Stuck at 2: the 1970s
The table below lists every song that reached #2 in the UK charts during the 1970s, but did not make it to the top. When a single was kept off #1 by more than one song, each one is listed, along with how many weeks it kept its rival at #2.
| Month | Act, Title | Weeks at #2 | Act and song that kept it at #2 |
| Dec-69 | Kenny Rogers & The First Edition, Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town | 4 | Rolf Harris, Two Little Boys |
| Jan-70 | Elvis Presley, Suspicious Minds | 1 | Rolf Harris, Two Little Boys |
| Jan-70 | Kenny Rogers & The First Edition, Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town | 1 | Rolf Harris, Two Little Boys |
| Feb-70 | Peter Paul & Mary, Leavin’ On A Jet Plane | 1 | Edison Lighthouse, Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) |
| Feb-70 | Canned Heat, Let’s Work Together | 1 | Edison Lighthouse, Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) |
| Mar-70 | Jackson 5, I Want You Back | 1 | Lee Marvin, Wand’rin’ Star |
| Mar-70 | Beatles, Let It Be | 1 | Lee Marvin, Wand’rin’ Star |
| Apr-70 | Mary Hopkin, Knock Knock Who’s There | 1 | Simon & Garfunkel, Bridge Over Troubled Water |
| May-70 | Moody Blues, Question | 1 | England World Cup Squad, Back Home |
| Jun-70 | Mr Bloe, Groovin’ With Mr Bloe | 1 | Mungo Jerry, In The Summertime |
| Jul-70 | Free, All Right Now | 4 | Mungo Jerry, In The Summertime |
| Aug-70 | Free, All Right Now | 1 | Elvis Presley, The Wonder Of You |
| Aug-70 | Kinks, Lola | 1 | Elvis Presley, The Wonder Of You |
| Aug-70 | Hotlegs, Neanderthal Man | 2 | Elvis Presley, The Wonder Of You |
| Oct-70 | Desmond Dekker, You Can Get It If You Really Want | 2 | Freda Payne, Band Of Gold |
| Oct-70 | Deep Purple, Black Night | 2 | Freda Payne, Band Of Gold |
| Oct-70 | Clarence Carter, Patches | 3 | Matthews’ Southern Comfort, Woodstock |
| Dec-70 | McGuinness Flint, When I’m Dead And Gone | 2 | Dave Edmunds, I Hear You Knockin’ |
| Jan-71 | T Rex, Ride A White Swan | 1 | Clive Dunn, Grandad |
| Feb-71 | Mixtures, The Pushbike Song | 4 | George Harrison, My Sweet Lord |
| Mar-71 | Paul McCartney, Another Day | 1 | Mungo Jerry, Baby Jump |
| Mar-71 | Paul McCartney, Another Day | 1 | T.Rex, Hot Love |
| Apr-71 | Ray Stevens, Bridget The Midget (The Queen Of The Blues) | 3 | T.Rex, Hot Love |
| May-71 | Rolling Stones, Brown Sugar / Bitch / Let It Rock | 3 | Dawn, Knock Three Times |
| Jun-71 | R Dean Taylor, Indiana Wants Me | 1 | Dawn, Knock Three Times |
| Jun-71 | Tony Christie, I Did What I Did For Maria | 1 | Dawn, Knock Three Times |
| Jun-71 | Tony Christie, I Did What I Did For Maria | 1 | Middle Of The Road, Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep |
| Jul-71 | Hurricane Smith, Don’t Let It Die | 1 | Middle Of The Road, Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep |
| Jul-71 | Sweet, Co-Co | 2 | Middle Of The Road, Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep |
| Aug-71 | New Seekers, Never Ending Song Of Love | 2 | T.Rex, Get It On |
