The Five Hot 100 Positions Drake Has Never Hit—and the Artists/Songs That Did
(May 30, 2026) – Billboard reported this week that Drake’s Hot 100 dominance is so thorough that he’s managed to have songs peak at 95 of the chart’s 100 positions across his record-extending 402 entries. That includes 14 No. 1 songs and 13 that have reached No. 2, the most by solo males in the former and the most by any artist in the latter spot.
That means there are five chart rungs that have eluded his songs — at least as far as peak positions go — since he first began his Hot 100 assault in 2009. Only five spaces remain unchecked on Drizzy’s Hot 100 bingo card. They are, obscurely enough, Nos. 46, 77, 96, 98, and 99.
While he’s managed to avoid those numbers, his streaming-era tally is still remarkable; no other act has had at least one song peak at every position in the chart’s coveted Top 40 region, even his fellow streaming beneficiaries like Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen, Justin Bieber, and Ariana Grande.
Ironically, while most artists spend their careers trying to reach No. 1, it may be just as difficult for Drake to intentionally land at No. 46 or 77 or 99. Those kinds of peaks don’t happen by design. They happen by accident, circumstance, or sheer chart weirdness.
In other words, Drake has conquered most of Billboard’s real estate. But these five spots remain tiny plots of land where his flag has yet to be planted. And just like that, they’ve gone from being numbers to avoid to being chart goals for The 6 God.
Well, there are many songs by others — including some classics — that have managed to do what Drake’s songs haven’t. Djrobblog has compiled 35 of the most notable examples below — songs you may be shocked peaked so low. These might be cases of one man’s flop being another artist’s gold.
Keep reading and see if you remember some of these classics and duds! Also, feel free to provide any you feel the blog missed in the “Your Thoughts” comments section below.
Drake’s No. 46 Omission:
No. 46: “Rebel Yell” – Billy Idol (1984)
One of the defining rock records of the MTV era somehow stalled at No. 46. Perhaps one of the most iconic No. 46 records ever, Idol’s fist-pumping classic did in 1984. Chalk one up for the British rebel with rock music’s most famous sneer.
No. 46: “It’s Raining Men” – The Weather Girls (1983)
Proof that chart position and cultural impact don’t always fall in the same forecast, The Weather Girls only reached No. 46 with this campy post-disco classic. But their anthem has outlived countless No. 1 hits, including many of Drake’s. Forty-three years later, people are still dancing to it, quoting it, and singing it at karaoke.
No. 46: “Candy Girl” – New Edition (1983)
A “Candy Girl” introduced us to this boy band from Boston 43 years ago, and the original members plus one are still together performing, making them one of the most enduring groups in music history. Now they can add their debut classic’s No. 46 pop peak to a list of accolades that Drizzy can’t claim.
No. 46: “I Don’t Want to Talk About It” – Rod Stewart (1980)
Superstar rocker Rod Stewart may not have wanted to talk about this ballad’s low chart performance in 1980 amid bigger hits like “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy,” “Passion” and “Young Turks,” but he certainly has a reason to today. Anyone can get a top five single like those songs, but how many can also add a No. 46 hit to that list? Certainly not the Drakester.
No. 46: “Wouldn’t It Be Good” – Nik Kershaw (1983)
While Nik Kershaw’s signature hit wasn’t a major U.S. chart smash, the synth-pop classic became one of the most enduring songs of the MTV era as part of the second British music invasion — earning a place in ’80s nostalgia and, unwittingly, now the footnote of claiming a Billboard peak position that has so far eluded Drake.
No. 46: “Hold Me” – Teddy Pendergrass w/ Whitney Houston (1884)
The ballad that teamed an unknown Whitney Houston with soul legend Teddy Pendergrass and introduced her to R&B fans in 1984 made her ineligible for a Best New Artist Grammy after her blockbuster debut album introduced her to the rest of the world a year later. But “Hold Me” did manage to reach No. 46 on the Hot 100 — a dubious consolation back then but one that the late legend’s fans can certainly celebrate today.
No. 46: “Chattahoochee” – Alan Jackson (1993)
In an era where country superstar Garth Brooks eschewed releasing commercially available singles — thus making them ineligible for the Hot 100 — Alan Jackson took up the slack with one of country music’s most beloved summer anthems. “Chattahoochee” crossed over to pop audiences in 1993 and peaked at No. 46 on the Hot 100 — not massive by most standards, but the song became a defining hit of Jackson’s career — and a No. 46 residency that Drake still can’t claim.
No. 46 Honorable Mentions: “Stubborn Kind of Fellow” – Marvin Gaye (1962), “Yes It Is” – Beatles (1965), “The Football Card” – Glenn Sutton (1979), “Landlord” – Gladys Knight & the Pips (1980), “If Only You Knew” – Patti LaBelle (1984), “Give Me Tonight” – Shannon (1984), “Walking on the Chinese Wall” – Philip Bailey (1985), “America” – Prince & the Revolution (1985), “You Wear it Well” – El DeBarge w/ DeBarge (1985), ”Don’t Stand So Close to Me – 86” – The Police (1986), ”Do Me Baby” – Meli’sa Morgan (1986), “I Need a Man” – Eurythmics (1988), “The Blues” – Tony! Toni! Tone! (1990), “Beautiful Girl” – INXS (1993), “Doggy Dogg World” – Snoop Doggy Dogg (1994), “Human Nature” – Madonna (1995), “Get Me Bodied” – Beyoncé (2013); “Free Mind” – Tems (2023)
Drake’s No. 77 Loss is Their Gain
No. 77: “Can You Feel It” – Jacksons (1981)
Perhaps the most shocking entry on this list. The Jacksons’ uplifting masterpiece, complete with one of the most ambitious music videos of its era, only peaked at No. 77. It’s a reminder that chart peaks don’t always tell the whole story. The song became a staple of the Jackson legacy, including during the current Michael Jackson renaissance. Drake may have just eclipsed Michael’s No. 1 tally, but — unlike the Jacksons — No. 77 remains one of Drake’s untouched coordinates.
No. 77: “Time for Me to Fly” – REO Speedwagon (1980)
One year before REO Speedwagon became arena-rock superstars with the album Hi Infidelity, “Time for Me to Fly” stalled at No. 77 on the Hot 100 in 1980. Despite its modest chart peak, the song became one of the band’s signature tracks and remains a staple of classic rock radio — giving REO a distinction that, at least for now, Drake still lacks.
No. 77: “(not just) Knee Deep” – Funkadelic (1979)
George Clinton’s P-Funk collective gave us of the most influential funk records ever made, but “(Not Just) Knee Deep” peaked at just No. 77 on the Hot 100 in 1979. Its chart performance hardly hints at its legacy: the song became a staple of funk and was famously sampled by artists ranging from De La Soul to Dr. Dre. Nearly five decades later, its groove remains timeless—and its No. 77 peak remains a spot Drake has yet to reach.
No. 77: “You Know I’m No Good” – Amy Winehouse w/ Ghostface Killah (2008)
Amy Winehouse’s brutally honest confession only climbed to No. 77 during her lifetime. Today it’s widely regarded as one of the signature songs of her tragically brief career. Who knew that her criminally low chart peak — and the fact that Drake hasn’t gone there yet — would give us another reason to honor the late British legend nearly fifteen years after her passing?
No. 77: “Roxanne, Roxanne” – UTFO (1985)
UTFO’s “Roxanne, Roxanne” peaked at No. 77 in 1985, but its impact far exceeded its chart performance. The song famously sparked the “Roxanne Wars,” a series of answer records — most famously by Roxanne Shanté — that became one of hip-hop’s earliest and most influential rap battles, sort of the grandmama to Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s beef 40 years later. Speaking of that beef and in fairness to Drake, his nemesis has never had a song peak at No. 77 either.
No. 77: “Stop the Gunfight” – Trapp/2Pac/The Notorious B.I.G.
If Drake v. Kendrick was the rap beef of the 21st century, then it doesn’t even compare to the historic beef of the previous one. In 1997, Tupac Shakur and Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace were posthumously featured on Trapp’s “Stop the Gunfight” after their violent deaths during the preceding six months. Like 2pac and Biggie before their 1990s coastal battle, K.Dot and the 6 God were once friends and collaborators. But unlike those earlier nemeses, Drake and Kendrick’s two chart entries together did not stall at No. 77 (or any of the other positions mentioned in this article).
