. Vee passed away in 2016 at the age of 73.

"Is That All There Is?" by Danny Vaughn

Singer and songwriter Danny Vaughn first made waves in the bands Waysted and Tyketto, the latter of which would have been huge had they entered the late 80s rock scene a little earlier. Between their demise and reunion many years later, Vaughn has released numerous solo albums and led several other projects such as From The Inside, Burning Kingdom, and Ultimate Eagles, an Eagles cover band.

Despite his tireless efforts in these varied projects, his talents have gone largely unnoticed by the mainstream. "Is That All There Is?" is a lost gem from his 2000 solo record entitled, "Soldiers And Sailors On Riverside."

"Crazy" by The Vapors

The Vapors were an English new wave band remembered for their one and only Top 100 in the US, "Turning Japanese." The song is widely considered an 80s classic, although it only reached the modest position of #36 in 1980. The song came from their debut record, "New Clear Days."

After their 1981 sophomore release, "Magnets," failed to produce a major hit, The Vapors dissolved. Remarkably, after 34 years, the band has reunited and released their third LP in 2020 called "Together." The lead single, "Crazy," picks up right where the band left off.

"Down Like A Rock" by Randy VanWarmer

The first wise thing Randy VanWarmer did for his music career was to change his name (his birth name was Van Wormer). This Colorado-born singer and songwriter scored a huge hit off his debut album when "Just When I Needed You Most" soared to #4 in 1979.

Strangely, VanWarmer could not come close to matching the success of his big hit and quickly faded into obscurity in the 80s. He let out a couple of whimpers before disappearing in 1981: "Whatever You Decide" and "Suzi" landed at #77 and #55, respectively. Sadly, he passed away from leukemia in 2004 at the age of 48.

While remembered mostly for soft rock ballads, VanWarmer's records boasted plenty of upbeat and experimental material, such as "Down Like A Rock." It comes from his 1980 sophomore effort, "Terraform."

"Carolina's Comin' Home" by Vanity Fare

In the US, the English pop group Vanity Fare is typically only known for a single song: "Hitchin' A Ride," which soared to #5 in 1970. Serious music fans may also remember the lesser known hit that preceded it, "Early In The Morning," which went to #12.

The group had a third and final chart entry called "(I Remember) Summer Morning," which stalled at #98.

There was lots more that should have graced AM radio back in the early 70s from Vanity Fare. Why the sunny pop of "Carolina's Comin' Home" didn't make an impression on the charts is a mystery.

"Take Me For A Little While" by Vanilla Fudge

Vanilla Fudge was a psychedelic jam band largely known as a one-hit wonder thanks to their version of "You Keep Me Hangin' On," which peaked at #6 in 1968. The year before, it stalled at #67.

"You Keep Me Hangin' On" has gotten a lot of chart mileage. Originally taken to the top spot by The Supremes in 1966, the song also cracked the Top 100 when covered by Wilson Pickett in 1969 and Jackie DeShannon in 1970 (as a medley). But it would be Kim Wilde who delivered it back to #1 in 1987.

Some members of Vanilla Fudge were also in the backing bands of artists like Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart. The only other Top 40 entry the band scored was "Take Me For A Little While," which underperformed at #38 in 1968. The band's final chart appearance would come the next year when "Shotgun" reached #68.

"Midnight Sensation" by Van Zant

The self-titled Van Zant record is like hidden treasure for 80s melodic rock fans. Released in 1985, the album saw little airplay and generated no chart hits on the Top 100. The project grew out of Johnny Van Zant's southern rock band, but this record is pure AOR. Johnny would team up with his brother Donnie to record again under this moniker, but focused on country music instead.

If the voice sounds familiar to you, that's because Johnny Van Zant also sings for 38 Special. Johnny and Donnie are the younger brothers of Ronnie Van Zant (Lynyrd Skynyrd).

"Midnight Sensation" is the track that kicks things off, and it is a nostalgic ride back to the 80s.

