Shoulda Been Hits

You’re hearing a great song for the first time — or maybe rediscovering it — and you think to yourself: “I never heard that on the radio. Why wasn’t that a hit?” We have wondered the same; in fact, we’re obsessed with it. Here are songs that we think shoulda been hits but weren’t. They may have charted in the U.K. or elsewhere but not the United States, or maybe they actually reached Billboard’s Hot 100 but didn’t get far but shoulda.

You can also follow along with our Spotify playlist.

A

ABBA
“I Have a Dream” (1979; reached No. 2 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)
“One of Us” (1983; reached No. 3 in the U.K.)

ABC
“Date Stamp” (1982)
“King Without a Crown” (1987)

THE ADVENTURES
“Feel the Raindrops” (1985)
“Two Rivers” (1985)

AEROSMITH
“You See Me Crying” (1975)

A-HA
“Crying in the Rain” (1990; this excellent cover of the Everly Brothers hit peaked at No. 13 in the U.K. but did not reach the U.S. Hot 100)
“Dark Is the Night For All” (1983; reached No. 19 in the U.K.)

AIR
“Cherry Blossom Girl” (2004)

THE ALBUM LEAF
“There Is a Wind” (2010)

LILY ALLEN
“Straight to Hell” (2009; with guest Mick Jones; a cover of a Clash song)

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND
“Whipping Post” (1969)

ALTERED IMAGES
“Don’t Talk to Me About Love” (1983; Top 10 in the U.K., did not chart in U.S.)

AMBROSIA
“And … Somewhere I’ve Never Travelled” (1976)
“Can’t Let a Woman” (1976)
“Drink of Water” (1975)
“Time Waits For No One” (1975)

TORI AMOS
“Cornflake Girl” (1994; hit No. 4 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

THERESA ANDERSSON
“Birds Fly Away” (2008)

ADAM ANT
“Here Comes the Grump” (1982)

ANGIE APARO
“Spaceship” (2000)

ARGENT
“Be Free” (1970)
“God Gave Rock and Roll to You” (1973; covered by KISS for the 1991 film
“Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey”)
“It’s Only Money” (1973)

JOAN ARMATRADING
“Love and Affection” (1976; a Top 10 hit in the U.K.)
“Temptation” (1985)

ARTFUL DODGER
“Scream” (1976)

AUDIENCE
“Indian Summer” (1971; reached only No. 74 on the U.S. chart and didn’t even chart in the group’s native U.K.)

KYLIE AULDIST
“Make Me Want More” (2009)

AZTEC CAMERA
“The Crying Scene” (1990)

AZTEC TWO-STEP
“Dancers All” (1972)

B

BAD COMPANY
“Silver, Blue & Gold” (1976)

BADFINGER
“Apple of My Eye” (1974)
“It’s Over” (1972)

BANANARAMA
“Rough Justice” (1984; reached No. 23 in the U.K.)

THE BAND
“Chest Fever” (1968)
“The Shape I’m In” (1971)

PATO BANTON
“Baby Come Back” (1994; with Ali and Robin Campbell of UB40)

THE BEACH BOYS
“All This Is That” (1972)
“Feel Flows” (1971; used in the film “Almost Famous”)
“Here Today” (1966)

BEASTIE BOYS
“Body Movin'” (1998)
“Sabotage” (1994; reached No. 19 in the U.K. as the B-side of “Get It Together”)

THE BEATLES
“Across the Universe” (1969)
“Back in the U.S.S.R.” (1968)
“Blackbird” (1968)
“Carry That Weight” (1969)
“Drive My Car” (1966)
“The Fool on the Hill” (1967)
“Here Comes the Sun” (1969)
“In My Life” (1966)
“It’s All Too Much” (1969)
“Michelle” (1966)
“No Reply” (1964)
“Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown” (1966)
“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1967)
“She Came In Through the Bathroom Window” (1969)
“Taxman” (1966)
“This Boy” (1963)
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (1968)
“You’re Gonna Lose That Girl” (1965)

THE BEATMASTERS FEAT. BETTY BOO
“Hey DJ / I Can’t Dance (To That Music You’re Playing)” (1989; went Top 10 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH
“We Are Each Other” (1992)

BE BOP DELUXE
“Maid in Heaven” (1975)

BEE GEES
“Wind of Change” (1975)
“World” (1967)

ADRIAN BELEW
“Pretty Pink Rose” (1990; with David Bowie)

THE BELOVED
“Sweet Harmony” (1993; went Top 10 in the U.K.)

DICKEY BETTS & GREAT SOUTHERN
“Atlanta’s Burning Down” (1978)

THE B-52’s
“Channel Z” (1989)
“Quiche Lorraine” (1980)
“Song For a Future Generation” (1983)
“Summer of Love” (1986)

BIG AUDIO DYNAMITE
“E=MC²” (1985)

BIG COUNTRY
“Chance” (1983; Top 10 in the U.K., did not chart in U.S.)
“The One I Love” (1993)

THE BIG SUPREME
“Don’t Walk” (1986)

BIG STAR
“Give Me Another Chance” (1972)
“I’m in Love With a Girl” (1974)
“In the Street” (1972; covered by Cheap Trick for the “That ’70s Show” theme)
“O My Soul” (1974)
“Thirteen” (1972)

BIG WRECK
“The Oaf” (1998)
“That Song” (1997)

BJÖRK
“Human Behaviour” (1993; made it to No. 36 on the U.K. chart)

BLONDFIRE
“My Someday” (2008)

BLONDIE
“T-Birds” (1979)
“Union City Blues” (1979; reached No. 13 in the U.K., never issued as a single in the U.S.)

BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS
“God Bless the Child” (1969)
“I Can’t Quit Her” (1968)
“My Days Are Numbered” (1968)

THE BLUE NILE
“The Downtown Lights” (1990)

BLUE ÖYSTER CULT
“E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence)” (1976)

THE BODYSNATCHERS
“Let’s Do Rock Steady” (1980; reached No. 22 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

KARLA BONOFF
“Home” (1977)
“Wild Heart of the Young” (1982)

BON JOVI
“Wild in the Streets” (1986; B-side of “Livin’ On a Prayer”)

BOOK OF LOVE
“Alice Everyday” (1991)

THE BOO RADLEYS
“Lazarus” (1993; went Top 50 in the U.K.)

