"(If You Want It) Do It Yourself" by Gloria Gaynor

Gloria Fowles, aka Gloria Gaynor, was a staple in the 70s disco scene with her classics "Never Can Say Goodbye" (#9) and "I Will Survive" (#1). In-between those hits came this terrific spirited anthem called "(If You Want It) Do It Yourself." The song is exactly what the title makes it out to be, but not even the catchy funk could life this tune past #98 in 1975. In my book, this one should have gone top 10.

"Dear World" by David Gates

With his trademark angelic voice, David Gates is best known as a leader of the soft rock band Bread. After the last slice of Bread disappeared, Gates got a fresh start as a solo artist. His solo work is just another loaf of Bread, so to speak, but his songs never quite got the attention of the band's material.

Gates first chart appearance as a solo artist was the long winded suite called "Clouds," which somehow floated to #47 in 1973. He managed better in 1975 with "Never Let Her Go," which hit #29 (incidentally, this is also his best solo album in my opinion).

A successful Bread union in 1977 served to sandwich his solo career, and Gates scored a comeback hit with "Goodbye Girl" in 1977. Thanks to being featured in a movie of the same name, the sweet tune went all the way to #15. Gates couldn't hold on to that momentum though and scored his last charting single in 1981 with "Take Me Now" landing at #62. After that, Gates left the music scene to run a cattle ranch.

No one expected Gates to release a brand new album 13 years later amid the grunge craze, but then again Celine Dion just scored a #1 hit, reminding us that soft rock never dies. The album was called "Love Is Always Seventeen" and is trademark Gates, with some leftover 80s electric piano. His voice sounded as silky smooth as ever. Highlights from the record include the title track, "Ordinary Man," and this one, "Dear World."

"Little Darling, I Need You" by Marvin Gaye

The legendary Marvin Gaye needs no introduction. A man with so many hits across three decades, including #1 smashes like "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "Let's Get It On," and "Got To Give It Up (Pt 1)," makes it easier for some of his lesser known songs to fall off the radar.

Hailing from Washington DC, Marvin Gaye ranked #10 in the best artists of the 60s and #21 in the 70s. He ranks #19 of all-time. One of his most poignant classics, "What's Going On," hit #2 for 3 weeks in 1971.

Among the scores of singles he's released, "Little Darling, I Need You" is a peppy feel good that deserved better than #47 in 1966.

"I Need Your Loving" by Don Gardner and Dee Dee Ford

Here's an underrated gem from 1962 by the dynamic R&B duo of Don Gardner and Dee Dee Ford. While it managed to get to #20, you still don't hear it that often on the oldies stations. The duo would hit the charts twice more that same year with "Glory of Love" (#75) and "Don't You Worry" (#66).

"I Think I'm Paranoid" by Garbage

If you only thought that cheese came out of Wisconsin, you should know that Garbage does too. Alt-rock band Garbage debuted in 1995, but had their first significant chart hit with "Stupid Girl" in 1996 (it got to #24 and remains their biggest hit).

Garbage is led by Scottish singer Shirley Manson, but their drummer (Butch Vig) was the high-profile producer behind some of the biggest acts of the early 90s, including Nirvana, Soul Asylum, and Smashing Pumpkins.

The second album by Garbage was more accessible than the first, yet didn't score any huge hits. Singles "Push It" and "Special" each hit #52, but the best track I think the band ever did was "I Think I'm Paranoid," and it only hit #70.

Garbage is still active and released their latest effort, "Strange Little Birds," in 2016.

"I'm Alive" by Gamma

After the demise of Montrose, Ronnie Montrose formed a new band called Gamma. Still rocking, but with a dose of 80s synths now in the mix, Gamma hit the charts twice. The first was in 1980 with "I'm Alive" (#60) and the second was in 1982 with "Right The First Time" (#77). 

"I'm Alive" is always a fun and nostalgic listen, especially when that so 80s synthesized robot voice sings along.

"Solsbury Hill" by Peter Gabriel

Breaking off from Genesis was a risky venture for Peter Gabriel, so he wrote a song about it called "Solsbury Hill." It turned out to be his first single, but it simmered out at #68 in 1977. A live version surfaced in 1983, reaching only #84.

Despite its feeble chart performance, the song is a radio staple and a classic now, and it remains one of Gabriel's favorite tracks. Gabriel would find big time success in 1986 with the #1 smash "Sledgehammer" and follow up hit "Big Time" (#8). Gabriel's last chart appearance was in 1992 with the underrated tune "Steam."