K's Number 2 Singles Special - VA - The Greatest UK Number 2 Singles Which Were Scandalously Beaten to the Top Spot, 222 Classic Cuts (Super Deluxe Edition) [2023] (10x CD)

 

K's Number 2 Singles Special -

VA - The Greatest UK Number 2 Singles Which Were Scandalously Beaten to the Top Spot, 222 Classic Cuts (Super Deluxe Edition) [2023] (10x CD)

Some singles, however great, aren’t destined to go to Number 1. So, what are the best Number 2 singles which were cruelly kept off the top spot? The Beatles’ double A-side ‘Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever’ is often held up as one of the Fab Four’s finest releases, but it was beaten to Number 1 by Engelbert Humperdinck’s ‘Release Me’.

Sometimes it's just as impressive to nearly get a Number 1 in the UK, as the tracks that only ever peaked at Number 2 on the Official Singles Chart prove. Settling for your song peaking at Number 2 on the charts has got to be the ultimate gear-grinder for a musician. Even when success has come unexpectedly or out-of-the-blue, it's hard not to take being pipped at the final post personally.  It doesn't have to be the end of the story, though; some of the most successful songs of all time topped out at Number 2 on the UK Official Singles Chart.

"Penny Lane" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles that was released in February 1967 as a double A-side single with "Strawberry Fields Forever". It was written primarily by Paul McCartney and credited to the Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership. The lyrics refer to Penny Lane, a street in Liverpool, and make mention of the sights and characters that McCartney recalled from his upbringing in the city.

In Britain, due to chart protocol regarding double A-sides, it was the first Beatles single since "Please Please Me" in 1963 to fail to reach number 1 on the Record Retailer chart. It was also the first single by the Beatles to be sold with a picture sleeve in the UK, a practice rarely used there at that time, and was used as the basis for the cover art for this compilation.

Since the Beatles usually did not include songs released as singles on their albums, both "Penny Lane" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" were left off Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. With their omission, the Liverpool childhood theme that had been a loose concept behind the album was abandoned. George Martin later came to regret the decision to omit the two songs, describing it as "the biggest mistake of my professional life". 

"Penny Lane" / "Strawberry Fields Forever" was the first Beatles single since "Please Please Me" in 1963 to fail to reach number 1 on Record Retailer's chart (later the UK Singles Chart). With "Penny Lane" as the side favoured by the chart, the single was held at number 2 behind Engelbert Humperdinck's "Release Me", even though the Beatles' record sold considerably more. This was due to chart protocol whereby only the sales of the better-selling side of a double A-side were eligible, and the record's overall sales were effectively halved.

The Sweet only had one UK No.1 with "Block Buster!" but they were very unfortunate not to have had more. "Hell Raiser" entered the chart at No. 4 and peaked at No. 2. "The Ballroom Blitz" entered at No. 2 and got no higher and "Teenage Rampage" entered at No. 6 and peaked at No. 2. In total they had 5 No. 2 hits, the others being "Co-Co" and "Fox on the Run". 

"God Save the Queen" is a song by the English punk rock band the Sex Pistols. It was released as the band's second single and was later included on their only studio album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols. The song was released during Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee in 1977. The song reached No.1 on the NME charts in the United Kingdom, and made it to No. 2 on the official UK Singles Chart as used by the BBC. This led to accusations by some that the charts had been "fixed" to prevent the song from reaching No.1.

Upon its release, the song was banned from both the BBC and radio stations regulated by the Independent Broadcasting Authority with Radio 2 controller Charles McLelland saying the song was "in gross bad taste". Additionally, the major retailers Boots, WHSmith, and Woolworths all declined to sell the record. Nevertheless, it peaked at No. 2 (below Rod Stewart's "I Don't Want to Talk About It" released as a double A-side budget single along with "The First Cut Is the Deepest") on the official UK Singles Chart used by the BBC; it did so during the week of the Silver Jubilee's official observation. On the singles chart displayed in branches of WH Smith, the single's position at No. 2 was represented by a blank line.

