Working with only a best-guess description of the visuals the music would accompany, Lalo Schifrin created one of the great TV theme songs Continue reading Top 40 Smash Near Misses — “Mission: Impossible”

A Top 40 near-miss from Bob Seger’s breakthrough album Continue reading Top 40 Smash Near Misses — “Rock and Roll Never Forgets”

Not long after their last chart-topper, a legendary vocal group just missed the Top 40 with a lovelorn single. Continue reading Top 40 Smash Near Misses — “Remember When”

Go West scored a hit (or at least a near-hit) in the U.S. with a song that was meant to kill time until their expected breakthrough release. Continue reading Top 40 Smash Near Misses — “We Close Our Eyes”

With a Hooker-esque guitar riff and Holly-inspired lyrics, ZZ Top pay tribute to a seamy Texas institution. Continue reading Top 40 Smash Near Misses — “La Grange”

These posts are about the songs that fell just short of crossing the key line of chart success, entering the Billboard Top 40. Every song featured in this series peaked at number 41. Joseph Tucci was a fledging music producer … Continue reading Top 40 Smash Near Misses — “Keep On Dancin’”

These posts are about the songs that fell just short of crossing the key line of chart success, entering the Billboard Top 40. Every song featured in this series peaked at number 41. There were a few ironclad rules of … Continue reading Top 40 Smash Near Misses — “Back to Paradise”

These posts are about the songs that fell just short of crossing the key line of chart success, entering the Billboard Top 40. Every song featured in this series peaked at number 41. The Stylistics had a team that served … Continue reading Top 40 Smash Near Misses — “Heavy Fallin’ Out”

These posts are about the songs that fell just short of crossing the key line of chart success, entering the Billboard Top 40. Every song featured in this series peaked at number 41. Marcus Bell and Mark Long spent several … Continue reading Top 40 Smash Near Misses — “Are You Sure?”

These posts are about the songs that fell just short of crossing the key line of chart success, entering the Billboard Top 40. Every song featured in this series peaked at number 41. Paula Adbul had a booming career as … Continue reading Top 40 Smash Near Misses — “Knocked Out”