"Give It Up" by ZZ Top

I can't believe it. I've been highlighting underrated tracks on this blog since August, 2015 and we've finally reached the end with ZZ Top! Five years and 1,244 posts later!

ZZ Top are a rock trio from Texas featuring Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard. Their trademark look and music videos helped make them one of the biggest acts of the 80s. ZZ Top got their start on the charts all the way back in 1972 when "Francene" landed at #69. During the 70s, they wrote a lot of songs destined to become classic rock staples like "La Grange" (#41), "Tush" (#20), and "It's Only Love" (#44).

ZZ Top retooled for the 80s and their refurbished sound took their 1933 Ford coupe into the stratosphere. The hits kept coming: "Legs" (#8), "Sleeping Bag" (#8), "Stages" (#21 - hugely underrated), "Rough Boy" (#22), to name some of thee biggest. But the charm began to wane by the close of the decade and not even their contribution to the movie Back To The Future III, "Doubleback," could rise above #50. For their accomplishments, ZZ Top was inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame in 2004.

The boys are still cranking out their signature blend of blues and rock after all these years, but their final chart appearance was in 1991 when this overlooked single stalled at #79. Give it up for "Give It Up."

"Shakin' The Cage" by The Zoo

The Zoo was a one-off side project for Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac released in 1992. Despite the boatload of talent in the group, The Zoo did not capture the attention of radio back in the day, partly due to the rise of grunge.

"Shakin' The Cage" is the title track to the album and is a high-energy rocker certain to get you moving.

"Care of Cell 44" by The Zombies

English band The Zombies were ruling the charts for a brief window in the 60s. They had a smash hit right out of the gate when "She's Not There" zoomed to #2 in 1964, earning them a Grammy Hall of Famer. They followed this up with "Tell Her No," which reached #6 in 1965. 

The Zombies returned to the upper echelons of the chart in 1969 when "Time Of The Season," which earned them a R&R Hall of Famer, went to #3. Noting their achievements, The Zombies were inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame in 2019. They have continued to release records on occasion. 

In addition, lead singer and songwriter Rod Argent formed another band with guitarist Russ Ballard (Argent) in 1969. While much more popular in the UK, Argent also scored a big hit in the US with "Hold Your Head Up," which went to #5 in 1972.

"Care Of Cell 44" is from their masterful 1968 record, "Odessey And Oracle." This upbeat and sunny tune is about someone who is eager awaiting the impending release of a loved one from prison.

"Dragula" by Rob Zombie

Rob Zombie is the stage name of Robert Cummings, a hard rock artist and filmmaker from Massachusetts. Zombie started his foray into music with his band called White Zombie, which scored a #53 hit in 1995 with "More Human Than Human."

Zombie has yet to hit the chart as a solo artist, but really should have with the awesome "Dragula," which bubbled under in 1998. The tune can be found on his album "Hellbilly Deluxe."

Zombie's love of heavy metal runs in the family. His younger brother Michael, who goes by the name Spider One, is in the band Powerman 5000.

"Looking For The Next Best Thing" by Warren Zevon

Warren Zevon was a singer and songwriter from Chicago who is largely considered a one-hit wonder thanks to his classic "Werewolves Of London" peaking at #21 in 1978. A lot of people don't know that members of Fleetwood Mac (Mick Fleetwood and John McVie) supplied the rhythm section on this tune.

Zevon actually had one additional chart hit: "A Certain Girl," which featured Jackson Browne on backing vocals, topped out at #57 in 1980. Zevon's uncommercial style kept radio away, but he was admired by many critics and fellow artists. His songs have been covered, most notably by Linda Ronstadt (who took "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" to #31 in 1978, and sampled by Kid Rock, who used "Werewolves Of London" on his #23 hit from 2008, "All Summer Long."

"Looking For The Next Big Thing" is an overlooked gem in his catalogue that can be found on his 1982 album, "The Envoy." Zevon passed away in 2003 at the age of 56 after a bout with cancer.

"My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama" by Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa denies classification and his music is either loved or hated. Zappa was an eclectic artist who didn't have a lot of chart success, and that is probably how this nonconformist preferred it.

Zappa appeared on the Top 100 three times during his musical career, which got its start in the 60s. In 1974, "Don't Eat The Yellow Snow" made an unlikely appearance on the chart, peaking at #86. He topped this in 1979 when "Dancin' Fool" went to #45. But his best performance came in 1982 when "Valley Girl" reached #32. 