However, various sources state that it was indeed the highest-selling single of the week, and it has been suggested that the song was deliberately blocked from reaching the top spot on the "official" BMRB chart. According to a 1998 article in The Independent,

for one week compilers "decreed that shops which sold their own records could not have those records represented in the chart", and thus sales from Virgin Megastores were not counted. Virgin had few doubts that theirs was the higher-selling single; the company's sales total out of stock exceeded the officially cited sales for the Rod Stewart single. The NME magazine chart did in fact place the single at number-one during the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II.

"Groove Is in the Heart" is a song by American dance band Deee-Lite, released in August 1990 as their debut and lead single from their first album, World Clique (1990). Written and produced by the band, it was a hit in many countries, reaching number-one in Australia and on both the Canadian RPM and US Billboard dance charts. Today it is widely recognized as a classic of its genre.  In the UK, the record was hugely popular with the single released with the subtitle "peanut butter mix" (because the single was heavily edited and completely omitted the contributions by Bootsy Collins and Q-Tip), it eventually reached number two during September 1990. Its placing second was due to a rule instituted in the UK Singles Chart in the 1980s, which settled any "ties" over chart positions due to equal sales: the single with sales that had increased most from the previous week would reside above the other, controversially giving "The Joker" by the Steve Miller Band the top place. Following complaints from Deee-Lite's record company, WEA, the rule, of which this song had been the only victim, was scrapped and joint positions were once again allowed. However, it turned out that the 2,595 panel sales that both records achieved for this week of September 15, 1990, had been rounded up, with chart compilers Gallup later releasing the data that showed that the Steve Miller Band hit was indeed a fraction ahead (selling about eight copies more than Deee-Lite). "The Joker" spent a second week at the number-one spot and thereafter convincingly outsold "Groove Is in the Heart".

"Roll with It" is a song by English rock band Oasis, written by lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. It was released on 14 August 1995 as the second single (the lead single being "Some Might Say") from their second studio album (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995).  In a highly publicised chart battle with Blur's single "Country House" dubbed "The Battle of Britpop," "Roll with It" reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. 

'Battle' with Blur

"Roll with It" received a great deal of attention when Food Records, the label of Britpop rivals Blur, moved the original release date of the single "Country House" to beat it on the charts, sparking what came to be known as "The Battle of Britpop". The British media had already reported an intense rivalry between the two bands and this clash of releases was seen as a battle for the number one spot. The media sensation was spurred on by verbal attacks from the respective camps (in particular Noel and Liam Gallagher, Damon Albarn and Alex James), that extended beyond the music industry to the point where the two bands were regularly mentioned on the evening news. In particular, public imagination was sparked by the contrast between the "working class" Oasis and the "middle class" Blur. In the end, Blur's "Country House" single sold 274,000 copies to Oasis' 216,000 copies of "Roll with It". The singles charted at number 1 and number 2 respectively. In the end, Blur triumphed. Despite claims that Oasis’ sales were hit by faulty bar codes, "Country House" rewarded Blur with their first No.1 single, and were duly crowned champions of the “Battle of Britpop” on 26 August 1995.

"Vienna" is a song by British new wave band Ultravox from their 1980 fourth studio album of the same name. It was released as the album's third single on 9 January 1981 by Chrysalis Records and features Midge Ure singing the lead vocal. The single spent four consecutive weeks at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart without ever reaching the top. It was kept off the top spot by John Lennon's "Woman" for a week and then by Joe Dolce's "Shaddap You Face" for a further three weeks."Vienna" is ranked as the UK's sixth best-selling single of 1981. The single was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in February 1981, denoting sales in excess of 500,000 copies in the UK. It also won Single of the Year at the 1981 Brit Awards. It was voted Britain's favourite single ever to peak at No. 2 on the charts in a 2012 poll by BBC Radio 2 and the Official Charts Company (OCC). It was also awarded an honorary No. 1 by the OCC.

