"Give And Take" by Throwback Suburbia

Throwback Suburbia is an indie powerpop band active during the late 2000s and into the 2010s. Their first effort arrived in 2006 and was called "Eight Tracks."

"Give And Take" is a super catchy tune from their last album, 2012's "Shot Glass Souvenir."

"Us And The Night" by 3 Doors Down

3 Doors Down is a modern rock band that burst onto the scene out of Mississippi in 2000 when their hit "Kryptonite" soared to #3. The song came from their debut record, "The Better Life," which became one of the biggest selling albums of the year.

Their follow-up record produced additional Top 10 hits, including "When I'm Gone" (#4) and "Here Without You" (#5). But after "It's Not My Time" peaked at #17 in 2008 the band has struggled to crack the Top 100, let alone Top 40 territory.

It's not for lack of trying. "Us And The Night," the title track from their 2016 album, is a terrific song that should have marked a comeback for the band.

"Put Out The Light" by Three Dog Night

Three Dog Night was one of the hottest acts of the early 70s. Combining rock, soul, and pop, this group led by Danny Hutton was the most successful chart artists of 1971 and the 14th most successful of the decade.

Hutton got his start as a solo artist in the 60s, landing a single chart hit in 1965 when "Roses And Rainbows" reached #73. It wasn't long before his new band got him back on the charts in a big way. The band's cover of "Try A Little Tenderness" got to #29 in 1969, but their remarkable string of super hits quickly followed, starting with "One" (written by Harry Nilsson) peaking at #5 later that year.

The band's chart career was relatively short, ending in 1975 after "Til The World Ends" stalled at #32. But it was filled with timeless classics including three #1's: "Mama Told Me (Not To Come)," (written by Randy Newman), "Joy To The World" (six weeks at #1), and "Black & White." In addition to those already mentioned, the band's hits included songs written by John Hiatt, Dave Loggins, Leo Sayer, and Russ Ballard.

"Put Out The Light" is an overlooked highlight from the band's 1974 record, "Hard Labor," which is also one of the creepiest album covers ever.

"The Good Life" by Three Days Grace

Three Days Grace is a Canadian hard rock band that formed in 1997 and first appeared on the US charts in 2003, peaking at #55 with "(I Hate) Everything About You." Their best chart performance to date arrived in 2007 when "Pain" reached #44, and their last chart appearance was in 2010 when "Break" stalled at #73.

"The Good Life" comes from the band's 2009 album, "Life Starts Now." It remains the most successful album in their career so far, peaking at #3 on the Top 200.

Following the release of their next album, 2012's "Transit Of Venus", lead singer Adam Gontier left the band and was replaced by Matt Walst of My Darkest Days. My Darkest Days previously toured with the band and Matt is the also brother of Three Days Grace's bassist, Brad Walst. The band has continued to make records and release singles that do well on the rock charts.

"Move It On Over" by George Thorogood & The Destroyers

Although everyone recognizes his songs, George Thorogood has only scored a single chart appearance during his long and successful career blending authentic bar band rock and roll with blues and boogie. That was in 1985 when his cover of "Willie And The Hand Jive" reached #63.

That's right - classics like "Move It On Over," "I Drink Alone," "Who Do You Love," "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer," and even "Bad To The Bone" never charted.

"I Can't Remember" by The Thorns

The Thorns were a short-lived supergroup combining the talents of 90s popsters Matthew Sweet, Shawn Mullins, and Pete Droge. They released a single self-titled record in 2003 that honors the harmonies of bands like Crosby, Stills and Nash and The Eagles.

While it didn't chart, many might remember their terrific cover of "Blue," originally done by The Jayhawks. "I Can't Remember" is another great cut from this easy-going record that somehow got buried upon his release. It's a shame the collaboration didn't last, as their harmonies are incredible.

"Live Every Minute" by Ali Thompson

If this song sounds a little like Supertramp to you, there is a good reason: Ali Thompson is the younger brother of Dougie Thompson from Supertramp.

Thompson is best known for "Take A Little Rhythm," which reached #15 in 1980, whereas "Live Every Minute" stalled outside the Top 40 at #42. These songs remain his only chart appearance in the US.

