The music charts are an unpredictable beast. Fergie has three times as many #1 singles as Led Zeppelin, The Who, and the Grateful Dead combined. It’s difficult to dissect why exactly this is, other than the fact that certain artists have no desire to appeal to the majority. Their own artistic vision and judgment has first priority. Classic albums, after all, are often praised for their idiosyncrasies and unique twists. Groups like Zeppelin, and the others below, opt for lasting stylistic influence rather than radio gold:
Led Zeppelin
One of the definitive rock bands, Led Zeppelin released several albums that reached #1 on the charts. From Led Zeppelin II in 1969 to their eighth album, In Through the Out Door, in 1979, Led Zeppelin hit #1 with every one of their albums. Despite this, not one of their songs was a #1 single. “Whole Lotta Love” technically hit #1 in Australia and Germany, but nowhere else. Led Zeppelin were more album-focused groups, rarely putting much effort into singles. Much of their campaign budget was spent on promoting the album, as the Led Zep’s chief songwriters were always keen on albums flaunting a thematic focus. Like many great classic rock groups, they made albums instead of songs.
The Who
Another rock great, The Who never had a #1 song either despite several successful albums and a cult film in 1975’s Tommy, based on their 1969 concept album of the same name. But what about “Pinball Wizard”? Everyone knows that one. Well, “Pinball Wizard” peaked at #4 in the UK, and wasn’t even the highest-charting single for The Who. That honor goes to “My Generation” in 1965 and “I’m a Boy” in 1966, which both peaked at #2. The Who are another big name in the list of accomplished artists who never had a #1 single.
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead have the definition of a cult following, a contingent of fans that obsessively seek every recording – live and not – that the band puts out. It would be difficult to call the Grateful Dead album-focused like The Who and Led Zeppelin, but it’s also unrealistic to say they wanted to create singles. Really, they were a live band, whose primary recognition and profits came from legendary live shows. As a result, their aim was to never put a #1 single on record. Instead, it was to satisfy fans that remain dedicated to this day.
Bob Dylan
Although “Like a Rolling Stone” came close (#2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the UK singles chart), the great Bob Dylan never had a #1 single. Talk about a guy who couldn’t care one way or the other what the radio was playing. Dylan was always a student of the venerable folk tradition, where gripping narratives formed like poetry and songs became even better upon repeated listens. Even when Dylan’s songs are infectious the first time around, there is an unparalleled depth to them that is absent among radio hits.
The Jam
Paul Weller’s first breakthrough act, The Jam, was hugely influential toward later variations of post-punk and new-wave. Weller’s engrossing songwriting and Bruce Foxton’s hypnotic bass grooves led the band’s crisp rhythmically-inclined sound, which spawned six successful albums. Still, their singles never came even close to cracking the Top 10. They were another group focused on making albums as opposed to radio hits.
Van Morrison
It’s surprising that “Brown Eyed Girl” isn’t Van Morrison’s highest-charting single. That peaked at #10, but his 1970 single “Domino” charted one spot better. Although Van Morrison would go on to craft one of the most mesmerizing musical careers known, he would never write a #1 single.
Depeche Mode
Electro-pop giants Depeche Mode have somehow evaded the #1 spot despite having several singles that easily reached the Top Ten. “Master and Servant”, “People Are People”, and “Just Can’t Get Enough” are just a few of their tracks within the Top Ten in either the UK or US.
The Cure
The Cure followers have the stereotype of wearing dark clothes and projecting a downcast demeanor, but they sure as hell are passionate devoted followers of their favorite band. The Cure had several songs reach the Top Ten, including “The Love Cats” and “Lovesong”, but they never reached #1 in the major charts. Yet another hugely influential group with no #1 singles who proves that Billboard means nothing when evaluating an artist’s impact and talent.
Greatest Bands to Never Score a Number One Single
The music charts are an unpredictable beast. Fergie has three times as many #1 singles as Led Zeppelin, The Who, and the Grateful Dead combined. It’s difficult to dissect why exactly this is, other than the fact that certain artists have no desire to appeal to the majority. Their own artistic vision and judgment has first priority. Classic albums, after all, are often praised for their idiosyncrasies and unique twists. Groups like Zeppelin, and the others below, opt for lasting stylistic influence rather than radio gold:
Led Zeppelin
One of the definitive rock bands, Led Zeppelin released several albums that reached #1 on the charts. From Led Zeppelin II in 1969 to their eighth album, In Through the Out Door, in 1979, Led Zeppelin hit #1 with every one of their albums. Despite this, not one of their songs was a #1 single. “Whole Lotta Love” technically hit #1 in Australia and Germany, but nowhere else. Led Zeppelin were more album-focused groups, rarely putting much effort into singles. Much of their campaign budget was spent on promoting the album, as the Led Zep’s chief songwriters were always keen on albums flaunting a thematic focus. Like many great classic rock groups, they made albums instead of songs.
The Who
Another rock great, The Who never had a #1 song either despite several successful albums and a cult film in 1975’s Tommy, based on their 1969 concept album of the same name. But what about “Pinball Wizard”? Everyone knows that one. Well, “Pinball Wizard” peaked at #4 in the UK, and wasn’t even the highest-charting single for The Who. That honor goes to “My Generation” in 1965 and “I’m a Boy” in 1966, which both peaked at #2. The Who are another big name in the list of accomplished artists who never had a #1 single.
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead have the definition of a cult following, a contingent of fans that obsessively seek every recording – live and not – that the band puts out. It would be difficult to call the Grateful Dead album-focused like The Who and Led Zeppelin, but it’s also unrealistic to say they wanted to create singles. Really, they were a live band, whose primary recognition and profits came from legendary live shows. As a result, their aim was to never put a #1 single on record. Instead, it was to satisfy fans that remain dedicated to this day.
Bob Dylan
Although “Like a Rolling Stone” came close (#2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the UK singles chart), the great Bob Dylan never had a #1 single. Talk about a guy who couldn’t care one way or the other what the radio was playing. Dylan was always a student of the venerable folk tradition, where gripping narratives formed like poetry and songs became even better upon repeated listens. Even when Dylan’s songs are infectious the first time around, there is an unparalleled depth to them that is absent among radio hits.
The Jam
Paul Weller’s first breakthrough act, The Jam, was hugely influential toward later variations of post-punk and new-wave. Weller’s engrossing songwriting and Bruce Foxton’s hypnotic bass grooves led the band’s crisp rhythmically-inclined sound, which spawned six successful albums. Still, their singles never came even close to cracking the Top 10. They were another group focused on making albums as opposed to radio hits.
Van Morrison
It’s surprising that “Brown Eyed Girl” isn’t Van Morrison’s highest-charting single. That peaked at #10, but his 1970 single “Domino” charted one spot better. Although Van Morrison would go on to craft one of the most mesmerizing musical careers known, he would never write a #1 single.
Depeche Mode
Electro-pop giants Depeche Mode have somehow evaded the #1 spot despite having several singles that easily reached the Top Ten. “Master and Servant”, “People Are People”, and “Just Can’t Get Enough” are just a few of their tracks within the Top Ten in either the UK or US.
The Cure
The Cure followers have the stereotype of wearing dark clothes and projecting a downcast demeanor, but they sure as hell are passionate devoted followers of their favorite band. The Cure had several songs reach the Top Ten, including “The Love Cats” and “Lovesong”, but they never reached #1 in the major charts. Yet another hugely influential group with no #1 singles who proves that Billboard means nothing when evaluating an artist’s impact and talent.
Around the Web