| Aug-71 | New Seekers, Never Ending Song Of Love | 3 | Diana Ross, I’m Still Waiting |
| Sep-71 | Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood, Did You Ever | 1 | The Tams, Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me |
| Oct-71 | Middle Of The Road, Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum | 1 | Rod Stewart, Maggie May |
| Oct-71 | Redbone, The Witch Queen Of New Orleans | 3 | Rod Stewart, Maggie May |
| Nov-71 | Tom Jones, Till | 1 | Slade, Cos I Luv You |
| Nov-71 | T Rex, Jeepster | 1 | Slade, Cos I Luv You |
| Dec-71 | T Rex, Jeepster | 4 | Benny Hill, Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West) |
| Jan-72 | Neil Reid, Mother Of Mine | 3 | The New Seekers, I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing |
| Mar-72 | Don McLean, American Pie | 1 | Chicory Tip, Son Of My Father |
| Mar-72 | Don McLean, American Pie | 2 | Nilsson, Without You |
| Mar-72 | New Seekers, Beg Steal Or Borrow | 3 | Nilsson, Without You |
| Apr-72 | Ringo Starr, Back Off Boogaloo | 2 | The Pipes & Drums & Military Band of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Amazing Grace |
| May-72 | Vicky Leandros, Come What May | 1 | The Pipes & Drums & Military Band of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Amazing Grace |
| May-72 | David Cassidy, Could It Be Forever / Cherish | 1 | T.Rex, Metal Guru |
| Jun-72 | Elton John, Rocket Man | 1 | T.Rex, Metal Guru |
| Jul-72 | Gary Glitter, Rock And Roll (Parts 1 And 2) | 3 | Donny Osmond, Puppy Love |
| Jul-72 | Dr Hook, Sylvias Mother | 1 | Donny Osmond, Puppy Love |
| Aug-72 | Terry Dactyl & The Dinosaurs, Seaside Shuffle | 2 | Alice Cooper, School’s Out |
| Sep-72 | T Rex, Children Of The Revolution | 1 | Slade, Mama Weer All Crazee Now |
| Sep-72 | T Rex, Children Of The Revolution | 2 | David Cassidy, How Can I Be Sure |
| Oct-72 | 10CC, Donna | 2 | Lieutenant Pigeon, Mouldy Old Dough |
| Nov-72 | Osmonds, Crazy Horses | 3 | Chuck Berry, My Ding-A-Ling |
| Dec-72 | Slade, Gudbuy T’Jane | 1 | Chuck Berry, My Ding-A-Ling |
| Jan-73 | T Rex, Solid Gold Easy Action | 1 | Little Jimmy Osmond, Long Haired Lover From Liverpool |
| Jan-73 | David Bowie, The Jean Genie | 1 | Little Jimmy Osmond, Long Haired Lover From Liverpool |
| Feb-73 | Gary Glitter, Do You Wanna Touch Me? (Oh Yeah) | 2 | The Sweet, Blockbuster |
| Feb-73 | Strawbs, Part Of The Union | 2 | The Sweet, Blockbuster |
| Mar-73 | Strawbs, Part Of The Union | 1 | Slade, Cum On Feel The Noize |
| Mar-73 | Faces, Cindy Incidentally | 1 | Slade, Cum On Feel The Noize |
| Apr-73 | Gary Glitter, Hello Hello I’m Back Again | 3 | Dawn, Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree |
| May-73 | Sweet, Hell Raiser | 1 | Dawn, Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree |
| May-73 | Sweet, Hell Raiser | 2 | Wizzard, See My Baby Jive |
| Jun-73 | Fleetwood Mac, Albatross (re-issue) | 1 | 10CC, Rubber Bullets |
| Aug-73 | Carpenters, Yesterday Once More | 1 | Gary Glitter, I’m The Leader Of The Gang (I Am) |
| Aug-73 | Carpenters, Yesterday Once More | 1 | Donny Osmond, Young Love |
