Album Tracks That Should Have Been Singles

Blondie Autoamerican from 1980 had back-to-back #1 hits with The Tide Is High and Rapture and then no singles releases. Bizarre, since at the time record companies would often release four or even five singles from one LP.

They should’ve tried Angels on the Balcony. It’s wistful and beautiful and quite catchy. And certainly no less off-kilter than the two singles that preceded it.

Good choice, r1. Maybe my favorite from that album

Tori Amos really should have released "Precious Things" as a single. It's sort of the quintessential Tori song.

I loved Avril Lavigne's album Let Go as a teenager and remember being surprised she never released "Things I'll Never Say" as a single. The chorus is so catchy. I suppose she would have considered it too poppy for her image at that point (even though a few years later she was all HEY HEY YOU YOU I DON'T LIKE YOUR GIRLFRIEND).

The Dive easily over the awful War Song from Waking Up With the House on Fire.

All of Madonna's songs, especially: Physical Attraction, Stay, Into The Groove, White Heat, Spotlight, Survival, Sky Fits Heaven, among others...

I’m 35 so I wasn’t around for this album but when I first heard it, I had assumed this song was a single and was shocked it wasn’t. I think it’s the best song after “Bette Davis Eyes”.

The Pat Benetar song, I always thought this would have been a hit had it been a single.

I couldn’t believe this song wasn’t a single on “Blackout”.

It technically was a single but it was released as a bonus track on “Circus” as a contract fulfillment with a shitty video. And it was re-recorded and stupid.

But in its original release, I’m shocked they didn’t release it.

People aren’t familiar with her but she had a moment in the late 2000’s until she got into a beef with Beyonce.

She had “Knock You Down” and she dropped the ball not releasing this as the follow up single.

I absolutely love this song. It would have been a hit.

My favorite album is Pink’s “Try This”. She said she threw the album together in 2 weeks and doesn’t care about this album but there’s a lot of gems here.

I think this would have been a solid single.

Fuck! Not “Tonight’s The Night” in R10!

I meant “Walk Away”!

But also “Save My Life” which I’ll post.

Couldn’t believe this wasn’t a single.

This one was my favorite from Pat Benatar's second (and arguably most successful) album, "Crimes of Passion."

I couldn’t believe this wasn’t a single. It’s very Blondie.

I can’t believe she went with shitty “Luxurious” instead of this song. Very Europop / Kylie.

Had no idea this wasn’t a single. I can’t believe it wasn’t. Such a missed opportunity.

Would’ve been a hit.

When did singles become irrelevant?

When they stopped making 45s?

I could envision this as a radio hit, but the soundtrack was already crowded with singles.

My fifth-grade class would play it and we’d dance and make hand jive attempts during rainy day indoor recess, so it was a hit with that micro demographic.

"My Love, My Life" from Abba's "Arrival"

Ah R19 ,such good memories attached to that movie. My favorite girl cousin and i worshiped Grease,we saw it 20 times. We used to do all the dances together.

R4 yes! Always thought that.

UGH i listened to Silent Partner AWFUL

There could have been any number of awesome follow ups to Head Over Heels by the GoGos but they released two songs that weren't my favorites.

I would have released I'm the Only One, or Capture The Light, or even Beneath the Blue Sky.

Tell Me It's Over should have been the follow up single to I Know There's Something Going On but apparently no one knew how to promote that album or Frida.

ABBA's Voulez-Vous was full of potential hit singles. As Good As New is 3 and a half minutes of sugary pop perfection that's unknown to the general public. Even the Mamma Mia movies didn't use it. So strange.

Of course, it's not mainstream enough to have been a single, but any song that references Korvettes & divinity (candy) should have been a #1 hit. What other song features a girl so crazed with heartbreak that she tries to bribe seagulls?

I love Cindy Wilson, I love the 52's and I love this song...

Probably ahead of its time for 1975, but I could see it as a single.

Love Fred Schneider making himself look entirely indispensable in that B-52s performance, earnestly banging the tambourine on a song with nothing demoting resembling a tambourine in it.

They were really at their peak there.

What was the clip from?

I thought this should've been the lead single for ABBA's latest album =

ABBA's had so many singles that they're all hard to keep track of

but I've never heard this one on US radio =

Donna Summer's "Breakaway" should've been a radio here in the US...-

Donna probably didn't want this sultry sexy tune on the radio but it was the best tune on the album =

Donna Summer released The Woman in Me as a single. It hit #33.

Deborah Cox - Couldn’t We, I Never Knew, Hurt So Much, Where Do We Go 2

DL Fave Carly Simon should've released this desperate, bittersweet, slice of pop perfection.

Are you sure "Get Nervous" wasn't released as a single, OP? I bought the album after hearing that song on VH1.

That song is amazing, r13. I have it on several playlists.

r38, it's odd that they produced a video for it but it was never released as a single in the U.S. Maybe there were plans to but they got scrapped? Apparently it did get releases in Germany and France so maybe the video was more for the international market.

Former Atlantic Starr female lead Barbara Weathers released her only major-label solo album in 1990.

Four singles were released from it, and I can't believe this wasn't one of them. It should have been the first single, it's the most commercial song on the album, and the one with the most crossover potential.