No. 77: “Eaten Alive” – Diana Ross (1985)
This frantic slice of pop paranoia was the penultimate chart single for Diana Ross. Despite all its credentials — including being co-written and co-produced by Michael Jackson and the Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb, and featuring prominent backing vocals by the King of Pop himself — “Eaten Alive” was a commercial flop. But its No. 77 peak also means Michael has his hands on two of the chart positions eluding Drake.
No. 77: “The Anaheim, Azusa & Cucamonga Sewing Circle, Book Review and Timing Association” – Jan & Dean (1964)
With one of the longest and most delightfully absurd titles ever to crack the Hot 100, Jan & Dean’s 1964 quasi-novelty tune peaked at No. 77 near the end of their popularity. The surf-pop duo may not have intended to make Billboard history, but the song’s chart position and Drake’s misfortune have conspired to give me a reason to include the absurdly titled tune in this blog.
No. 77 Honorable Mentions: “How Could I Let You Get Away” – Spinners (1972), “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More” – Allman Brothers Band (1972), “There But For The Grace of God Go I” – Machine (1979), “Boogie Down” – Al Jarreau (1983), “Caught in the Game” – Survivor (1983), “Body Talk” – Deele (1984), “99 1/2” – Carol Lynn Townes (1984), “Joy” – Teddy Pendergrass (1988), “You Will Know” – Stevie Wonder (1988), “Owwww!” – Chunky A (Arsenio Hall) (1989), “Insatiable” – Prince (1992), “How I Could Just Kill a Man” – Cypress Hill (1992), “Tell Me Why” – Wynonna (1993), “Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down” – Brand Nubian (1993)
Drake, Don’t Kill No. 96’s Vibe
No. 96: “Play With Fire” – Rolling Stones (1965)
The Rolling Stones had two No. 1 hits in 1965: “Satisfaction” and “Get Off of My Cloud.” More than 60 years later, the enduring rock band now have a reason to celebrate that year’s chart dud, “Play With Fire.” It’s too bad the mostly octogenarian band cancelled their 2026 stadium tour due to Keith Richards’ arthritis; they certainly could have added the No. 96 peaking “Fire” to the setlist after this Drake-related revelation.
No. 96: “The Inner Light” – Beatles (1968)
Not to be outdone by their most famous rivals The Stones, the Beatles also had a No. 96 song to go with their 20 No. 1s — another feat Drake has yet to match, although it might be easier than that elusive No. 96 spot. “The Inner Light” was one of the most unusual songs in the Beatles’ catalog, featuring George Harrison’s Indian-influenced work. It was also the counterbalance to 1968’s biggest hit, “Hey Jude,” which spent nine weeks at No. 1.
No. 96: “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” – Paper Lace (1974)
Most kids from the 1970s know “Billy Don’t Be a Hero,” but not the original No. 96-peaking dud by British band Paper Lace. It’s the No. 1 cover by American pop group Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods we more fondly recall. But the Brits didn’t leave 1974 with their heads bowed: Paper Lace had a No. 1 song that year with the equally campy “The Night Chicago Died.” And today those same Brits have one up on Canada’s most famous rapper.
No. 96: “Chico and the Man” – Jose Feliciano (1975)
In an era when TV theme songs were dominating the charts with No. 1 songs from Soul Train, S.W.A.T., and Welcome Back, Kotter, there was this chart flop from “Chico and the Man,” a sitcom whose run was cut short by declining ratings after the suicide death of its star Freddie Prinze in 1977. Singer Jose Feliciano at least has the perennial holiday hit “Feliz Navidad” as an enduring reminder of his legacy, along with knowing that the No. 96 “Chico and the Man” has immortalized it in Drake-related trivia (for now).
No. 96: “Ma Baker” – Boney M (1977)
A massive international hit that topped charts across Europe, Boney M.’s “Ma Baker” barely registered in the United States, peaking at No. 96 in 1977. Its Hot 100 run was brief, but the song’s infectious disco groove and gangster-themed storyline helped it become one of the group’s signature recordings — and a No. 96 song that Drake still hasn’t corralled.
No. 96: “Pink Cookies in a Plastic Bag Getting Crushed by Buildings” – LL Cool J (1993)
With one of the most memorable song titles in hip-hop history, LL Cool J’s “Pink Cookies in a Plastic Bag Getting Crushed by Buildings” peaked at No. 96 in 1993. The adventurous track wasn’t one of LL’s biggest hits, but it did earn a quirky place in Billboard history—and landed at a chart position that Drake still hasn’t crushed.
