Great songs kept off number 1 by rubbish

[Cartman]

There are three instances of this I can think of, off the top of my head.

The classic example is the brilliant VIenna by Ultravox, which was denied the top spot by...we all know what!

Two others are Jean Genie by Bowie, prevented by Little Jimmy Osmond in early 73 and Wonderwall by Oasis in 95 by Robson and bloody Jerome!

Any more?

[Sam Tyler]

Interesting topic for a thread, I'm sure there's numerous (depending on people's taste) but here's the first that I can think of.

I'm not a fan of Coldplay at all but this one from June 2005 I have an appreciation for:

Coldplay - Speed Of Sound


What kept it from the no.1 spot? This abomination:

Crazy Frog - Axel F


Now I quite like the Beverley Hills Cop theme "Axel F" by Harold Faltermeyer but the Crazy Frog overdub is nothing short of irritating. 

Sam

[Vienna]

Pattie LaBelle and Michael McDonald's classic 1986 hit 'On My Own' was kept off the top in the UK by The Chicken Song! 

[Nightfly]

I know I've said it before, but I think it's worth mentioning so that we should never forget one of the greatest injustices... Ballroom Blitz by The Sweet kept off the top slot by Eye Level by The Simon Park Orchestra.

There were no helplines available to call for anyone affected back in 1973 !

[Cartman]

May 27, 2023 9:04:10 GMT Nightfly said:

I know I've said it before, but I think it's worth mentioning so that we should never forget one of the greatest injustices... Ballroom Blitz by The Sweet kept off the top slot by Eye Level by The Simon Park Orchestra.

There were no helplines available to call for anyone affected back in 1973 !

Controversially, I actually like Eye Level... Prefer the Sweet track though

[Dirty Epic]

James 'Sit Down' being kept off by Chesney Hawkes 'The One and Only' in the Spring of 1991!





TBF, the Chesney Hawkes song isn't the worst, more irritating that it kept James off the top spot with touches of family/friends nepotism for me! 

[D.C. Burtonshaw]

Great topic! Perhaps annoyingly, the "proper" version of the record that stupid Crazy Frog ripped off - Axel F by Harold Faltermeyer got to number 2 on 23/03/1985 in the UK and I thought should have been number 1. It was kept off the no 1 spot by Phil Collins "Easy lover" - which although not horrendous, I can take or leave but others may think different.

Another great UK number 2 was Golden Brown by The Stranglers which peaked at no 2 on 9th January 1982 but the no 1 which kept it off the top spot, I don't mind too much either which was Human League's Don't You Want Me Baby - which probably gets played more than Golden Brown.

[Cartman]

Good shout on Sit down by James, one of the handful of songs I like from that early 90s period

[John Steed]

May 27, 2023 16:10:30 GMT D.C. Burtonshaw said:

Another great UK number 2 was Golden Brown by The Stranglers which peaked at no 2 on 9th January 1982 but the no 1 which kept it off the top spot, I don't mind too much either which was Human League's Don't You Want Me Baby - which probably gets played more than Golden Brown.

I do prefer Human League's "Don't You Want Me Baby" to Golden Brown. I like most songs by The Stranglers but never really liked Golden Brown that much. Most people I know do seem to like Golden Brown though  

Steed

[Gene Hunt]

May 27, 2023 16:10:30 GMT D.C. Burtonshaw said:

Great topic! Perhaps annoyingly, the "proper" version of the record that stupid Crazy Frog ripped off - Axel F by Harold Faltermeyer got to number 2 on 23/03/1985 in the UK and I thought should have been number 1. It was kept off the no 1 spot by Phil Collins "Easy lover" - which although not horrendous, I can take or leave but others may think different.

Have to say I'm completely opposite with that one Gerry. I think Easy Lover is a brilliant track whereas Axel F always sounded to me like someone preprogrammed a synthesizer and let it play itself.

Gene.