I believe it was written by one of the guys from Atlantic Starr, and maybe that's why she didn't want it as a single, since she was trying to prove herself on her own, without them. Still, it seems like a huge missed opportunity.

Barbara Weathers - "All I Know"

I like that Supremes cover by Barbara Weathers.

[Quote] Had no idea this wasn’t a single. I can’t believe it wasn’t. Such a missed opportunity.

I don't think Sophie enjoyed working with Xenomania. See also: Sugababes.

"Glorious Love" from Alison Moyet's second album. A dreary duet was released instead.

Should have been the follow-up to Cheryl's top 40 hit "Think It Over "

Husband stealer!

"Bruised" is catchier than their single of "Follow Me Home."

"Battlefield" by Diana Ross.

This song got a music video but I think it was only snuck out in The Netherlands or somewhere like that.

She should've released this instead of What's Going On.

Bad Girls had so many good songs...

[quote]Should have been the follow-up to Cheryl's top 40 hit "Think It Over "

Oh no you didn't, hussy!

Do those of you who wish songs were singles not buy the albums?

R29--The clips is from "Top Pop," a music show from the Netherlands (I guess their version of "American Bandstand"), ran 1970 to 1988. Yeah, Fred Schneider and the tambourine--hilarity!

R44 That album should have been set ablaze. It was mediocre at best.

Op has dubious taste at best

"I Don't Want to Be Your Friend" is a pop/R&B song written and composed by Diane Warren. It was first recorded by singer Cyndi Lauper for her 1989 album A Night To Remember.

The song was meant to be the second commercial single released in the U.S. from that album, but after the second radio single "A Night to Remember" failed to chart highly, the label scrapped the idea.

This has always been one of my favorite Gaga songs

"Whoops Now" was released in Europe, but in the US it was just a hidden track on the regular edition of janet.

It deserved to be another US hit.

Not an album track, but this was the B-side on the single "I will go with you" in 1999. It was scheduled for the "54" movie, but shelved after Donna saw the preview.

[quote] The song was meant to be the second commercial single released in the U.S. from that album, but after the second radio single "A Night to Remember" failed to chart highly, the label scrapped the idea.

I think you meant "My First Night Without You," which was the follow up single to "I Drove All Night" and was possibly the worst choice for a single on that whole album. Heading West or Unconditional Love should have been the follow-ups if they wanted to go with a ballad. Hell, the B-side of My First Night Without You, a song called "Unabbreviated Love" was the best track she recorded that year and it wasn't even on the album. It wound up being used as the closing credits song for Cyndi's 1991 movie "Off & Running."

Donna asked to see a cut of the movie 54 and when she did, she rejected the offer to have the song on the soundtrack.

[Quote] I think you meant "My First Night Without You,"

Is that the same song that Bonnie Raitt recorded in the 1970s?

No, R63. Lauper co-wrote this one with Tom Kelly & Billy Steinberg

Donna Summer loathed SAW, the producers of that album r32, and she didn't really lie the album either. And, except for the two big singles, it really is awful. She didn't want to have any more to do with SAW than she absolutely had to.

You are right, R61!

The song's Wikipedia page contains misinformation.

It's not awful. It's just anonymous. It would have been fine for Sonia.

Donna should have gotten on her knees and thanks SAW for giving her a career extension (albeit brief). Before them she hadn't had a Top 10 hit in 6 years, and had nothing but flops after She Works Hard for the Money.

I always found it funny that she blew off Polygram, who basically made her, to go with Geffen, and had maybe one or two payola hits with them, then when she had to go back to Polygram to grudgingly record the album she still contractually owed them, it was a monster hit, but it did nothing to help her follow ups at Geffen, which were massive flops. The SAW album was on Atlantic.

This is Becks greatest song

The SAW album didn't sell, so it was only a minor victory. "Dinner With Gershwin" did well for her in the UK.

Prince (1980) and Cyndi (1983):

1983.08.03 - Minneapolis, MN, USA

I'll never forget the B Side of one of Pat's hit singles. The B Side was called My Clone Sleeps Alone. Bizarre, but maybe it would have been a hit.

"Thinkin' About My Baby" should have been the second single off of Summer's 1987 album. Her vocals are phenomenal - she can make you switch from happy to sad in a few verses.

"Shame" appears on the duo's sixth studio album Savage and was not released in the United States.

John Lennon's version of Little Richard's "Slippin' and Slidin'" was slated to be the second single released from his 1975 "Rock 'N' Roll" album of classic 50's covers.

Promotional singles were pressed, a promo film was shot, and...for reasons unknown, the actual release never happened. A shame, because it's probably the best thing on the album, and it likely would have been a big hit for John.

In 1984, "I'm Free" should have been the lead single from "Cats Without Claws".

After 'Physical' and 'Make A Move On Me', ONJ should have released the Barry Gibb penned ballad 'Carried Away' as he third single (instead of the bombastic 'Landslide')

I've been listening to some ONJ albums since her death. I was shocked to discover her singing shift into pretty bad taste on certain songs. Who told her to take up shrieking on some of the Totally Hot and Soul Kiss tracks?