A few interesting articles:

https://www.nme.com/photos/35-amazing-number-two-singles-which-were-scandalously-beaten-to-the-top-spot-1407629

https://amp.theguardian.com/culture/2022/nov/17/the-70-greatest-no-2-singles-ranked

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/R3pKcPFGDddCvv5VwwgKgc/the-nations-favourite-no-2-single-the-top-40

So, after exhaustive and extensive online research, plus my own recollections and memories, here is my personal compilation of what I consider to be the very best and most important UK Number 2 singles of all time.  This fully packed 10CD set contains many rare and extremely hard to find tracks, with a number of singles featured in their original 7" mono form. This compilation includes all the original studio recordings single edits and mixes as featured in the charts at the time. No later remixes, 'stereo enhanced' or live versions here!  Compiled as always using the very latest and highest quality digital remasters, with a considerable number of tracks sourced from the original master tapes for superior sound quality and enjoyment.

K

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Track lists

CD01

01 The Beatles - Penny Lane / Strawberry Fields Forever (Original 1967 UK Double A-side 7" Single) 7:09

02 Joe Tex - Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman) (Original 1977 7" Single Edit) 3:31

03 The Hollies - The Air That I Breathe 4:04

04 The Kinks - All Day and All of the Night (Original 1964 7" Mono Single Version) 2:22

05 Free - All Right Now (Original 1970 7" Single Version) 4:11

06 Supergrass - Alright 3:01

07 Don Mclean - American Pie (Original 1972 7" Single Version) 4:06

08 Kid Creole And The Coconuts - Annie, I'm Not Your Daddy (Original 1982 7" Single Version) 3:47

09 Adam And The Ants - "Antmusic" (Original 1980 7" Single Version) 3:15

10 Ringo Starr - Back Off Boogaloo 3:19

11 The Sweet - The Ballroom Blitz 4:01

12 Bomb The Bass - Beat Dis (Original 1987 7" Single Edit) 3:22

13 Kylie Minogue - Better the Devil You Know 3:53

14 The Dave Clark Five - Bits and Pieces 2:00

15 The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony (Radio Edit) 4:35

16 The Jam - The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had to Swallow) 3:32

17 Los Bravos - Black Is Black 2:56

18 Deep Purple - Black Night (Original 1970 7" Single Version) 3:25

19 Bobby Vinton - Blue Velvet 2:50

20 Madonna - Borderline (Original 1984 7" Single Remix) 3:58

21 Underworld - Born Slippy .NUXX (Single Edit) 4:18

CD02

22 The Rolling Stones - Brown Sugar / Bitch 7:28

23 The Foundations - Build Me Up Buttercup 2:58

24 Andy Williams - Can't Get Used to Losing You 2:22

25 The Police - Can't Stand Losing You 2:59

26 The Libertines - Can't Stand Me Now 3:24

27 T. Rex - Children of the Revolution 2:29

28 David Bowie - China Girl (Original 1983 7" Single Edit) 4:15

29 Abba - Chiquitita 5:26

30 Culture Club - Church of the Poison Mind 3:33

31 Faces - Cindy Incidentally 2:36

32 Pulp - Common People (Original 1995 7" Single Edit) 4:05

33 Kylie Minogue - Confide in Me (Radio Mix) 4:25

34 Squeeze - Cool for Cats 3:15

35 Madonna - Crazy for You (Original 1985 7" Single Version) 4:04

36 The Osmonds - Crazy Horses 2:30

37 Roxy Music - Dance Away 3:46

38 The Mamas & The Papas - Dedicated to the One I Love 2:58

39 Manic Street Preachers - A Design for Life 4:17

40 Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood - Did You Ever? 2:55

41 The Adventures Of Stevie V - Dirty Cash (Sold Out Mix 7" Edit) 3:57

42 Petula Clark - Downtown 3:03

43 Blondie - Dreaming 3:06

CD03

44 Barry Ryan - Eloise 5:41

45 Jay-z Feat. Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind 4:37

46 Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World 4:12

47 Wham! - Everything She Wants (7" Short Remix Version) 5:29

48 Keith West - Excerpt from 'A Teenage Opera?' 4:31

49 Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Fanfare for the Common Man (Original 1977 7" Single Edit) 2:58

