Beech Tree News Network

There have been tons of classic hits that peaked at #2, never reaching that top spot everybody thought at the time it was destined for.  This week, I’ll focus on the band with the most #2 hits with 5.  For all their success with those John Fogerty-penned classics, CCR never held the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.  In just a few years, Creedence Clearwater Revival generated one of the most amazing runs of hits in American pop history: from “Proud Mary” to “Green River”, “Bad Moon Risin’” to “Travelin’ Band”.  Reportedly, they even outsold The Beatles in America in 1969.  “Proud Mary” was kept out of the top spot by Sly and the Family Stone’s “Everyday People” and Tommy Roe’s “Dizzy”.

“Bad Moon Risin’” was kept out of the top spot by “Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet” by Henry Mancini and his Orchestra.  “Green River” was kept out of the top spot by “Sugar Sugar” by The Archies.  “Travelin’ Band/Who’ll Stop The Rain” (double A-side) was kept out of the top spot by “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” by Simon & Garfunkel.  The final CCR song that peaked at #2 was “Lookin’ Out My Back Door/”Long As I Can See The Light”.  The song that kept it from #1 was “Aint No Mountain High Enough” by Diana Ross.  Below are a few more you might not believe were kept out of the top.

“Rockin’ Robin-Bobby Day(1958) was kept out by “It’s All In The Game” by Tommy Edwards.  Roy Orbison’s “Crying “ was held out of the top spot by “Hit The Road, Jack” by Ray Charles in 1961.  “Be My Baby” by The Ronnettes was held out of the top by “Sugar Shack”  by Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs.  This one is embarrassing: “Louie Louie” by The Kingsmen was kept out of #1 by “Dominique” from The Singing Nun.  Far less embarrassing was “Dancing In The Street” by Martha & The Vandellas kept out of the top by Manfred Mann’s “Do Wah Diddy”. I’ll be back next week with part 2 of this list! (www.hooksandharmony.com)

Check out my podcast Blendertainment at the links below

https://open.spotify.com/show/61yTPt9wXdz37DZTbPUs16?si=w5jHghPVRmaTaP5ZEI-wzQ

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blendertainment/id1541097172