BOSTON
“Hitch a Ride” (1976)

DAVID BOWIE
“Ashes to Ashes” (1980; went No. 1 in the U.K.)
“As the World Falls Down” (1986; from the film “Labyrinth”)
“Fascination” (1975)
“Somebody Up There Likes Me” (1975)
“TVC15” (1976)
“Who Can I Be Now?” (1975)

BILLY BRAGG
“Sexuality” (1991)

TONI BRAXTON & BABYFACE
“Roller Coaster” (2014; Hear here)

BROKEN BELLS
“The High Road” (2009)

JACKSON BROWNE
“Fountain of Sorrow” (1974)
“The Fuse” (1976)
“Jamaica Say You Will” (1972)

LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM
“Soul Drifter” (1992)

BUCKINGHAM NICKS
“Crystal” (1973)
“Long Distance Winner” (1973)

JEFF BUCKLEY
“Last Goodbye” (1995)

BUFFALO TOM
“Sodajerk” (1993)

R.L. BURNSIDE
“It’s Bad You Know” (1998)

KATE BUSH
“The Big Sky” (1985; a Top 40 hit in the U.K.)
“Love and Anger” (1989)

THE BYRDS
“Chestnut Mare” (1970; reached No. 19 in the U.K.)
“I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better” (1965)
“Wild Mountain Thyme” (1966)

DAVID BYRNE
“Strange Overtones” (2008, with Brian Eno)

C

CACTUS WORLD NEWS
“Years Later” (1986; reached No. 59 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

MERYN CADELL
“The Sweater” (1992)

JIM CAPALDI
“It’s All Up to You” (1975)

THE CARDIGANS
“Erase/Rewind” (1998)
“My Favourite Game” (1998)

CARL CARLTON
“Nothin’ No Sweeter Than Love” (1965)

CARMEL
“More More More” (1984; Top 30 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

CARPENTERS
“Merry Christmas Darling” (1970; See here)

THE JIM CARROLL BAND
“People Who Died” (1980)

THE CARS
“Heartbeat City” (1984)
“Moving in Stereo” (1978)

VALERIE CARTER
“Ooh Child” (1977)

DAVID CASSIDY
“The Last Kiss” (1985; Top 10 hit in the U.K., did not chart in U.S.)

CATHERINE WHEEL
“Black Metallic” (1992)
“Crank” (1993)

CAVIAR
“Tangerine Speedo” (2000)

CHANGE
“Let’s Go Together” (1985)

CHATHAM COUNTY LINE
“Crop Comes In” (2010)

THE CHARLATANS UK
“The Only One I Know” (1990)

THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS
“Block Rockin’ Beats” (1997; peaked at No. 1 in the U.K.)

CHICAGO
“Street Player” (1979; sampled heavily by The Bucketheads on their 1995 hit
“The Bomb! [These Sounds Fall Into My Mind]”)

THE CHILLS
“Heavenly Pop Hit” (1990)

CHINA CRISIS
“Christian” (1983)
“Black Man Ray” (1985; reached No. 14 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S. Produced by Steely Dan’s Walter Becker)

CHROMATICS
“Tick of the Clock” (2011; used in the film “Drive”)

THE CHURCH
“Metropolis” (1990)

ERIC CLAPTON
“See What Love Can Do” (1985)

THE CLASH
“The Call Up” (1980; Top 40 in the U.K., but nada in the U.S.)
“I’m Not Down” (1979)

JIMMY CLIFF
“Sitting in Limbo” (1972)

THE CLEAN
“In the Dreamlife U Need a Rubber Soul” (2009)

COCTEAU TWINS
“Carolyn’s Fingers” (1988)
“Heaven or Las Vegas” (1990)
“Iceblink Luck” (1990)

COLDPLAY
“The Scientist” (2002; made the Top 10 in the U.K. but did not chart on Billboard’s Hot 100)

SHAWN COLVIN
“Nothin’ on Me” (1997; theme song to “Suddenly Susan”)

THE COMATEENS
“Get Off My Case” (1983)

COMMUNARDS
“Tomorrow” (1987; reached No. 23 in U.K., did not chart in U.S.)

JULIAN COPE
“5 O’Clock World” (1989)

CORNERSHOP
“Brimful of Asha” (1997)

ELVIS COSTELLO
“… This Town …” (1989)

ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ATTRACTIONS
“Pump It Up” (1978; Top 25 in the U.K., did not chart in U.S.)

COWSILLS
“Christmastime (A Song for Marissa)” (2007)
“Some Good Years” (1998)

CRACK THE SKY
“She’s a Dancer” (1975)

THE CRAMPS
“Twist and Shout” (1979)

MARSHALL CRENSHAW
“Whenever You’re On My Mind” (1983)

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH
“49 Bye-Byes” (1969)

CROWDED HOUSE
“It’s Only Natural” (1991)

JULEE CRUISE
“Falling” (1990)

THE CURE
“A Letter to Elise” (1992)
“The Lovecats” (1984; reached No. 7 on the U.K. chart)
“Where the Birds Always Sing” (2000)

CUT COPY
“Where I’m Going” (2011)

D

DADA
“Dizz Knee Land” (1993)

DAFT PUNK
“Da Funk” (1997; went Top 10 in the U.K.)

THE DAMNED
“Grimly Fiendish” (1985; Top 25 in the U.K.)
“Is It a Dream” (1985; Top 40 in the U.K.)
“The Shadow of Love” (1985; Top 25 in the U.K.)
“Smash It Up” (1979; Top 35 in the U.K.)