50 Slade - Far Far Away 3:37

51 Gorillaz Feat. De La Soul - Feel Good Inc. 3:42

52 Cece Peniston - Finally (Original 1991 7" Choice Mix) 3:43

53 The Move - Flowers in the Rain (Original 1967 7" Mono Single Version) 2:26

54 Sweet - Fox on the Run (Original 1975 7" Single Version) 3:22

55 Lipps Inc. - Funkytown (Original 1980 7" Single Version) 3:56

56 The Spencer Davis Group - Gimme Some Lovin' (Original 1966 Fontana UK 7" Single Mix) 2:58

57 Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want to Have Fun 3:50

58 Plastic Ono Band - Give Peace a Chance 4:53

59 The Beach Boys - God Only Knows / Wouldn't It Be Nice (Original 1966 7" Mono Single Version) 5:16

60 Sex Pistols - God Save the Queen 3:19

61 Spandau Ballet - Gold (Original 1983 7" Single Version) 3:52

62 The Stranglers - Golden Brown 3:27

63 Deee-lite - Groove Is in the Heart (Original 1990 7" Peanut Butter Mix) 3:33

CD04

64 The Mindbenders - A Groovy Kind of Love 2:00

65 Slade - Gudbuy T'Jane 3:33

66 Altered Images - Happy Birthday 2:59

67 The Yardbirds - Heart Full of Soul 2:28

68 Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel 2:10

69 The Sweet - Hell Raiser 3:17

70 Them - Here Comes the Night (Original 1965 7" Mono Single Version) 2:48

71 Showaddywaddy - Hey Rock and Roll 3:23

72 The Swinging Blue Jeans - Hippy Hippy Shake 1:45

73 Madonna - Holiday (Original 1983 7" Single Edit) 4:18

74 Elvis Presley - Hound Dog / Don't Be Cruel 4:21

75 The Darkness - I Believe in a Thing Called Love 3:36

76 The Hollies - I Can't Let Go (Original 1966 7" Mono Single Version) 2:26

77 Taylor Swift - I Knew You Were Trouble 3:39

78 The Jackson 5 - I Want You Back (Original 1969 7" Mono Single Version) 3:00

79 Manfred Mann - If You Gotta Go, Go Now (Original 1965 7" Mono Single Version) 2:29

80 La Roux - In for the Kill (Radio Edit) 4:08

81 Coldplay - In My Place 3:48

82 Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight 5:36

83 The Police - Invisible Sun 3:44

84 David Bowie - The Jean Genie (Original 1972 7" Single Mix) 4:05

85 T. Rex - Jeepster 4:10

86 The Hollies - Just One Look (Original 1964 7" Mono Single Version) 2:30

CD05

87 The Klf Feat. Tammy Wynette - Justified & Ancient (Stand by The JAMs) (Original 1991 7" Single Version) 3:37

88 Marillion - Kayleigh (Original 1985 7" Single Version) 3:34

89 The Human League - (Keep Feeling) Fascination 3:43

90 Kim Wilde - Kids in America 3:24

91 Queen - Killer Queen 3:01

92 Rod Stewart - The Killing of Georgie (Part I and II) 6:29

93 Adam And The Ants - Kings of the Wild Frontier 3:55

94 X-press 2 Feat. David Byrne - Lazy 4:15

95 Small Faces - Lazy Sunday 3:07

96 Peter, Paul & Mary - Leaving on a Jet Plane 3:25

97 Wings - Let 'Em In 5:11

98 The Beatles - Let It Be (1970 7" George Martin Single Version) 3:52

99 Chris Montez - Let's Dance (Original 1962 London Records 7" Mono Single Version) 2:25

100 Chubby Checker - Let's Twist Again (Original 1961 Parkway Records 7" Mono Single Version) 2:18

101 Madonna - Live to Tell (Original 1986 7" Single Edit) 4:38

102 Little Eva - The Loco-Motion 2:27

103 The Kinks - Lola (Original 1970 UK 7" Mono Single Version) 4:06

104 Rose Royce - Love Don't Live Here Anymore (Original 1978 7" Single Version) 3:52

105 Roxy Music - Love Is the Drug 4:09

