"A Simple Man" by Lobo

70s soft rockers Lobo had more chart success than most people probably remember. They started big with a #5 classic in 1971 called "Me And You And A Dog Named Boo" from their debut record. Their sophomore record got off to a sleepy start when "A Simple Man" stalled at #56 - it totally deserved better! This song should have been huge!

No worries, because the band sprang back with their next single, "I'd Love You To Want Me." This song went to #2 for 2 weeks and was followed by another hit, the #8 ballad "Don't Expect Me To Be Your Friend." Lobo would go on to score 5 more top 40 hits before their last chart appearance in 1979 when "Holdin' On For Dear Love" reached #75.

"Radio" by Lloyd Dobler Effect

Aside from having a very cool name, this indie pop rock band from Maryland didn't get their due. "Radio" is just one of many strong cuts from their 2008 record, "Candles." Too bad they couldn't capture greater attention as I think they could have lit up the charts.

"Love Rears Its Ugly Head" by Living Colour

Living Colour is known largely as a one-hit wonder for their stereotype-busting smash, "Cult Of Personality," which topped out at #13 in 1989 and won a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance. The band failed to sustain this success, although did score one additional top 40 hit with the catchy "Glamour Boys," which featured Mick Jagger on backing vocals and hit #31.

"Love Rears Its Ugly Hit" is a brilliant tune from their sophomore record, 1990's "Time's Up." Why this song didn't burn up the charts is beyond me. After the lackluster performance of "Time's Up," this groundbreaking and talented band dropped off the radar.

"The Beauty Of Gray" by Live

Bands like Live helped define the gritty yet melodic sound that characterized much of the 90s. Live's first chart appearance came in 1994 when their sophomore release, "Throwing Copper," shot onto the scene. "Selling The Drama" did quite well, peaking at #43, but it was the ferocious intensity and mesmerizing video of "I Alone" that really started grabbing people's attention. "I Alone" reached #38.

Then the band released a slow-burning ballad that broke through to the mainstream. Bolting to #12, "Lightning Crashes" became their biggest chart hit, and is probably the only top 100 song that contains the word "placenta". While "All Over You" and "White, Discussion" charted at #33 and #71, respectively, this record should have been mined for other strong cuts like "Waitress" and "Top."

The band's ambitious and pretentious follow-up record, "Secret Samadhi," saw them sustaining success for a bit longer, but overall it was not as well-received. Perhaps if they led with the stunning ballad "Turn My Head," which stalled at #45 as a third single, instead of the goofy "Lakini's Juice" (which hit #35 - better than it deserved) and banal "Freaks" (which hit #73).

The band's final chart appearance was "Heaven," which hit #59 in 2003. A good run for a 90s band. The lead singer (Ed Kowalczyk) put out some solo efforts and the boys continue to release music as a band to this day.

"The Beauty Of Gray" goes back to the band's lesser known debut album, "Mental Jewelry," which is brilliant. They were still young kids at this point, which makes the record all the more notable. The band's hunger and energy was most palpable on this record, and the lyrics were strong without being bizarre. Case in point is this song about the dangers of polarization.

"So Many Paths" by Little River Band

Australian soft rockers who went by the name of Little River Band set the charts on fire in the late 70s and early 80s. The band scored six huge top 10 hits during that time, the most successful going to #3 ("Reminiscing").

The band's stylings weren't suited to the emerging techno pop sounds of the 80s and they faded away after "Playing To Win" stalled at #60 in 1985.

During their hot streak, a lot of solid tunes were recorded that didn't get their fair shake. "So Many Paths" comes from their landmark 1978 album, "Sleeper Catcher." It contains one of my favorite lyrics: "There are so many paths up the mountain, and the view from the top is still the same."

"Takin' Back What I Said" by Little Eva

Hailing from North Carolina, Little Eva was discovered by the great Carole King while babysitting her daughter - talk about a lucky gig! With her husband, Gerry Goffin, King ended up co-writing many of Little Eva's hits.

It all began with the iconic smash, "The Loco-Motion," which topped the charts in 1962 and became a Grammy Hall of Famer. Little Eva scored a few more notable hits including "Keep Your Hands Off My Baby" (#12) and that Thanksgiving favorite, "Let's Turkey Trot" (#20).

It is puzzling why Little Eva didn't score more big hits - "Takin' Back What I Said" surely has all the right stuff. Little Eva passed away in 2003 from cancer at the age of 59.

"Right This Time" by Lit

California alt rockers, Lit, arrived on the scene in 1999 with a radio friendly hit, "My Own Worst Enemy," which peaked at #51. For inexplicable reasons, it would prove to be their only chart appearance. The band failed to capitalize on this momentum with worthy follow-ups like "Zip-Lock" and "The Best Is Yet To Come Undone." Their 2001 sophomore effort proved to be a jinx and they disappeared.

The band released an arena-ready comeback record in 2012 called "The View From The Bottom." It is filled with strong cuts like "Right This Time," but also check out fist-pumping anthems like "C'mon" and "The Broken." Not sure why this one didn't breathe new life into this underrated band.