"Wind It Up" by Thompson Twins

The Thompson Twins were British synth-pop pioneers in the 80s. No one in the group were twins nor named Thompson--the name originates from a comic strip called The Adventures of Tintin.

Thompson Twins scored big in 1984 after a couple of minor hits like "Lies" (#30) and "Love On Your Side" (#45) started to attract attention. "Hold Me Now" would become their biggest hit, peaking at #3. They returned to the Top 10 in 1985-6 with "Lay Your Hands On Me" and "King For A Day," which reached #6 and #8, respectively. By the end of the decade, changing musical landscapes made it hard for the Thompson Twins to maintain their presence on radio, and "Sugar Daddy," which stalled at #28, became their last chart appearance.

In 1991, the band began to retool their sound to fit the club scene. Their final album, "Queer," failed to land a single in the US, but "Wind It Up" is a highlight worth a spin. Remaining band members changed their name to Babble in 1993, but that didn't help get them back on the charts.

"The World Is Round" by Rufus Thomas

Rufus Thomas was a one-hit wonder of the early 60s when his song "Walking The Dog" peaked at #10 in 1963. This funk artist from Memphis did however, land some more Top 40 singles in the early 70s, including "Do The Funky Chicken" (#28), "(Do The) Push And Pull (Part 1)" (#25), "The Breakdown (Part 1)" (#31). His final chart appearance was in 1973 when "Do The Funky Penguin (Part 1)" reached #44.

Thomas was the father of Carla Thomas, who actually hit the Top 10 before her dad did. Her big hit, "Gee Whiz (Look At His Eyes)" soared to #10 in 1961. Carla Thomas also released several successful duets with Otis Redding under the name Otis and Carla, as well as duets with her father. She was dubbed "The Queen of Memphis Soul."

"The World Is Round" is an underrated favorite of mine, from his 1972 record, "Did You Heard Me?" Rufus Thomas passed away in 2001 at the age of 84.

"Give Me The Meltdown" by Rob Thomas

Getting his start in the pop rock band Matchbox Twenty, singer and songwriter Rob Thomas has emerged as one of the more successful artists of the modern era. His first chart appearance outside of Matchbox Twenty was a monster duet with Santana: "Smooth" spent an impressive 12 weeks at #1 in 1999 and won multiple Grammy Awards.

Thomas did not release his first proper solo album until 2005 when he dropped "Something To Be." It yielded another Top 10 hit with "Lonely No More," which made it to #6. He scored another Top 20 single with his 2009 sophomore release, "cradlesong": "Her Diamonds" reached #23. His 2015 record, "The Great Unknown," failed to produce a charting single.

"Give Me The Meltdown" goes back to 2009, an overlooked rocker from "cradlesong."

"I Haven't Got Time To Cry" by Irma Thomas

Irma Thomas was known as "The Soul Queen of New Orleans" and scored a Top 20 hit in 1964 when "Wish Someone Would Care" went to #17. It remained her only Top 40 appearance, although she had a few other minor hits before fading into obscurity.

Do yourself a favor and rediscover this tremendous vocal talent. "I Haven't Got Time To Cry" is one of many treasures that you'll find.

"She Takes" by This Way

This Way is a post-grunge band with a single release from 1999 simply entitled "Thisway." There's not much I can find on this band and I don't remember how this CD got into my collection. Nonetheless, "She Takes" is a standout track from this record that gets stuck in my head all day after I hear it.

"Losing A Whole Year" by Third Eye Blind

Perhaps you could say that San Francisco band Third Eye Blind had beginner's luck. Driven by the songwriting and vocals of Stephan Jenkins, the band scored a handful of hits in the late 90s that have become classics of the era. "Semi-Charmed Life" soared to #4, and was followed by two additional Top 10 singles: "How's It Going To Be" (#9) and "Jumper" (#5).

Their self-titled debut album could have been mined for additional hits, such as "Losing A Whole Year." To me, the record is near perfect and is one of the best from the decade.

Third Eye Blind seemed to avoid the sophomore jinx with a strong single from their follow-up record, 1999's "Blue." "Never Let You Go" landed at a respectable #14, but then the next single, "Deep Inside Of You," became their last chart appearance, crashing (of course) at #69.

The band has endured many personnel changes since then but continues to make music. Maybe one day Third Eye Blind will capture attention the way they did back in 1997.

"Do Anything You Want To" by Thin Lizzy

Thin Lizzy formed in 1969 in Ireland and soon became a renowned and influential classic rock staple of the 70s. Led by Phil Lynott, the band scored several international hits, but only two of them managed to chart in the US: "The Boys Are Back In Town" and "Cowboy Song," which reached #12 and #77 in 1976.

As the band's popularity waned and Lynott's heroin addiction spun out of control, the group decided to call it quits in 1983. Lynott embarked on a solo career that was cut short when he died in early 1986 from health complications stemming from his addiction. He was only 36 years old. Famed guitarist Gary Moore, who joined the band in 1974, returned to his solo career. Other members of Thin Lizzy started a new band in 2012 called Black Star Riders.

"Do Anything You Want To" is an anthem that comes from the band's 1979 album, "Black Rose: A Rock Legend."

"Birdhouse In Your Soul" by They May Be Giants

They Might Be Giants is a duo from Boston named after a 1971 movie. Needless to say they haven't quite lived up to their name when it comes to chart success, but their quirky brand of catchy pop has garnered plenty of devoted fans since their debut record in the late 80s.

The group also has the rare distinction of winning a Grammy without ever getting a song onto the charts. That came in 2002 with their song "Boss Of Me," which was used in the hit TV show Malcolm in the Middle.

"Birdhouse In Your Soul," from their album "Flood," seemed destined to break onto the charts in 1990, but it didn't make it.

"Don't Start Cryin' Now" by Them

Van Morrison got his start in the Irish garage rock band Them in the mid-60s. They weren't together very long, but the band hinted at the talents that would make Morrison a household name. The band's name was inspired by the horror movie Them!

In the US, the band charted twice with "Gloria," which reached #93 in 1965 and #71 in 1966, the year Them broke up. Their best chart performance came with "Here Comes The Night," which peaked at #24. Their only other Top 40 hit in the US was "Mystic Eyes," which reached #33.

"Don't Start Cryin' Now," the band's first single, is an overlooked classic from 1964 originally done by blues artist Slim Harpo a few years earlier.

"Slow Emotion Reply" by The The

The The is the music of English singer/songwriter Matt Johnson, who has also released solo albums. The height of The The began in 1988 with the release of "Mind Bomb," a record that featured high-profile guests like Sinead O'Connor on vocals and Johnny Marr (The Smiths) on guitar. While popular in the UK, theband was rarely seen in the US except very late at night on MTV's 120 Minutes.

Building on their fanbase, The The almost broke through in the US with the release of "Dusk" in 1993. "Dusk" is one of the more radio-friendly and consistent records in the band's catalogue. "Slow Emotion Reply" and "Dogs Of Lust" received decent airplay, but not enough to put the band on the charts.

The band's musical style has always been hard to place, shifting between all sorts of genres. Instead of capitalizing on the exposure "Dusk" attracted, the band shifted gears once again and followed it up with "Hanky Panky," an album of nothing but cover songs by country icon Hank Willams.

"Sensitize" by That Petrol Emotion

Hopes ran high that the band That Petrol Emotion would break through into the mainstream with the release of their 1990 album, "Chemicrazy." Produced by Scott Litt, best known for his work with R.E.M., the record contained tracks that stayed true to alternative rock yet added pop sensibility.

But obviously that didn't happen for some reason. Despite a great catchy single with "Sensitize," and equally cool tracks like "Hey Venus," the album failed to ignite substantial interest. That Petrol Emotion remains an obscure treat to be discovered for fans of late-80s college rock.

"I Want Everything" by Tesla

Taking their name from the scientist and inventor Nikola Tesla, this California hard rock band rose to fame in the late 80s. Their first chart appearance was in 1987 when their cover of "Little Suzi" reached #91. The band would score the biggest hit of their career with another cover song, "Signs," which reached #8 in 1991.

