Just writing something for my blog and realised that Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams reached only #57 in 1985.

 

What do you think, which songs are the most underperformed ones considering their status now?

 

Dunno if this has been discussed but not very recently I think?

 

 

I was shocked Blondie's 'One Way or Another' didnt chart or wasnt released?

 

on a personal note everything by Paloma Faith! New York, Upside Down and Do you want the truth should all have been top 10!

Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls only made number 26 plusStairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin wasnt released until 2007 when it was made available, still its chart record lists number 37- which considering its status, is very low

 

also One Day Like This by Elbow is held in high regard and is thought of as one of the best songs of that year- it never made it higher than 35

 

MGMT - Time To Pretend. One of the best records of the last decade and charted at a miserable #35.

Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls only made number 26 plusStairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin wasnt released until 2007 when it was made available, still its chart record lists number 37- which considering its status, is very low

 

also One Day Like This by Elbow is held in high regard and is thought of as one of the best songs of that year- it never made it higher than 35

I think it just shows how sometimes, charting positions do not reflect rock/metal songs well (bar albums). Not that it matters that Stairway to Heaven has only made #37, it's one of the most recognisable/well known rock songs of all time!

I think it just shows how sometimes, charting positions do not reflect rock/metal songs well (bar albums). Not that it matters that Stairway to Heaven has only made #37, it's one of the most recognisable/well known rock songs of all time!

 

its unfortunate but true, rock songs dont always chart well (although there have been many exceptions, Bohemian Rhapsody to name one), certainly less common nowadays- but they are always held in high regard, STH is easily one of the best ever songs :D

Just writing something for my blog and realised that Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams reached only #57 in 1985.

 

Actually it was #42.

 

I think this may stand a chance of getting top 40 one day if someone performs it on X-Factor or something.

also One Day Like This by Elbow is held in high regard and is thought of as one of the best songs of that year- it never made it higher than 35

 

Although it did evetually make number 1 as part of Peter Kay's Animated All Star Band's BBC Children in Need Medley

ironic (#11), hand in my pocket (#26), you learn (#24) and you oughta know (#24) by alanis morissette spring to mind. to think how big she was in this period, and i seem to remember ironic being played on radio non stop and it still couldn't make top 10. these songs are still now staple 90's radio songs played today.

Actually it was #42.

 

I think this may stand a chance of getting top 40 one day if someone performs it on X-Factor or something.

 

You're right, I was staring at the debut position.

 

re Stairway to Heaven...It would've probably been a hit if it had been released so technically it didn't underperform. It must had boosted the album sales since 'IV' is one of the best selling albums of all time.

 

Another masterpiece Hurt by Nine Inch Nails was never released either but made the Top 40 by Johnny Cash.

 

One of the most underperformed recent singles must be Machine Gun by Portishead: #52

Edited December 30, 201014 yr by SKOB

Actually it was #42.

 

I think this may stand a chance of getting top 40 one day if someone performs it on X-Factor or something.

 

Didn't One Direction perform it on the live shows this year? I guess if they can't send it top 40 then nothing will...

 

I can think of FAR too many vast underperformances of songs that are relative standards now but I'll throw these out to start with;

 

- The Wannadies - You & Me Song (#18)

- Republica - Ready To Go (#13)

- Lonestar - Amazed (#21)

- Shakira - Waka Waka (#21 - WTF, it's one of 2010's worldwide defining anthems :mellow:)

ironic (#11), hand in my pocket (#26), you learn (#24) and you oughta know (#24) by alanis morissette spring to mind. to think how big she was in this period, and i seem to remember ironic being played on radio non stop and it still couldn't make top 10. these songs are still now staple 90's radio songs played today.

 

In this case people clearly bought the album instead though. MJ's Bad also comes to mind, among the 10 biggest albums ever but only had one #1 hit while most of its singles are considered classics today.

Iggy Pop - Lust for Life (#26, 1996) after the Trainspotting fame

I adore that song.

 

EDIT: ha, that wasn't originally a single either

Edited December 30, 201014 yr by SKOB

AC/DC are famous for not having a Top 10 single in the UK or in the US. For example Highway to Hell: originally #56 in 1979 but then live version reached #14 in 1992.

 

Björk - Human Behaviour (#36, 1993).

Edited December 30, 201014 yr by SKOB

I was shocked Blondie's 'One Way or Another' didnt chart or wasnt released?

 

It was only released in the US as a single, where it got to no. 24.

 

Those Alanis singles all came from a mahoosive selling album and were 'radio hits'. Similarly the Eagles' Hotel California only got to no. 8 in the UK but the album of the same name was huge.

 

also One Day Like This by Elbow is held in high regard and is thought of as one of the best songs of that year- it never made it higher than 35

Definitely agree with this one. I'm sure in years to come people will be astonished that such a fabulous song didn't even get anywhere near the top ten.