Reaching number one on the Billboard Top 100 is a huge accomplishment for any artist. It solidifies their work as a critical success, providing a tangible measurement of a song's performance. However, many songs don't reach this milestone, even when it feels like they should have.

The Billboard charts are based on a track's performance, including sales, streaming and radio airplay, measured over the week. A song can spend many weeks in the Top 10, getting lots of s and plays, and never be the top-performing track. Many popular songs seem like they should have topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 but, for varying reasons, never actually claimed that spot. For the following hits, the fact that they weren't number one is simply shocking.

10 no tears left to cry

Ariana Grande, 2018

After launching her music career and producing three great studio albums, Ariana Grande was prepared to make the fourth her best one yet. Still trying to shake the child star stigma after her run on Nickelodeon's Victorious, Sweetener was an adult sound that focused on the raw emotions that Grande was feeling post-breakup with actor Pete Davidson. The lead single, "no tears left to cry," was marketed as a comeback track to generate buzz about the new album. However, the single debuted at number three on the charts.

Though it never reached number one, it continued her streak of her lead singles debuting in the top ten. With the deluxe version of her latest album, eternal sunshine, and the second film in the Wicked series coming out this year, we know that Ariana Grande is not slowing down anytime soon. This one song not making number one might be shocking, but she is no stranger to holding that spot, and we should expect to see her there again in the future.

9 Radioactive

Imagine Dragons, 2012

In late 2012, "Radioactive" was the breakout single of pop rock band Imagine Dragons. It became an instant radio hit, being used in commercials and movies for years to come. With its distinct and powerful vocals and hard rock influences, it was hard to turn on the radio and not hear this catchy and inspiring anthem. With that in mind, it might be shocking to learn that the song peaked at number three on the charts.

With its distinct and powerful vocals and hard rock influences, it was hard to turn on the radio and not hear this catchy and inspiring anthem.

"Radioactive" never hit number one, but it did provide the band with their first Top 10 single. The success of this song led to a significant music career, spawning more albums with their latest, Loom, being released in 2024. Their song "Warriors" was also used in a League of Legends promotional music video, and they have also created music for the game's spin-off Netflix series, Arcane, including the opening song, "Enemy."

8 Gangnam Style

PSY, 2012

Perhaps one of the most meme-able songs from the early 2010s, "Gangnam Style" was an inescapable earworm at the time. Since it was such a hit, perhaps even considered a one-hit wonder, it might come as a surprise that it never reached the number one spot in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The song peaked at number two on the charts, but it still set impressive records.

"Gangnam Style" became the highest-charting song by a South Korean artist at the time of its release. It set an important precedent and opened the door for other Korean and Asian artists to make their way into mainstream American music. While K-Pop is an incredibly popular genre on its own, this song broke through the divide and even those who weren't dedicated K-Pop fans were dancing along with PSY's iconic moves.

7 Unwritten

Natasha Bedingfield, 2004

Whenever you need a pick-me-up or a song that makes you feel like you're dancing in the rain, you can turn to Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten." With its upbeat energy and motivational lyrics, it easily became a hit that just feels so freeing to sing along to. It's a wonder that this song never reached number one, only going as high as number three on the charts.

The song has had a huge cultural impact, being featured in visual media since its release. Most recently, the song was included in an important moment of character development in the 2023 movie Anyone But You, starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell. Its feature in the movie brought it back into the Top 20 at the time of the film's release. It's a classic early 2000s feel-good jam, but it just never cracked that number-one spot.

6 Take Me to Church

Hozier, 2013

Hozier set himself apart from the mainstream music scene when he debuted his single "Take Me to Church" in 2013. His unique, sultry voice paired with his effortlessly poetic lyrics was the perfect formula to skyrocket him to stardom. This single also gained notoriety within the LGBTQ+ community for the music video's depiction of a gay couple facing homophobia. It seemed like this song would be an easy number-one hit.

While "Take Me to Church" only peaked at number two in 2014, Hozier did finally get a number one hit a decade later. The surprise release of his song "Too Sweet" did delight fans after a clip of the chorus went viral on TikTok. It reached the number one spot in 2024, the first time that Hozier has ever gained this achievement.

