10 Classic Rock Songs That Never Made the Top 40 (Part 1)

[@dottiegillespie8067]

Thank you sir! Always a pleasure to see your videos!!!

[@bryozoa23]

Enjoying these videos! One idea for a list is for best instrumentals/songs with minimal lyrics as I was inspired when you posted one of my faves Rise by Herb Alpert in another list. Sooo many others to consider that I can enumerate. :-)

[@natasjaklaasen6938]

I really like your videos and I'm looking forward to see more of them. Sure I love music but your comments make the videos for me.

[@JimK2112]

AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” only peaked at 47 in 1979.

[@gunclemark8440]

Absolutely will include it on a future list. Thanks for the comment!

[@AlligatorArms]

The Breeders’ “Cannonball” at least went to #23 on Casey’s Top 40 in 1994, which I consider to be the “real” chart for most of the 90’s as radio was still very much a relevant thing back then & didn’t need to make frivolous methodology changes such as Billboard did in 1991. Also, I was shocked it even made it there-it came out just after I really started hardcore following pop music and I didn’t know it existed until 6 years later when I realized I was mostly into pop music for the alternative crossovers & started following modern rock instead. They played it so much I didn’t even realize it was an old song at the time. But yes, absolutely would be my #1 on this list as well, and one of my favorites of the entire 1990’s.

[@gunclemark8440]

Wish I'd heard Casey's show during those years. There might be an old upload on KZbin which would tell us his source for the list. It was probably an airplay list rather than combined with sales. Thanks for commenting!

[@AlligatorArms]

@@gunclemark8440 There was a KZbinr not too long ago who had hundreds of Casey, Rick Dees, and Shadoe Stevens episodes from the 70’s to 2000’s, with all the music cut out except for the intros & outtros. He either deleted his channel or it got taken down. Shame that all that work had to go for naught. His old shows are especially hard to find now, especially from the 90’s. But I do know that the source for those countdowns, since November 1991, was Radio & Records, which would eventually get bought out by Billboard in 2009. The data was compiled by Mediabase 24/7, which is still alive and well, but is not very accessible to anyone who isn’t a radio insider.

[@neesi1570]

@@AlligatorArms (Kris Bluth) I only ever heard the Casey Kasem ones and they were fantastic. There was one episode in particular after Walter Carlos came as a transgender where Casey very calmly gave a basic explanation of the whole thing and wished Wendy good luck in her future. For mainstream radio in 1979, it was sort of amazing. I was very sad when that channel got taken down.

[@neesi1570]

(Kris Bluth) As much as I love Casey Kasem, he just wasn't the same without Billboard behind him. Shadoe Stevens was alright (he even read a Long Distance Dedication I sent in), but yeah, Casey and American Top 40 were like milk and cookies. They were both at their best together.

[@grantfraser5430]

What a great collection of "underachievers". I remember watching Valley Girl, a so-so to forgettable movie, but instantly marked I Melt With You as a great song. That would be my favorite on this list, can't wait for part 2.

[@Hoi.1092]

Surrender by Cheap Trick an all time favourite of mine reached number 62 in 1978.

[@Hoi.1092]

And i also highly recommend a diamond in the rough i'm mandy fly me by 10cc which hit #60 in 1976

[@gunclemark8440]

Absolutely under consideration for a future list. Great choice. Thanks for commenting!

[@lyzetteg]

Gotta rep my boys, The Cure :) Did you know Fascination Street only peaked at #46??

[@gunclemark8440]

I had thought about including Why Can't I Be You or Pictures of You to get them on the list, to mention another pair of their classics. This is why I need a Part 2...or more. You know I love your oldies lists, so if you ever want to collaborate let me know!

[@DjStorm-1]

Don’t stop me now by Queen. Great song never reached the top 40.

[@gunclemark8440]

Their most famous song that didn't hit the top 40 might be I Want To Break Free, mostly because of the video. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@DjStorm-1]

@@gunclemark8440 Don’t stop me now is played at alot of weddings and parties. It’s even used in a commercial for visiting California. I think it’s definitely bigger than I want to break free.

[@craigrowland8429]

The Beatles' "From Me to You" only got to #41 on its second time around (after bubbling under in 1963).

[@gunclemark8440]

There were so many Beatles songs I could've chosen that surprisingly never made the top 40; I probably could make a top 10 list of just those! That might be a good idea for a future episode. BTW, I hope you had a great time in Vegas. Wish I could've been there too.

[@neesi1570]

(Again, I'm Kris Bluth posting under my wife's account). You already put "Tiny Dancer" on your #41 list, but I think it qualifies for this one as well. R.E.M. has multiple songs that are worthy: "Radio Free Europe" (#78), "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)" (#85), "Fall on Me" (#94)... ...wait, what the hell am I thinking? "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" (#69)! That's obviously the one! And I don't know if this is "classic" enough, but "Only In Your Heart" by America (#62) seems to be better regarded than some of their bigger hits today. My wife and I saw them live a couple of weeks ago (great show) and it was definitely a fan favorite...

[@gunclemark8440]

I'd rather not repeat songs if I don't have to, especially if an artist has multiple songs that can be used on future lists...such as REM. I'll definitely want to include them on the next list if there's enough votes. Thanks for commenting!

[@neesi1570]

Fair enough. Consider "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" my official entry for the next list, then.

[@freezer8530]

Other worthy suggestions that charted on the Billboard Hot 100 but fell short of the Top 40: "Purple Haze" - Jimi Hendrix (#65, 1967) "Foxey Lady" - Jimi Hendrix (#67, 1968) "Street Fighting Man" - The Rolling Stones (#48, 1968) "The Weight" - The Band (#63, 1968) "Ride My See-Saw" - The Moody Blues (#61, 1968) "Fresh Air" - Quicksilver Messenger Service (#49, 1970) "Cinnamon Girl" - Neil Young & Crazy Horse (#55, 1970) "Funk #49" - The James Gang (#59, 1970) "Walk Away" - The James Gang (#51, 1971) "Lucky Man" - Emerson, Lake & Palmer (#48, 1971; and #51, 1973) "Living In The U.S.A." - Steve Miller Band (#49, 1974) "The Pretender" - Jackson Browne (#58, 1977) "Wheel In The Sky" - Journey (#57, 1978) "Lights" - Journey (#68, 1978) "Highway To Hell" - AC/DC (#47, 1979) "Tom Sawyer" - Rush (#44, 1981)

[@gunclemark8440]

On my next list I definitely wanted to include Jimi, ELP, Journey, AC/DC, and Rush. I might need some time to get that video out, but it's pending. Thanks for commenting!

[@RadioLaPrincess]

How about Love My Way by the Psychedelic Furs? I remember it almost made the top 40, peaking in the 40's but never getting to at least 40.

[@donrumgay5200]

“Highway to Hell," AC/DC "Changes," David Bowie "Badlands," Bruce Springsteen "Don't Stop Me Now," Queen "Tiny Dancer," Elton John "You Can't Always Get What You Want," The Rolling Stones "Rebel Yell," Billy Idol "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)," R.E.M. “Tom Sawyer”, Rush “Surrender”, Cheap Trick “Good Times Roll”, The Cars “Comfortably Numb”, Pink Floyd (single didn’t even make the top 100)

[@krisfisher8274]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👍❤️

[@RedHeadedStorm]

Do kids even know what a side is

[@gunclemark8440]

Those who are into vinyl, like my nephew.