| Sep-73 | Barry Blue, (Dancing) On A Saturday Night | 2 | Donny Osmond, Young Love |
| Sep-73 | Sweet, The Ballroom Blitz | 1 | Wizzard, Angel Fingers |
| Sep-73 | Sweet, The Ballroom Blitz | 2 | The Simon Park Orchestra, Eye Level |
| Oct-73 | Slade, My Friend Stan | 1 | The Simon Park Orchestra, Eye Level |
| Nov-73 | Osmonds, Let Me In | 1 | David Cassidy, Daydreamer / The Puppy Song |
| Nov-73 | Osmonds, Let Me In | 2 | Gary Glitter, I Love You Love Me Love |
| Dec-73 | Alvin Stardust, My Coo-Ca-Choo | 1 | Gary Glitter, I Love You Love Me Love |
| Dec-73 | Marie Osmond, Paper Roses | 1 | Gary Glitter, I Love You Love Me Love |
| Jan-74 | Leo Sayer, The Show Must Go On | 1 | The New Seekers, You Won’t Find Another Fool Like Me |
| Jan-74 | Sweet, Teenage Rampage | 3 | Mud, Tiger Feet |
| Mar-74 | Hollies, The Air That I Breathe | 1 | Paper Lace, Billy Don’t Be A Hero |
| Mar-74 | Charlie Rich, The Most Beautiful Girl | 1 | Paper Lace, Billy Don’t Be A Hero |
| Apr-74 | Mud, The Cat Crept In | 1 | Terry Jacks, Seasons In The Sun |
| May-74 | Mud, The Cat Crept In | 1 | Abba, Waterloo |
| May-74 | Bay City Rollers, Shang-A-Lang | 1 | The Rubettes, Sugar Baby Love |
| Jun-74 | Sparks, This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us | 2 | The Rubettes, Sugar Baby Love |
| Jun-74 | Showaddywaddy, Hey Rock And Roll | 1 | Ray Stevens, The Streak |
| Jul-74 | Drifters, Kissin In The Back Row Of The Movies | 3 | Charles Aznavour, She |
| Aug-74 | Stephanie De Sykes, Born With A Smile On My Face | 1 | George McCrae, Rock Your Baby |
| Aug-74 | Stylistics, You Make Me Feel Brand New | 1 | The Three Degrees, When Will I See You Again |
| Sep-74 | Donny & Marie Osmond, I’m Leaving It (All) Up To You | 1 | The Osmonds, Love Me For A Reason |
| Oct-74 | Andy Kim, Rock Me Gently | 1 | John Denver, Annie’s Song |
| Oct-74 | Slade, Far Far Away | 2 | Ken Boothe, Everything I Own |
| Nov-74 | Queen, Killer Queen | 2 | David Essex, Gonna Make You A Star |
| Dec-74 | Gary Glitter, Oh Yes! You’re Beautiful | 1 | Barry White, You’re The First The Last My Everything |
| Dec-74 | Bachman-Turner Overdrive, You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet | 2 | Mud, Lonely This Christmas |
| Jan-75 | Wombles, Wombling Merry Christmas | 1 | Mud, Lonely This Christmas |
| Jan-75 | Ralph McTell, Streets Of London | 1 | Mud, Lonely This Christmas |
| Jan-75 | Ralph McTell, Streets Of London | 1 | Status Quo, Down Down |
| Jan-75 | Gloria Gaynor, Never Can Say Goodbye | 1 | The Tymes, Ms Grace |
| Feb-75 | Glitter Band, Goodbye My Love | 1 | Pilot, January |
| Feb-75 | Carpenters, Please Mr Postman | 1 | Pilot, January |
| Mar-75 | Guys & Dolls, There’s A Whole Lot Of Loving | 2 | The Bay City Rollers, Bye Bye Baby |
| Apr-75 | Sweet, Fox On The Run | 2 | The Bay City Rollers, Bye Bye Baby |
| Apr-75 | Bobby Goldsboro, Honey (re-issue) | 1 | The Bay City Rollers, Bye Bye Baby |
| May-75 | Minnie Riperton, Loving You | 2 | Mud, Oh Boy |
