Almost Hits

Almost Hits: Jackson Browne, “In the Shape of a Heart” from Lives in the Balance (1986)

Almost Hits: Jackson Browne, “In the Shape of a Heart” from Lives in the Balance (1986)

Jackson Browne’s 1986 single “In the Shape of a Heart” was a big hit in certain circles. It went to No. 10 on the adult contemporary chart, but rose to only No. 70 on the Billboard Hot 100. You May Also Like: Jackson Browne, “Shaky Town” from Running on EmptyRead More

Laid Back, “White Horse” from Keep Smiling (1983): Almost Hits

Laid Back, “White Horse” from Keep Smiling (1983): Almost Hits

There’s little doubt what the Danish synth-pop duo Laid Back is referring to with their No. 26 dance number “White Horse.”

Journey, “Lights” (1978): Almost Hits

Journey, “Lights” (1978): Almost Hits

Hard to believe that last week Journey’s Infinity had become thirty-six years old; I can still remember how fresh and exciting the album sounded when I first heard it. You May Also Like: How Journey Ended Its Underrated First Era With ‘Next’ Richard and Linda Thompson – ‘Shoot Out theRead More

Almost Hits: Gino Vannelli, “Black Cars” (1985)

Almost Hits: Gino Vannelli, “Black Cars” (1985)

Canadian pop crooner Gino Vannelli’s big era was from the mid-70s to the turn of the 1980s. However, like Yes — and this might be the only similarity to Yes — he put out an album in the middle of the ’80s that was not a return to form, butRead More

Almost Hits: The Music Machine, “The People In Me” (1967)

Almost Hits: The Music Machine, “The People In Me” (1967)

Hailing from Los Angeles, California, the Music Machine included lead singer and rhythm guitarist Sean Bonniwell, lead guitarist Mark Landon, bassist Keith Olsen, organist Doug Rhodes and drummer Ron Edgar. You May Also Like: Borge Olsen – ‘Music in the Dark’ (2021) How ‘Live: Oy Vey, Baby’ Reminded Us ThatRead More

Almost Hits: Bobby Caldwell, “Coming Down From Love” (1980)

Almost Hits: Bobby Caldwell, “Coming Down From Love” (1980)

Here’s the answer to that question, “what to do for an encore after such a note-perfect quiet storm groove tune as ‘What You Won’t Do For Love’?” You May Also Like: Tomi Malm – ‘Coming Home’ (2020) Richard Turgeon, “Wanna Make Love” (2020): One Track Mind Tony Williams – ‘PlayRead More

Almost Hits: Hall and Oates, “It’s Uncanny” from No Goodbyes (1977)

Almost Hits: Hall and Oates, “It’s Uncanny” from No Goodbyes (1977)

It’s not always easy to find an unfiltered moment like this from Hall and Oates — a pairing that has become so closely associated with genre-jumping mixtures of street-corner soul with modern new-wave verve. You May Also Like: Why ‘Abandoned Luncheonette’ Is Still the Best Hall and Oates Album HowRead More

Almost Hits: Tom Petty, “It’s Good To Be King” (1995)

Almost Hits: Tom Petty, “It’s Good To Be King” (1995)

“It’s Good To Be King,” which somehow only crept up to No. 68 on the charts, doesn’t sound like any side Tom Petty had ever put out — and, at the same time, like all of them. You May Also Like: Tom Petty, Johnny Cash + Beastie Boys: Rick Rubin’sRead More

Almost Hits: Three Dog Night’s Danny Hutton, “Roses And Rainbows” (1965)

Almost Hits: Three Dog Night’s Danny Hutton, “Roses And Rainbows” (1965)

Long before Danny Hutton gained universal fame with Three Dog Night, who racked up 21 great Top 40 hit singles between the years 1969 and 1975, he was busy getting his feet wet in a variety of capacities. You May Also Like: Dave Clark Five – ‘All the Hits’ (2020)Read More

Stevie Wonder, “Superwoman [Where Were You When I Needed You]” (1972): Almost Hits

Stevie Wonder, “Superwoman [Where Were You When I Needed You]” (1972): Almost Hits

An eight minute song with alien (for the time) sounds wasn’t a recipe for a major hit, but just reaching 33 on the Hot 100 in 1972 qualifies as a notable achievement for “Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You).” You May Also Like: Rachel Platten – Waves (2017)Read More