THE DANDY WARHOLS
“Bohemian Like You” (2000)

VANESSA DAOU
“The Long Tunnel of Wanting You” (1995)

THE DARLING BUDS
“Crystal Clear” (1990)

DEAD CAN DANCE
“The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove” (1993)

DEAD OR ALIVE
“In Too Deep” (1985; reached No. 14 in the U.K. but didn’t chart in the U.S. )

DEEP PURPLE
“Highway Star” (1972; See here)

DESMOND DEKKER
“You Can Get It If You Really Want” (1970; written by Jimmy Cliff)

DEREK AND THE DOMINOS
“Anyday” (1970)

DESTINY’S CHILD VS. STEVIE WONDER
“Bootystition” (200?)

DEVICE
“Who’s On the Line?” (1986)

DEVO
“Beautiful World” (1981)
“Freedom of Choice” (1980)
“Through Being Cool” (1982)

THE DICTATORS
“The Next Big Thing” (1975)

DIG
“Believe” (1994)

DIGABLE PLANETS
“Where I’m From” (1993)

DINK
“Green Mind” (1995)

DIRE STRAITS
“Tunnel of Love” (1980)

DR. BUZZARD’S ORIGINAL SAVANNAH BAND
“Hard Times” (1976)

DODGY
“In a Room” (1996; No. 12 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

THOMAS DOLBY
“Airwaves” (1982)
“I Live in a Suitcase” (1992)
“Screen Kiss” (1984)

DOLLAR
“Who Were You With in the Moonlight” (1979; Top 20 in the U.K.)

THE DOOBIE BROTHERS
“8th Avenue Shuffle” (1976)

ELIZA DOOLITTLE
“Pack Up” (2010; went Top 5 in the U.K. but didn’t chart in the U.S.)

THE DOORS
“Break On Through (To the Other Side)” (1967)

DOVES
“The Man Who Told Everything” (2000)

THE DREAM ACADEMY
“The Edge of Forever” (1985; figured prominently in the film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”)
“Indian Summer” (1987)
“Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want” (1986; a cover of The Smiths; an instrumental version was used in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”)
“This World” (1985)

DREAM WARRIORS
“My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style” (1991)

DUB PISTOLS
“I’m in Love” (2009)

DURAN DURAN
“Perfect Day” (1995; made the Top 30 in the U.K.)

E

EAGLES
“Journey of the Sorcerer” (1975)

THE EASYBEATS
“Good Times” (1968)

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN
“The Killing Moon” Echo & The Bunnymen (1984; a Top 10 hit in the U.K.; it didn’t make it onto the U.S. Hot 100)
“Silver” (1984; reached Top 30 in the U.K., nowhere in the U.S.)

DENNIS EDWARDS
“Don’t Look Any Further” (1984; featuring Siedah Garrett; made it to only No. 72 in the U.S.)

ELBOW BONES AND THE RACKETEERS (big band-style vocal group created by August Darnell, aka Kid Creole)
“A Night in New York” (1983; Top 40 U.K. hit)

ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA
“Boy Blue” (1974)
“The Diary of Horace Wimp” (1979; went Top 10 in the U.K.)
“Fire On High” (1975)
“Julie Don’t Live Here” (1981)
“Ma-Ma-Ma Belle” (1974; Top 25 in the U.K.)
“Nightrider” (1975)
“10538 Overture” (1972; Top 10 in the U.K.)
“Rockaria!” (1976; Top 10 in the U.K.)
“Wild West Hero” (1977; Top 10 in the U.K.)

ELECTRONIC
“Feel Every Beat” (1991; went Top 40 in the U.K., did not chart in U.S.)
“Get the Message” (1991)

EMBRACE
“Gravity” (2004; peaked at No. 7 in the U.K. but nowhere in the U.S.)

EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER
“Fanfare for the Common Man” (1977)

THE ENGLISH BEAT
“Best Friend” (1980)

ENIGMA
“Out From the Deep” (1993)

ERASURE
“Hallowed Ground” (1988)
“Victim of Love” (1987; Top 10 in the U.K. but did not chart in the U.S.)

ERIC B. & RAKIM
“Paid in Full” (1987)

EUROGLIDERS
“We Will Together” (1985)

EURYTHMICS
“Doubleplusgood” (1984)
“I Saved the World Today” (1999; Top 10 hit in the U.K. but never released as a single in the U.S.)

PHIL EVERLY
“She Means Nothing to Me” (1983; this duet with Cliff Richard went Top 10 in the U.K.)

F

DONALD FAGEN
“Green Flower Street” (1982)
“New Frontier” (1982)

FAITH NO MORE
“MidLife Crisis” (1992)

FATBOY SLIM
“Weapon of Choice” (2001)

BRYAN FERRY
“Don’t Stop the Dance” (1985; reached No. 21 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)
“Slave to Love” (1985; a Top 10 hit in the U.K., but reached only No. 109 in the U.S.)

FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS
“The Flame” (1996)

THE FINN BROTHERS
“Anything Can Happen” (2010)

THE FIREMAN
“Sing the Changes” (2008)

FLAMIN’ GROOVIES
“Shake Some Action” (1976)
“Yes It’s True” (1976)

FLASH AND THE PAN
“Waiting for a Train” (1983; a Top 10 hit in the U.K. but did not chart in the U.S.)

FLEETWOOD MAC
“Emerald Eyes” (1973)
“Hypnotized” (1973)
“Silver Springs” (1977; B-side of “Go Your Own Way”; eventually released as a
single from the 1997 live album “The Dance”)
“Warm Ways” (1975)

FLESH FOR LULU
“I Go Crazy” (1987)

BERNI FLINT
“I Don’t Want to Put a Hold on You” (1977; reached No. 3 in the U.K., but did not chart in the U.S.)

THE FLYING BURRITO BROTHERS
“Christine’s Tune” (1969)

DAN FOGELBERG
“There’s a Place in the World For a Gambler” (1974)

JOHN FOGERTY
“Vanz Kant Danz” (1985)

BEN FOLDS FIVE
“Song For the Dumped” (1998)

ELLEN FOLEY
“We Belong to the Night” (1979)

THE FOOLS
“It’s a Night for Beautiful Girls” (1980; reached No. 67 in the U.S. but that’s hardly a hit)

PETER FRAMPTON
“I Wanna Go to the Sun” (1976)

FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD
“Rage Hard” (1986; went Top 5 in the U.K.)