5 What Makes You Beautiful

One Direction, 2011

After forming on the British version of The X Factor, One Direction easily stole the hearts of teenagers across the world. They might not have won big on their season, but they hit the jackpot as they continued to release music and tour. Their debut single "What Makes You Beautiful" seems like a no-contest number-one hit. It's got catchy, romantic lyrics and an upbeat vibe. This song was popular with fans and well-known in the media, as it became the driving force behind the band's popularity. However, it only peaked at number four on the American charts.

Though they never reached a number-one hit outside of the United Kingdom, their albums consistently reached number one until Made In The A.M., which was their final album and also their first without member Zayn Malik. The boys have also found varying degrees of success as solo artists, with Harry Styles and Niall Horan having two number-one hits each. Zayn Malik's debut single of his solo career, "Pillowtalk," and his collaboration with Taylor Swift on "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" both reached number one as well. Liam Payne, who tragically ed away at the end of 2024, never had a number-one hit in his solo career.

4 Bad Romance

Lady Gaga, 2009

It's hard to believe that with a long and memorable career, pop star Lady Gaga has only had six songs that topped the Billboard Hot 100. Her out-of-the-box style and unique sound have always propelled her into the spotlight, making people take notice of her. Everything about her single "Bad Romance" is iconic, from its signature dance to the random words in the post-chorus. This song is a staple of pop culture, and yet it never reached the number-one spot on the U.S. chart, peaking at number two on the Hot 100.

Lady Gaga has had multiple number ones in other countries, and several of her albums have debuted at number one, including her most recent record, Mayhem. She is going to continue making music that is true to herself and her style, putting her heart into everything she does. She has also amassed several acting credits to her name, and she shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

3 Fast Car

Tracy Chapman, 1988

"Fast Car" became an overnight sensation after Tracy Chapman performed it at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute. Her debut album had just been released, and this song became the stand-out track. It peaked at number six on the charts in 1988. Even the cover that Luke Combs released in 2023 reached number four, although it did reach number one on the country charts. The song got another moment in the spotlight and began charting again after Chapman and Combs performed the song together at the 2024 Grammy Awards.

This song became an important milestone for Black artists in the country music scene and remains a classic to this day.

While Tracy Chapman has never had a number-one hit herself, her influence on the country music scene is evident. After Luke Combs's cover of "Fast Car" went viral, Chapman became the first Black artist with solo writing credits on a country song to reach number one on the charts. This song became an important milestone for Black artists in the country music scene and remains a classic to this day.

2 Mr. Brightside

The Killers, 2003

The early 2000s were the golden age of pop punk and alternative rock. Bands like Green Day and Blink-182 were exposing the public to a more gritty, edgier sound that defied all rules and authority. The Killers emerged as part of this scene, though many consider them to be a one-hit wonder. "Mr. Brightside" was a smash hit for the band, evolving into a song one would come to expect at any wedding or bar outing. Despite its massive impact and presence in pop culture, the song never reached number one. In fact, it has now sured "Wonderwall" by Oasis as the United Kingdom's most successful song that never became number one in the U.S.

Though The Killers never got to that top spot, their impact on modern music is still evident, and this song has become a cultural phenomenon. It has been featured in movies and other media as well, connecting with the audience over a song they are likely to know. You might even know some of the words without even realizing it, and you'll find yourself singing along the next time this tune comes on the radio.

1 Don't Stop Believin'

Journey, 1981

As one of the most recognizable songs of all time, it's hard to believe that the Journey's iconic motivational anthem "Don't Stop Believin'" never reached number one on the charts. Just from those first few notes of the piano, any crowd is sure to be singing along by the second verse. It is so classic and well-loved, that it seems like it should've graced that spot, or at least the top five. The song peaked at number nine on the charts, though the album it is featured on, Escape, did reach number one.

The cultural impact of this song is incredible. It soared in popularity again in 2007 after being included in the finale of the TV show The Sopranos. Forbes recognized the track as "the biggest song of all time" in 2024. It's hard to deny the significance of the track and how beloved it is, and it's unbelievable to think that it never reached number one on the charts. Regardless of occupying the number one spot or not, "Don't Stop Believin'" will continue to be a classic and inspire generations for years.