an appropriate reply to Mr.Blue Sky is “The Way Life’s Mant To Be” by the Electric Light Orchestra
When I was in college back in Providence, there was a band named Coat of Arms. They had a couple of tapes, and on one of them was the (to me) immortal song When I Touch You There. Strange, sweet, innocent, fun… I have an old, second or third generation copy of it around. Beautiful.
Aside from that, Secret Stars’ Some Sinatra is gorgeously sad.
I’m not sure of the exact title, but I believe it’s The Ballad of Tom Jones by Space. It may not be that obscure in England because I heard it got a lot of air play over there, but here in the US, I don’t know a single person who’s heard it aside from me. I love cutesy whootsey songs about dysfunctional relationships, and the female vocalists voice is just so god damned cute.
Ooh. Best of Both Worlds, by Rotterdam prog-rock band For Absent Friends. Fantastic ballad, been trying to get it on CD for years. I think maybe Dragon Phoenix might know them, given his particular tastes, and this being a band that named themselves after a Genesis album…
I never understood why “Let the Day Begin” by The Call didn’t become a huger hit. I LOVE that song.
I also am rather fond of the “The Wheel” by Roseanne Cash.
Hey, Skerri, I used to go see Jump Little Children all the time in college!
It’s hard for me to pick out just one song, but my favorite obscure artist is Ivor Cutler. He’s a Scottish guy who sings/recites these odd little poems he’s made up. One of the best is about a fairy who curses a little boy to smell like the kitchen sink. His stuff is very strange, yet very lighthearted. I’m not sure if it’s still commercially available–I have a dubbed tape of his stuff that someone made for me about 6 years ago.
A couple more:
“This Is Love” - Tony Banks (of Genesis) - could easily pass for an Al Stewart song.
“King of Suede” - “Weird” Al Yankovic -neat parody of the Police’s “King of Pain”
I like Bonzo Goes To Bitberg, but hopefully, its not consdiered obscure.
From my college station, two I don’t know the artisits to:
- We’re All Boat people
and 2.
I Don’t Wanna Be a Homosexual.
Anyone know the bands?
“Soul City” by the Partland Brothers
“One Simple Thing” by the Stabilizers
“How Do You Do” by Mouth & MacNeal
“Dear Mom And Dad” by the Bran Flakes
“We Said Hello, Goodbye” by Phil Collins
“Affirmation” by Savage Garden
“What’s The Matter Here?” by 10,000 Maniacs
“Cruel To Be Kind” by Nick Love
“Sweetheart” by Frankie & The Knockouts
“Pure” by the Lightning Seeds
and that’s only the ones that instantly pop to mind…
…by the aforementioned Mr. Lowe, and
Son of My Father by Chickory Tip. This song I heard while visiting friends and family in Germany last year. My countryfolk seem to have a thing for obscure American oldies. 
Both of these tunes have the “hook” that makes them easy to remember. Tip’s synthesizer riff and Lowe’s Farfisa-sounding organ.
Thanks for an interesting thread, and if anyone finds Abdul… I sure would appreciate having a copy.
Quasi
Martian Boogie!!! Brownsville Station
I too like Endicott Kid Creole & the Coconuts
Loving you has made me Bananas Gary Marks
Mama Let Em Play Jerry Doucette
Smoke Sensimilla Pato Banton
Come After Breakfast, Bring 'Long Your Lunch, Leave 'Fore Suppertime have no idea who has recorded this
& the one about the flying car with Juke Juke Jukebox Drive…anyone know who recorded it?
I like entire obscure albums, but that’s probably because I have a fondness for independent music and musicians. Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of folk music (I’m still getting over the fact that Renaissance Faire season is over here) and my current favorite band is the Minstrels of Mayhem. They’re in the CD player almost constantly these days.
It is my strong desire to someday know who it was who sang the song “Because you’re hot. You’re Hot. I love the stuff you got. You are the one who turns me ooo-ooon.” and “Because you’re sweet. You’re sweet. You’re such a sexy treat. No other one can turn me ooo-ooon.” It was on a tape recorded off of a Oakland, CA radio station circa 1984. Google has always failed me on this.
My favorite ‘obscure’ song atm is “Sam Hall” by Frank Tovey, aka Fad Gadget.
Also anything by Mediaevel Baebes.
The “WITCH DOCTOR MEETS THE PURPLE=PEOPLE EATER”-band unknown, ca 1958.
A bit of an aside, a few years back, NPR had a series called “Most Annoying Music”. The host played a few selections from an album found at a yard sale-the late Lorne Green and his “boys” singing Christmas carols! The album was called “A PONDEROSA CHRISTMAS”-it was hilarious! Green (who was jewish) could’nt sing either-it was horrible!
And, of course, Jesus Loves Me But He Can’t Stand You by the Austin Lounge Lizards.
God loves all his little children by gum,
That don’t mean he won’t incinerate some…
My little contribution from the voids of obscurity;
7620 36th Avenue by The New Meanies - a guitar driven, bluesy bar band
Please Answer the Phone Please - Bocephus King & the Rigalettos - obscure local artist, from their third album, The Blue Sickness
Black Book Man and Starsky - Gypsy Soul, from their only album that I’m aware of, Prescribed Vibe