Stuck at 2: the 1980s

The table below lists every song that reached #2 in the UK charts during the 1980s, 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-79	Abba, I Have A Dream	4	Pink Floyd, Another Brick In The Wall
Jan-80	Billy Preston & Syreeta, With You I’m Born Again	2	The Pretenders, Brass In Pocket
Feb-80	Whispers, And The Beat Goes On	1	Kenny Rogers, Coward Of The County
Apr-80	Liquid Gold, Dance Yourself Dizzy	1	The Jam, Going Underground / Dreams Of Children
Apr-80	Liquid Gold, Dance Yourself Dizzy	1	The Detroit Spinners, Working My Way Back To You
May-80	Paul McCartney, Coming Up	1	Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Geno
May-80	Hot Chocolate, No Doubt About It	1	Johnny Logan, What’s Another Year
May-80	Hot Chocolate, No Doubt About It	2	Mash, Theme From MASH (Suicide Is Painless)
Jun-80	Lipps Inc, Funkytown	2	Don McLean, Crying
Aug-80	Leo Sayer, More Than I Can Say	1	Odyssey, Use It Up And Wear It Out
Aug-80	Diana Ross, Upside Down	2	Abba, The Winner Takes It All
Sep-80	Randy Crawford, One Day I’ll Fly Away	1	Kelly Marie, Feels Like I’m In Love
Sep-80	Randy Crawford, One Day I’ll Fly Away	1	The Police, Don’t Stand So Close To Me
Oct-80	Stevie Wonder, Masterblaster (Jammin’)	1	The Police, Don’t Stand So Close To Me
Oct-80	Ottawan, D.I.S.C.O.	2	The Police, Don’t Stand So Close To Me
Oct-80	Ottawan, D.I.S.C.O.	1	Barbra Streisand, Woman In Love
Nov-80	Status Quo, What You’re Proposing	2	Barbra Streisand, Woman In Love
Jan-81	John Lennon, Yoko Ono & The Plastic Ono Band with The Harlem Community Choir, Happy Xmas (War Is Over) (re-entry)	1	John Lennon, Imagine
Jan-81	Adam & The Ants, Antmusic (EP)	2	John Lennon, Imagine
Feb-81	Phil Collins, In The Air Tonight	1	John Lennon, Woman
Feb-81	Ultravox, Vienna	1	John Lennon, Woman
Feb-81	Ultravox, Vienna	3	Joe Dolce Music Theatre, Shaddap You Face
Mar-81	Adam & The Ants, Kings Of The Wild Frontier	1	Roxy Music, Jealous Guy
Mar-81	Kim Wilde, Kids In America	2	Shakin’ Stevens, This Ole House
Apr-81	Ennio Morricone, Chi Mai (Theme From TV Series The Life And Times Of David Lloyd George)	2	Bucks Fizz, Making Your Mind Up
May-81	Starsound, Stars On 45	1	Adam & The Ants, Stand & Deliver
May-81	Shakin’ Stevens, You Drive Me Crazy	4	Adam & The Ants, Stand & Deliver
Jun-81	Kate Robbins & Beyond, More Than In Love	1	Smokey Robinson, Being With You
Jul-81	Starsound, Stars On 45	2	The Specials, Ghost Town
Aug-81	Stevie Wonder, Happy Birthday	1	Shakin’ Stevens, Green Door
Aug-81	Royal Philharmonic Orchestra arranged and conducted by Louis Clark, Hooked On Classics	2	Shakin’ Stevens, Green Door
Oct-81	Police, Invisible Sun	1	Adam & The Ants, Prince Charming
Oct-81	Tweets, Birdie Song (The Birdie Dance)	1	Adam & The Ants, Prince Charming
Oct-81	Tweets, Birdie Song (The Birdie Dance)	1	Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin, It’s My Party
Oct-81	Laurie Anderson, O Superman	1	Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin, It’s My Party
Oct-81	Altered Images, Happy Birthday	2	Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin, It’s My Party
Nov-81	Altered Images, Happy Birthday	1	The Police, Every Liitle Thing She Does Is Magic
