Seasons of the Ukulele

A weekly song challenge for ukulele players - all welcome. Find out more here

Season 684 - Second Best

bobjking

Hey, people!

Firstly, I hope Berni is okay and he turns up soon. Secondly, apologies in advance for a hurriedly cobbled together theme!

This week I'm looking for 2nd best. The almost made its. Please bring me any song that never quite got the top of the charts but peaked at no.2. There's a whole load of great songs to go at and, to assist you in your research, here's a couple of useful links…

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/nov/17/the-70-greatest-no-2-singles-ranked

https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/pop-injustice-70-years-of-iconic-number-2s-every-song-to-peak-at-number-2-in-the-uk__24082/

I'm sure there are many other places to look too!

Alternatively, any song about coming second, not quite making it, being pipped at the post or whatever.

Usual terms and conditions apply, collaborations and originals are heartly encouraged, no song limit, etc…etc…

Any questions, let me know! I'll add a playlist as and when and if I can remember how to do it!

Playlist

Cheers x

uke4ia

The last time we did this theme, I found two songs that peaked at #2 that had the same title, and did them both.

UkeFoote

Cool, Bob! Thanks for stepping in.

Here’s another list of eligibles:

We’re number TWO!! We’re number TWO!

bobjking

uke4ia Ah! I wasn't sure if it had been done before. It's a long old list of seasons to trawl through! Hopefully it wasn't too recently…

uke4ia

It was six years ago, almost exactly. My videos were uploaded March 22, 2019.

bobjking

uke4ia That's not too bad. 6 whole years of new number twos!

DelGriff

Thanks so much for stepping in at such short notice, Bob! Let’s hope Berni’s okay! 🤞🏼

Edwin

bobjking Information? YOU WON'T GET IT!

(sorry, that was almost on autopilot…)

Edwin

By the way, there are so many great songs on that Guardian link Bob posted, and I have a couple in mind if I get the time (which has been sadly lacking lately, sorry!) but now I've decided that we really have to hear Laurie Anderson's "O Superman" on ukulele. If someone manages this, it will very likely be my favourite ukulele song ever.

bobjking

Edwin Now that could be spectacular!

AlanDP

Looking at the historical charts is confusing. There seems to be conflicting information and many details don't seem to be publicly available. However, this one apparently made it to #2 on the weekly Billboard Hot 100 chart for 1977, although it was way down in the 70s for the year-end Hot 100, which is mostly pop music. It made it to #2 on the Billboard Hot Country year-end chart of that year (I think), but was #1 for the weekly Billboard Hot Country chart. I wanted to see what was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 weekly chart when it was #2, but that's one of the charts I couldn't find. Anyway, Crystal Gayle is Loretta Lynn's little sister, in case anyone didn't know that. 🙂 Rhythm track made with ChordPulse.

YorkSteve

You've made my day Bob. Last year I found this album in a charity shop. As soon as I saw it, I knew it would be framed and hung in our bathroom. I told the shop assistant this, but I don't think she understood.

CanadaJim

I have already done my 3 songs for Season 673, but if anyone wants a Twofer, Carly Simons' You're So Vain reached #2 and Carly resided in Laurel Canyon.

bobjking

YorkSteve Amazing!

Barbablanca

Forgive me everyone. I have had a hectic weekend of family issues and I completely forgot that my week started today.
Indeed if you'd asked me today what day it was I'd probably have answered Saturday.

Thanks so much to Bob King for stepping up to the plate.

Part of the problem is that I think I am experiencing the early signs of dementia. Forgetting something as important to me as this Season is a perfect example. But I have noticed this deterioration over the last year and dealt with it by ignoring the signs. But this lapse has really woken me up to the fact that I should seek medical attention.

I hope I will be able to host another week, now this one has been assigned.

: :

UkeFoote

Hang in there Berni. You are fantastic and we all love you!

Barbablanca

PS I might not have even remembered if it hadn't been for checking my latest song on YouTube and seeing people jog my memory. Pity I didn't see that earlier!

LimousinLil

I shouldn't think the worst, Berni … anyone can forget things; especially, if like you, they've had distractions. As Brian says … hang in there! And, of course, you're fantastic! x

dr_mitch

Thanks Bob for stepping in, and sympathies Berni for a trying time.

Here's a 1968 song that reached number 2 in the UK charts - and number 42 in the US charts. It's a fun one!

UkeCan1

CanadaJim Wikipedia says "You're So Vain" was #1 in US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Are we talking specifically UK #2's here, Bob - or anywhere?