ARETHA FRANKLIN
“Over the Rainbow” (1961)
“This Girl’s in Love With You” (1970; Hear here)

THE FRESH PRINCE
“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1990)

FURY IN THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE
“Every Generation Got Its Own Disease” (1994)

G

GANG STARR
“Just to Get a Rep” (1991)

THE GAP BAND
“Party Train” (1983)

MARVIN GAYE
“Soon I’ll Be Loving You Again” (1976)

GENE LOVES JEZEBEL
“Gorgeous” (1987)

GENESIS
“The Carpet Crawlers” (1974)
“In Limbo” (1969)
“Mad Man Moon” (1976)
“A Trick of the Tail” (1976)

THE GO-BETWEENS
“Was There Anything I Could Do?” (1988)
“You Can’t Say No Forever” (1988)

GOLDHEART ASSEMBLY
“King of Rome” (2010)

GORILLAZ
“On Melancholy Hill” (2010)

JAKI GRAHAM & DAVID GRANT
“Mated” (1986; a Top 20 hit in the U.K. but nowhere in the U.S.; written by
Todd Rundgren)

GRIZZLY BEAR
“Two Weeks” (2009)

GROOVE ARMADA
“Superstylin’ “ (2001)

THE GUESS WHO
“Bus Rider” (1970; B-side of “Share the Land”; Hear here)

GUSGUS
“Ladyshave” (1999)

GUSTER
“Airport Song” (1998)

H

STEVE HACKETT
“Narnia” (1978)

HAIRCUT ONE HUNDRED
“Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)” (1982)

DARYL HALL & JOHN OATES
“When the Morning Comes” (1973; Hear here)

JAN HAMMER
“Crockett’s Theme” (1987; reached No. 2 in the U.K. but failed to chart in the U.S.)

HAPPY MONDAYS
“Step On” (1990)

EMMYLOU HARRIS
“Boulder to Birmingham” (1975)

GEORGE HARRISON
“Awaiting On You All” (1970)
“Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)” (1970)
“Cheer Down” (1989)

DEBORAH HARRY
“I Want That Man” (1989)

JULIANA HATFIELD THREE
“My Sister” (1993)

DONNY HATHAWAY
“Someday We’ll All Be Free” (1973)

SCREAMIN’ JAY HAWKINS
“I Put a Spell On You” (1956)

HAWKS
“Right Away” (1981)

MAYER HAWTHORNE
“No Strings” (2011)

MURRAY HEAD
“Say It Ain’t So, Joe” (1975)

HEADGIRL (MOTÖRHEAD & GIRLSCHOOL)
“Please Don’t Touch” (1981; from the “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre EP,” a Top 5 hit in the U.K.)

HEARTSFIELD
“Magic Mood” (1975)

THE HEART THROBS
“Dreamtime” (1990)

NICK HEYWARD
“Whistle Down the Wind” (1983; reached No. 13 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)
“Kite” (1993)

JOHN HIATT
“Memphis in the Meantime” (1987)

THE HOLLIES
“Pick Up the Pieces Again” (1974)

THE HORRORS
“Still Life” (2011)

HOTHOUSE FLOWERS
“Don’t Go” (1988)
“Give It Up” (1990)
“I Can See Clearly Now” (1990)
“I’m Sorry” (1988)
“Thing of Beauty” (1993)

THE HOUSE OF LOVE
“Christine” (1988)

THE HUES CORPORATION
“I Caught Your Act” (1977; only reached No. 92)

THE HUMAN LEAGUE
“Life On Your Own” (1984; reached No. 16 in the U.K.)
“Stay With Me Tonight” (1996; reached the U.K. Top 40, did not chart in U.S.)
“Tell Me When” (1995)

I

ICEHOUSE
“Hey Little Girl” (1982)
“Man of Colours” (1987)

IMAGINATION
“Music and Lights” (1982; Top 10 in the U.K.)

INCREDIBLE BONGO BAND
“Apache” (1973; one of the most sampled songs of all time, often called “hip-hop’s national anthem”)

INSPIRAL CARPETS
“This Is How It Feels” (1991)

INXS
“By My Side” (1990)
“The Gift” (1993)
“Just Keep Walking” (1993)
“Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain)” (1985)
“Mystify” (1987)

J

JOE JACKSON
“Down to London” (1989)
“Nineteen Forever” (1989)

THE JACKSON 5
“Hum Along and Dance” (1973)
“2-4-6-8” (1970)

JAM
“That’s Entertainment” (1981; reached No. 21 in the U.K.)

THE JAMES GANG
“Take a Look Around” (1969; Hear here)

JAMIROQUAI
“Virtual Insanity” (1997; Top 5 in the U.K. but did not reach the U.S. pop chart)

JANE’S ADDICTION
“Jane Says” (1988)

JAPAN
“Gentlemen Take Polaroids” (1980; peaked at No. 60 in the U.K., but that hardly matters)

THE JAYHAWKS
“Blue” (1995)

JEFFERSON AIRPLANE
“She Has Funny Cars” (1967)

JELLYFISH
“That Is Why” (1990)

CARLY RAE JEPSEN
“Take a Picture” (2013)
“This Kiss” (2012; peaked at No. 86 on the Billboard chart)

THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN
“The Hardest Walk” (1985)

JESUS JONES
“The Devil You Know” (1993)

JETHRO TULL
“Aqualung” (1971)
“Bouree” (1969)
“Cross-Eyed Mary” (1971)
“Inside” (1970)
“A New Day Yesterday” (1969)
“Nothing Is Easy” (1969)
“Teacher” (1970; a Top 5 U.K. hit)
“Thick As a Brick” (1972)
“With You There to Help Me” (1970)

BILLY JOEL
“I’ve Loved These Days” (1976)
“James” (1976)

ELTON JOHN
“Come Down in Time” (1970)
“Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” (1973)
“Harmony” (1973)
“Love Song” (1970)
“Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” (1972)
“Since God Invented Girls” (1988)

JOHNNY HATES JAZZ
“Me and My Foolish Heart” (1986)

JON & VANGELIS
“I Hear You Now” (1980; Top 10 in U.K.)

