15 MAJOR songs that never actually reached Number 1
So many big hits!
Sometimes, despite a song being a HUGE hit, it is still narrowly pipped to the top spot of the charts. Even much-loved songs by some of the world's biggest and best artists are often found in the Number 2 position.
If you love your nostalgia, then you’ll love KISSTORY All Stars, which sees some of our fave stars, from the worlds of acting, sport, music and beyond look back at the music which shaped them.
To celebrate some of the best songs which reached Number 2, we've taken a look through some of our favourite tracks which just missed out on the top spot. Have a look through our list and enjoy huge hits from artists including Craig David, Calvin Harris and Destiny's Child. Some of them may surprise you...
‘Rise & Fall’ - Craig David featuring Sting
The song was released in April 2002 and featured on Craig’s second studio album ‘Slicker Than Your Average’, which was released in November 2002. ‘Rise & Fall’ was based on a sample of Sting’s song ‘Shape of My Heart’, from the 1993 Sting album ‘Ten Summoner’s Tales’.
‘Rise & Fall’ reached Number 2 on the UK Singles Chart, whilst in Hungary, Romania and Poland it reached Number 1.
WATCH: Craig David - 'Rise & Fall' featuring Sting (Music Video)
‘Re-Rewind (The Crowd Say Bo Selecta)' - Artful Dodger featuring Craig David
Released in November 1999, the track saw Craig team up with garage duo Artful Dodger. The melody in the verses of the track was taken from a previous demo of Craig’s called Last Night.
‘Re-Rewind’ was the first record that was signed by the record label Relentless Records. The song reached Number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and is certified Platinum.
WATCH: Craig David - 'Re-Rewind - (The Crowd Say Bo Selecta)' (Official Audio)
‘Bounce’ - Calvin Harris featuring Kelis
Released in June 2011, ‘Bounce’ was the first single to be released from Calvin’s third studio album ‘18 Months’, which was released in October 2012.
The track topped the chart in Scotland, but reached Number 2 in the UK Singles Chart. It is certified Platinum in the UK.
WATCH: Calvin Harris - 'Bounce' featuring Kelis (Music Video)
‘Movin’ Too Fast’ - Artful Dodger featuring Romina Johnson
First released in July 1999, ‘Movin’ Too Fast’ features on Artful Dodger’s debut album ‘It’s All About The Stragglers’, which was released in 2000. The song was originally recorded as a solo track for Romina’s 1998 album ‘Simply Passion’.
When the collab was first released, it didn’t chart, but it was later re-released in February 2000 - which was when it got to Number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. It is certified Platinum.
WATCH: Artful Dodger - 'Movin' Too Fast' (Music Video)
‘One More Time' - Daft Punk
This single was released in November 2000 and featured on Daft Punk’s second album ‘Discovery’, which was released in March 2001. The song features vocals from Romanthony and a sample of Eddie Johns’ ‘More Spell on You.’
The song reached Number 2 in the UK, but topped the charts in Portugal, Canada and France. ‘One More Time’ is certified Platinum in the UK.
WATCH: Daft Punk - 'One More Time'
‘Feel So Close’ - Calvin Harris
The second single from ‘18 Months’, ‘Feel So Close’ was released in August 2011 and sees Calvin sing on the track. Topping the chart in Scotland, the song reached Number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and is certified 2x Platinum in the UK.
WATCH: Calvin Harris - 'Feel So Close' (Music Video)
‘How Deep Is Your Love’ - Calvin Harris with Disciples
The song was released in July 2015 and features vocals from Ina Wroldsen, which are uncredited. Reaching Number 2 on the UK Singles Chart, ‘How Deep Is Your Love’ hit the top spot of the chart in Australia, Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands and Russia.
It is certified 3x Platinum in the UK.
WATCH: Calvin Harris - 'How Deep Is Your Love' featuring Disciples (Music Video)
‘Bootylicious’ - Destiny's Child
Released in May 2001, ‘Bootylicious’ featured on Destiny’s Child’s third studio album ‘Survivor’, which was released in April 2001, the track was the second song to be released from the album. The song reached the top of the Billboard Charts in the US, but reached Number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. It is certified Platinum in the UK.
WATCH: Destiny's Child - 'Bootylicious' (Music Video)
‘Lose My Breath' - Destiny's Child
‘Lose My Breath’ was released in September 2004 and is from the fifth and final of Destiny’s Child’s albums, called ‘Destiny Fulfilled’, which was released in November 2004. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. The track reached Number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and is certified Platinum.
WATCH: Destiny's Child - 'Lose My Breath' (Music Video)
‘This Is What You Came For’ - Calvin Harris featuring Rihanna
Calvin teamed up with Rihanna on ‘This Is What You Came For’, which was released in April 2016. Calvin wrote the song with Taylor Swift, who used the pseudonym Nils Sjoberg. It also includes uncredited backing vocals from Taylor. The song is certified 4x Platinum in the UK.
WATCH: Calvin Harris - 'This Is What You Came For' featuring Rihanna (Music Video)
‘We Be Burnin’ - Sean Paul
This track was released in August 2005 and is the first single from Sean Paul’s third studio album ‘The Trinity.’ The song reached Number 2 in the UK and is certified Silver.
WATCH: Sean Paul - 'We Be Burnin' (Music Video)
WARNING: This song contains drug references
‘Let’s Go’ - Calvin Harris featuring Ne-Yo
Released in March 2012 as the third single from ‘18 Months’. The song features vocals from Ne-Yo and reached Number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. ‘Let’s Go’ has been certified Platinum in the UK. The track is played when the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team hit a home run.
