6 Songs That Should Have Topped The Charts

Some tunes just click and I think, “Now that is a HIT! This tune will go to the top of the chart for sure! “ But then it doesn’t! Strap in my musical loving friends. Here are six songs that my brain thought would be a billboard number one but, for some reason, nope!

1- – I know it’s typical of me but, I have to start with a song by The Cure. That song is “Boys Don’t Cry.” Originally recorded and released in 1979, the song was even chosen as the title for the North American debut record by The Cure. The band even re-released the song again in 1986 and still its peak chart positions never went above 22 in the UK. It’s a poppy, fun, danceable tune. Am I wrong? Be honest, I can take it. Do you hear a number one?

2- I went to see the movie, A Quiet Place, and there is a scene that uses the song “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young. I thought, “Ah man, what a great tune. I haven’t heard that in years.” After the movie I was curious to see what year it was released and how long it was on top of the chart. I was shocked to see its peak chart position was only 36 on the UK charts…Come on!!!

3- The band Public Image Ltd is a great band. They have always been on my fringe list of favourites. You can’t deny John Lydon is one of rock’s greatest front men. They announced they will be doing a tour this year and that kind of reminded me of how amazing they are. The song “Seattle” is such a great example of how the post punk sound has evolved and how John Lydon evolved! “Seattle” entered the UK Singles Chart, where it stayed for 4 weeks and reached number forty-seven in 1987. Forty-seven? That’s it? Are you kidding me?

4- At the recent record show at the Croatian Cultural Centre, I scored a few amazing vinyl finds. One being Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band’s “Stranger in Town”. I found a copy in pretty good shape for 6 bucks! (It was priced at $9 – big thanks to Larry for suggesting I offer 5 bucks. First time I have ever haggled!) Anyway, the album is chalk full of hits but one song that failed to even find a chart position was “The Famous Final Scene”. It is just an amazing song that deserved some love on the music charts!

https://youtu.be/fvW5qb6–WI

5- My second favourite band since childhood is the Dead Milkmen. I remember there was this older skater dude that lived in my neighbourhood and all the kids on my block wanted to be him! He introduced me to the band and I have never looked back. Their most popular song is easily “Punk Rock Girl.” It’s just a fun song and I think it should’ve made it to the top of the charts for its quirkiness alone.

6- The Tragically Hip have graced the charts in Canada many times but the song that struck me as another guaranteed Canadian anthem would be “World Container.” The title track from the record of the same name! I remember hearing the band play this song live in the summer of 2006. It was magical. Maybe it was the cool summer night in Northern Alberta that made me shiver and think this is the greatest Hip song ever? It wasn’t even a single! If you have never listened to this song, it’s a must. The words spoke to me! Please check it out!

A few honourable mentions would be:
U2 “The City of Blinding Lights”: The best that song did was forty on the US Adult Top 40.
Dinosaur Jr – “Feel the Pain”: This song made it to number 4 on US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks but should have hit number 1 (side note it’s a really cool music video)

And finally, Todd Snider “Alright Guy”: This is an amazing tune from a cool hippy from Portland – no chart love for this great track!

Hope you enjoyed my list, and please add to it @kennyonJACK

Till next time, and as always …..LOVE YOUR FACE!