Or maybe they're actually doing really well because it's not like they have to get to #1 with every single and anything else is a flop or an indication of their popularity dropping?
Kylie actually had 4 #2 singles in 1988 i.e Got To Be Certain, The Locomotion, Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi and Especially For You as Especially For You spent the whole holiday period at #2 and only got to #1 in 1989.