No. 96 Honorable Mentions: “You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You” – The Wonder Who? (4 Seasons) (1966), “Runnin’ Back to Saskatoon (live)” – Guess Who (1972), “That’s How I Beat Shaq” – Aaron Carter (2001), “Whatchulookinat” – Whitney Houston (2002), “So What the Fuss” – Stevie Wonder (2005), “Fake Woke” – Tom MacDonald (2021)
Drake’s Thermometer Doesn’t Read 98:
No. 98: “I’m Tossin’ and Turnin’ Again” – Bobby Lewis (1962)
Most sequels fail to live up to the original, and Bobby Lewis’s “I’m Tossin’ and Turnin’ Again” was no exception. Released a year after his No. 1 smash “Tossin’ and Turnin’,” the unimaginative follow-up managed only a No. 98 peak in 1962. Still, that modest chart showing was enough to reach a Hot 100 position that Drake has yet to visit.
No. 98: “Your Boyfriend’s Back” – Bobby Comstock (1963)
As shameless as Bobby Lewis’ “I’m Tossin’ and Turnin’ Again” was, the late Bobby Comstack’s answer record to The Angels’ No. 1 smash “My Boyfriend’s Back” was just as shameful. But it suffered a similar chart fate at No. 98 and probably hasn’t been editorialized since, at least not until this article came around 63 years later.
No. 98: “Cum on Feel the Noize” – Slade (1973)
Ten years before the hit cover by Quiet Riot, Slade’s original “Cum on Feel the Noize” barely made a dent on the U.S. charts, peaking at No. 98 in 1973. Yet the song went on to become one of glam rock’s defining anthems—and a rare No. 98 hit that occupies territory Drake still hasn’t felt.
No. 98: “Bizarre Love Triangle” – New Order (1994)
Despite becoming one of the most beloved dance and alternative songs of the 1980s, New Order’s “Bizarre Love Triangle” didn’t reach the Hot 100 until a 1994 reissue, when it peaked at No. 98. Its chart performance was modest, but its legacy has been anything but—making it one of the most famous songs ever to occupy a Billboard position Drake has yet to touch… maybe a feat equally as impressive as New Order’s 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction?
No. 98: “There Goes My Baby – Charlie Wilson (2009)
Charlie Wilson’s comeback hit “There Goes My Baby” only reached No. 98 on the Hot 100 in 2009, but its impact was far greater on the Adult R&B charts, where it reached No. 1 and became one of the biggest successes of his solo career. Its 123 million YouTube views are no slouch either. The former Gap Band frontman may have settled for No. 98 on the Hot 100, but that certainly doesn’t detract from his legacy.
No. 98: “Fast Car” – Jonas Blue w/ Dakota (2016)
A dance-pop reimagining of Tracy Chapman’s beloved classic, Jonas Blue and Dakota’s “Fast Car” peaked at No. 98 on the Hot 100 in 2016. While its chart run in America was brief, the song became a major international hit and introduced a new generation to Chapman’s timeless composition years before country superstar Luke Combs did the same for his genre.
No. 98 Honorable Mentions: “Just One Look” – The Hollies (1964), “Stop!” – Moody Blues (1966), “Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long” – Barbra Streisand (1966), “Thread the Needle” – Clarence Carter (1967), “Cherchez LaGhost” – Ghostface Killah (2000), “Let it Be” – Jennifer Hudson & the Roots (2010), “Wild Boy” – MGK w/ Waka Flocka Flame (2012)
Drake Has Lots of Problems But 99 Ain’t One:
No. 99: “Tequila Twist” – The Champs (1962)
Three years after scoring a No. 1 hit with “Tequila,” The Champs returned with “Tequila Twist,” a sequel inspired by the early-1960s dance craze. The song that was essentially a faster version of “Tequila” barely squeezed onto the Hot 100, peaking at No. 99 in 1962, but that was still enough to reach one of the chart’s five peak positions that Drake hasn’t.
