"High School Nights" by Dave Edmunds

Dave Edmunds is a singer/songwriter from Wales who first hit the chart back in 1970 with "I Hear You Knocking", which went all the way to #4. He only hit the top 40 one other time as a solo artist with "Slipping Away", which went to #39 in 1983. In addition to his solo work, he formed the band Rockpile.

There has always been a hint of rockabilly and a lot of fun in his songs, but one that got overlooked was "High School Nights". This catchy tune that looks back on the carefree days of youth was featured in the movie Porky's Revenge in 1985. It would end up being the last time Edmunds cracked the US top 100, settling at #91.

"Unbreakable" by Eclipse

Eclipse is a modern AOR band that is like a heavy metal version of Survivor or Journey. Killer riffs abound in their sound, leading up to big arena-ready choruses. "Unbreakable" is just a taste of what this Swedish band is capable of - check them out if you long for more.

"Chemical" by Echo Jet

Denny and Kenny Scott are brothers who really know how to write a terrific pop rock song. They had some moderate success with their band Swirl 360 in 1998, but with proper support from their record label they could've been huge. Most of the reps who championed the band were laid off in record label mergers and the brothers fell through the cracks. 

Fast forward to 2008, the Scott brothers named themselves Echo Jet and released another album filled with catchy pop rock songs, any of which could have been a hit. Unfortunately, their self-titled record didn't gain any of the traction it deserved. Aside from moderate airplay for the song "Wave", no one has probably heard of them. You might know their songwriting, though, from artists like Click Five, O-Town, and Howard Jones.

"Over You" by Echo & The Bunnymen

The band hated it, several critics hated it, and early fans of the band hated it. We're taking about the self-titled, fifth album by melancholy alt rockers Echo & The Bunnymen. Despite the haters, this 1987 album proved to be the band's biggest commercial success, peaking at #51 on the Billboard Top 200 and producing some of their most memorable songs, such as "The Game", "Lips Like Sugar", and "Bedbugs and Ballyhoo".

I actually love this record. It is a very strong set of songs, among the band's most melodic. "Over You" was not released as a single, but I thought it was one of the more radio-friendly tunes in the pack. The band almost sounds like they are happy!

"Tomorrow Today" by Danny Echo

"Let's not talk about tomorrow today"...words of wisdom from the indie band Danny Echo. This tuneful track originally appears on their self-titled 2009 release and again on 2011's "Rock Bottoms Up". Check out more from the band if you like Brit Pop and pure rock and roll.

"So Far So Good" by Sheena Easton

Sheena Easton woke up the 80s with her housewife anthem, "Morning Train (Nine To Five)". The song chugged right to #1 in early 1981. Her charting career lasted a solid decade, ending in 1991 with "What Comes Naturally" hitting #19.

Easton nearly hit the top twice more in 1987 and 1988. She had two consecutive #2 hits, her duet with Prince ("U Got The Look") and the Babyface penned "The Lover In Me".

Two songs that I think should have been bigger hits for Easton include her take on the Martha Reeves & the Vandellas song "Jimmy Mack" and this one, "So Far So Good". "So Far So Good" is a quintessential 80s tune that Easton contributed to the soundtrack of the 1986 film About Last Night. 
  

"Come Out Fighting" by Easterhouse

Easterhouse is a little known rock duo of brothers from Manchester, England. They were known for their politically charged lyrics and released two albums in the 80s.

The boys wrote a terrific anthem to pump you up called "Come Out Fighting", which only managed to punch its way to #82 in 1989. It comes from their second album, "Waiting For The Redbird".