GRACE JONES
“Slave to the Rhythm” (1985; Top 15 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

HOWARD JONES
“Specialty” (1985)

JOURNEY
“Ask the Lonely” (1983)
“Happy to Give” (1986)

JUDAS PRIEST
“Breaking the Law” (1980)

THE JUDYBATS
“Being Simple” (1993)

K

KAJAGOOGOO
“The Lion’s Mouth” (1984; Top 25 in the U.K.)

THE KANE GANG
“Closest Thing to Heaven” (1984)

KANSAS
“Song for America” (1975)

KATRINA AND THE WAVES
“Red Wine and Whiskey” (1985)

EDDIE KENDRICKS
“Girl You Need a Change of Mind” (1973)

NIK KERSHAW
“Somebody Loves You” (1999)

THE KILLERS
“Just Another Girl” (2013; See here)

KILLING JOKE
“Love Like Blood” (1985; reached No. 16 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)
“Sanity” (1986)

CAROLE KING
“It’s Gonna Work Out Fine” (1976)

THE KINKS
“Autumn Almanac” (1967)
“Waterloo Sunset” (1967)
“Plastic Man” (1969)
“Celluloid Heroes” (1972)
“Low Budget” (1979)
“Living On a Thin Line” (1985)

KISSING THE PINK
“Watching Their Eyes” (1982)

KNIFE PARTY
“Bonfire” (2012; maybe you heard it on “Breaking Bad”)

GLADYS KNIGHT
“License to Kill” (1989; a Top 10 hit in the U.K. but didn’t see the light of day in the U.S.)

LENNY KRAVITZ
“Are You Gonna Go My Way” (1993)

KULA SHAKER
“Tattva” (1996)

L

SHONA LAING
“Soviet Snow” (1988)

THE LA’S
“Timeless Melody” (1991)

LED ZEPPELIN
“Dancing Days” (1973)
“Hey Hey What Can I Do” (1970; B-side of “Immigrant Song”)
“Misty Mountain Hop” (1971)
“Rain Song” (1973)
“Ramble On” (1969)
“Tangerine” (1970)
“Thank You” (1969)
“That’s the Way” (1970)
“Your Time Is Gonna Come” (1969)

DEE C. LEE
“See the Day” (1985)

THE LEMONHEADS
“It’s a Shame About Ray” (1992)

LEVEL 42
“It’s Over” (1987; went Top 10 in the U.K.)
“Leaving Me Now” (1986; went Top 15 in the U.K.)
“World Machine” (1985)

LIGHTNING SEEDS
“Change” (1995; Top 20 in the U.K., but did not chart in U.S.; appeared in the film “Clueless”)

THE LILAC TIME
“All For Love and Love For All” (1990)
“The Laundry” (1990)

LINA
“Come to Mama” (2005)

LIONROCK
“Rude Boy Rock” (1998; Top 20 in the U.K. but nowhere stateside)

LIQUID LIQUID
“Optimo” (1983)

LITTLE RIVER BAND
“Light of Day” (1978)

LIVERPOOL EXPRESS
“You Are My Love” (1976; peaked at No. 11 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

LIVING LEGENDS
“After Hours (Extended Euro Mix)” (2008)

LOGGINS & MESSINA
“Be Free” (1974)
“Keep Me in Mind” (1974)

LONGPIGS
“On and On” (1997)

LOOSE ENDS
“Slow Down” (1987; See here)

THE LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH
“Dance With Me” (1983)

LOUD SUGAR
“Instant Karma Coffee House” (1991)

LOVE
“She Comes in Colors” (1967)

THE LOVER SPEAKS
“No More I Love You’s” (1986; only reached No. 58 in the U.K.)

TAMI LYNN
“I’m Gonna Run Away From You” (1971)

M

KIRSTY MacCOLL
“Walking Down Madison” (1991)

MADNESS
“Michael Caine” (1984; peaked at No. 11 in the U.K. but did not chart in the U.S.)
“My Girl 2” (2012)

MADONNA
“Into the Groove” (1985; went No. 1 in the U.K. but didn’t chart in the U.S.)

MAI TAI
“History” (1985; Top 10 in the U.K., did not reach the U.S. Hot 100)

MANSUN
“Wide Open Space” (1996; Top 15 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

MARILLION
“Lavender” (1985; Top 5 in the U.K.)

BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS
“Iron Lion Zion” (1992, originally recorded in 1973 or 1974; Top 5 in the U.K. but nowhere stateside)
“Jamming” (1977)
“Positive Vibration” (1976)

ZIGGY MARLEY AND THE MELODY MAKERS
“Tumblin’ Down” (1988)

VAUGHAN MASON AND CREW
“Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll” (1980; reached only No. 81 on the Billboard pop chart but cracked the Top 5 on the soul chart)

MATERIAL ISSUE
“Valerie Loves Me” (1991)

PAUL McCARTNEY
“Bluebird” (1973)
“Every Night” (1970)
“Too Many People” (1971; B-side of “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey”)

GEORGE McCRAE
“Look At You” (1975)

THE MEMBERS
“Working Girl” (1982)

THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES
“Someday I Suppose” (1993)

THE MIGHTY WAH!
“The Story of the Blues Part 1” (1984; Top 20 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

MILKY
“Just the Way You Are” (2002; Top 10 in the U.K., reached No. 1 on the U.S. dance chart but did not reach the U.S. pop chart)

MISSING PERSONS
“Right Now,” (1984)

THE MISSION U.K.
“Hands Across the Ocean” (1990)

JONI MITCHELL
“Car On a Hill” (1974)
“Coyote” (1976)
“River” (1971)

MGMT
“Electric Feel” (2008)

MODERN ENGLISH
“The Greatest Show” (1986)

THE MODERN LOVERS
“Roadrunner” (1976)

THE MOJO MEN
“She’s My Baby” (1966)