‘Bling (Confession of a King)’ by The Killers

[quote] After 'Physical' and 'Make A Move On Me', ONJ should have released the Barry Gibb penned ballad 'Carried Away' as he third single (instead of the bombastic 'Landslide')

Landslide was a fun song, but not a hit. However, I think that MCA was not really interested in pushing a third single off the album because they already had Olivia's Greatest Hits Vol 2 in the wings for release that Fall with two new songs to be released as singles. They likely never expected Physical to last on the charts as long as it did, and even though Make a Move on Me didn't last nearly as long, it still went to #5. They probably wanted to give ONJ a little breathing room before launching the new LP so that people wouldn't be burned out on her, thus they did not really back Landslide, even though they were probably contractually bound to release three singles from the album.

R4 I really loved that album. That was a great song too. Mistake #3 is another favorite.

Devo's "Going Under" was a track on their 1981 "New Traditionalists" album. It's often cited as a fan favorite.

A few years later, it was used in a first season episode of Miami Vice (1984) as background music in a memorable night driving scene speeding around the city.

For sure

r81

Landslide was the second single released in the UK and reached 18 there. Considering that Physical only got to #6 there showed it had potential.

Carried Away was rejected by Barbra Streisand as being "inferior" for her Guilty album. Despite it's success, Physical wasn't much of an album. Silvery Rain was an old Cliff Richard song from the 70s, and Recovery was rejected by John Farrar for a failed album he put out. (Farrar wrote most of ONJ's hits and was her producer)

Make a Move on Me was a clone of Physical with slightly less "offensive" lyrics

This left you with crap like Love Make Me Strong, Fallin', Stranger's Touch and The Dolphin Song, of god awful filler.

[quote]After 'Physical' and 'Make A Move On Me', ONJ should have released the Barry Gibb penned ballad 'Carried Away' as he third single

This was intended to be the fourth single but was dropped whenn Landslide failed, because her second (or third in some markets) Greatest Hits album was pushed out quickly.

I recall reading in Billboard, the review of Sheena Easton's "Do You," album said she put out an album that was all hit singles

Oddly enough none of them made any real dent and it ended her association with her label. (Her next album was made and shelved)

Sheena Easton's version of "Love and Affection" (written by Joan Armatrading) should've been a single. Not only was it a great song but it showed off Easton's vocals in the best light and showed what she was capable of

One of my favorite New Order songs wasn't a single:

"Your Silent Face"

The Right Time For Us from Shalamar's Big Fun album.

The song did a great job of featuring Jody Watley's lead vocals.

Madonna has a lot of these, "Don't Stop," "I'd Rather Be Your Lover," Where's The Party" "Into The Groove" (in the USA).

[quote] This left you with crap like Love Make Me Strong, Fallin', Stranger's Touch and The Dolphin Song, of god awful filler.

I like all of these songs, and in fact "Falling" is on my all-time favorites playlist.

[R85] 'Heart Attack', and 'Tied Up' were both recorded for the 'Physical' album as well (so she said in interviews way back when). Those were left aside, and two of them ended up on her GHV2 album. 'I Paralyze' was written for the album but never recorded by ONJ (she didn't like it) and it was given to Cher when she asked Farrar to produce an album for her after the success of 'Physical' for ONJ. Cher's album 'I Paralyze' and the title track /single both flopped.

But Heart Attack was released as a single as a marketing tool to push the GHV2 album and was a huge hit. It went to #3 and was all over the place in the fall of 1982. Tied Up did not fare as well (though IMO it was the better of the two songs) and only hit the mid 30s. I think at that point, the public had serious ONJ burnout and needed a break. She had one more hit after that (Twist of Fate) and then never hit the top 40 again.

Several people have mentioned "Into the Groove," but that was released as a single.

Not in the US it wasn't.

R93 wrong . Olivia had two additional songs make it to the Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 after Twist of Fate.

Livin’ In Desperate Times - #31 in 1984

Soul Kiss - #20 in 1985

R87 Sheena Easton’s Nile Rodgers produced DO YOU album spawned the US Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 single “Do It For Love” #29. Her cover of Martha and the Vandellas 1967 hit “Jimmy Mack” only charted at #65. The album itself peaked at #40 on the Billboard 200. It was certified gold by the RIAA in December of 1985, one month after release.

After DO YOU, Sheena recorded some songs for EMI which appeared on movie soundtracks.

“It’s Christmas All Over The World” appearing on Santa Claus - The Movie soundtrack.

“So Far So Good” and “Natural Love” appearing on About Last Night… soundtrack.

in late 1986 she began work on her next album for EMI - No Sound But A Heart. It was slated for release in June 1987. During which time EMI merged with Manhattan records and new management was unsatisfied with the project and pushed back on its release, eventually shelving it in the US. Though the albums first single “Eternity” written by Prince saw US release. No Sound But A Heart (the album) was released by EMI in Canada and Japan in 1987. Sheena and EMI parted ways at the end of the year. Sheena signed to MCA Records in early 1988.

"The Lover In Me" album isn't much cop either.

R65 what does SAW stand for?