Dec-81	Cliff Richard, Daddy’s Home	4	The Human League, Don’t You Want Me
Feb-82	Stranglers, Golden Brown	2	The Jam, A Town Called Malice/Precious
Mar-82	Toni Basil, Mickey	2	Tight Fit, The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Apr-82	Imagination, Just An Illusion	1	The Goombay Dance Band, Seven Tears
Apr-82	Chas & Dave, Ain’t No Pleasing You	1	Bucks Fizz, My Camera Never Lies
May-82	Bardo, One Step Further	1	Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder, Ebony & Ivory
May-82	England World Cup Squad, This Time (We’ll Get It Right) / England We’ll Fly The Flag	1	Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder, Ebony & Ivory
May-82	Yazoo, Only You	1	Nicole, A Little Peace
Jun-82	Soft Cell, Torch	1	Adam Ant, Goody Two Shoes
Jul-82	Steve Miller Band, Abracadabra	1	Captain Sensible, Happy Talk
Jul-82	Steve Miller Band, Abracadabra	1	Irene Cara, Fame
Jul-82	Trio, Da Da Da	1	Irene Cara, Fame
Sep-82	Duran Duran, Save A Prayer	1	Survivor, Eye Of The Tiger
Sep-82	Dire Straits, Private Investigations	1	Survivor, Eye Of The Tiger
Sep-82	Jam, The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had To Swallow)	1	Survivor, Eye Of The Tiger
Oct-82	Jam, The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had To Swallow)	1	Musical Youth, Pass The Dutchie
Oct-82	Fat Larrys Band, Zoom	1	Musical Youth, Pass The Dutchie
Oct-82	Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Annie I’m Not Your Daddy	1	Culture Club, Do You Really Want To Hurt Me
Nov-82	Dionne Warwick, Heartbreaker	2	Eddy Grant, I Don’t Wanna Dance
Nov-82	Human League, Mirror Man	1	Eddy Grant, I Don’t Wanna Dance
Dec-82	Human League, Mirror Man	2	The Jam, Beat Surrender
Dec-82	Shakin’ Stevens, The Shakin’ Stevens EP	2	Renee & Renato, Save Your Love
Jan-83	David Essex, A Winter’s Tale	1	Phil Collins, You Can’t Hurry Love
Feb-83	Eddy Grant, Electric Avenue	1	Men At Work, Down Under
Mar-83	Eurythmics, Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)	1	Michael Jackson, Billie Jean
Apr-83	Culture Club, Church Of The Poison Mind	2	David Bowie, Let’s Dance
Apr-83	F R David, Words	2	Spandau Ballet, True
May-83	Human League, (Keep Feeling) Fascination	1	Spandau Ballet, True
May-83	Heaven 17, Temptation	1	Spandau Ballet, True
Jun-83	Wham!, Bad Boys	2	Police, Every Breath You Take
Jun-83	David Bowie, China Girl	1	Police, Every Breath You Take
Jul-83	Irene Cara, Flashdance… What A Feeling	1	Rod Stewart, Baby Jane
Jul-83	Freeez, I.O.U.	3	Paul Young, Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)
Aug-83	Spandau Ballet, Gold	2	KC & The Sunshine Band, Give It Up
Sep-83	Madness, Wings Of A Dove	1	UB40, Red Red Wine
Sep-83	Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack, Tonight I Celebrate My Love	1	UB40, Red Red Wine
Oct-83	David Bowie, Modern Love	1	Culture Club, Karma Chameleon
Oct-83	Tracey Ullman, They Don’t Know	2	Culture Club, Karma Chameleon
Oct-83	Lionel Richie, All Night Long (All Night)	1	Culture Club, Karma Chameleon
Nov-83	Lionel Richie, All Night Long (All Night)	2	Billy Joel, Uptown Girl
Nov-83	Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson, Say Say Say	2	Billy Joel, Uptown Girl