MOLLY HATCHET
“Dreams I’ll Never See” (1978)

MONSOON
“Ever So Lonely” (featuring Sheila Chandra; 1982; reached No. 12 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

MOODSWINGS
“Spiritual High (State of Independence) Part II,” feat. Chrissie Hynde (1992)

THE MOODY BLUES
“Lovely to See You” (1969)
“Candle of Life” (1970)

VAN MORRISON
“Into the Mystic” (1970)

MORRISSEY
“The Last of the Famous International Playboys” (1989)

MÖTLEY CRÜE
“Wild Side” (1987)

ALISON MOYET
“Where Hide Sleeps” (1984)

PETER MURPHY
“The Sweetest Drop” (1992)

N

NADA SURF
“Inside of Love” (2003)

NAKED EYES
“Emotion in Motion” (1983)

GRAHAM NASH
“I Used to Be a King” (1971)

NAZARETH
“Carry Out Feelings” (1976)

FRED NEIL
“The Dolphins” (1966)
“Everybody’s Talkin'” (1966; a Top 10 hit for Nilsson in 1969, from the movie “Midnight Cowboy”)

PHYLLIS NELSON
“Move Closer” (1985; reached No. 1 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

NENA
“Anyplace, Anywhere, Anytime” (1985)
“Just a Dream” (1984)

N.E.R.D.
“Rock Star” (2002)

AC NEWMAN
“I’m Not Talking” (2012)

RANDY NEWMAN
“Sail Away” (1972)

NEW MODEL ARMY
“No Rest” (1985; their first hit in the U.K. went Top 30 but did not chart in the U.S.)

NEW MUSIK
“Straight Lines” (1979)

NEW RADICALS
“Someday We’ll Know” (1998; See here)

STEVIE NICKS
“Wild Heart” (1983)

NIRVANA
“All Apologies” (1993)

O

OASIS
“Supersonic” (1995; reached No. 31 in the U.K. in 1994; See here)

BILLY OCEAN
“Red Light Spells Danger” (1977; a No. 2 hit in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

THE OCEAN BLUE
“Between Something and Nothing” (1989)

OFFICE
“Wound Up” (2005)

THE O’JAYS
“Now That We Found Love” (1973)

THE ONE AND THE OTHER
“Optimistic” (2008)

ORANGE JUICE
“Rip It Up” (1982; a Top 10 hit in the U.K. for Edwyn Collins’ band, but did not chart in the U.S.)

ROY ORBISON
“She’s a Mystery to Me” (1989)

ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK
“Dream of Me (Based on Love’s Theme)” (1993; went Top 25 in the U.K.)
“La Femme Accident” (1985; made it to No. 42 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)
“Locomotion” (1984; went Top 5 in the U.K.)
“Souvenir” (1981; reached No. 3 in the U.K.)

THE OTHER HALF
“Wonderful Day” (1967)

SHUGGIE OTIS
“Strawberry Letter 23” (1972; a Top 10 hit for The Brothers Johnson in 1977)

BUCK OWENS
“Act Naturally” (1963)

P

ROBERT PALMER
“Johnny and Mary” (1980)

THE PAYOLAS
“Eyes of a Stranger” (1982)

PAPA
“Ain’t It So” (2011)

VAN DYKE PARKS
“Occapella” (1972)

ALAN PARSONS PROJECT
“What Goes Up …” (1978)

PERSEPHONE’S BEES
“Nice Day” (2006)

PET SHOP BOYS
“Can You Forgive Her?” (1993)
“Dreaming of the Queen” (1993)
“Home and Dry” (2002)
“I Don’t Know What You Want But I Can’t Give It Any More” (1999)
“I’m With Stupid” (2006)
“Two Divided By Zero” (1986)

TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS
“Anything That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll” (1976)

PH.D.
“I Won’t Let You Down” (1981)

SAM PHILLIPS
“Holding on to the Earth” (1989)

PIGBAG
“Papa’s Got a Brand New Pigbag” (1982; a Top 5 hit in the U.K., but did not chart in the U.S.)

THE POLICE
“Walking on the Moon” (1979)
“Darkness” (1981)

THE FRANK POPP ENSEMBLE
“Hip Teens (Don’t Wear Blue Jeans)” (2001)

IGGY POP
“Lust For Life” (1977; charted in the U.K. in 1996)

COZY POWELL
“Dance With the Devil” (1974; only reached No. 49 in the U.S., went to No. 3 in the U.K. in 1973)

PORCUPINE TREE
“Blackest Eyes” (2002)

THE POSIES
“Dream All Day” (1993)
“Mrs. Green” (1990)

PREFAB SPROUT
“Faron Young” (1985)
“When Love Breaks Down” (1985; from the Thomas Dolby-produced
album “Steve McQueen”; went to No. 25 in the U.K.)

ELVIS PRESLEY
“Loving Arms” (1974)

THE PRETENDERS
“Day After Day” (1981)
“Human” (1999; Top 35 in the U.K.)
“Hymn to Her” (1986)
“I Go to Sleep” (1981; Top 10 in the U.K.)
“Kid” (1980; Top 35 in the U.K.)
“Message of Love” (1981; reached No. 11 in the U.K.)
“My City Was Gone” (1984)
“Talk of the Town” (1980; Top 10 in the U.K.)
“2000 Miles” (1984; Top 15 in the U.K.)

THE PRETTY THINGS
“All Light Up” (2007)

PRIMAL SCREAM
“Movin’ On Up” (1991)

THE PRIMITIVES
“Crash” (1988)

PRINCE
“When You Were Mine” (1980)

THE PRODUCERS
“She Sheila” (1982)

PSYCHEDELIC FURS
“All That Money Wants” (1988)
“President Gas” (1982)

PUBLIC IMAGE LTD.
“Disappointed” (1989)

PULP
“The Trees” (2001)

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
“I’m an Adult Now” (1988)

Q

SUZI QUATRO
“Devil Gate Drive” (1974; a No. 1 hit in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

QUEEN
“God Save the Queen” (1975)
“I’m in Love With My Car” (1975)
“Love of My Life” (1975)
“She Makes Me (Stormtroopers in Stilettos)” (1974)
“The Show Must Go On” (1991)
“Who Wants to Live Forever” (1986; reached Top 30 in the U.K.)

QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE
“Don’t Cry My Lady Love” (1971)

R

RACEY
“Some Girls” (1979; peaked at No. 2 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

THE RAILWAY CHILDREN
“Every Beat of the Heart” (1990)

RAINBOW
“Starstruck” (1976)

RAMATAM
“The Land/Rainy Sunday Evening” (1973)

RAMONES
“Baby, I Love You” (1980)
“Blitzkrieg Bop” (1976)

RASPBERRIES
“Drivin’ Around” (1972)

THE RAVE-UPS
“Positively Lost Me” (1985; used in the film “Pretty in Pink”)

THE REAL THING
“You’ll Never Know What You’re Missing” (1977)

RED RIDER
“Lunatic Fringe” (1981)

R.E.M.
“Orange Crush” (1988)

THE REPLACEMENTS
“Merry Go Round” (1990)

STAN RIDGWAY
“I Wanna Be a Boss” (1991)

RILO KILEY
“Silver Lining” (2007)

RINGSIDE
“Tired of Being Sorry” (2005)

ROBBIE ROBERTSON
“Somewhere Down the Crazy River” (1987)

TOM ROBINSON BAND
“War Baby” (1983; reached No. 6 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

THE ROLLING STONES
“Bitch” (1971; B-side of “Brown Sugar”; Hear here)
“Memory Motel” (1976)

ROMEO VOID
“Just Too Easy” (1984)

DIANA ROSS
“I’m Still Waiting” (1971; her first No. 1 in the U.K., reached only No. 63 U.S. Hot 100)
“My Old Piano” (1980; Top 5 in the U.K., but did not reach U.S. Hot 100)

JOSH ROUSE
“Winter in the Hamptons” (2005)

ROXY MUSIC
“Take a Chance With Me” (1982; reached No. 26 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

TODD RUNDGREN
“International Feel” (1973)
“Love of the Common Man” (1976)
“Sons of 1984” (1974)
“Stood Up” (2004)

RUN-D.M.C.
“King of Rock” (1985)
“Rock Box” (1984)

RUNT
“Boat on the Charles” (1971)

RUSH
“Anthem” (1975)
“Red Sector A” (1984)
“Territories” (1985)

TOM RUSH
“No Regrets” (1968)

S

RAPHAEL SAADIQ
“Go to Hell” (2011)

SADE
“Clean Heart” (1988)

SAINT ETIENNE
“Nothing Can Stop Us” (1991; charted briefly in the U.K., reaching No. 54, but never appeared on the U.S. chart)

LEO SAYER
“Have You Ever Been in Love” (1982; a Top 10 hit in the U.K. but never charted in the U.S.)

BOZ SCAGGS
“Harbor Lights” (1976)
“We’re All Alone” (1976)
“What Do You Want the Girl to Do” (1976; written by Allen Toussaint)

SCHOOL OF FISH
“3 Strange Days” (1991)

FREDDIE SCOTT
“(You) Got What I Need” (1968)

GIL SCOTT-HERON/BRIAN JACKSON
“The Bottle” (1974)

JILL SCOTT
“Family Reunion” (2004)
“Golden” (2004)

SCREAMING TREES
“Nearly Lost You” (1992)

SCRITTI POLITTI
“Absolute” (1985; Top 20 in the U.K.)
“The Boom Boom Bap” (2006)
“Oh, Patti (Don’t Feel Sorry for Loverboy)” (1988; reached No. 13 in the U.K.)
“The Word Girl” (1985; made it to No. 6 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

SEAL
“Human Beings” (1998)

NEIL SEDAKA
“The Hungry Years” (1975)

BOB SEGER
“Beautiful Loser” (1975)

SHAKESPEAR’S SISTER
“Goodbye Cruel World” (1992)

SHED SEVEN
“Chasing Rainbows” (1996; Top 20 U.K. hit, did not chart in the U.S.)

SHEILA AND B. DEVOTION
“Spacer” (1979; went Top 20 in the U.K.)

THE SHORE
“Hard Road” (2004)

LABI SIFFRE
“(Something Inside) So Strong” (1987; a Top 5 hit in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

A SILENT FILM
“Danny, Dakota & the Wishing Well” (2012)

CARLY SIMON
“We Have No Secrets” (1973; B-side of “The Right Thing to Do”; Hear here)

PAUL SIMON
“Train in the Distance” (1983)

SIMON & GARFUNKEL
“The Only Living Boy in New York” (1970; B-side to “Cecilia”)

SIMPLE MINDS
“Ghostdancing” (1985)
“This Is Your Land” (1989)
“Up on the Catwalk” (1984)
“Waterfront” (1984; reached No. 13 in the U.K. did not chart in the U.S.)

SIMPLY RED
“Sunrise” (2003; song is built around a loop of Hall & Oates’ “I Can’t Go For
That”; went Top 10 in the U.K.)

SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES
“Face to Face” (1992; reached No. 21 in the U.K.)
“The Ghost in You” (1991)

SISTER SLEDGE
“Lost in Music” (1979; cracked the U.K. chart twice but did not chart in the
U.S.)
“Mama Never Told Me” (1975; Top 20 in the U.K.)

THE SISTERS OF MERCY
“More” (1990)

SLOAN
“Everything You’ve Done Wrong” (1996)
“The Good in Everyone” (1996)
“Underwhelmed” (1993)

SLY & ROBBIE
“Boops (Here to Go)” (1987; reached No. 12 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

SMASH MOUTH
“Waste” (1999)

ELLIOTT SMITH
“Pretty (Ugly Before)” (2004)

THE SMITHEREENS
“Top of the Pops” (1991)

THE SMITHS
“Well I Wonder” (1985)

SOCIAL DISTORTION
“Ring of Fire” (1990)

SOFT CELL
“Bed Sitter” (1981; Top 5 in the U.K.)