The classic "My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama" goes back to his earlier days (1970). Zappa passed away in 1993 at the age of 52 due to prostate cancer.

"Pain Of Love" by Dweezil Zappa

Son of the legendary Frank Zappa, Dweezil Zappa has been surrounded by guitar gods all of his life. It is no surprise that he would record music of his own, but it is a surprise that his work has evaded the charts.

Zappa has contributed his guitar skills to many musicians over the years, and was married to Lisa Loeb from 1998 to 2004.

"Pain Of Love" is a great tune found on his 1991 release, "Confessions." This song, as well as others on the record, feature the members of Extreme (Zappa contributed some lead guitar work to Extreme's 1990 breakthrough record, "Pornograffitti").

"In My House" by Zager & Evans

Zager & Evans were a folk rock duo from Nebraska best known for their one and only hit "In The Year 2525," which stayed at #1 for an astonishing six weeks in 1969. The follow-up single, "Mr. Turnkey" bubbled under the chart.

Nothing from the duo's next record, which was self-titled, hit the chart and they quickly faded into obscurity. Evans tried to sustain a career in music and Zager ultimately went into business making custom guitars. Evans passed away in 2018.

"In My House" is a track from their 1970 record that proved these boys could write some upbeat tunes that deserved more attention.

"Real Love" by Pia Zadora

Pia Zadora (whose real surname is Schipani) is a singer and actress from New Jersey who made a little splash on the charts in the early 80s. She first hit the chart when "I'm In Love Again" reached #45 in 1982 and then scored her biggest success the next year when "The Clapping Song" went to #36.

It is odd that Zadora didn't climb higher in 1985 when her duet with Jermaine Jackson, "When The Rain Begins To Fall," made its debut. The song was also featured in her movie, Voyage of the Rock Aliens (yeah, I never heard of it either but now I really want to see it).

"Real Love" is another track from her 1985 album, "Let's Dance Tonight." Not sure if Zadora was just a victim of bad luck or under some sort of alien curse, but her music seemed like it should have received more attention among the other 80s of and dance music of the era.

"Simplify" by Young the Giant

Young the Giant is a modern alternative rock band that formed in California circa 2004 (known then as The Jakes). This talented group, which cranks out an engaging blend of rock, pop, and dance, has only cracked the Top 100 twice so far. In 2011, the band hit #65 with "My Body" and followed it up in 2012 when "Cough Syrup" went to #95. It is strange that Young the Giant hasn't had more success on the charts.

"Simplify" is a terrific song from their 2018 album, "Mirror Master."

"Bulletproof" by Young Guns

Young Guns are a modern hard rock band from England that have yet to break onto the American charts, but that may not be true for much longer. "Bulletproof" is a hard-hitting anthem that should fire up young and old alike. It comes from their 2019 album "Echoes."

"The Other Side Of This Life" by The Youngbloods

The Youngbloods were a rock band from Massachusetts that are largely considered to be a one-hit wonder. They are best known for their classic "Get Together," which first charted in 1967 at #62 but came back to hit #5 in 1969.

The Youngbloods had two other minor hits: "Grizzly Bear" reached #52 in 1967 and "Darkness, Darkness" reached #86 in 1970, marking their final chart appearance. Lead singer and bassist Jesse Colin Young then embarked on a solo career. The closest he came to seeing chart action again was in 1977 when "Higher & Higher" bubbled under.

"The Other Side Of This Life" shows another side of The Youngbloods, one that is more fiery and unafraid to include some wild guitar work.

"A Little Bit Of Love" by Paul Young

Getting his start in a blue-eyed soul group called The Q-Tips, English singer and songwriter Paul Young had a run of US chart hits in the 80s. His first arrived in 1983 when he took the Marvin Gaye song "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)" to #70.

In 1985, Young topped the chart with his #1 smash "Everytime You Go Away," written by Daryl Hall. He followed this up with "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down," which reached #13. In 1990, he was back in the Top 10 with his version of "Oh Girl" (a #1 hit by The Chi-Lites in 1972), which reached #8. 

Young's final chart appearance in the US occurred in 1992 when his rendition of "What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted" peaked at #22 (it was used in the film Fried Green Tomatoes). The original was taken to #7 in 1966 by Jimmy Ruffin.

While he is best known for his soulful ballads, Young tried to mix things up with an occasional upbeat track like "A Little Bit Of Love" from his 1990 record "Other Voices."