Stock Aitken Waterman

R98 wtf

Outside of the title track, the dance songs (and most of the songs, really) on Whitney's third album are subpar. "After We Make Love" should have been a single.

R98 go get in the toilet. I’ll flush.

R102 the single my name is not Susan was a jam

[quote]I like all of these songs, and in fact "Falling" is on my all-time favorites playlist.

Good, but look at other songs written by John Farrar, and compare them to Falling. It's not his best effort.

I never heard that Heart Attack and Tied Up were considered for the Physical album. I find it hard to believe they would've left those two off and gone with what they did.

Physical is more remembered for the title track AND excercise themed video than for the actual album. ONJ never made a stellar album.

Speaking of ONJ she recorded a version of "Boats Against The Current," which is a beautiful song by Eric Carmen.

If done properly this could've been a single, but Olivia destroyed it with her vocals. It sounded like she had strep throat when she recorded it and they couldn't have been bothered to redo it. It's a beautiful song off the "Totally Hot" album, too bad it was a big wasted opportunity

She starts botching it up midway through

Heart Attack and Tied Up were not recorded during the sessions for Physical.

That’s your feeble opinion r107 not mine

[quote]"The Lover In Me" album isn't much cop either.

Agreed but 101 (also penned by Prince) was a masterpiece. Lover In Me got her to #2. I recall at the time both Sheena and Hall and Oates taking slams because they were white artist who were on the Black Singles (as it was then called) charts.

The Album "Do You" was 100% R&B and she did an excellent job.

I'd be interested to know why ONJ made those poor vocal choices. Did she take it to heart that she was dismissed as the safe/boring girl next door? She decided to show that she was a Red Hot Mama or something?

101 certainly stands out on the album but it's not a single. That's the problem with collaborating with another recording artist. They keep the best stuff for themselves (e.g. You've Got The Look) or they take it back before you can even release it (e.g. Stevie Wonder with Jeff Beck and "Superstition").

Sheena Easton's shelved album "No Sound But A Heart" included a song called "Still In Love" was a great track that should've been a hit if it could've saw the light of day. I think Patti LaBelle did a version of it too

Do you was not 💯 r&b. Sheena has never recorded a full on r&b album. The closest she came to it was The Lover In Me.

[Quote] I recall at the time both Sheena and Hall and Oates taking slams because they were white artist who were on the Black Singles (as it was then called) charts.

What about Boy George? I noticed that his early solo albums charted on the Black Albums chart. He was more accepted if some of his TV duets are an indication (Luther, Dionne etc.).

r114

Yeah it was, it was even classed at that by Billboard in their review of it. Also Boy George was another who got flack over sounding "black." I recall Madonna's first song "Holiday" she was accused of sounding black.

[quote]That’s your feeble opinion [R107] not mine

Can you honestly say she could NOT have made a better recording of it?

[Quote] I recall Madonna's first song "Holiday" she was accused of sounding black.

It was really more about the track than Madonna's contribution.

I see now that SAW stands for Stock Aitken Waterman.

R117 Yes I liked her vocals especially towards the end.

I mean, some try to sell Adele as a Soul singer. It's just marketing B.S.

R116 I agree to disagree with you

I do not see songs from DO YOU “Young Lions”, “Don’t Turn Your Back” “Kisses” or “Do It For Love” as being r&B as much as pop.

[quote]I'd be interested to know why ONJ made those poor vocal choices. Did she take it to heart that she was dismissed as the safe/boring girl next door? She decided to show that she was a Red Hot Mama or something

She had the same issue the Carpenters had. Do you actually realize the Richard Carpenter and others at A&M were a bit leery to release "Goodbye To Love" as a single as it was too "Hard" sounding for a Carpenter's record.

I recall in an interview after Physical's success as an album and a TV special, that she was glad it went over as she hated touring and now she could make videos instead. Well she was wrong.

I am trying to find an interview she did with Dick Clark about "Soul Kiss." She was like "It certainly has a different sound to it...It ah...isn't typical...and ah, I hope you like it anyway."

Whoever was in charge of her career at that point was trying to market her a queen of kink, something she was too old for (approaching 40) something Sheena Easton managed to pull off and Madonna reigned supreme at. Both were ten years or more her junior.

ONJ's career choices were all over the place after the Soul Kiss album. And at one point in the interview Dick Clark asked her if she was going to retire and she said, "She has done everything she could dream of, so she'd see."

In late 90s, her "Back With A Heart" country album was brought about because she said, her daughter said they were having a career day at school and her daughter asked her what she did for a living. Olivia said, "It was at that moment I realized I was a singer who did not sing."

[quote]Do It For Love” as being r&B

It was on the R&B charts.

You remind me of Cecil Hale, vice-president of Capitol Records, heard Janice-Marie Johnson (of A Taste of Honey) sing the lyrics she had written for "Sukiyaki" in the slow balladic style she envisioned for the track, "he said, 'absolutely not! Black people don't want to hear Japanese music

She said, "I'm black and I like it." And so did a lot of others. It went to #3 on the pop charts and #1 on the R&B and A/C charts

[Quote] She had the same issue the Carpenters had. Do you actually realize the Richard Carpenter and others at A&M were a bit leery to release "Goodbye To Love" as a single as it was too "Hard" sounding for a Carpenter's record.

But that was to do with the guitar sound, nothing to do with Karen's vocal choices.

[Quote] In late 90s, her "Back With A Heart" country album was brought about because she said, her daughter said they were having a career day at school and her daughter asked her what she did for a living. Olivia said, "It was at that moment I realized I was a singer who did not sing."

I'm fascinated to know why Chloe has the issues she has, considering Olivia's shadow didn't loom large in the 1990s.

[quote]But that was to do with the guitar sound, nothing to do with Karen's vocal choices.

Correct but look at Karen's shelved solo lp. It was one step above a Carpenter's album

Karen's real problem was her voice, it was so beautiful, she could sing a grocery list and make it sound wonderful.

[Quote] It was on the R&B charts.

So was "It's My Party."

[Quote] Correct but look at Karen's shelved solo lp. It was one step above a Carpenter's album Karen's real problem was her voice, it was so beautiful, she could sing a grocery list and make it sound wonderful.

But Karen's solo album reveals her limitations. She sings too high at points. Her voice sounds thin in those instants. One can carp about Richard's syrupy arrangements but he wisely knew the range in which she should sing.

*instances

r128

That was in the 60s, different rules. Just like you can't compare the Hot 100 after 1995 with songs before it. Way different rules and methodology.

Back in the 60s they the companion charts were simply what was sliced off the Hot 100. It had nothing to do with playlists like in the 70s 80s and up till 1995,

[quote]But Karen's solo album reveals her limitations. She sings too high at points. Her voice sounds thin in those instants.

I can see your point, but I think she sounds wonderful singing high(er). I think it sounds off because we aren't used to hearing her. As Karen said in one interview, why she sang low she said, "The money's in the basement"

I think you can compare. Quincy Jones produced "It's My Party." That put it on Black Radio's radar. Ditto Nile Rodgers and "Do You." Or Reggie Lucas and "Holiday." Lesley, Sheena, Madonna... were never R&B singers. Never.

Not "Holiday." I mean "Everybody."

Fuck, the Madonna album is what I'm talking about. (And as an aside, I don't believe Mark Kamins produced "Everybody.")

You're basically saying a white person can't sing R&B which is just so wrong.

Plenty of white artist pull it off very well. Sheena Easton and Hall and Oates were not R&B acts but they could pull off R&B music.

[Quote] You're basically saying a white person can't sing R&B which is just so wrong.

Not really. Bobby Caldwell is more feted in black circles than white, for instance.

Hall and Oates's Italian Girls with John Oates as the lead coud've been a single.

Another Hall and Oates song that was really good, "Head Above Water" from the Private Eyes Lp

[R107] Eric Carmen is one of my all-time favorite male singers. I recently purchased his 70s and 80s CDs on Amazon after listening to his GH collections the past few years. His recording of 'Boats...' is incredible. I've wondered why ONJ didn't team up with him and do a duet on this recording and release it as a single ? He would've balanced out her screechy vocals on the recording.

Eric Carmen's career got derailed with the bad publicity he got from his song "Never Gonna Fall In Love Again," and "All By Myself," which he stole the melody from Rachmaninoff.

Carmen said at the time, he assumed it was old classical music and in public domain.

Carmen then gave two top ten hits to Shawn Cassidy "Hey Deanie" and "That's Rock 'n' Roll" before resurfacing in the 80s

ONJ duets with one of the Wilson brothers on Soul Kiss, right? What a terrible commercial decision.

The horrible "You Were Great, How Was I ?"

Really Livvy and Brian Wilson - you have to ask each other how great you were in bed, and then record it as a song ?

Worse than 'Overnight Observation' where Livvy sings about an attempted rape by her doctor.

Ha ha. Were they all on drugs or something? Such poor taste.

Sorry, R96, my mistake. I meant to type Top 10, and I think I was thinking about The Rumor at the same time and mistakenly typed Top 40.

I always thought it was so strange that EMI released Sheena Easton's third album, Madness, Money and Music and all but buried it. I was a pre-teen back then and had been on the Sheena train from the very start and I never heard a thing about that album or any singles. It was like she went from "When He Shines" to the Kenny Rogers duet of "We've Got Tonight" (awful) to "Telefone" that fall.

^^I remember seeing the Machinery video on TV. I saw her sing I Wouldn’t Beg For Water on TV a few months later. I was 10 when that album came out.

The Halloween appropriate Scarecrow from Siouxsie & Banshees' Peepshow Album.

What surprises me even more, it's not featured on the recently released All Souls Halloween themed compilation album. But then a ton of goth rock songs from the band, that would fit the theme, didn't make it.

Was the Sheena album released in the UK at the same time or much prior?

I can't believe that the label didn't release this song after "We Got The Beat" =

The group didn't do many ballads but this one was better than "Get Up & Go" =

I loved the drag video to "Turn To You" but the song sounded too much like Head Over Heels". This song would've shown off their range =

They should've ticked off the Green Day guys despite their chart success at the time

& released this song as their first single off their comeback album =

[quote] I can't believe that the label didn't release this song after "We Got The Beat"

They already had Vacation ready to go, but I agree that CSTW was very commercial. They probably figured Vacation was a summer song (rightly so) and didn't want to sit on it for a year when they weren't sure they had another hit single or two from B&TB.