| Jun-75 | Showaddywaddy, Three Steps To Heaven | 1 | Windsor Davies & Don Estelle, Whispering Grass |
| Jul-75 | Ray Stevens, Misty | 1 | Johnny Nash, Tears On My Pillow |
| Sep-75 | Roger Whittaker, The Last Farewell | 1 | Rod Stewart, Sailing |
| Sep-75 | Leo Sayer, Moonlighting | 1 | Rod Stewart, Sailing |
| Nov-75 | Roxy Music, Love Is The Drug | 1 | David Bowie, Space Oddity |
| Nov-75 | Hot Chocolate, You Sexy Thing | 3 | Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody |
| Dec-75 | Laurel & Hardy with The Avalon Boys, The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine | 1 | Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody |
| Jan-76 | Greg Lake, I Believe In Father Christmas | 2 | Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody |
| Jan-76 | Laurel & Hardy with The Avalon Boys, The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine | 1 | Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody |
| Jan-76 | Sailor, A Glass Of Champagne | 2 | Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody |
| Mar-76 | C W McCall, Convoy | 1 | Tina Charles, I Love To Love |
| Mar-76 | Billy Ocean, Love Really Hurts Without You | 1 | Brotherhood Of Man, Save Your Kisses For Me |
| Apr-76 | Barry White, You See The Trouble With Me | 2 | Brotherhood Of Man, Save Your Kisses For Me |
| Jun-76 | Wings, Silly Love Songs | 1 | The Wurzels, Combine Harvester (Brand New Key) |
| Jul-76 | Our Kid, You Just Might See Me Cry | 1 | The Real Thing, You To Me Are Everything |
| Jul-76 | Candi Staton, Young Hearts Run Free | 1 | The Real Thing, You To Me Are Everything |
| Jul-76 | Dr Hook, A Little Bit More | 5 | Elton John & Kiki Dee, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart |
| Aug-76 | Wings, Let ‘Em In | 1 | Elton John & Kiki Dee, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart |
| Sep-76 | Wings, Let ‘Em In | 1 | Abba, Dancing Queen |
| Sep-76 | Rod Stewart, The Killing Of Georgie (Parts 1 And 2) | 2 | Abba, Dancing Queen |
| Sep-76 | Real Thing, Can’t Get By Without You | 2 | Abba, Dancing Queen |
| Oct-76 | Demis Roussos, When Forever Has Gone | 2 | Pussycat, Mississippi |
| Nov-76 | Leo Sayer, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing | 1 | Chicago, If You Leave Me Now |
| Dec-76 | Queen, Somebody To Love | 1 | Showaddywaddy, Under The Moon Of Love |
| Mar-77 | Heatwave, Boogie Nights | 1 | Leo Sayer, When I Need You |
| Apr-77 | David Soul, Going In With My Eyes Opens | 3 | Abba, Knowing Me Knowing You |
| Apr-77 | Billy Ocean, Red Light Spells Danger | 2 | Abba, Knowing Me Knowing You |
| May-77 | Stevie Wonder, Sir Duke | 1 | Deniece Williams, Free |
| May-77 | Joe Tex, Ain’t Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman) | 1 | Rod Stewart, I Don’t Want To Talk About It / First Cut Is The Deepest |
| Jun-77 | Sex Pistols, God Save The Queen | 1 | Rod Stewart, I Don’t Want To Talk About It / First Cut Is The Deepest |
| Jul-77 | Emerson Lake & Palmer, Fanfare For The Common Man | 1 | Hot Chocolate, So You Win Again |
| Jul-77 | Boney M, Ma Baker | 1 | Donna Summer, I Feel Love |