"Blood And Fire" by Van Halen

Formed by brothers Eddie and Alex, Van Halen began their run on the charts in 1978 when their version of "You Really Got Me" peaked at #36. The band would score big with several other cover songs in 1982, including "(Oh) Pretty Woman" (#12) and "Dancing In The Street" (#38).

By their 6th album with the charismatic frontman David Lee Roth, the band leapt to the top of the charts with 1984's "Jump." The single stayed their for 5 weeks and was followed by two more Top 40 hits that both peaked at #13: "I'll Wait" and "Panama."

Whether the group would be able to sustain their run on the charts after Roth was replaced with Sammy Hagar (formerly of Montrose) in 1985 was a big question at the time. But they proved the doubters wrong as the band continued to score big hits with Hagar at the mic. "Why Can't This Be Love" flew to #3 in 1986, followed by "Dreams" and "Love Walks In," which both went to #22.

Additional hits with Hagar followed until they parted ways in 1996 (his last chart appearance with the band came in 1995 when "Not Enough" stalled at #97). Van Halen could not strike gold a third time by replacing their lead singer once again, this time with Extreme's vocalist, Gary Cherone. Nothing from the single album done with Cherone in 1998 charted.

But Van Halen wasn't done quite yet. A surprise reunion with Roth took place and one more album has been released to date, entitled "A Different Kind Of Truth." The lead single, "Tattoo," reached #67 in 2012. "Blood And Fire" is another cut from that album that deserved greater attention.

"I'll Let You Slide" by Luther Vandross

Known for his sultry ballads and soft pop, Luther Vandross left behind a string of hits through the decades until his passing in 2005 at the age of 54. He began his chart career in 1981 when "Never Too Much" peaked at #33 and finished it with the beautiful "Dance With My Father," (co-written with Richard Marx) which reached #38 and won Grammys for Song of the Year and R&B Male Vocal in 2003.

Vandross was no stranger to the Top 10 in the 90s, scoring hits like "Here And Now" (#6, another Grammy winner), "Power of Love/Love Power" (#4, another Grammy winner), "Don't Want To Be A Fool" (#9), "The Best Things In Life Are Free" (#10), and "Endless Love" (a duet with Mariah Carey that soared to #2).

"I'll Let You Slide" shows the dance side of Vandross, in all of its 80s glory. It comes from his 1983 album, "Busy Body," which produced the Top 40 hit with Dionne Warwick, "How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye" (#27).

"Chemical Fire" by Van Duren

In the spirit of Memphis power pop, exemplified by artists like Big Star, Van Duren released one of the finest albums in the genre. His record from 1978, "Are You Serious?" is a cult classic and should have brought this talented singer and songwriter widespread recognition.

The entire album is worth a spin, but I'm highlighting "Chemical Fire" here to give you a taste.

"Peanuts" by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons

Led by Frankie Valli and his signature falsetto, the Four Seasons dominated the 60s with an impressive run of hits that included many #1 classics like "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," and "Rag Doll." The group would achieve another final #1 in 1976 with "December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)," which re-charted to #14 as a dance re-mix in 1994. Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons are ranked as the 6th most successful artist in the 60s and #35 overall.

Frankie Valli also had a successful solo career that he started in 1965, obtaining more huge hits like "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (#2), "My Eyes Adored You" (#1), "Swearin' To God" (#6), and his big comeback hit "Grease" (#1 for two weeks) from the movie of the same name.

Frankie and the boys tried twice to strike gold with their version of Joe Cook's "Peanuts," which Cook took to #22 in 1957 with his outfit, Little Joe & The Thrillers. The Four Seasons versions bubbled under in 1963 and again in 1964, but is included on several of their "hits" compilations. 

"Lookin' For A Love" by The Valentinos

The Valentinos were a vocal R&B group composed of the Womack brothers who had a brush with fame in the early 60s. "Lookin' For A Love" only went to #72 in 1962, but deserved so much better.

