Though they fell short of the Hot 100’s top spot, some No. 2 hits have generated cultural legacies that rival or even eclipse their chart-topping competition.
Dua Lipa, Juice WRLD, LeAnn Rimes, and Eddie Murphy.
Kevin Mazur/GI for The Recording Academy. JA/Everett Collection. Rick Kern/WireImage. Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via GI
In his autobiography Q, Quincy Jones wrote, “Numbers 2, 6, and 11 are my least-favorite chart positions.” It doesn’t take a Jones-like genius to determine why. Despite a clear vote of public favor, each song that peaks at those ranks can come with a pang of disappointment as a song’s creators and performers just miss out on forever claiming a No. 1, top five or top 10 hit.
Yet, particularly with No. 2-peaking hits, many of those narrow misses have evolved into iconic tracks with pop-culture legacies that rival or even eclipse their contemporary competition. Some – including a case a few years ago – sustain enough momentum to leapfrog No. 1 hits and become the year’s top Hot 100 single, others provide a springboard of momentum for artists to eventually capture that chart-topping hit on a subsequent try, and a select few dominate pop culture so strongly that you’d swear that they definitely, surely, undoubtedly topped the chart – before the facts reveal otherwise.
While the No. 1s get plenty of shine, let’s celebrate another slate of hit singles that deserve a moment in the spotlight. Here is Billboard’s official countdown of the top 50 songs to peak at No. 2 on the Hot 100.
Billboard’s Biggest No. 2 Hits recap ranking is based on weekly performance on the Hot 100 through Aug. 15, 2026, with eligibility limited to songs that peaked at No. 2 and excluding holiday tracks that have seasonal returns to the chart. Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at lower spots earning the least. Due to changes in chart methodology over the years, eras are weighted differently to account for chart turnover rates during various periods.
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En Vogue, “Don’t Let Go (Love)”
Weeks at No. 2: 4
Peak Date: Jan. 18, 1997
Just Behind: Toni Braxton, “Un-Break My Heart” -
Ritchie Valens, “Donna”
Weeks at No. 2: 2
Peak Date: Feb. 23, 1959
Just Behind: Lloyd Price, “Stagger Lee” -
The Spinners, “The Rubberband Man”
Weeks at No. 2: 3
Peak Date: Dec. 4, 1976
Just Behind: Rod Stewart, “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna be Alright)” -
Eddie Murphy, “Party All the Time”
Weeks at No. 2: 3
Peak Date: Dec. 28, 1985
Just Behind: Lionel Richie, “Say You, Say Me” -
Silver Convention, “Get Up and Boogie (That’s Right)”
Weeks at No. 2: 3
Peak Date: June 12, 1976
Just Behind: Wings, “Silly Love Songs” -
The Everly Brothers, “Bird Dog”
Weeks at No. 2: 3
Peak Date: Sept. 15, 1958
Just Behind: Domenico Modugno, “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)” and Tommy Edwards, “It’s All in the Game” -
Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”
Weeks at No. 2: 7
Peak Date: Dec. 5, 2009
Just Behind: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind” and Ke$ha, “TiK ToK” -
Ferrante & Teicher, “Exodus”
Weeks at No. 2: 1
Peak Date: Jan. 23, 1961
Just Behind: Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra, “Wonderland by Night” -
Ace of Base, “All That She Wants”
Weeks at No. 2: 3
Peak Date: Nov. 6, 1993
Just Behind: Meat Loaf, “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” -
Ciara Featuring Missy Elliott, “1, 2 Step”
Weeks at No. 2: 7
Peak Date: Jan. 8, 2005
Just Behind: Mario, “Let Me Love You” -
Sam Smith, “Stay With Me”
Weeks at No. 2: 2
Peak Date: Aug. 16, 2014
Just Behind: Magic!, “Rude” -
John Lennon, “Woman”
Weeks at No. 2: 3
Peak Date: March 21, 1981
Just Behind: REO Speedwagon, “Keep on Loving You” and Blondie, “Rapture” -
Céline Dion, “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now”
Weeks at No. 2: 5
Peak Date: Oct. 26, 1996
Just Behind: Los Del Rio, “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” and BLACKstreet featuring Dr. Dre, “No Diggity” -
Laura Branigan, “Gloria”
Weeks at No. 2: 3
Peak Date: Nov. 27, 1982
Just Behind: Lionel Richie, “Truly” and Toni Basil, “Mickey” -
Donna Lewis, “I Love You Always Forever”
Weeks at No. 2: 9
Peak Date: Aug. 24, 1996
Just Behind: Los Del Rio, “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” -
Jackson 5, “Dancing Machine”
Weeks at No. 2: 2
Peak Date: May 18, 1974
Just Behind: Ray Stevens, “The Streak” -
Keith Sweat, “Twisted”
Weeks at No. 2: 1
Peak Date: Aug. 17, 1996
Just Behind: Los Del Rio, “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” -
Deborah Cox, “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here”
Weeks at No. 2: 8
Peak Date: Dec. 5, 1998
Just Behind: R. Kelly & Céline Dion, “I’m Your Angel” and Brandy, “Have You Ever?” -
Taylor Swift, “You Belong With Me”
Weeks at No. 2: 1
Peak Date: Aug. 22, 2009
Just Behind: The Black Eyed Peas, “I Gotta Feeling” -
Chubby Checker, “Limbo Rock”
Weeks at No. 2: 2
Peak Date: Dec. 22, 1962
Just Behind: The Tornados, “Telstar” -
Backstreet Boys, “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)”
Weeks at No. 2: 2
Peak Date: Sept. 6, 1997
Just Behind: The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Puff Daddy & Mase, “Mo Money Mo Problems” and Mariah Carey, “Honey” -
Kelly Clarkson, “Since U Been Gone”
Weeks at No. 2: 1
Peak Date: April 9, 2005
Just Behind: 50 Cent featuring Olivia, “Candy Shop” -
Village People, “Y.M.C.A.”
