Year: 1992
Writers: Joie Calio, Michael Gurley, Phil Leavitt
Album: Puzzle
Label: I.R.S.
Highest US chart position: #5 (Modern Rock)
That was the 90s for you: power pop ruled the airwaves, and songs like “Dizz Knee Land” were aimed directly at the heart of Generation X.
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(3:40)
Year: 1985
Writers: Victor Krummenacher, David Lowery, Chris Molla, Jonathan Segel
Album: Telephone Free Landslide Victory
Label: Independent Projects
Highest US chart position: N/A
It’s the not caring that makes it work, the not knowing why the skinheads have to go bowling – or even if they’d want to go.
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(3:14)
Year: 1985
Writer: John Spinks
Album: Play Deep
Label: Columbia
Highest US chart position: #6 (Hot 100)
First Tony Lewis says, “I just wanna use your love tonight.” Then he admits, “I don’t want to LOSE your love tonight.” Well, which is it?
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(3:45)
Year: 1979
Writer: Robert John
Album: Robert John
Label: EMI
Highest US chart position: #1 (Hot 100)
"Sad Eyes" went to #1 on the Hot 100, but it took 20 weeks to get there, tying the record set by Nick Gilder’s “Hot Child in the City” for a single taking the longest time to hit the top spot.
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(3:23)
Year: 1969
Writer: Peter Green
Album: Then Play On
Label: Reprise
Highest US chart position: 55 (Pop Singles)
Split into two parts upon its release, “Oh Well” is three minutes of hard rocking blues followed by six minutes of spaghetti Western-style strumming, piano, and cello.
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(3:57)
Year: 1958
Writer: Chuck Rio (Danny Flores)
Album: Go Champs Go!
Label: Challenge
Highest US chart position: #1 (Hot 100)
Intended as a throwaway B-side to a song by guitarist Dave Burgess called “Train to Nowhere,” “Tequila” was literally written on the fly.
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(3:14)
Year: 1979
Writer: David Fenton
Album: New Clear Days
Label: United Artists
Highest US chart position: #36 (Hot 100)
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(3:16)
Year: 1970
Writers: Mike Pinera & Frank Konte
Album: Open
Label: Atco
Highest US chart position: #4 (Hot 100)
Expectations ran high for Blues Image after Jimi Hendrix pronounced them “one of the best up and coming bands” in an issue of Melody Maker.
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(3:50)
Year: 1967
Writers: Joe & Willie Chambers
Album: The Time Has Come
Label: Columbia/Legacy
Highest US chart position: #11 (Hot 100)
Upon learning of their new song, Columbia president Clive Davis asked for it to be recorded by a white group, something the band was vehemently against.
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(3:20)
Year: 1991
Writer: Lee Mavers
Album: The La's
Label: London
Highest US chart position: #49 (Hot 100)
The story of The La’s is a testament to the power of perfectionism to make and break a band’s career.
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(3:10)