| Aug-77 | Showaddywaddy, You Got What It Takes | 1 | Brotherhood Of Man, Angelo |
| Sep-77 | Space, Magic Fly | 3 | Elvis Presley, Way Down |
| Oct-77 | La Belle Epoque, Black Is Black | 2 | David Soul, Silver Lady |
| Oct-77 | La Belle Epoque, Black Is Black | 1 | Baccara, Yes Sir I Can Boogie |
| Nov-77 | Queen, We Are The Champions | 2 | Abba, Name Of The Game |
| Dec-77 | Queen, We Are The Champions | 1 | Wings, Mull Of Kintyre/Girls’ School |
| Dec-77 | Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band, The Floral Dance | 6 | Wings, Mull Of Kintyre/Girls’ School |
| Mar-78 | Darts, Come Back My Love | 1 | Abba, Take A Chance On Me |
| Mar-78 | Blondie, Denis | 3 | Kate Bush, Wuthering Heights |
| Apr-78 | Blondie, Denis | 1 | Brian & Michael, Matchstalk Men & Matchstalk Cats & Dogs |
| Apr-78 | Showaddywaddy, I Wonder Why | 1 | Brian & Michael, Matchstalk Men & Matchstalk Cats & Dogs |
| Jun-78 | Darts, Boy From New York City | 1 | Boney M, Rivers Of Babylon |
| Jun-78 | Father Abraham & Smurfs, The Smurf Song | 6 | John Travolta & Olivia Newton John, You’re The One That I Want |
| Aug-78 | Clout, Substitute | 2 | John Travolta & Olivia Newton John, You’re The One That I Want |
| Sep-78 | Darts, It’s Raining | 1 | The Commodores, Three Times A Lady |
| Sep-78 | Boney M, Rivers Of Babylon / Brown Girl In The Ring [Rivers of Babylon had been a UK #1 earlier in the year; as a double ‘A’ side with Brown Girl In The Ring it reached #2] |
1 | The Commodores, Three Times A Lady |
| Oct-78 | Rose Royce, Love Don’t Live Here Anymore | 1 | John Travolta & Olivia Newton John, Summer Nights |
| Oct-78 | Boney M, Rasputin | 2 | John Travolta & Olivia Newton John, Summer Nights |
| Nov-78 | John Travolta, Sandy | 1 | John Travolta & Olivia Newton John, Summer Nights |
| Nov-78 | Olivia Newton-John, Hopelessly Devoted To You | 2 | The Boomtown Rats, Rat Trap |
| Feb-79 | Abba, Chiquitita | 2 | Blondie, Heart Of Glass |
| Mar-79 | Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Oliver’s Army | 3 | The Bee Gees, Tragedy |
| Mar-79 | Village People, In The Navy | 2 | Gloria Gaynor, I Will Survive |
| Apr-79 | Squeeze, Cool For Cats | 1 | Art Garfunkel, Bright Eyes |
| Apr-79 | Racey, Some Girls | 3 | Art Garfunkel, Bright Eyes |
| May-79 | M, Pop Muzik | 2 | Art Garfunkel, Bright Eyes |
| May-79 | Roxy Music, Dance Away | 3 | Blondie, Sunday Girl |
| Jul-79 | Squeeze, Up The Junction | 1 | Tubeway Army, Are Friends Electric? |
| Jul-79 | Janet Kay, Silly Games | 2 | Tubeway Army, Are Friends Electric? |
| Aug-79 | Police, Can’t Stand Losing You (re-release) | 1 | The Boomtown Rats, I Don’t Like Mondays |
| Sep-79 | B A Robertson, Bang Bang | 1 | Cliff Richard, We Don’t Talk Anymore |
| Oct-79 | Blondie, Dreaming | 1 | The Police, Message In A Bottle |
| Nov-79 | Queen, Crazy Little Thing Called Love | 2 | Dr Hook, When You’re In Love With A Beautiful Woman |
| Dec-79 | Abba, I Have A Dream | 4 | Pink Floyd, Another Brick In The Wall |
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The Compartments 