Posted February 17, 20205 yr I made a post pondering about this in the midweek thread the other week but it's even more relevant now so perhaps worthy of a thread ~ The Weeknd I'd say was probably the most consistently omnipresent and successful artist of the last few years who hadn't yet managed a #1 single in the UK up until finally picking one up with 'Blinding Lights' the other week. And he now looks certain to be knocked off #1 by Billie Eilish who could probably have had a claim to be replacing him for that 'honour' (of course she hasn't been relevant for nearly as long as The Weeknd but it's quite surprising that she didn't get a #1 single during the WWAFA,WDWYG? era considering how huge it was). Which just raises the question of who now does take that title? The biggest names I've thought of are Selena Gomez, Travis Scott and (one I didn't mention before) Kendrick Lamar, and also Cardi B on a similar 'not been around for that long but still surprising she doesn't have a #1 yet' level as Billie Eilish. Any other notable names I am forgetting? :thinking: Of course there are also much longer established artists who are long past being relevant to the singles chart at least who never had a #1 - Depeche Mode, Bon Jovi, Janet Jackson etc.
February 17, 20205 yr Bananarama always come to mind when I see threads like this and they never had a number 1 album either :angry:
February 17, 20205 yr Alanis Morissette springs to mind, given how many albums she has sold no number 1 is amazing.
February 17, 20205 yr In recent times - Marshmello got quite unlucky with a huge #2, #3 and #4 hit but no #1. Jonas Blue likewise with two #2s, a #3 and #4.
February 17, 20205 yr Bruce Springsteen has had 11 number one albums, first in 1984 (and a #2 in 1980 as well) and most recently in 2019, whilst also having four top ten singles including a #2 with Streets of Philadelphia and two others that reached the top five. More recently Bastille have been robbed with three #2 singles, and two of them were huge (Pompeii and Happier)
February 17, 20205 yr I don’t think Ed Sheeran has ever managed to get to #1. :kink: Ok seriously, off the top of my head some names (and not including features)... Bastille, Jonas Brothers, Lana Del Rey, Mabel, Paloma Faith, Halsey, Anne-Marie, Zara Larsson, Jax Jones, Tiësto, James Bay, Michael Bublé. If features count then ignore Paloma, Halsey, Anne-Marie, Zara and Jax.
February 17, 20205 yr Janet Jackson come to my head first. Avril Lavigne too and Lana. Bruce Springsteen and Sting as well.
February 17, 20205 yr Lana Del Rey. The closest she got was with 'Don't Call Me Angel' and I'm quite surprised 'Summertime Sadness' couldn't quite do it either.
February 17, 20205 yr Author I don’t think Ed Sheeran has ever managed to get to #1. :kink: Ok seriously, off the top of my head some names (and not including features)... Bastille, Jonas Brothers, Lana Del Rey, Mabel, Paloma Faith, Halsey, Anne-Marie, Zara Larsson, Jax Jones, Tiësto, James Bay, Michael Bublé. If features count then ignore Paloma, Halsey, Anne-Marie, Zara and Jax. Yes, features do count :P there are probably quite a few other huge names who have only had #1s via features (Lil Wayne comes to mind, tying into your other thread xx). Sash! ought to be mentioned as well what with having the record for most #2s without a #1 of course.
February 17, 20205 yr I love Janet but Bon Jovi is by far the most successful act to not have a #1 single.
February 17, 20205 yr Does a sample count for Dido though? It’s annoying how she’s appeared on 2 no.1s yet has never been credited. I can’t really think of anyone huge that hasn’t already been mentioned. Shout out to Anastacia, I guess... Just thought that the Killers also fall into this category.
February 17, 20205 yr DJ Snake is the biggest 'current' 'singles' act I can think of who hasn't been mentioned yet. If we're not counting features, I'd throw in Sia and Sean Paul.
February 17, 20205 yr Author Does a sample count for Dido though? It’s annoying how she’s appeared on 2 no.1s yet has never been credited. I can’t really think of anyone huge that hasn’t already been mentioned. Shout out to Anastacia, I guess... Just thought that the Killers also fall into this category. Dido is credited on 'Stan'! (The OCC lists it as just Eminem ik but their crediting is inconsistent at best, she is listed as a feature on the original album tracklist as well as on YouTube/iTunes/Spotify etc.) What's the other #1 she appeared on? The Killers are definitely a good shout too, another one who are sadly past being realistically able to finally get a #1 (their best shot would genuinely probably be something boosting 'Mr. Brightside' enough for it to somehow get a belated #1 even through permanent ACR).
February 17, 20205 yr Author Ah that would make sense, I was trying to think of another rap song that sampled her or something lol ~ There must be a bunch of artists who have had an uncredited #1 on charity ensemble releases but never in their own right - notably Bastille (or Dan Smith at least) have done so twice, appearing on both Band Aid 30 and Artists For Grenfell.
February 17, 20205 yr Neither The Pogues nor Kirsty MacColl have had a #1, but as we know they've come close many times and should continue to do so.
February 17, 20205 yr Ok Bré you’ve started me on some kind of insane chart project now! :lol: Statistics taken from Polyhex; Depeche Mode had 35 UK Top 20 singles between 1981-2006 but no #1’s Bon Jovi had 33 UK Top 20 singles between 1986-2006 but no #1’s Janet Jackson had 33 UK Top 20 singles between 1986-2006 but no #1’s Texas had 18 UK Top 20 singles between 1989-2006 but no #1’s Tina Turner had 18 UK Top 20 singles between 1966-1999 but no #1’s 50 Cent had 16 UK Top 20 singles between 2003-2013 but no #1’s Mary J. Blige had 16 UK Top 20 singles between 1995–2008 but no #1’s Bob Marley had 14 UK Top 20 singles between 1977-2016 but no #1’s Muse had 14 UK Top 20 singles between 2000-2010 but no #1’s Suede had 14 UK Top 20 singles between 1992-2003 but no #1’s Kelis had 13 UK Top 20 singles between 2000-2011 but no #1’s Radiohead had 13 UK Top 20 singles between 1993-2003 but no #1’s Bruce Springsteen had 12 UK Top 20 singles between 1984-1997 but no #1’s Louise had 12 UK Top 20 singles between 1995-2001 but no #1’s Roxette had 12 UK Top 20 singles between 1989-2005 but no #1’s Travis had 12 UK Top 20 singles between 1998-2007 but no #1’s Embrace had 11 UK Top 20 singles between 1997-2006 but no #1’s Feeder had 11 UK Top 20 singles between 1999-2006 but no #1’s Sash! had 11 UK Top 20 singles between 1997-2008 but no #1’s Shania Twain had 11 UK Top 20 singles between 1998-2004 but no #1’s Cast had 10 UK Top 20 singles between 1995-1999 but no #1’s Dina Carroll had 10 UK Top 20 singles between 1991-1999 but no #1’s Faithless had 10 UK Top 20 singles between 1996-2005 but no #1’s Supergrass had 10 UK Top 20 singles between 1996-2005 but no #1’s The Killers had 10 UK Top 20 singles between 1995-2002 but no #1’s I’ll update with any other artists with 10 or more UK Top 20 singles but no #1’s in due course. Other miscellaneous facts; Remarkably both Bon Jovi & Janet Jackson have the same number of UK Top 20 hits without a #1 between exactly the same years! Victoria Beckham is the only Spice Girl not to have a solo #1 single One Direction’s Harry & Zayn both have solo #1 singles, whereas Liam, Niall, and Louis don’t. Edited February 17, 20205 yr by awardinary
Create an account or sign in to comment