Top 10 Popular Artists That NEVER Had A Number One Hit

It’s hard to believe that seemingly inescapable songs like “Don’t Stop Believin’” never topped the charts, but it’s true – the anthem peaked at the ninth spot. Journey has been a staple in the industry for decades, with hits that have stood the test of time and are still played to this day. They came closer with “Who’s Crying Now” at four, but their most successful entry to date was “Open Arms” at two. So close, yet so far. Given how prolific they’ve been, it’s hard to believe they’ve never had that honor although they’ve certainly proven you don’t need number ones to achieve a lengthy career.

This modern rock band proved their superstar status early on, with their fourth single “In the End” going #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The angsty yet hardcore tune resonated with fans everywhere, and before long, Linkin Park was a household name. They would continue to see success as they progressed, such as going #7 with “What I’ve Done.” Despite their popularity amongst the younger crowd, they were never able to get to the very top. “In The End” was ultimately stopped by “Ain’t It Funny” by Jennifer Lopez and Ja Rule. What’s sad is that given that they were still releasing music up until Chester Bennington’s tragic death, there was a chance that they would have gotten there eventually.

This hip-hop legend may be one of the most recognizable names in the genre, but that unfortunately hasn’t translated to the main charts. She came incredibly close with “Work It”-- which is one of two songs tied for longest running at #2. She maintained that position for ten weeks. Unfortunately, there was one behemoth standing in her way – Eminem’s “Lose Yourself”. His track easily sailed to the top spot, leaving Missy in second place. Both pieces are iconic, though,so we can’t be too mad about it. She has also come close with her features– “1, 2 Step” also made it to #2 before plateauing. She is still working, so there’s a chance she’ll attain it someday – and if she does, it’ll be so deserved.

Despite being one of the most prolific musicians of the 20th century, he’s never had much luck on the Hot 100. While he topped the country boards with ease, Johnny Cash saw his work regularly fall to the #40-#60 slots. The closest he ever came to the peak was with a live version of “A Boy Named Sue”-- which was a cover of a poem by Shel Silverstein, and was blocked from the highest mark by The Rolling Stones. Regardless, that never mattered – he’s the ultimate proof that you don’t need mainstream success to achieve longevity. Despite coming across as not charting well, he’s undoubtedly left a mark on the industry as a whole, with his legacy spanning decades and genres.

This iconic group has gotten so close to the number one position, that it’s almost laughable they were never quite able to reach it. Creedence Clearwater Revival scored five second place hits across their career, just falling short each time. These were huge, too – momentous tracks like “Proud Mary” and “Bad Moon Rising” that have stood the test of time to become staples in the genre. In fact, they hold the honor for being the artist with the most singles in the top ten, without ever hitting the zenith. That has to count for something, right? They may always be the bridesmaid and not the bride, but there’s no denying that their discography has had a long term impact.

This feels more like a badge of honor for the band than anything else. Nirvana – Kurt Cobain in particular – never seemed too bothered about commercial success. Instead, their focus was entirely on the music. It’s probably no surprise that “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was the closest they came to touching #1 – which is funny, considering that it was written to be nonsensical, and that Cobain’s vocals made it even harder to tell what was being said. And yet, it was still a smashing success, although it wasn’t quite able to break into the upper five. There’s no telling what would have happened had Cobain lived and they continued touring, although given their success at the time, they probably would have reached #1 at some point.

When it came to dropping new work, Led Zeppelin was more fond of releasing albums all at once, rather than releasing singles. So, it only makes sense that they were never able to go #1– although they did get close with 1969’s “Whole Lotta Love.” While they had slightly less luck in the States, they were still able to see some success on Billboard. However, the biggest shock is that their magnum opus “Stairway to Heaven” didn’t even chart in America. But that’s actually easy to explain - it was never actually released as a single in the U.S. and so couldn’t be listed on Billboard’s charts.

The Godfather of Soul is no stranger to the Hot 100 – in fact, he charted over 90 songs on it throughout his illustrious career. And yet, the iconic performer has never reached #1. In fact, it took him nearly a decade to even reach the top 10, which is unfathomable given his impact. “I Got You (I Feel Good)” hit #3, marking his peak on the singles catalog. He saw more luck on the R&B lists, which he dominated. Regardless, he helped set the standard when it comes to performance and passion, two things that have helped his legacy live on even after his death. He also paved the way for future funk artists to command the charts.

Known for his complex songwriting and social activism, this folk singer is one of the most respected musicians in history. While he may not have had the most mainstream run compared to his contemporaries, there’s no denying his impact on culture. “Like a Rolling Stone,” despite its staggering six minute length, made it all the way to number two, proving that tracks didn’t have to be short and sweet to be successful. He had other fan favorites throughout the 60s, such as the eclectic “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35,” but was still prevented from hitting #1. At least he reached the peak as a songwriter when The Byrds’ version of “Mr. Tambourine Man” topped the charts.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Sheryl Crow
Boyz II Men Kept “All I Wanna Do” at #2

Green Day
Green Day Didn’t Even Hit the Top 100 until 2004’s “American Idiot”

Chaka Khan
Her Powerhouse Vocals Helped Her Make It as High as #3

Pat Benatar
This Iconic Vocalist Had Four Top 10s But No #1s

Jimi Hendrix
One of the Best Guitarists Ever, Hendrix Only Had One Hit at #20

He may be one of the most iconic artists of his generation, but even he hasn’t made it to the peak of Billboard’s chart. Throughout his career, The Boss has released almost 80 singles, and has come close to getting the number one spot with a few of them. The closest was “Dancing in the Dark” at #2 - which he wrote because he had been told his album needed a hit single. Unfortunately, Duran Duran’s “The Reflex” and Prince’s “When Doves Cry” kept it from the top. While he may not have completely ruled the singles list, he has undoubtedly made his mark as one of the pillars of rock and roll. He’s living proof that you don’t have to go #1 to be #1.

What songs by these artists do you think deserved to go #1? Let us know in the comments below!