Their '94 double disk hits & rarities set should've had this song as the first single =

I loved Good For Gone, which was the B-side of Head Over Heels but did not appear on Talk Show. It showed up 10 years later on Return to the Valley of the Go-Gos.

R156 I love it too but I don't know if it would've been a big hit for them in '94. It's a good offbeat tune but dated by that era.

Go-Go's drummer Gina Shock's debut album should've had this radio-friendly one (at the time) as the lead single =

Why her label released the rather dull "Blue Kiss" instead of this runaway foot stomper puzzles me to this day =

If Jane wanted a slower song than her top 10 hit "Rush Hour" then she should've pushed this one instead of the clunky "Inside A Dream" =

Her '91 album had this tune as her best bet for a top 10 hit =

Oh, not at all, R156- Good For Gone was totally a B-side and a deep track, but I adored it and thought it should have made it onto Talk Show over a couple of the tracks that did. And I can't remember, did they release anything off Return to the Valley of the Go-Go's as a single? Oh, that's right, I just checked- The Whole World's Lost Its Head. Meh.

I remember I was in college when Return to the Valley came out and I lined up at Tower Records in the village in NYC to meet the band. I brought my copy of Rolling Stone from 1982 with them on the cover and got them all to sign it. I framed it and it's still on my wall over my bar. I also remember that they were stacked in line from friendliest to most cunty. First came Jane, who was super friendly, asked me my name, wrote my name in the signature and when I told her I still listened to Blue Kiss, gave me a kiss. Then came Gina, who was also friendly, but no kiss. Then Kathy who smiled at me, but no chit chat and just a scrawl, then Charlotte, who scrawled with no eye contact, and finally Belinda, who was totally over it and wouldn't even acknowledge anyone.

When the Meredith Brooks/Charlotte Caffee 1990 trio didn't chart with

their debut single they should've chosen this song as the follow-up =

Or alternately, how about a totally unlikely (promo) single, which I still have 52 years after I got it on my first radio gig. The picture sleeve invites us to take this instead of a little red or blue pill. I actually played it on my show called "Teen Beat!"

Speaking of "Time Waits For No One," Dusty favored that track and "Send It To Me" on her REPUTATION album. Both would have been better single choices than "I Want To Stay Here."

I thought the best track on Jane's first solo album was "Somebody's Gonna Get Into This House." It didn't have single potential, but it was really good. Rush Hour was a great single and deserved its success, but EMI really dropped the ball on World on Fire in 1990. It could have done much better than it did.

R161 I wouldn't read too much into BC blowing off fans due to an old FBI report on celebrity stalkers she had more of them per record sales than bigger stars like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Prince, George Michael, or Madonna. I bet she wished she had their $$$ to provide better security for her & her loved ones & I bet it helped contribute to her ongoing drug abuse as a coping mechanism.

Her biggest album could've had more hits if they chose this one instead of "I Feel Free" as the 4th single here in the US =

Oh, I didn't really care that she was dismissive. At that point, I was at the tail end of my fanship with them and I did it more for nostalgia sake. It was a fun lark and I met some cool Go-Go's fans in line and we had a nice time. And Jane was lovely enough for all five of them.

I've never been a big autograph person. I think it's kind of silly, but harmless. I thought it would be cool to have the magazine cover framed, though. I did the same thing with Cyndi Lauper when I was in middle school. She made an appearance at our local Peaches and my friend and I skipped school to go down and meet her and I had her sign my SSU LP and her Rolling Stone cover. I'm afraid that one got lost somewhere, though.

Expose probably would've had another top 10 if they released this one as the last single off of their debut album =

"Summer Rain" was released outside of the season for some dumb reason.

Belinda should've released this version in Jan. 1990.

The upcoming holiday would've propelled it to another top 10 for her =

"Shot In The Dark" should've been the follow-up to her #3 summer smash "Mad About You" in 1986 =

I would've named her 4th album after this song & made it the 1st single =

What WAS the follow up to Mad About You? I can't even remember.

R172 It's either "Band Of Gold" remake or "I Feel The Magic".

This song from her 6th album in the mid 90s =

I'm torn between this song or "Where Love Hides" from her 5th album in '93 =

This song off her debut album screams mid-80s top 10 USA hit -

This was her best ballad off of her early albums &

should've been released after dance smash "Naughty Girls"

This song off of her 3rsd album invokes "Walking On Sunshine" vibes.

It was a worldwide smash just a couple of years earlier...

Fox's 4th album in 1991 was a hit-scarce album but I would've released this in the US as the debut single =

I just looked up Belinda's singles. I feel The Magic was the follow up to Mad About You and it only went to #82. Band of Gold was the third single and didn't even chart. I loved her version of Band of Gold, but that song is pretty artist-proof. You'd have to really suck to make it sound bad. Like say if Samantha Fox recorded it.

R179 I don't recall her 2nd & 3rd singles even being in my local market's "artist vs artist" matchup where the winning song would go on to major airplay & the loser would get canned from the station. "Mad About You" won big when it was released in the summer of 86 here in the US midwest & a solo star was born...