WATCH: Calvin Harris - 'Let's Go' featuring Ne-Yo (Music Video)
‘She Doesn’t Mind’ - Sean Paul
‘She Doesn’t Mind’ was originally released in October 2011, with a remix released in March 2012 which features Pitbull. The song was the second single to be released from Sean’s fifth studio album ’Thomahawk Technique’, which was released in January 2012. Reaching Number 2 on the UK Singles Chart, the song is certified Platinum in the UK.
WATCH: Sean Paul - 'She Doesn't Mind' (Music Video)
‘Baby Boy’ - Beyoncé featuring Sean Paul
‘Baby Boy’ was released in August 2003 and features on Beyoncé's debut solo album ‘Dangerously In Love’, which was released in June 2003. The song topped the US Billboard Chart, remaining in the top spot for nine consecutive weeks. In the UK, the song reached Number 2 and is certified Platinum.
WATCH: Beyonce - 'Baby Boy' featuring Sean Paul (Music Video)
‘Pop Ya Collar’ - Usher
’Pop Ya Collar’ was released in October 2000, and was produced for Usher’s cancelled third studio album ‘All About U’, with the album later becoming abandoned after several tracks, including this one, were leaked. It later featured on his official third studio album ‘8701.’ It peaked at Number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and is certified Silver.
WATCH: Usher - 'Pop Ya Collar' (Music Video)
Take a look at some of the KISSTORY artists who have made a comeback in 2023:
Ne-Yo
R&B singer Ne-Yo has had an incredible career, giving us huge hits including 'Closer', 'Miss Independent' and featuring on Pitbull's smash hit 'Give Me Everything'.
Ne-Yo released his debut single 'Stay' featuring Peedi Peedi back in 2005, but it was his second single 'So Sick', released in 2006, which was his breakthrough. Ne-Yo has won three Grammy Awards throughout his career, in addition to achieving five UK Number 1 singles.
Ne-Yo
In July 2022, he released his ninth studio album 'Self Explanatory'. In June 2023, he delighted fans when he entered the Love Island villa to deliver an epic performance for the Islanders.
There was even more great news for fans, as in November 2023, the 'Because of You' hitmaker announced a UK tour, commencing in March 2024 at the AO Arena in Manchester. The 'Champagne and Roses' tour will also see Ne-Yo visit Leeds, Cardiff, Newcastle and London, before concluding in Birmingham.
What's more, Ne-Yo will be supported by 'Let Me Love You' singer Mario at all of the UK dates.
Mario
American singer Mario achieved huge success thanks to songs including 'Let Me Love You', 'How Do I Breathe' and 'Just A Friend 2002', as well as appearing in films including Step Up and TV shows such as Empire.
After signing his first record deal at the age of just 14, Mario went on to release his self-titled debut album in 2002. Mario achieved huge success with 'Let Me Love You', which was released in 2004 and saw the singer nominated for the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, losing out to John Legend's 'Ordinary People'.
Mario
In November 2023, it was announced that Mario will be supporting Ne-Yo on his UK tour, which is taking place in March 2024. Ne-Yo wrote Mario's huge track 'Let Me Love You'.
50 Cent
Rapper 50 Cent has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and won an array of awards, including a Grammy Award a Primetime Emmy Award.
In 2002, he released his official debut mixtape 'Guess Who's Back?', leading him to be discovered by Eminem and signed to his label Shady Records. 50 Cent's 2003 album then produced massive hits such as 'In Da Club' and '21 Questions'.
50 Cent
In 2023, the hip-hop icon embarked on his highly-anticipated 'The Final Lap Tour', adding extra UK dates due to popular demand. 50 Cent visited cities including Glasgow, Manchester and London on the tour, joined by Busta Rhymes and special guest Jeremih.
Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes has released 10 albums throughout his career, gifting us with tracks including 'I Know What You Want', 'Touch It' and teaming up with The Pussycat Dolls on 'Don't Cha.'
In total, Busta Rhymes has been nominated for 12 Grammy Awards throughout his career.
Busta Rhymes
In 2023, Busta Rhymes supported 50 Cent on his 'The Final Lap Tour'. In November 2023, Busta Rhymes delighted fans in Newcastle by taking over a bar in the city centre, fresh from supporting 50 Cent.
Snoop Dogg
Legendary rapper and actor Snoop Dogg has sold an incredible 35 million albums worldwide. Back in 1992, Snoop Dogg featured on Dr Dre's debut solo single 'Deep Cover.'
Snoop Dogg then went on to release his debut solo album 'Doggystyle' in 1993, with the album produced by Dr Dre and producing singles including 'What's My Name?' and 'Gin and Juice'.
Snoop Dogg
In March 2023, Snoop Dogg came to the UK on his rescheduled 'I Wanna Thank Me' tour. The name of the tour is also the name of his 17th studio album, which was released in August 2019. The rapper stopped off at Belfast, Manchester, Glasgow, London, Leeds and Birmingham on the tour.
Ice Cube
Hip hop star Ice Cube is known for his success as a solo artist as well as a member of the group N.W.A, which saw him be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. Real name O'Shea Jackson, he has also appeared in an array of films including 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street and Ride Along.
Ice Cube
Ice Cube is embarking on a UK tour in December 2023, which will see him visit Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, London and Nottingham.
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