Weeks at No. 2: 3
Peak Date: Feb. 3, 1979
Just Behind: Chic, “Le Freak” and Rod Stewart, “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” -
England Dan & John Ford Coley, “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight”
Weeks at No. 2: 2
Peak Date: Sept. 25, 1976
Just Behind: Wild Cherry, “Play That Funky Music” -
Juice WRLD, “Lucid Dreams”
Weeks at No. 2: 2
Peak Date: Oct. 6, 2018
Just Behind: Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B, “Girls Like You” -
Ed Sheeran, “Bad Habits”
Weeks at No. 2: 2
Peak Date: Aug. 28, 2021
Just Behind: The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, “Stay” -
Olivia Dean, “Man I Need”
Weeks at No. 2: 7
Peak Date: Jan. 31, 2026
Just Behind: Bruno Mars, “I Just Might” and Ella Langley, “Choosin’ Texas” -
Taio Cruz, “Dynamite”
Weeks at No. 2: 3
Peak Date: Aug. 21, 2010
Just Behind: Eminem featuring Rihanna, “Love the Way You Lie” -
Bette Midler, “From a Distance”
Weeks at No. 2: 1
Peak Date: Dec. 15, 1990
Just Behind: Stevie B, “Because I Love You (The Postman Song)” -
Marshmello & Bastille, “Happier”
Weeks at No. 2: 1
Peak Date: Feb. 16, 2019
Just Behind: Ariana Grande, “7 Rings” -
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
Weeks at No. 2: 8
Peak Date: Jan. 31, 2015
Just Behind: Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk!” -
Color Me Badd, “I Wanna Sex You Up”
Weeks at No. 2: 4
Peak Date: June 8, 1991
Just Behind: Extreme, “More Than Words” and Paula Abdul, “Rush Rush” -
Lady A, “Need You Now”
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo Weeks at No. 2: 2
Peak Date: March 20, 2010
Just Behind: Taio Cruz featuring Ludacris, “Break Your Heart” and Rihanna, “Rude Boy” -
Jim Reeves, “He’ll Have To Go”
Weeks at No. 2: 3
Peak Date: March 7, 1960
Just Behind: Percy Faith and His Orchestra, “The Theme from A Summer Place” -
Billie Eilish, “Birds of a Feather”
Weeks at No. 2: 3
Peak Date: Oct. 12, 2024
Just Behind: Shaboozey, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” -
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Weeks at No. 2: 3
Peak Date: May 16, 2015
Just Behind: Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth, “See You Again” -
Lifehouse, “Hanging by a Moment”
Weeks at No. 2: 4
Peak Date: June 16, 2001
Just Behind: Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya & P!nk, “Lady Marmalade” and Usher, “U Remind Me” -
Faith Hill, “Breathe”
Weeks at No. 2: 5
Peak Date: April 22, 2000
Just Behind: Santana featuring The Product G&B, “Maria Maria” and Aaliyah, “Try Again” -
OneRepublic, “Counting Stars”
Weeks at No. 2: 2
Peak Date: Jan. 18, 2014
Just Behind: Pitbull featuring Ke$ha, “Timber” -
The Tony Rich Project, “Nobody Knows”
Weeks at No. 2: 2
Peak Date: March 23, 1996
Just Behind: Céline Dion, “Because You Loved Me” -
Usher, “You Make Me Wanna…”
Weeks at No. 2: 7
Peak Date: Oct. 25, 1997
Just Behind: Elton John, “Candle in the Wind 1997” / “Something About the Way You Look Tonight” -
John Cougar (Mellencamp), “Hurts So Good”
Weeks at No. 2: 4
Peak Date: Aug. 7, 1982
Just Behind: Survivor, “Eye of the Tiger” -
Foreigner, “Waiting for a Girl Like You”
Weeks at No. 2: 10
Peak Date: Nov. 28, 1981
Just Behind: Olivia Newton-John, “Physical” and Daryl Hall John Oates, “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)” -
Shania Twain, “You’re Still the One”
Weeks at No. 2: 9
Peak Date: May 2, 1998
Just Behind: Next, “Too Close” and Brandy & Monica, “The Boy Is Mine” -
Tag Team, “Whoomp! (There It Is)”
Weeks at No. 2: 7
Peak Date: July 31, 1993
Just Behind: UB40, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and Mariah Carey, “Dreamlover” -
Timbaland featuring OneRepublic, “Apologize”
Weeks at No. 2: 4
Peak Date: Nov. 10, 2007
Just Behind: Chris Brown featuring T-Pain, “Kiss Kiss” and Alicia Keys, “No One” -
Benson Boone, “Beautiful Things”
Weeks at No. 2: 1
Peak Date: March 30, 2024
Just Behind: Teddy Swims, “Lose Control” -
Jewel, “You Were Meant for Me”
Weeks at No. 2: 2
Peak Date: April 19, 1997
Just Behind: Puff Daddy featuring Mase, “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” and The Notorious B.I.G., “Hypnotize” -
Dua Lipa, “Levitating”
Weeks at No. 2: 1
Peak Date: May 22, 2021
Just Behind: Silk Sonic, “Leave the Door Open” -
LeAnn Rimes, “How Do I Live”
Weeks at No. 2: 4
Peak Date: Dec. 13, 1997
Just Behind: Elton John, “Candle in the Wind 1997” / “Something About the Way You Look Tonight” and Savage Garden, “Truly Madly Deeply”
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