"What A Walk" by Bobby Lewis

Indiana native Bobby Lewis scored a massive hit in 1961 with "Tossin' and Turnin'," which spent an impressive 7 weeks at the #1 spot. He hit the top 10 again when the follow-up single "One Track Mind" reached #9 later that year.

Also in 1961 came his grossly underrated tune, "What A Walk." This danceable ditty stalled at an inexplicable #77. Lewis would make one final chart appearance in 1962 with a sequel to his smash hit; but, "I'm Tossin' And Turnin' Again" went to sleep at #98.

"I'll Make Him Love Me" by Barbara Lewis

Michigan singer and songwriter Barbara Lewis had a big splash debut when her classic "Hello Stranger" landed at #3 in 1963. She scored a handful of other top 40 hits throughout the decade including "Puppy Love" (#38), "Baby, I'm Yours" (#11), "Make Me Your Baby" (#11), and "Make Me Belong To You" (#28). She really liked songs with "make" in the title!

Her final chart appearance was in 1967 when the peppy and wonderful "I'll Make Him Love Me" stalled at #72. This one sounded like top 10 material to my ears, but Lewis could not make radio love her anymore.

"Running In The Family" by Level 42

Level 42 was a quintessential synth-pop 80s band best known for their monster hit "Something About You," which soared all the way to #7 in 1986. They'd nearly breach the top 10 again in 1987 with "Lessons In Love," which reached #12.

Follow-up single, "Running In The Family," however, stalled at #83 and would become this London band's final US chart appearance. Sounding very much like Howard Jones, this is a solid tune from the era and deserved better.

"Every Word Means No" by Let's Active

Despite lots of critical acclaim, the North Carolina power pop band Let's Active were never active on the charts. They released a trio of records and an EP during the 80s that never caved to trends. In addition to fronting Let's Active, singer and songwriter Mitch Easter produced several of R.E.M.'s early records.

"Every Word Means No" comes from their debut 1983 EP called "Afoot." There's hints of genius here, but the band never rose above cult status.

"You Can Leave The Light On" by Andy Lehman

Andy Lehman is a masterful independent singer/songwriter who blends pop and rock effortlessly, whether in his acoustic ballads or power pop anthems. "Low Country" (under the name of Andy Lehman and the Night Moves) is a masterpiece of a record, a concept album about a lover's triangle gone bad.

"You Can Leave The Light On" helps introduce the tale. It is a heartbreaking song about our protagonist, who is "caught up in something bad" and can't come home ever again. This song contains the final words he has for his worried mother.

"Co-Pilot" by Letters To Cleo

Letters To Cleo rose to fame in the mid-90s with their post-grunge pop rock sound. Featured on the soundtrack to Melrose Place, and their 1994 album, "Here & Now" reached #56 on the Top 100. Their next album yielded another chart appearance when "Awake" topped out at #88. "Awake" would mark this Boston band's final showing on the charts.

"Co-Pilot" comes from their 1997 effort, "Go!" and should have been the winning song that breathed a second wind into their sails. But I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Shortly thereafter, drummer Stacy Jones went on the front his own band, American Hi-Fi.

Singer Kay Hanley used to write a childhood pen-pal named Cleo, which is where the band got its name.

"Saltwater" by Julian Lennon

Julian Lennon was born to Cynthia and John Lennon in 1963, the first child to be born to any of The Beatles. As a child, Julian provided the inspiration behind the massive Beatles hit, "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," Lucy being a nursery school friend featured in one of his paintings.

Following in his father's footsteps, Julian had immediate success on the charts with his 1984 debut album, "Valotte." In addition to the title track, which hit #9, the album yielded the #5 smash, "Too Late For Goodbyes," and the lesser-known but excellent #21 hit "Say You're Wrong." But the flame died out quickly, with Julian's only other top 40 appearance coming in 1986 when "Stick Around" topped out at #32.

In 1991, Julian Lennon released an underrated effort called "Help Yourself," a snarky rebuttal to his father's band's mantra, "Help!" Despite Julian's well-documented beefs with his father, the single "Saltwater" proves he is John Lennon's son. "Saltwater" extends the message his father championed and would have made John proud. Despite achieving success in other countries, the single was a flop in the US.