Near-Miss Hits: ’70s Edition

Summary

In this episode of Hit Parade, host Chris Molanphy explores the fascinating phenomenon of "near-miss" hits—songs that failed to reach the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 yet achieved enduring legendary status. Focusing specifically on the 1970s, a decade that solidified the Top 40 as a public cultural benchmark, Molanphy examines tracks that peaked at numbers two, eleven, and forty-one. The discussion highlights how chart performance is merely a snapshot of a single week, while streaming numbers in the modern era often reveal a different reality. By comparing historical peaks with current Spotify streams, the host demonstrates that many of these near-misses have actually eclipsed the popularity of the chart-topping songs they once followed. Key examples analyzed include Paul McCartney and Wings’ "Live and Let Die," Sister Sledge’s "We Are Family," and The Spinners’ "The Rubberband Man." Molanphy also sheds light on "frustrating" number eleven hits—like Cat Stevens’ "Wild World"—and the curious case of number forty-one songs, such as Elton John’s "Tiny Dancer" and ZZ Top’s "La Grange," illustrating how these tracks transcend their original chart positions to become defining staples of music history.

Updated Jun 30, 2026