106 The B-52's - Love Shack (Original 1989 7" Single Edit) 4:20

CD06

107 Eminem Feat. Rihanna - Love The Way You Lie 4:23

108 The Cardigans - Lovefool 3:18

109 Minnie Riperton - Lovin' You (Original 1975 7" Single Edit) 3:22

110 Boney M. - Ma Baker (Original 1977 7" Single Version) 4:35

111 Space - Magic Fly (Original 1977 7" Single Version) 4:19

112 The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour 2:49

113 Fleetwood Mac - Man of the World 3:00

114 The Bangles - Manic Monday 3:05

115 Cat Stevens - Matthew & Son 2:40

116 Elvis Presley - A Mess of Blues 2:40

117 Kelis - Milkshake 3:01

118 The Human League - Mirror Man 3:50

119 Pulp - Mis-Shapes / Sorted for E's & Wizz 7:24

120 David Bowie - Modern Love (Original 1983 7" Single Edit) 3:56

121 The Seekers - Morningtown Ride (Original 1966 7" Mono Single Version) 2:40

122 Charlie Rich - The Most Beautiful Girl 2:42

123 Cliff Richard And The Drifters - Move It! (Original 1958 Columbia Records 7" Mono Single Version) 2:21

124 Outkast - Ms. Jackson (Radio Mix) 3:59

125 Stardust - Music Sounds Better with You (Radio Edit) 4:20

126 Millie Small - My Boy Lollipop 2:02

127 Alvin Stardust - My Coo Ca Choo 2:47

128 Slade - My Friend Stan 2:42

129 The Who - My Generation (Original 1965 7" Mono Single Version) 3:20

CD07

130 Embrace - Nature's Law 4:07

131 Inxs - Need You Tonight (Original 1987 7" Single Version) 3:03

132 Gloria Gaynor - Never Can Say Goodbye (Original 1974 7" Single Version) 2:59

133 Prince - 1999 (7" Stereo Edit) / Little Red Corvette (7" Edit) 6:45

134 The Rolling Stones - 19th Nervous Breakdown (Original 1966 7" Mono Single Version) 3:58

135 Ariana Grande - No Tears Left to Cry 3:26

136 Laurie Anderson - O Superman (for Massenet) 8:22

137 Elvis Costello And The Attractions - Oliver's Army 2:59

138 Randy Crawford - One Day I'll Fly Away (Original 1980 7" Single Edit) 4:20

139 Daft Punk - One More Time (Short Radio Edit) 3:57

140 Yazoo - Only You 3:11

141 Marie Osmond - Paper Roses 2:40

142 Clarence Carter - Patches 3:11

143 Britney Spears - Piece of Me 3:32

144 The Beatles - Please Please Me (Original 1963 7" Mono Single Version) 2:01

145 Rihanna - Pon de Replay (Radio Edit) 3:34

146 M - Pop Muzik (Original 1979 7" Single Edit) 3:18

147 Salt-n-pepa - Push It (Original 1987 UK 7" Radio Edit) 3:27

148 Queen - Radio Ga Ga 5:43

149 Madonna - Ray of Light 5:20

CD08

150 Supergrass - Richard III 3:13

151 T. Rex - Ride a White Swan 2:16

152 Gary Glitter - Rock and Roll (Parts 1 & 2) 6:01

153 Andy Kim - Rock Me Gently 3:25

154 Elton John - Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long Long Time) 4:42

155 Oasis - Roll with It 3:58

156 Duran Duran - Save a Prayer (1982 UK 7" Single Edit) 5:26

157 The Drifters Feat. Ben E. King - Save the Last Dance for Me (Original 1960 7" Mono Single Version) 2:32

158 Manfred Mann - Semi-Detached Suburban Mr. James (Original 1966 7" Mono Single Version) 2:38

159 Taylor Swift - Shake It Off 3:39

160 Bay City Rollers - Shang-a-Lang 3:03

161 Janet Kay - Silly Games (Original 1979 7" Single Version) 3:40

162 Wings - Silly Love Songs 5:55

163 Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke 3:54

164 James - Sit Down (1991 New Version) 4:04

165 The Bluetones - Slight Return 3:19

166 T. Rex - Solid Gold Easy Action 2:22

