I want to preface my remarks here by saying that this is NOT intended to be a "Why doesn't radio play these songs?" thread. That topic has been repeatedly discussed and debated elsewhere. Let's leave it elsewhere.
How many times have we turned on the radio when we're in the mood for some Rock, and we get Gary Puckett & the Union Gap instead? Or even worse, as far as older Rock goes, Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra? I think it's a well-established fact that if you really want to hear what you want at any given time, you have to go through your own collection. I spent many hours making custom cassette tapes for my (now antiquated) car stereo system. Don't blame radio. It has it's way of doing things, and along with that, it has it's reasons.
My intention here is to make a small sample list of songs that in my humble opinion, are great songs by well known artists but aren't well known for whatever reasons. Younger generations of adults may be pleasantly surprised if and when they hear these songs for the first time.
Finally, my (partial) list of songs that are underplayed, rarely played, or perhaps not even played:
The Contours - Shake Sherry - Follow-up to Do You Love Me?
The Penguins - Hey, Senorita - Flip side of Earth Angel; Was the "A" side in some parts of the country.
Etta James - Good Rockin' Daddy - Follow-up to Dance With Me, Henry. If you ask me, a much better song.
The Platters - He's Mine - As far as I know, and feel free to correct me if you know otherwise, the only Platters song sung by Zola Taylor.
The Diamonds - Church Bells May Ring - Very campy church bell bridge in the middle.
Dionne Warwick - Don't Make Me Over - If I'm not mistaken, her breakout hit.
The Tokens - Tonight I Fell in Love - Preceded The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Now totally forgotten.
Bill Haley & His Comets - ABC Boogie - Was released as a single on Decca, and went nowhere.
The Kingsmen - Jolly Green Giant - Funny satire on the Green Giant commercials.
Fats Domino - Little Bee - Perhaps too racy for radio play at the time.
Steppenwolf - Rock Me - From the move "Candy". Why, oh why does Born to be Wild and Magic Carpet Ride get overplayed today, but this great Steppenwolf number is nearly forgotten?
Deep Purple - Hush - Their breakout hit on Bill Cosby's Tetragrammaton label. To me, still their best song, ever. Thought I heard her calling my name.
The Byrds - I Knew I'd Want You - From their first album. Should have been a singles hit.
Blood, Sweat, & Tears - Mama Gets High - Sounds like something you'd hear at a Depression-era speakeasy, was probably too lengthy and too racy for AM radio play.
How many times have we turned on the radio when we're in the mood for some Rock, and we get Gary Puckett & the Union Gap instead? Or even worse, as far as older Rock goes, Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra? I think it's a well-established fact that if you really want to hear what you want at any given time, you have to go through your own collection. I spent many hours making custom cassette tapes for my (now antiquated) car stereo system. Don't blame radio. It has it's way of doing things, and along with that, it has it's reasons.
My intention here is to make a small sample list of songs that in my humble opinion, are great songs by well known artists but aren't well known for whatever reasons. Younger generations of adults may be pleasantly surprised if and when they hear these songs for the first time.
Finally, my (partial) list of songs that are underplayed, rarely played, or perhaps not even played:
The Contours - Shake Sherry - Follow-up to Do You Love Me?
The Penguins - Hey, Senorita - Flip side of Earth Angel; Was the "A" side in some parts of the country.
Etta James - Good Rockin' Daddy - Follow-up to Dance With Me, Henry. If you ask me, a much better song.
The Platters - He's Mine - As far as I know, and feel free to correct me if you know otherwise, the only Platters song sung by Zola Taylor.
The Diamonds - Church Bells May Ring - Very campy church bell bridge in the middle.
Dionne Warwick - Don't Make Me Over - If I'm not mistaken, her breakout hit.
The Tokens - Tonight I Fell in Love - Preceded The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Now totally forgotten.
Bill Haley & His Comets - ABC Boogie - Was released as a single on Decca, and went nowhere.
The Kingsmen - Jolly Green Giant - Funny satire on the Green Giant commercials.
Fats Domino - Little Bee - Perhaps too racy for radio play at the time.
Steppenwolf - Rock Me - From the move "Candy". Why, oh why does Born to be Wild and Magic Carpet Ride get overplayed today, but this great Steppenwolf number is nearly forgotten?
Deep Purple - Hush - Their breakout hit on Bill Cosby's Tetragrammaton label. To me, still their best song, ever. Thought I heard her calling my name.
The Byrds - I Knew I'd Want You - From their first album. Should have been a singles hit.
Blood, Sweat, & Tears - Mama Gets High - Sounds like something you'd hear at a Depression-era speakeasy, was probably too lengthy and too racy for AM radio play.