Tesla certainly could make their own hits, too. Several of their power ballads hit the charts, including "Love Song" (#10), "The Way It Is" (#55), and "What You Give" (#86). The latter ended the band's time on the charts, but it did not signal the end of their prolific music-making career.

"I Want Everything" comes from Tesla's latest, their 2019 album entitled "Shock." Listeners might note some similarities to the sounds made famous by the 80s counterparts Def Leppard. That's because Phil Collen helped write and produce the record.

"These Are Days" by 10,000 Maniacs

It must be bittersweet to finally obtain a big hit that wasn't written by you or your group. Such is the case for 10,000 Maniacs. They were darlings of college radio through the late 80s, coming close to breaking into the mainstream with songs such as "Like The Weather" (#68), "Trouble Me" (#44), and "What's The Matter Here?" (#80).

But it took a cover of the Bruce Springsteen song "Because The Night" to put 10,000 Maniacs on the map: their rendition reached #11 in 1994. It was followed up by yet another cover song years later, Bryan Ferry's "More Than This," which reached #25 in 1997, and becoming the group's final chart appearance.

If there were ever a song that should have broken the band, it was "These Are Days." This wonderful, feel-good tune stalled at #66 in 1992. Lead singer and songwriter Natalie Merchant had greater chart success when she stepped aside for solo efforts, landing four songs in the Top 40 between 1995 and 1998, including the Top 10 hit, "Carnival."

"The Dean and I" by 10cc

Formerly called Hotlegs, 10cc was a quirky band from England composed of former members of The Mindbenders and two members who would later form Godley & Creme in 1976 and have a hit with "Cry" (#16 in 1985).

10cc began as an artful pop band in the early 70s and enjoyed great success in the UK. In the US, they scored big when their sound veered more towards soft rock. "I'm Not In Love" spent three weeks at #2 in 1975 and "The Things We Do For Love" reached #5 in 1977. The only other Top 40 tune they hit with in the US was "People In Love," which peaked at #40 in 1977.

"The Dean and I" goes back to their pop roots. It is a bouncy and funny pop song that deserved better. It is in the same vein as "Rubber Bullets," which was the first chart single for 10cc in the US, reaching #73 in 1973 (and also comes from the same self-titled debut album).

"I Want A Love I Can See" by The Temptations

The Temptations are an iconic group from Detroit that always contained a boatload of talent despite extensive personnel changes and dramatic shifts in musical styles over the decades. They began their astounding run up the charts in 1964 when "The Way You Do The Things You Do" reached #11. They scored four #1 hits during their career: "My Girl" (1965), "I Can't Get Next To You" (1969), "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" (1971), and "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" (1972).

The Temptations are ranked the 16th most successful group of the 60s, 29th for the 70s, and 23rd of all-time.

By the end of the 1980s, the wind had run out of their sails, but they scored a big comeback hit in 1991 when they helped Rod Stewart take "The Motown Song" to #10. It would be the final chart appearance of this phenomenal group.

"I Want A Love I Can See" comes from their early days when everything they touched turned to gold. This is a little-known gem that evaded the charts.

"Hunger Strike" by Temple of the Dog

Mother Love Bone was a band at the forefront of the grunge movement in Seattle in 1990. The untimely death of their lead singer, Andrew Wood, inspired Chris Cornell of Soundgarden (Wood's roommate) to form a band in tribute called Temple of the Dog. The project's name is lifted from a Mother Love Bone song called "Man of Golden Words."

Composed of Cornell, who wrote most of the songs, members of Mother Love Bone, and guest spots by Eddie Vedder, Temple of the Dog produced a single album that went nowhere when it was initially released in 1991. Some members of Dog formed Pearl Jam with Vedder soon thereafter. After the wild success of Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, the album received a bit more attention, but not enough to produce a charting single. 

There are a lot of great contenders on this record, too. It's rather amazing that "Hunger Strike" didn't see chart action, as well as "Say Hello 2 Heaven," "Pushin Forward Back," and "All Night Thing."