Your favorite songs that never became hits

[neutrino]

I'm pretty sure that many of us have a favorite song that never became a hit for some reason. As a result, many of us probably never even heard of it since the radio stations didn't play them enough (or at all). So here is your chance to let the world know about the songs you felt should have been a hit. Please educate us. Here is one of mine (until I think of a better one):
Manhattan Skyline - David Shire - YouTube

 

[ogibowt]

other than dozens of soul and R&B songs...here is one that comes to mind
covered by Barry Manilow as Mandy

the song "takes off" at the 50 decond mark

 

[neutrino]

other than dozens of soul and R&B songs...here is one that comes to mind
covered by Barry Manilow as Mandy

the song "takes off" at the 50 decond mark

Actually, I like the first 50 seconds quite a lot. It seems reminiscent of one of the Bee Gees' songs where Robin Gibb sang lead vocals. Can't put a finger on which song. But this is definitely the first time I heard your song. For most of us, songs posted in this thread will be their first time listening to them. Who knows. Maybe it will become one their favorites too. It's a good way to discover new songs.

 

[thumper18474]

Jethro Tull
Aqualung..I love the guitar solo
Tried forever to play it but just couldn't quite get it!

 

[neutrino]

Jethro Tull
Aqualung..I love the guitar solo
Tried forever to play it but just couldn't quite get it!

Please post a YouTube link so that we can all listen to it conveniently. Thanks.

 

[neutrino]

Ok I did it for you. But there is an official music video for it. Are you sure it never became a hit if it had a video?

 

[xmontrealer]

released in 1967

 

[xmontrealer]

great neo-Spector song. Unfortunately released the same week of JFK's assassination. Accordingly got zero radio play...

 

[neutrino]

Hey! Never heard this song before. But I really like it! Kind of like the Ronettes' Be My Baby, which is definitely one of my favorite songs of all time despite being before I was born (but was a smash hit and hence is overqualified for this thread).

 

[xmontrealer]

Keith Green's cover of Brian Wilson's original. Keith was only 13 at the time of the recording. Died July 1982 in a plane crash RIP...

 

[Robert Mugabe]

"Don't Bring Me Down" is a song written by Johnny Dee (road manager for British band the Fairies) and first performed by the rock band the Pretty Things in 1964. It was a number 10 hit on the UK Singles Chart,[1] and reached number 34 in Canada. The song was featured on the American version of their debut album, The Pretty Things. David Bowie covered the song on his 1973 album, Pin Ups.

 

[xmontrealer]

Originally released on Motown's "Soul" label in 1965, then pulled from release because Motown president Berry Gordy Jr. wanted Frank to work in production rather than as a vocalist.

The song became a Northern Soul Classic in the British dance clubs, with the very few and rare original 45's going for $25,000 and up.

It wasn't until the 1990's that it again became available to the public on British Northern Soul collection cd's.

Bruce Springsteen released his version as the first single from his fairly recent neo-soul album

 

[xmontrealer]

Recorded at Motown at the same time as the Jackson 5 did. Berry Gordy Jr. preferred their version, and kept David Ruffin's on the shelf until the 1990's

Would it have been as big a hit if it was released originally instead of the Jackson 5's???

Imho... no!

 

[neutrino]

Recorded at Motown at the same time as the Jackson 5 did. Berry Gordy Jr. preferred their version, and kept David's on the shelf until the 1990's

Would it have been as big a hit if it was released originally instead of the Jackson 5's???

Imho... no!

Damn! I had no idea about this. And like MJ, David Ruffin also died at age 50.

 

[Zoot Allures]

 

[Zoot Allures]

 

[Adam_hadam]