Flop singles that are among the most well-known songs by that act

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You know, sometimes a song is being released as a single, sells next to nothing as a single, and yet ends up being remembered as one of the most well-known songs by the act. It happens more often than one would think, and not only with 70s album oriented bands like Pink Floyd.

Some examples of what this thread is devoted to:

OMD: Electricity
Pink Floyd: Money
XTC: Dear God
Peter Gabriel: Biko

Geir Hongro, Thursday, 23 April 2009 21:28 (seventeen years ago)

but singles don't usually 'sell a lot.'

I'm crossing over into enterprise (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 23 April 2009 21:32 (seventeen years ago)

Do you mean low charting singles?

I'm crossing over into enterprise (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 23 April 2009 21:32 (seventeen years ago)

As in low charting (or non charting), yes.

Geir Hongro, Thursday, 23 April 2009 21:32 (seventeen years ago)

Sex Pistols - Anarchy In The UK (#38)

Gavin in Leeds, Thursday, 23 April 2009 21:38 (seventeen years ago)

White Wedding #36
Rebel Yell #46
Dancing With Myself didn't chart in the US.

7 other songs charted higher

I make poll (james k polk), Thursday, 23 April 2009 21:47 (seventeen years ago)

Squeeze - Tempted

Hard House SugBanton (blueski), Thursday, 23 April 2009 21:49 (seventeen years ago)

magazine - shot by both sides didnt go top 40

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Thursday, 23 April 2009 21:49 (seventeen years ago)

Christina Aguilera, "Dirrty" (made #41 in the U.S. IIRC but will be one she's remembered for)

The Romantics, "What I Like About You" (missed the Top 40; their hits were "Talking in Your Sleep" and "One in a Million")

Ike & Tina Turner, "River Deep Mountain High"

Joseph McCombs, Friday, 24 April 2009 06:46 (seventeen years ago)

Blur - PopScene

Mark G, Friday, 24 April 2009 07:09 (seventeen years ago)

is that the one that goes woo hoo

private static void (electricsound), Friday, 24 April 2009 07:12 (seventeen years ago)

You'd be hard pressed to consider "Popscene" one of the most famous Blur songs. Most people are familiar with nothing pre-"Girls And Boys" at all.

Geir Hongro, Friday, 24 April 2009 10:45 (seventeen years ago)

Also a bit in doubt about the definition of flop here, but I would say to really be a flop it must have flopped in both the US and the UK charts. Which means "River Deep Mountain High" wouldn't apply (and none of Beach Boys' 60s singles either, although they flopped in the US)

Geir Hongro, Friday, 24 April 2009 10:47 (seventeen years ago)

1966 singles, I mean

Geir Hongro, Friday, 24 April 2009 10:47 (seventeen years ago)

The Clash - White Riot (#38 too)

Gavin in Leeds, Friday, 24 April 2009 10:48 (seventeen years ago)


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