Shakin' Stevens - "Cry Just a Little Bit"

(Not Available on iTunes)

(Debuted April 21, 1984, Peaked #67, 6 Weeks on the Chart)

In the U.K., Shakin' Stevens was one of the biggest-selling acts of the 1980s. In a five-year period, the Welsh-born singer racked up 14 Top 10 hits and five #1 singles. After more than ten years of paying dues, he took an appearance in a stage play about Elvis Presley and began a new phase as a phenomenon. His photogenic looks and stage charisma made him appeal to multiple age groups.

In the U.S., however, Ronnie McDowell had already done the trick of turning an Elvis association into a career jumpstart, and "Cry Just a Little Bit" ended up being Stevens' only chart single. The song peaked at #67, meaning that few Americans would be exposed to Stevens at all.

To add insult to injury, Stevens' rendition isn't even the best-known version of the song in America. It was later performed by the country singer Sylvia, who took it to #9 on that survey the following year.