No. 99: “Sally Was a Good Old Girl” – Fats Domino (1964) and Trini Lopez (1968)
The only reason this song gets a nod is because it may be the only case of a song peaking as low as No. 99 in two separate versions — first by the legendary Fats Domino in 1964 and then by Trini Lopez four years later. The “good girl” Drake rapped about in his 2013 hit “Hold On, We’re Going Home” offers no consolation to his No. 99 absence with its No. 4 chart peak.
No. 99: “Mama Told Me Not to Come” – Wilson Pickett (1972)
Two years after Three Dog Night took the song to No. 1, Wilson Pickett put his own soulful spin on Randy Newman’s “Mama Told Me Not to Come.” His version barely cracked the Hot 100, peaking at No. 99 in 1972, and now you get to hear it as part of this look back at Drake’s misses.
No. 99: “Fat” – “Weird Al” Yankovic (1988)
To say Michael Jackson was a good sport was an understatement. “Weird Al” Yankovic’s hilarious parody of the gloved one’s “Bad” barely squeezed onto the Hot 100, peaking at No. 99 in 1988. While it was far from one of the decade’s biggest hits, the song became one of Al’s most memorable videos and parodies — alongside “Eat It” — earning him a Billboard peak position that has somehow remained off the menu for Drake.
No. 99: “God Bless America” – Daniel Rodriguez (2001)
In the emotional aftermath of the September 11 attacks, New York police officer Daniel Rodriguez—dubbed “The Singing Policeman”—brought renewed attention to the patriotic standard “God Bless America.” His recording reached No. 99 on the Hot 100 in 2001, giving this symbol of national unity a chart distinction that our Canadian neighbor has yet to achieve.
No. 99: “Total Eclipse of the Heart” – Chloe Kohanski (2017)
The Voice’s Chloe Kohanski’s Season 13 rendition of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” briefly entered the Hot 100 and peaked at No. 99 — nowhere near the No. 1 original by Bonnie Tyler or the No. 2 ‘90s dance version by Nicki French. The chart run of Kohanski’s version was short-lived, but even an eclipse couldn’t prevent it from achieving one of the few Billboard positions Drake still hasn’t reached.
No. 99: “Pete Davidson” – Ariana Grande (2018)
Named after her then-fiancé, “Pete Davidson” was one of the shortest tracks on Ariana Grande’s Sweetener album with a 1:14 run time, but it still managed a Hot 100 appearance, peaking at No. 99 in 2018. Their relationship didn’t last, but the song’s chart achievement did—giving Grande a Billboard peak position that Drake has yet to call his own.
No. 99 Honorable Mentions: “Southbound Train” – Graham Nash & David Crosby (1972), “In Between Days” – The Cure (1986), “I Believe” – Sounds of Blackness (1994), “Keep Your Money” – Empire Cast ft. Jussie Smollett (2015), “Die Young” – Roddy Ricch (2019), “She” – Harry Styles (2019), and four songs by YoungBoy Never Broke Again: “Thug of Spades” (feat. DaBaby; 2019), “Toxic Punk” (2021), “WTF” (w/ Nicki Minaj; 2023), and “Better Than Ever” (with Rod Wave; 2025).
Of course, with Drake’s release schedule, it’s entirely possible that Nos. 46, 77, 96, 98, and 99 will eventually fall. After all, he’s already conquered 95 percent of the Hot 100’s peak-position map.
But until then, these five lonely chart spots remain strange little islands of resistance — occupied by an eclectic collection of rock classics, soul standards, cult favorites, and one-hit wonders that can all claim something Drake cannot.
In the endlessly expanding universe of chart statistics, that’s a distinction worth celebrating. Especially if your song peaked at No. 99. It’s that reminder once again that a song’s peak chart position and its legacy are two very different things.
Drake may have occupied 95 percent of the Hot 100’s positions. But until he has a song peak at No. 46, 77, 96, 98, or 99, artists like Billy Idol, the Weather Girls, Amy Winehouse, the Jacksons, and a bunch of other unlikely chart companions can still say they’ve gone where no Drake has gone before.
DJRob
DJRob (he/him) is a freelance music blogger from the East Coast who covers R&B, hip-hop, disco, pop, rock and country genres – plus lots of music news and current stuff! You can follow him on Bluesky at @djrobblog.bsky.social, X (formerly Twitter) at @djrobblog, on Facebook or on Meta’s Threads.
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