The group could not top that minor hit, barely cracking the Top 100 with follow-up singles "I'll Make It Alright" (#97) and "It's All Over Now" (#94).

Bobby Womack would move on to a solo career that revived "Lookin' For A Love" in 1974, this time taking it to #10.

"Ooh! My Head" by Ritchie Valens

Ritchie Valens, whose life and career was portrayed in the 1987 movie La Bamba, seemed destined to be a superstar after he achieved out of the box hits in 1958 with "Come On, Let's Go" (#42), "Donna" (#2), and "La Bamba" (#22).

Valens was on that tragic flight in 1959 that also took the lives of Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper. He was only 17 years old.

"Ooh! My Head" is another great tune performed by Valens that speaks to his love of rock and roll.

"Crybaby" by Utopia

Todd Rundgren has too much talent for a single project, so in addition to his acclaimed solo work, he has led bands like Runt, Nazz, and Utopia. Utopia formed in 1973 as a prog rock outift, after Rundgren achieved his biggest hit as a solo artist when "Hello, It's Me" peaked at #5 that same year.

Utopia soon shifted to power pop and rock, releasing acclaimed albums until 1985, but they did not enjoy the chart success they deserved. During their time together, Utopia landed only one minor Top 40 hit with "Set Me Free," which reached #27 in 1980. They followed this up with "The Very Last Time," which stalled at #76.

The band's final chart appearance arrived 3 years later when "Feet Don't Fail Me Now" reached #82. Despite the attention radio denied them, their songs caught the ears of others like England Dan & John Ford Coley, who took "Love Is The Answer" to #10 in 1979.

"Crybaby" is from the band's 1983 album "Oblivion," and features some of their trademark harmonies.

"The Taste Of Ink" by The Used

The Used are an alternative rock band from Utah that formed in 2001. They teamed up with My Chemical Romance in 2005 to score a chart hit with their cover of David Bowie's "Under Pressure," which peaked at #41. It remains their only Top 100 appearance, but the band has released eight studio albums to date that have sold very well.

"The Taste Of Ink" is from the band's 2002 self-titled debut record and remains one of my favorites.

"Very First Time" by Unruly Child

Unruly Child is a hard rock band that released a self-titled debut record in 1992, just after the hairband craze started to fizzle and give way to grunge. Led by powerhouse vocalist Marcie Free (formerly of King Kobra and Signal), Unruly Child's debut might have landed the band several charting signals if it had come out a few years earlier.

While largely inactive for the next two decades, the band reunited and released a modern AOR effort in 2010 called "Worlds Collide," and continue to make records to this day. "Very First Time" is one of the highlights from this record, which has become a new favorite in the genre.

"Dreamer" by Uriah Heep

Uriah Heep is an English hard rock and heavy metal band that has cranked out 24 albums in their 50+ years together. They've undergone many lineup changes over the years, but still managed to maintain a telltale sound. The band's name comes from a character in the famed novel David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.

Uriah Heep scored only a single Top 40 hit in the US when "Easy Livin'" reached #39 in 1972. I'm surprised that a song like "Dreamer," which kicked off their follow-up album, "Sweet Freedom," failed to bring the band greater attention in the US.

"You Ain't Tuff" by The Uniques

The Uniques were a pop and rock group from Louisiana led by brothers Joe and Bobby Stampley. They managed to score two minor chart hits in the mid-60s with "Not Too Long Ago" and "All These Things," which reached #66 and #97, respectively.

After the group split up, Joe Stampley made a move to country rock and became very successful. As a solo country artist, he took "All These Things" to the top of the country charts. He also had a single Top 100 hit with "Soul Song" in 1973, which reached #37.

In addition to smooth and sunny pop, The Uniques could rock out and sound more like a garage band. "You Ain't Tuff" is one of the strongest in their collection.