Dec-83	Paul Young, Love Of The Common People	1	Billy Joel, Uptown Girl
Dec-83	Paul Young, Love Of The Common People	2	Flying Pickets, Only You
Dec-83	Slade, My Oh My	3	Flying Pickets, Only You
Jan-84	Howard Jones, What Is Love	1	Paul McCartney, Pipes Of Peace
Feb-84	Cyndi Lauper, Girls Just Want To Have Fun	1	Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Relax
Feb-84	Queen, Radio Gaga	2	Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Relax
Mar-84	Kool & The Gang, Joanna / Tonight	2	Nena, 99 Red Balloons
Mar-84	Weather Girls, It’s Raining Men	1	Lionel Richie, Hello
Apr-84	Shakin’ Stevens, A Love Worth Waiting For	2	Lionel Richie, Hello
Apr-84	Thompson Twins, You Take Me Up	1	Lionel Richie, Hello
Apr-84	Phil Collins, Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)	1	Lionel Richie, Hello
May-84	Phil Collins, Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)	2	Duran Duran, The Reflex
Jun-84	Deniece Williams, Let’s Hear It For The Boy	2	Wham!, Wake Me Up Before You Go Go
Jun-84	Nik Kershaw, I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (re-issue)	1	Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Two Tribes
Jul-84	Neil, Hole In My Shoe	3	Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Two Tribes
Aug-84	Black Lace, Agadoo	2	George Michael, Careless Whisper
Sep-84	Ray Parker Jr, Ghostbusters	3	Stevie Wonder, I Just Called To Say I Love You
Oct-84	Culture Club, The War Song	1	Stevie Wonder, I Just Called To Say I Love You
Oct-84	Paul McCartney, No More Lonely Nights	1	Wham!, Freedom
Nov-84	Duran Duran, Wild Boys	1	Chaka Khan, I Feel For You
Dec-84	Wham!, Last Christmas / Everything She Wants	5	Band Aid, Do They Know It’s Christmas?
Jan-85	Prince, 1999 / Little Red Corvette (re-issue)	1	Foreigner, I Want To Know What Love Is
Feb-85	King, Love And Pride	3	Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson, I Know Him So Well
Mar-85	Alison Moyet, That Ole Devil Called Love	2	Philip Bailey (duet with Phil Collins), Easy Lover
Apr-85	Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Welcome To The Pleasure Dome	2	Philip Bailey (duet with Phil Collins), Easy Lover
Apr-85	Tears For Fears, Everybody Wants To Rule The World	2	USA For Africa, We Are The World
May-85	Duran Duran, A View To A Kill	3	Paul Hardcastle, 19
Jun-85	Marillion, Kayleigh	1	The Crowd, You’ll Never Walk Alone
Jun-85	Madonna, Crazy For You	1	Sister Sledge, Frankie
Jul-85	Harold Faltermeyer, Axel F	3	Sister Sledge, Frankie
Aug-85	Madonna, Holiday (re-entry)	1	Madonna, Into The Groove
Sep-85	Bonnie Tyler, Holding Out For A Hero	3	David Bowie & Mick Jagger, Dancing In The Street
Oct-85	A-Ha, Take On Me	3	Jennifer Rush, The Power Of Love
Jan-86	Dire Straits, Walk Of Life	1	A-Ha, The Sun Always Shines On TV
Feb-86	Nana Mouskouri, Only Love	1	A-Ha, The Sun Always Shines On TV
Feb-86	Madonna, Borderline	1	Billy Ocean, When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going
Feb-86	Su Pollard, Starting Together	1	Billy Ocean, When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going
Mar-86	Bangles, Manic Monday	1	Diana Ross, Chain Reaction
Mar-86	David Bowie, Absolute Beginners	1	Diana Ross, Chain Reaction