167 Queen - Somebody to Love 4:57

168 Blur - Song 2 2:01

169 The Beautiful South - Song for Whoever (Original 1989 7" Single Version) 4:05

170 Rihanna - SOS (Rescue Me) 3:59

CD09

171 Coldplay - Speed of Sound 4:50

172 Nicki Minaj - Starships 3:30

173 Spice Girls - Stop 3:26

174 Ralph Mctell - Streets of London 4:08

175 Clout - Substitute 3:25

176 Donovan - Sunshine Superman (Original 1966 7" Mono Single Version) 3:16

177 Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds 4:21

178 Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (Original 1983 7" Single Version) 3:36

179 A-ha - Take on Me (Alan Tarney 1985 7" Single Version) 3:47

180 The Sweet - Teenage Rampage 3:34

181 Heaven 17 - Temptation (Original 1983 7" Single Version) 3:01

182 The Crystals - Then He Kissed Me (Original 1963 7" Mono Single Version) 2:39

183 Sparks - This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us 3:03

184 The Everly Brothers - (Till) I Kissed You 2:24

185 The Teddy Bears - To Know Him Is to Love Him 2:21

186 Elias And His Zig-zag Jive Flutes - Tom Hark (Original 1956 Columbia Records 7" Mono Single Version) 2:17

187 Soft Cell - Torch (Original 1982 7" Single Version) 4:08

188 Natalie Imbruglia - Torn 4:04

189 Laurel & Hardy With The Avalon Boys Feat. Chill Wills And Rosina Lawrence - The Trail of the Lonesome Pine 2:09

190 Chumbawamba - Tubthumping (Radio Mix) 3:30

191 Squeeze - Up the Junction 3:08

192 Diana Ross - Upside Down (Original 1980 7" Single Edit) 3:41

193 Kings Of Leon - Use Somebody 3:53

CD10

194 Mark Ronson Feat. Amy Winehouse - Valerie (Single Edit) 3:37

195 The Everly Brothers - Wake Up Little Susie (Original 1957 Cadence Records 7" Mono Single Version) 2:00

196 The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset (Original 1967 7" True Stereo Single Version) 3:18

197 Queen - We Are the Champions / We Will Rock You 5:05

198 The Animals - We've Gotta Get Out of This Place (Original 1965 Columbia UK 7" Mono Single Version) 3:14

199 Pet Shop Boys Feat. Dusty Springfield - What Have I Done to Deserve This? (Original 1987 7" Single Version) 4:23

200 Percy Sledge - When a Man Loves a Woman (Original 1966 7" Mono Single Version) 2:55

201 Nat King Cole - When I Fall in Love 3:10

202 The Killers - When You Were Young 3:38

203 Dido - White Flag 4:01

204 The Troggs - Wild Thing (Original 1966 7" Mono Single Version) 2:35

205 Sam Cooke - Wonderful World (Original 1960 7" Mono Single Version) 2:07

206 Oasis - Wonderwall 4:18

207 Carpenters - Yesterday Once More (Original 1973 7" Single Version) 3:59

208 Bachman-turner Overdrive - You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet (Original 1974 7" Single Version) 3:27

209 Desmond Dekker - You Can Get It If You Really Want 2:38

210 Barry White - You See the Trouble with Me (Original 1976 7" Single Version) 3:20

211 Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing (Original 1975 7" Single Version) 4:02

212 The Fortunes - You've Got Your Troubles 3:25

213 Candi Staton - Young Hearts Run Free (Original 1976 7" Single Edit) 3:51

214 Lou Busch And His Orchestra - Zambezi (Original 1956 Capitol Records 7" Mono Single Version) 2:37

215 Ultravox - Vienna (Original 1981 7" Single Edit) 4:39

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