Each one of the songs below were recorded by iconic artists. Even the songs themselves are considered to be iconic, but here’s the thing. Not one of these singles hit the Billboard Top 40 Pop Chart … and one of them never hit the Billboard Hot 100!
While researching this series, I was amazed how many of them there are. You’ll recognize them immediately but still discover that the songs you’ve always thought were hits weren’t “hits” at all!
Play button is on the left … Volume slider is on the right
Songs That Never Hit The Top 40
The Kinks (1965) … Peaked at #50
George Harrison (1989) … Failed to hit the Hot 100
The Who (1970) … Peaked at #44
Simon & Garfunkel (1972) … Peaked at #97
Van Morrison (1972) … Peaked at #47
Young Rascals (1966) … Peaked at #43
Led Zeppelin (1972) … Peaked at #47
Cream (1969) … Peaked at #60
ELO (1973) … Peaked at #42
Traveling Wilburys (1988) … Peaked at #45
Good songs … a few I wasn’t familiar with though.
I’m glad you enjoyed them, even if some weren’t familiar to you 🙂
They were all great and most of them should have made it, in my book 🙂
Thank you … and I agree with you. 🙂
Good morning, Ray. Well this list is full of surprises. How can it be these songs weren’t initially well received? I think I have a suggestion as to how this could have happened. I know when I would purchase an LP, I would open it and play it. And play it and play, and play it, you get the idea. I became fully immersed in it. I became totally familiar with each and every song. I had songs that became favorites but they were my personal favorites. Some songs spoke to me in that special way that only a song can do. The magical way that music engages us. The feeling that the song addressed what was happening in my life at that particular moment in time. Some of these songs were “deep cuts”, songs that never appealed to the masses the way they moved me. My songs. They are still “my songs” and whenever I hear them I am transported back to that moment in time. When I became more affluent and could buy more then one album at a time, I found that I had less and less of these special cuts. I was spreading myself to thin so to speak. I learned that more is not necessarily better. I hope this is not too deep for this early in the morning but just my thoughts. Thank you, Ray, you did it again, you sent me back over 50 years and all it took was a bunch of songs. Thank you my Brother. You da man. Rock on.
Thank you, Don.
Not too deep at all, my friend. Actually very well explained, and I totally get the “my songs” reference.
The thing that surprised me that each one of these songs were released as singles by artists who were, at the time, at the very top of their recording careers. They all bounced back but listening to these songs, it amazes me how they didn’t capture the public’s imagination.
I’m very happy the medley brought back such vivid memories for you.
ROCK ON, MY BROTHER!
I really enjoyed this collection, many of which I’ve heard! There were a few that I didn’t recognize. One thing to know the artist but another entirely to know a song that might not of made it. At any rate I thoroughly enjoyed whole thing. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to try to put something like this together that will please the audience so to speak. You are the master at it. I bow to you! Thanks Ray this was a great way to wind up the week!
Thank you, Sandy ❤️
I’m always happy when a medley makes you smile 🙂
Speaking of weekends, I’m taking this one off but I’ll be back on Monday.
I hope yours is great!
Way to get rocking on this chilly Friday morning!
Thank you Ray and have a wonderful week-end!
Thanks, Penny ❤️
It was a robust 23 degrees up here this morning!
Glad you enjoyed the tunes and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks for tagging me Ray. It’s always much appreciated! I think will all the ads on FB you don’t see things you want unless you are tagged!
Wow! I think the biggest surprises for me were Simon and Garfunkel, Led Zeppelin, and Cream…they were big songs in my book 🙂
Thank you, Eileen 🙂
Yeah, those three were positively shocking. Who would have believed it!