With Vance Joy having recently smashed the ARIA record for number of weeks his infectious single ‘Riptide’ has stayed in the charts, (thankfully) knocking Lady Gaga’s ‘Pokerface’ to #2, we got to thinking about all those massive songs out there that never quite made it to the coveted #1 position – and let us tell you – there’s a surprisingly large amount of ’em.

It may surprise you to learn that some of music’s most famous songs and biggest hits are in fact only #2 singles when it comes to the mother of all music charts, the Billboard Hot 100 and 200.

These aren’t small fry we’re talking either – even well-established acts it seems can be kept from pole position by a catchy ditty from an act without longevity. Well, you know how the old primary school rhyme goes: “first the worst, second the best.”

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine