10 Most Underrated Dan Fogelberg Songs

Feature Photo: Epic Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Not many solo artists were as loved as Dan Fogelberg was throughout his entire career. Even with his passing, people still love his music and miss him dearly. He was one of the most genuine songwriters we have ever had. His lyrics, his melodies, and, above all, his voice touched your heart deeply. He was a one-of-a-kind. Dan Fogelberg had his share of hits throughout his career, but as all of his hardcore fans are well aware, his albums were full of wonderful songs that so many people have never had the chance to hear. This list looks to presents at least ten of them. The big-time fans know them, but the causal fan may not.

# 10 – Home Free – “Stars”

We open our 10 Most Underrated Dan Fogelberg Songs list with the touching but sad song entitled “Stars.” We love to always start these lists by picking a song from the artist’s debut album. When Dan Fogelberg released his debut, the album did not make too many waves as it did not even break into the top 200 on the Billboard Albums charts. The only single released was “To the Morning,” which was also the opening track on the album. That song was followed up by “Stars,” which is our pick here.

# 9 – River Of Souls – “Magic Every Moment”

Continuing with our 10 Most Underrated Dan Fogelberg Songs list, we take a listen to the spirited song entitled “Magic Every Moment.” The song was released on the album entitled River of Souls, which debuted in 1993. It was the first single released from the album. The song did not chart on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 1993, grunge music had taken over everything, and unless you were Hootie and The Blowfish, a boy band or one of the huge grunge bands dominating music, your album got overshadowed. Fogelberg’s song “Magic Every Moment,” filled with island rhythms and joy, made this a surefire pick because it was so different from anything he had done before.

# 8 – The Wild Places – “Song Of The Sea”

We are staying upbeat for at least another song here on our 10 Most Underrated Dan Fogelberg Songs list. The song “Song of the Sea” was released on the album entitled The Wild Places. The reason this one gets the pick is the incredible harmonies on the track. Backing up Dan Fogelberg on vocals were the legendary David Crosby and Timothy B. Schmit, who both know a thing or two about killer harmonies. Listening to the three of them sing together is just pure bliss. There are some beautiful jazz intonations that also help fuel the track. This is one that was missed by many.

# 7 – Phoenix – “Beggar’s Game”

Dan Fogelberg always knew how to set the scene in his music through captivating lyrics, haunting but beautiful melodies, and a voice that sounds like it was from the heavens. All of that is showcased in the breathtaking song from his Phoenix album, released in 1979. This particular song was buried deep in the album in the next-to-last spot. Way, way, way underrated.

# 6 – Nether Lands – “Dancing Shoes”

We love every Dan Fogelberg album, and of course, some more than others, but the one album that will always remain our favorite is Nether Lands. We would actually love to fill this entire list with songs from that album, but that just wouldn’t be fair to the rest of his catalog. The song “Dancing Shoes” just seems to float and surround you with this angelic-like fantasy of happiness, or something like that. Sometimes his music just leaves you at a loss for words. That’s what brilliant art is supposed to do, I guess.

# 5 – The Innocent Age – “Nexus”

At the halfway point on our 10 Most Underrated Dan Fogelberg Songs list is the first of two songs from Dan Fogelberg’s masterpiece, The End of the Innocence. Fogelberg had released some really good albums before this one, but I would argue that he took his craft to an entirely new level with this album. “Nexus” was the opening track of the album. It’s a jam-packed, adventurous piece of music that served as the perfect opening piece for this phenomenal album.

# 4 – Windows and Walls – “Believe In Me”

At the number four spot on our 10 Most Underrated Dan Fogelberg Songs list, we present the exceptional song entitled “Believe in Me.” The song was released on the album entitled Windows and Walls, which was released in 1984. While most of the songs on this list were never released as singles, we made an exception for this one. Even though it was issued as a single, it did not fare well and sort of got lost, which is a shame because the melody is just so beautiful. Maybe it was because it was just too much of a lullaby for the times in 1984, when everyone was listening to artists like Madonna and Prince on the radio.

# 3 – Nether Lands – “Loose Ends”

Once more, we return to the phenomenal Nether Lands album for this very deep track called “Loose Ends.” Dan Fogelberg knew how to compose and record epic-sounding pieces, and this was most definitely one of them. Living in Colorado and surrounded by such majestic views undoubtedly had a profound impact on him as a writer.

# 2 – The Innocent Age ” Ghosts”

Dan Fogelberg’s The Innocent Age album was a two-record set released in 1981, jam-packed with many hits. The album was fueled by some of the greatest songs he ever composed, including our favorite Dan Fogelberg song, “Same Old Lang Syne.” Other songs like “Run for the Roses,” “Leader of the Band,” “Hard to Say,” and “Only the Heart May Know” were just outstanding. Yet, the one song that often goes unnoticed but embodies the depth and beauty of Fogelberg’s artistry is the album’s closing track, “Ghost.” Ordinary people don’t write stuff like this. Even great artists don’t always connect with who we are the way Fogelberg could. It would have been wonderful to have a conversation with him, but I guess, in a way, we all already have.

# 1 – Captured Angel – “Aspen/These Days”

We close out our 10 Most Underrated Dan Fogelberg Songs list with the two-song combination “Aspen/These Days.” How in the world was this never released as a single? It blows my mind that they did not realize how big of a hit “These Days” could have been. The string-based instrumental introduction called “Aspen” is incredibly beautiful and would have melted the hearts of everyone who heard it. And then, of course, the chorus on “These Days,” filled with Fogelberg’s lush harmonies, is almost too much to take. This is astonishing stuff. All of this wonder was released on Dan Fogelberg’s Captured Angel LP which was released in 1975.