Nirvana - Drain You from Nevermind

R180, I don't remember them being played on radio back then. I only knew Band of Gold because I had bought the album and it was the only other track on the album I liked. I do remember the 45 in stores, though.

I think Kurt once said this was the best song on Nevermind. It really is a near perfect rock/fucked up love song that is soooo radio friendly.

He also said, if he was smart, he would have saved the album's top songs and spread them out over a few albums as singles. Which always made me chuckle. He had a fun, devious side.

I had her debut album tooR182. I remember seeing the extended version of "Band Of Gold" in a record store in Mansfield Ohio on a road trip with a now-deceased friend.

I was torn between it and another extended version of a minor hit (that I can't even recall now)

but could only afford one. I had hoped to return again later with the cash to purchase it but that trip never happened.

For A list pop stars, Gaga is the worst at picking singles. When she had little power as to the choice of singles (The Fame, The Fame Monster), she has a bunch of huge hits. But once she got enough power to make her own decisions? Yikes.

I could pick three of four examples, but I'll stick to her Joanne rollout.

She chose Perfect Illusion (not a bad song, but just not single worthy and very one note) as a lead single when she had the Diamond Heart, which is such a better pop rock track.

Holy shit, R184, you just made me remember that I did buy the 12" of Band of Gold and it was actually gold vinyl. I had the album first, but I could never resist colored vinyl when I was a teenager.

I can't recall what singles she has released off this album here in the US

but I would've liked to have heard this one on my radio =

Best song on the cd -

Have a heart...

12-8 Angel = The Dream Academy

Move over Atari -

This obscure album track could have been a #1 for Britney or Christina.

Went back a revisited A Night to Remember after reading this thread and as much as I loved this song back then, I never expected it to still hold up over 30 years later, as much of Cyndi's music doesn't. I cannot believe they blew such an obvious hit. This has all the earmarks of a great single. It's also reminiscent (but much better than) Eternal Flame by The Bangles and The Flame by Cheap Trick, which had both been #1 hits in the year before this was released.

I love the title track of The Bee Gees spirts having flown album. I thought it was a gorgeous song and would’ve made a great end of summer single in 1979.

Prince Somebody’s Somebody

New Religion by Duran Duran

The Carpenters version of Desperado from their “Horizon” album. My favorite rendition of that song ever!

“The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress” from Get Closer.

“Long Way To Go” - the best track from Stevie Nicks’ The Other Side Of The Mirror.

This would have been a great Carpenters single.

I think this Diane Warren song from early '84 would've been the best follow-up to "Self Control"

Pat's "All Fired Up" single didn't even crack the top 10 in '88 but I think this hard rocker could've done it again for her -

I always thought this song would've been a top 10 1984 hit for her from "Tropico"

After her lackluster '88 to '92 chart misses, Pat needed a solid debut single like this one to get her back onto the charts =

“Lighthouse” from James Taylor’s Gorilla album.

Sorry OP but I think Pat needed this song as her next big hit with her giving

a stage concert video performance complete with her in a cage busting out -

No way, R203. Benatar released the three most commercial singles off that album and they went nowhere (as good as they were). The public had dropped her at that point. She would have had to go even more pop than she had during Tropico to get their attention, but she wasn't interested in that.

"True Love" from her '91 standards album went nowhere but this sultry one could've ignited her career again -

I loved the True Love album. The title track and Payin the Cost to Be the Boss were both awesome records.

Other than "Invincible", I think this one could've made the top 10 as an AIDS charity single before Dionne's AIDS single the following year.

The lyrics & sounds are tailored made for it =

I disagree R208. Heavy Metal acts were all over the late 80s =Bon Jovi, Europe, Whitesnake, White Lion, Joan Jett, Lita Ford, etc.

Pat's song there would've fit right in with all of those audiences. This tune was better than "I'm Gonna Follow You" =

It's a shame that this band broke up after their only single "Move Away" because this one would've been a chart climber for sure =

I think this song from one of their more recent albums would've connected with the masses.

Boy George's private life drama could've used this as a public apology as well =

For his debut solo album, I think Boy George should've released this song instead of the cray cray

"Sold" (that also has to be the worst cover art of that year) & even should've named the album after it =

One of th best albums from the 90s could've used this song as one of the early singles =

Except they didn't, R212. She released two big rockers off that album, much harder than she'd done in a while, and no one was interested. And Joan Jett and Lita Ford were exceptions. The majority of female acts that year were R&B and pop. Whitney, Belinda, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, Taylor Dayne, Expose, and the execrable Samantha Fox. Even hard rockers Heart had to go the pop ballad route the year before to score a hit.

Straight men, who are the majority fans of acts like Whitesnake, Bon Jovi, etc. and all the bands you mentioned couldn't give a fuck about female rockers. To them, women can't rock. Benatar herself talked about this for years, and how she fought against her record company who wanted to sexualize her because they didn't think men would take her seriously. By 88, Benatar had run her course and no one was biting.

