The charts are certainly not everything. Frankly, to a great deal of musicians, they mean absolutely nothing. Although, in regards to the greater body of music history, they do hold quite a bit of weight. That is especially true for the most famous chart of them all, the Billboard Hot 100. For as long as anyone can remember, the Billboard Hot 100 has been the chart. However, it’s made its fair share of mistakes and criminally robbed bands of no. 1 hits, particularly in the 90s.
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Every decade has made music history; that is a fact, but there are a select few that go above and beyond the mediocrity of the others. One genre that did just that and birthed a whole new genre and movement of music was the 90s. We could go on a tangent about the importance of 90s music, but that isn’t what this article is about. Rather, this article is about the three 90s bands that never scored a no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
Nirvana
What? How? Why? Those are probably the three questions that are racking your brain at this very moment, but rack no more because there is nothing to rack over. Yes, even in their heyday, Nirvana never scored a no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Which is absolutely astonishing given that they were undoubtedly the biggest band in the world during the 90s.
Nirvana has a handful of songs certainly worthy of the no. 1 spot, but it seems the masses didn’t think the same. Nirvana’s highest-ranking song on the Billboard Hot 100 was their most popular song, “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, which peaked at no. 6 on the chart.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The (arguably) second most popular band of the 90s was the Red Hot Chili Peppers. However, as this list articulates, popularity and quality don’t always amount to a no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It didn’t for the Peppers, as the group has never scored a no. 1 hit on the chart despite the astounding notoriety.
Like Nirvana, the Peppers have a plethora of singles that could have easily been put at no. 1. They came close, however, they never reached the top of the mountain. As a matter of fact, they were one spot away, as their classic song, “Under The Bridge”, peaked at no. 2 on the chart.
Green Day
In regards to longevity, Green Day is likely the most successful 90s band of all time. However, the chart doesn’t care about other facets such as this one. Instead, it just cares about clicks, downloads, sales, and other numerical statistics. As a result, Green Day has never acquired a no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
Don’t get us wrong, Green Day has had quite a bit of success on the chart, but they have yet to reach no. 1. Despite not reaching no. 1 on the chart, Green Day has garnered two Top 10 hits with their singles, including “Wake Me Up When September Ends” and “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams”.
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