Apr-86	Sam Cooke, Wonderful World (re-issue)	1	Cliff Richard & The Young Ones, featuring Hank Marvin, Living Doll
May-86	Madonna, Live To Tell	1	Falco, Rock Me Amadeus
May-86	Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald, On My Own	3	Spitting Image, The Chicken Song
Jun-86	Simply Red, Holding Back The Years	2	Doctor & The Medics, Spirit In The Sky
Jun-86	Nu Shooz, I Can’t Wait	1	Wham!, Edge Of Heaven
Jul-86	Rod Stewart, Every Beat Of My Heart	1	Madonna, Papa Don’t Preach
Aug-86	Sinitta, So Macho / Cruising	1	Chris De Burgh, The Lady In Red
Aug-86	Sinitta, So Macho / Cruising	1	Boris Gardiner, I Want To Wake Up With You
Sep-86	Jermaine Stewart, We Don’t Have To… (Take Our Clothes Off To Have A Good Time)	2	Communards, Don’t Leave Me This Way
Oct-86	Five Star, Rain Or Shine	1	Communards, Don’t Leave Me This Way
Oct-86	Five Star, Rain Or Shine	1	Madonna, True Blue
Nov-86	Status Quo, In The Army Now	1	Nick Berry, Every Loser Wins
Nov-86	Kim Wilde, You Keep Me Hangin’ On	2	Berlin, Take My Breath Away
Dec-86	Erasure, Sometimes	1	Europe, The Final Countdown
Feb-87	Pepsi & Shirlie, Heartache	2	Aretha Franklin & George Michael, I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)
Feb-87	Percy Sledge, When A Man Loves A Woman (re-issue)	2	Ben E. King, Stand By Me
Apr-87	Judy Boucher, Can’t Be With You Tonight	4	Madonna, La Isla Bonita
May-87	Tom Jones, A Boy From Nowhere	1	Starship, Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now
Jun-87	Johnny Logan, Hold Me Now	1	Whitney Houston, I Want To Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
Jul-87	Bruce Willis, Under The Boardwalk	2	The Pet Shop Boys, It’s A Sin
Aug-87	Spagna, Call Me	1	Michael Jackson, I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
Aug-87	Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield, What Have I Done To Deserve This	2	Rick Astley, Never Gonna Give You Up
Sep-87	Fat Boys & The Beach Boys, Wipeout	1	Rick Astley, Never Gonna Give You Up
Oct-87	Abigail Mead & Nigel Goulding, Full Metal Jacket (I Wanna Be Your Drill Instructor)	1	MARRS, Pump Up The Volume
Oct-87	Abigail Mead & Nigel Goulding, Full Metal Jacket (I Wanna Be Your Drill Instructor)	1	The Bee Gees, You Win Again
Oct-87	Jan Hammer, Crockett’s Theme	1	The Bee Gees, You Win Again
Oct-87	George Michael, Faith	2	The Bee Gees, You Win Again
Nov-87	George Harrison, Got My Mind Set On You	4	T’Pau, China In Your Hand
Dec-87	Rick Astley, When I Fall In Love / My Arms Keep Missing You	1	T’Pau, China In Your Hand
Dec-87	Rick Astley, When I Fall In Love / My Arms Keep Missing You	1	The Pet Shop Boys, Always On My Mind
Dec-87	Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl, Fairytale Of New York	2	The Pet Shop Boys, Always On My Mind
Jan-88	Terence Trent D’Arby, Sign Your Name	1	Belinda Carlisle, Heaven Is A Place On Earth
Feb-88	Bros, When Will I Be Famous	1	Tiffany, I Think We’re Alone Now
Feb-88	Bomb The Bass, Beat Dis	2	Kylie Minogue, I Should Be So Lucky
Mar-88	Rick Astley, Together Forever	2	Kylie Minogue, I Should Be So Lucky
Mar-88	Bros, Drop The Boy	2	Aswad, Don’t Turn Around
Apr-88	Bros, Drop The Boy	2	The Pet Shop Boys, Heart
Apr-88	Climie Fisher, Love Changes Everything	1	The Pet Shop Boys, Heart