SOMETHING HAPPENS
“Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello (Petrol)” (1990)

THE S.O.S. BAND
“Weekend Girl” (1984)

SPANDAU BALLET
“Round and Round” (1984; Top 20 in the U.K.)
“Through the Barricades” (1986; Top 10 in the U.K., but failed to chart in the U.S.)

SPARKS
“When Do I Get to Sing ‘My Way’ “ (1998)

JIMMIE SPHEERIS
“For Roach” (1971)

SPLIT ENZ
“Message to My Girl” (1984)

SPOONS
“Nova Heart” (1982)

SQUEEZE
“If It’s Love” (1989)

FREDRIKA STAHL
“Song of July” (2010)

STARSAILOR
“Four to the Floor” (2004; peaked at No. 24 in the U.K.)
“Good Souls” (2001; reached No. 12 in the U.K.)

STEELY DAN
“Aja” (1977)
“Any Major Dude Will Tell You” (1974)
“Babylon Sisters” (1980)
“Black Cow” (1977)
“Bodhisattva” (1973)
“Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)” (1972)
“The Caves of Altamira” (1976)
“Cousin Dupree” (2000)
“Dirty Work” (1972)
“Fire in the Hole” (1972)
“Green Earrings” (1976)
“Haitian Divorce” (1976)
“Rose Darling” (1975)

STELLASTARR*
“Sweet Troubled Soul” (2005)

STEREOPHONICS
“Have a Nice Day” (2001; Top 5 in the U.K.; the British group has never reached the Billboard Hot 100)

STETSASONIC
“Talkin’ All That Jazz” (1988)

AL STEWART
“Apple Cider Re-Constitution” (1975)
“Lord Grenville” (1976; from “Year of the Cat” album)

THE STILLS-YOUNG BAND
“Midnight on the Bay” (1976)

THE STONE ROSES
“Bye Bye Bad Man” (1989)
“One Love” (1990)

STYLE COUNCIL, THE
“The Lodgers” (1985)
“Shout to the Top” (1984; Top 5 in Britain; did not chart in U.S.)
“Walls Come Tumbling Down!” (1985; Top 10 in Britain; did not chart in U.S.)

SUEDE
“She’s in Fashion” (1999; Top 20 in the U.K.)

THE SUGARCUBES
“Motorcrash” (1988)

SUICIDE
“Ghost Rider” (1977)

DONNA SUMMER & GIORGIO MORODER
“Carry On” (1992)

THE SUNDAYS
“Here’s Where the Story Ends” (1990)
“Summertime” (1997; reached No. 15 in the U.K.)

SUPERGRASS
“Sun Hits the Sky” (1997; Top 10 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

MATTHEW SWEET
“Girlfriend” (1992)

KYM SIMS
“Too Blind to See It” (1991)

T

TALKING HEADS
“Heaven” (1979)
“Sax and Violins” (1991)

TALK TALK
“I Don’t Believe in You” (1986)
“Living in Another World” (1986; reached No. 48 in the U.K.)
“Such a Shame” (1984; only reached No. 89 in the U.S.)

TAME IMPALA
“Mind Mischief” (2012)

THE TAMPERER FEAT. MAYA
“If You Buy This Record Your Life Will Be Better” (1998; went Top 5 in the U.K.)

TEARS FOR FEARS
“Broken” (1985)
“Mad World” (1983; a U.K. Top 5 hit, did not chart in the U.S.)
“Suffer the Children” (1983; reached No. 52 in the U.K., did not chart in U.S.)

10cc
“Life Is a Minestrone” (1975)

THIEVERY CORPORATION
“Revolution Solution” (2005; featuring Perry Farrell)

THIN LIZZY
“Dancin’ in the Moonlight (It’s Caught Me in Its Spotlight)” (1977; Top 15 in the
U.K.)
“My Sarah” (1979; Top 25 in the U.K.)
“Rosalie” (1975; written by Bob Seger)
“Roisin Dubh (Black Rose): A Rock Legend” (1979)
“Whiskey in the Jar” (1973; Top 10 in the U.K.)

THIS MORTAL COIL
“Song to the Siren” (1983; a cover of Tim Buckley)

IRMA THOMAS
“Time Is On My Side” (1964)
“Live Again” (1965)

THOMPSON TWINS
“Don’t Mess With Doctor Dream” (1985)
“If You Were Here” (1983; used in the movie “Sixteen Candles”)

THE THRILLS
“Big Sur” (2003; a Top 20 hit in the U.K.)

TANITA TIKARAM
“Twist In My Sobriety” (1989)

‘TIL TUESDAY
“You Know the Rest” (1985)

TIMBUK 3
“Reckless Driver” (1988)

THE TING TINGS
“Hands” (2010; Top 30 in the U.K.)

TOTAL COELO
“Milk From the Coconut” (1983)

THE TRASH CAN SINATRAS
“Hayfever” (1993)

TRAVIS
“Sing” (2001)

A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
“Can I Kick It?” (1991)

TRIO
“Da Da Da (I Don’t Love You, You Don’t Love Me, Aha Aha Aha)” (1982; a No. 2 hit in the U.K., but did not chart in the U.S.)

DWIGHT TWILLEY BAND
“You Were So Warm” (1976)

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB
“Something Good Can Work” (2010)

BONNIE TYLER
“Loving You’s a Dirty Job But Somebody’s Gotta Do It” (1986; a duet with Todd
Rundgren)

U

UB40
“Breakfast in Bed” (with Chrissie Hynde; 1988)
“Food For Thought” (1980; reached No. 4 in the U.K.)
“Many Rivers to Cross” (1983; a Top 20 hit in the U.K.; Hear here)
“One in Ten” (1981; Top 10 in the U.K., did not chart in the U.S.)

UNDERWORLD
“Stand Up” (1989)

THE UPSETTERS
“Zion’s Blood” (1976)

U2
“Bad” (1984)
“Discotheque” (1997)
“A Sort of Homecoming” (1984)
“Surrender” (1983)
“Two Hearts Beat As One” (1983)
“Until the End of the World” (1991)
“Zooropa” (1993)