In the age of streaming, chart positions don’t really mean much any more. Sure, many artist like getting number ones, but what really matters is long-term sales. There are plenty of singles that have sold plenty of copies in the UK but failed to make the top 10 when they were released and here are 9 of them.
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‘Party in the U.S.A.’ by Miley Cyrus (2009)
‘Party in the U.S.A.’ was one the biggest hits Miley Cyrus scored while she was still associated with Disney and Hannah Montana. Though the song received a gold certification, it didn’t manage to break into the top 10, reaching a peak of number 11.
2. ‘Latch’ ft. Sam Smith by Disclosure (2012)
Though ‘Latch’ ft. Sam Smith went on to receive a platinum certification, it missed out on a top 10 place, reaching a peak of number 11. The song was released before Sam Smith released his debut album In the Lonely Hour.
3. ‘Run the World (Girls)’ by Beyoncé (2011)
‘Run the World (Girls)’ was the first single released from Beyoncé’s fourth album 4 and even though her previous lead singles (‘Crazy in Love’ ft. Jay-Z, ‘Déja Vu’ and ‘If I Were A Boy’) all hit the top spot, ‘Run the World (Girls)’ failed to match their success, reaching a peak of number 11. The song still managed to get a gold certification for sales of over 400,000.
4. ‘Hometown Glory’ by Adele (2008)
Adele’s first single release and the first song she ever wrote, ‘Hometown Glory’ is regarded as one of her best songs and even earned her a Grammy nomination. It managed to reach number 11 in the charts.
5. ‘Photograph’ by Ed Sheeran (2015)
The last single to be released from Ed Sheeran’s hugely popular second album X, ‘Photograph’ managed to earn a platinum certification for sales of over 600,000, despite peaking at number 15 in the charts.
6. ‘5,6,7,8’ by Steps (1997)
The first release by Steps reached a respectable 14 in the charts and it actually went on the become the biggest selling single of the decade not to make the top 10. The catchy song is one of Steps’ most successful singles, selling over 300,000 copies to date.
7. ‘All of the Lights’ by Kanye West ft. Rihanna (2010)
Though ‘All of the Lights’ won two Grammys in 2004, one for Best Rap Song and one for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, it managed to chart moderately, coming in at number 18. The song, which is regarded by many as the best on West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album, features vocals from John Legend, Alicia Keys, The Dream, Fergie, Elly Jackson, Elton John, Drake, Kid Cudi and Rihanna.
8. ‘Set Fire to the Rain’ by Adele (2011)
Another Adele song to miss the top 10, ‘Set Fire to the Rain’ was the third single from her ridiculously successful second album 21. Even though the song went platinum, it just missed out on a top 10 position, reaching number 11 in the charts.
9. ‘You Know I’m No Good’ by Amy Winehouse (2006)
Even though ‘You Know I’m No Good’ is considered one of Amy Winehouse’s signature songs, it missed the top 10, reaching number 18 in the charts. Following the singer’s untimely death, the song reentered the charts at number 37.