May-88	Kylie Minogue, Got To Be Certain	3	Wet Wet Wet / Billy Bragg, With A Little Help From My Friends / She’s Leaving Home
Jul-88	Fat Boys & Chubby Checker, The Twist (Yo Twist)	1	Bros, I Owe You Nothing
Jul-88	Fat Boys & Chubby Checker, The Twist (Yo Twist)	1	Glenn Medeiros, Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You
Jul-88	Salt-N-Pepa, Push It / Tramp	3	Glenn Medeiros, Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You
Aug-88	Kylie Minogue, The Loco-Motion	4	Yazz & Plastic Population, The Only Way Is Up
Sep-88	Brother Beyond, The Harder I try	1	Yazz & Plastic Population, The Only Way Is Up
Sep-88	Brother Beyond, The Harder I try	1	Phil Collins, A Groovy Kind Of Love
Oct-88	Bobby McFerrin, Don’t Worry Be Happy	1	Whitney Houston, One Moment In Time
Oct-88	Kylie Minogue, Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi	3	Enya, Orinoco Flow
Nov-88	Yazz, Stand Up For Your Love Rights	1	Robin Beck, First Time
Nov-88	INXS, Need You Tonight	1	Robin Beck, First Time
Dec-88	Bros, Cat Amongst The Pigeons / Silent Night	1	Robin Beck, First Time
Jan-89	Erasure, Crackers International EP	3	Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan, Especially For You
Jan-89	Mike & The Mechanics, The Living Years	3	Marc Almond with Gene Pitney, Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart
Feb-89	Michael Ball, Love Changes Everything	1	Simple Minds, Belfast Child
Mar-89	Michael Jackson, Leave Me Alone	1	Simple Minds, Belfast Child
Mar-89	Michael Ball, Love Changes Everything	1	Jason Donovan, Too Many Broken Hearts
Apr-89	Simply Red, If You Don’t Know Me By Now	3	The Bangles, Eternal Flame
Jun-89	Cliff Richard, The Best Of Me	2	Jason Donovan, Sealed With A Kiss
Jul-89	Prince, Batdance	1	Soul II Soul featuring Caron Wheeler, Back To Life (How Ever Do You Want Me)
Jul-89	Beautiful South, Song For Whoever	1	Soul II Soul featuring Caron Wheeler, Back To Life (How Ever Do You Want Me)
Jul-89	London Boys, London Nights	1	Sonia, You’ll Never Stop Me From Loving You
Jul-89	Bros, Too Much	1	Sonia, You’ll Never Stop Me From Loving You
Aug-89	Kylie Minogue, Wouldn’t Change A Thing	2	Jive Bunny, Swing The Mood
Aug-89	Lil’ Louis, French Kiss	1	Jive Bunny, Swing The Mood
Aug-89	Alice Cooper, Poison	1	Jive Bunny, Swing The Mood
Sep-89	Jason Donovan, Every Day (I Love You More)	1	Black Box, Ride On Time
Sep-89	Richard Marx, Right Here Waiting	2	Black Box, Ride On Time
Oct-89	Technotronic featuring Felly, Pump Up The Jam	2	Black Box, Ride On Time
Oct-89	Milli Vanilli, Girl I’m Gonna Miss You	2	Jive Bunny, That’s What I Like
Nov-89	Milli Vanilli, Girl I’m Gonna Miss You	1	Lisa Stansfield, All Around The World
Nov-89	Phil Collins, Another Day In Paradise	1	Lisa Stansfield, All Around The World
Dec-89	Linda Ronstadt featuring Aaron Neville, Don’t Know Much	2	New Kids On The Block, You Got It (The Right Stuff)
Dec-89	Jason Donovan, When You Come Back To Me	1	Jive Bunny, Let’s Party
Jan-90	Jason Donovan, When You Come Back To Me	1	Band Aid II, Do They Know It’s Christmas?
Jan-90	Jason Donovan, When You Come Back To Me	1	New Kids On The Block, Hangin’ Tough

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