These ’70s Songs Flopped Hard — But Fans Can’t Help Loving Them Anyway

A flop is somehow lovable. A song that does okay, but not exceptionally often, fades away without much feeling attached to it. But a real failure? That stays with people. A flop is when someone takes a chance, swings hard, and misses—sometimes in a major way. And here’s the thing: just because a song flops doesn’t mean it’s horrible. It might arrive at the wrong time, confuse listeners, or fail to live up to what people expect from a big name.

There were a lot of huge hits in the 1970s, but there were also plenty of songs that never quite made it. Some were released by stars during the lowest points of their careers. Some simply needed a second chance to be appreciated. And a handful became defining tracks for artists who never got their big break. Still, these songs are hard not to enjoy because they have charm, heart, or bravery.
Here are five songs from the 1970s that didn’t do well when they first came out but deserve a lot more love than they get. They may not have reached number one on the charts, but they will always belong in the “underrated favorites” club.

“Muskrat Candlelight” by Willis Alan Ramsey
This song has had a very strange journey. Many people recognize “Muskrat Love,” the sweet, squeaky novelty song that Captain & Tennille made famous. That version climbed the charts and became a cultural joke. But before that, the song began in a much softer and more sincere form.

In the early 1970s, Willis Alan Ramsey wrote and recorded the song under the title “Muskrat Candlelight.” His version is gentler, warmer, and oddly moving. It tells a simple story about two muskrats falling in love. It sounds silly on paper, but it works when Ramsey sings it. There’s no wink or heavy-handed joke—just affection. Ramsey released the song on his only album in 1972. Musicians and critics liked the album, although the song itself didn’t receive much attention at the time. It wasn’t until other artists recorded it later that the song gained notice. By then, it had taken on more of a novelty reputation, which made the original version seem less appreciated.

“Muskrat Candlelight” is so charming because of its honesty. It fully commits to its odd premise and never apologizes for it. Ramsey’s gentle voice and delicate orchestration make it feel like a moment frozen in time. It may not have succeeded upon release, but it has a purity that makes it impossible to resist.

“I Want You to Want Me” by Cheap Trick
It may seem strange to call this a flop, given how famous the song later became. But when Cheap Trick first released their studio versions of “I Want You to Want Me,” they were largely ignored.

The band recorded the song several times before it caught on. One early version was rough and raw, almost punk-like, and was shelved for years. The album In Color was released in 1977 with a different take. That version was softer and slower, featuring unexpected touches like a violin intro. It wasn’t terrible, but listeners expecting punchy power-pop were confused. The studio version didn’t connect with American audiences, failed to climb the charts, and didn’t define the band. It seemed destined to be just another forgotten album track.

Everything changed when Cheap Trick performed the song live in Japan. The crowd went wild, the band played it faster and louder, and the energy exploded. That live recording became the massive hit everyone knows today. Still, the original studio version deserves appreciation. It captures a band experimenting and not quite landing the punch yet. Something is fascinating about it, and listening now feels like peeking behind the curtain before the lightning strikes.

“You Got It” by Diana Ross
By the late 1970s, Diana Ross was already a legend. That’s why “You Got It” was seen as a disappointment when it made only a modest impact on the charts in 1978. For a newer artist, it might have been considered a success, but Ross was reportedly disappointed.

The song was released during a difficult period in her career. Her films weren’t performing well, and her music wasn’t dominating the charts the way it once had. “You Got It” peaked modestly and quickly disappeared from radio playlists. Yet, listening now, the song is better than its chart position suggests. It’s playful, flirtatious, and smooth. Ross keeps things light and controlled, especially in the quieter moments. By the end, the track grows into something more confident and danceable.

Timing played a role in its fate. Ross hadn’t yet found her reinvention, and disco itself was evolving. A few years later, she would return with major hits and a refreshed sound. This song became caught in the middle of that transition. It wasn’t flashy enough for the moment, but it remains charming, relaxed, and fun. Sometimes a song doesn’t fail because it’s bad—it simply gets lost.

“I’d Rather Believe in You” by Cher
Cher’s career has seen more ups and downs than almost anyone else’s in pop music. The late 1970s, however, were particularly difficult. She faced financial troubles, and her chart success declined following her personal and professional split from Sonny Bono.

The album I’d Rather Believe in You was released during this rough period and didn’t chart at all. The label didn’t even release the title track as a single, which shows how little confidence they had in it. That’s unfortunate, because the song is stronger than its reputation suggests. Cher sings in a higher register than usual, giving the track a more vulnerable tone. The lyrics focus on trusting a partner rather than listening to outside opinions—a perspective rarely emphasized in mainstream pop. Cher delivers it with conviction rather than desperation.

The production isn’t flawless. At times, the backing vocals overpower her lead. Still, the heart of the song shines through. It conveys emotion without excess and confidence without coldness. History shows that Cher still had many chapters ahead of her. She turned to acting, won an Oscar, and later returned to the charts with massive hits. This song proves she still possessed considerable magic, even during a low point.

“Morning Star Ship” by Jobriath
Jobriath’s story is one of the most bittersweet in 1970s music. He was promoted as the next big thing: a glam rock star with immense talent, striking looks, and a major record deal. He was also openly gay at a time when the industry was not prepared to fully embrace that openness.

Expectations were enormous, and when his debut album failed to deliver instant success, criticism followed quickly. The project stalled as several tracks were rejected. “Morning Star Ship,” however, stood out as one of the album’s finest moments. The song is dreamy, melodic, and lightly psychedelic. Rather than stomping forward, it drifts, revealing a gentler side of glam-era music. The vocals are restrained, the arrangement is clean, and the song feels carefully crafted.

Unfortunately, this subtler approach wasn’t emphasized more from the beginning. Instead, Jobriath was pushed into an exaggerated image that obscured his strengths as a songwriter.

He never had the opportunity to reinvent himself the way many others did. He became ill early in the AIDS crisis and died far too young. “Morning Star Ship” remains a glimpse of what might have been: a quiet triumph hidden inside a very public failure.

Why These Flops Still Matter

Flop songs tell a different kind of story than hit songs. They capture artists taking risks, making mistakes, and trying to find their identities. They also remind us that commercial success isn’t the only way to measure artistic value.

When these five songs were released, they didn’t top the charts—but time has been kind to them. Some are sweet. Some are strange. Some simply arrived at the wrong moment. Together, they prove that music history isn’t built solely on number-one hits; it’s also shaped by near-misses and misunderstood moments. And sometimes, those are the songs people end up loving the most.