UnSung Musical Groups

Here is a list of musical groups that are certainly well known but not necessarily well appreciated. They’ve produced many hits and are overlooked as the cream of the crop. Essentially these are groups that I would play far more often than the radio plays their songs.

The Kinks

Let’s be clear and understand that the Kinks were started in 1964 which was essentially the same time the Beatles and the Stones were in their hey day. I don’t think many people would argue that the Kinks were more significant than either of these groups because they weren’t. Their music gets lost in this time period due to being overshadowed. They are like Dominique Wilkens. Back in college I would listen to the Kinks for hours and just enjoy myself and the music. They have received plenty of notoriety and are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but aside from Lola, All Day and All Night, and You Really Got me, it’s safe to say you probably haven’t heard much of their music. A few personal faves are David Watts, Living on a Thin Line, Come Dancing, Catch Me Now I’m Falling, Waterloo Sunset (my all-time fave), and Sunny Afternoon. I could easily name another 10 that are worth listening to. This group deserves more mention than they get.

Boston

Boston fascinates me because you don’t hear any of their songs from any album but the first one and there’s one single from the second. Boston’s first album Boston, ranks as the best-selling debut album in U.S. history with over 17 million copies sold. It has 8 songs and every song (maybe not Something About You) gets radio play today. The next album, Don’t Look Back, really only had Don’t Look Back as a single, and I’ve heard A Man I’ll Never Be a couple of times through radio play. Boston premiered in 1976, Don’t Look Back in 1978, and then Third Stage was 1986 and nothing came of it except Amanda. The band battled with legal troubles throughout and never reached the peak of their debut album. It’s unreal to think that a group could produce one of the best albums of all time and then never get back to that point. Rock critics strictly hold longevity against them considering they weren’t able to continue making first class music throughout, which I understand. Somehow, someway, they were able to come together at one time and be a staple of radio for the next 30+ years. I always liked Hitch a Ride.

Dire Straits

Dire Straits were formed in 1977 and Mark Knopfler is essentially the group which he proved with his successful solo career. Their most popular album, Brothers in Arms, has sold over 30 million copies which is tremendous. I can’t think of a song they’ve made that I’ve gotten tired of hearing. Every time Money for Nothing comes on I know the little faggot is a millionaire. In Sultans of Swing I know guitar George knows all the chords and Harry’s got a daytime job and is doing alright. Romeo and Juliet is perhaps my favorite love song and I don’t like love songs. Still today I hear Dire Strait songs that I listen to for the first time and find myself wanting to the know the titles so I can listen to them again. Skateaway, So Far Away, and Lady Writer all are songs I won’t switch away from. The group disbanded in 1987 and Knopfler went on to do solo projects and film soundtracks which ended Dire Straits. In 2007, Knopfler said he did not miss the global fame that came his way at the height of the band’s success, explaining that “It just got too big”. It’s a shame because he had an awesome, distinguished voice and could rock the guitar.

The Cure

Everyone starts with Just Like Heaven and Friday I’m In Love. These songs will catch and people will delve deeper into Pictures of You, Love Song, Boys Don’t Cry, and Close to Me. If you are still getting into the Cure at this point, you’ll start hitting some wonderful songs that don’t make the airwaves as often as those infamous jams. A few personal faves are Lullaby, Fascination Street, The Caterpillar, and Why Can’t I Be You. This band isn’t a few hit wonder considering it’s estimated they have sold 27 million albums as of 2004. They are a staple of New Wave music and made classic music throughout the late 70’s and into the 80’s. I find myself listening to more of the Cure now than I ever have and won’t stop until I get sick of them. Robert Smith, the lead singer, seems a bit kooky.