Joan Jett having a hit that year was a huge surprise, and honestly, she had the more commercial single. That record had a great hook and a very catchy title. And she couldn't sustain it past that song. And Lita Ford- she was selling sex and the metal boys were buying. And since they don't tend to buy much from women, Ford got the sales that could have gone to Benatar if she was willing to play the game the way Ford was. (It also didn't hurt that Ford was five years younger than her.)

To Be Reborn is too AC for its own good.

I disagree R217. Pat released dumb single after dumb single (Sex As A Weapon, Diamond Fields, One Love, etc.).

She had better material that died a quiet death on her albums.

The only tune I heard from her '88 album was "All Fired Up" a single & the others weren't even played on the radio. I have never even seen videos for them anywhere at the time.

R218 A hit is a hit. "Sold" was nothing to crow about on the charts.

It wouldn't have been a hit, though. There was no teen appeal there.

R220 So earlier singles like "Mistake No. 3" & "Black Money" had teen appeal?

The two best female rockers of 1988 didn't even have hits (though both were nominated for Grammy awards)- Toni Childs and Sinead O'Connor. But neither Don't Walk Away nor Mandinka had any chart success in the US outside of minor play on the Modern Rock chart. The only way Benatar could have sustained would have been to go the Heart route and record crap like Alone or All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You. Thank god she didn't.

Where was Black Money a single? As for Mistake, it had limited teen appeal but it sounds more fully produced, whereas To Be Reborn doesn't sound like a single. Both are pretty MOR, though.

Oh, please. Pat Benatar was ultra commercial. She wasn't above "Alone."

It's not about other singers as Pat had proven when she was the pioneer as a solo female hard rock singer.

Pat had the looks, voice, lyrics, hooks & name recognition so it didn't matter if those 2 lackluster tunes from those other artists went anywhere. Sinead's bald head & tattoos held her back before her big '90 hit & no one at my school had even heard Of Toni C.

Michael made it while other Jacksons' careers went nowhere & Belinda Carlisle made it while the other Go-Go's solo efforts crashed around the same time.

Pat needed songs fans wanted to hear & I'm glad about half of her singles aren't played on the radio (3 are mentioned at R219) to this day & I say that as a fan of her entire career. Pat released album filler instead of her best tunes.

What was Janis Joplin? Chopped liver?

^ She was by age 28.

I think this track would've charted better than the title song here in the US =

This track was better than some of the singles from this album =

My favorite track from Linda Ronstadt's [italic]Mad Love[/italic]

I played this album to death, back in the day. This would have been a great follow up to, "Upside Down".

I think this would've been her 3rd big hit off this album -

Ugh no. Chic's lyrics bordered on the moronic. "Now That You're Gone" has something special though it's a bit underdeveloped.

A better single than "It Would Take A Strong Man" =

This would've been a great lead single -

He should've tried to win over more female fans for a longer career =

That Rick album sounds quite demo-ish in places. You can tell that they spent way more time on "Never Gonna Give You Up."

This 2004 track would've helped their radio return with an Expose singer as the lead vocalist -

I just love Getaway Car...

One of their better songs on their sophomore album -

A great '93 tune from Concrete Blonde that is actually radio-friendly in two languages =

This track was better than "Sugar Daddy"

IRS really should have released more singles from “ Beauty & The Beat”…”Lust to Love” and “Fading Fast” in particular could have been huge hits, and they could have taken more time finding better songs for the “Vacation” album..

In 1983, Laura Branigan was super popular and the “Flashdance” soundtrack was so huge that radio stations played the hell out of the album track, “Imagination.” It is a mystery that it wasn’t released as a single.

Was Branigan on a different label to the soundtrack?

Janet was one of the first to work with this artist in 2004.

And even he could buy her a hit.

[quote] And even he could buy her a hit.

The blacklist made radio hits impossible.

Here's another from 2006:

Why didn't she have hits outside the States, though?

Jennifer Lopez, from the underrated "This Is Me... Then":

I think Chris Cross could've had 1 more hit from his debut album:

Belinda's 2007 French album came with an extra disc with English versions of some of the songs.

I think this one was her best shot at a top 40 hit in various English markets -

I'll Be Around...

I didn't care much for most of Aretha's covers on this album

but this cut & "At Last' are the 2 big standouts =

They're a quirky band but I think this song was their best shot at a top 10 US hit

in the early 80s complete with an Alice In Wonderland music video ala Tom P. & HB.

"Shine" off of their '89 album was a top-tier tune =

Their most radio-friendly song after "Heartbreak Beat" in the mid-80s

"Hot Thing" should've followed up the title track -

I think "Angel" off of their 3rd album would've made a great lead single around the globe for Expose =

It’s a soundtrack album so maybe this is a bit of a cheat…but my vote goes to “Blue Lamp” from Heavy Metal. I think it is the best track of Stevie Nick’s solo career, even surpassing “Edge of Seventeen” and “Stand Back”.

My choice:

From the 'Diana Ross' 1976 album, "After You" should have been released as the second single. Such a beautiful song by Michael Masser , who never wrote a dud for Ross or Whitney Houston. (Too bad Houston didn't record 'After You' or 'To Love Again').

I'd pick this one for a single over the annoying "Family Man" in the late 80s =

Promises Made from Tiffany's debut album.