What Does Our List of the Best No. 2 Hits Say About What a No. 2 Hit Means — And Does It Still Mean the Same Thing Today? Greatest Pop Stars Podcast

On a weekly basis, Billboard.com has been commemorating the legacy of No. 2 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart — the songs that were within arm's reach of the top spot, but ultimately fell short. On Tuesday, August 11 (source 09c5055b-cb2), a list of the staff's 100 favorite such hits was published, featuring iconic tracks by legendary artists, as well as songs that were their artists' only achievement.

The Greatest Pop Stars podcast delved into the intricacies of the No. 2 hit on this week's episode, featuring host Andrew Unterberger and regular guest Eric Frankenberg of the Billboard charts team. The duo dissected the top 10 on the staff's list and shared personal picks for songs that deserved higher or lower rankings, as well as some memorable No. 2-related anecdotes in chart history.

The conversation tackled crucial questions about No. 2 hits such as: Does Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" feel more or less representative, taking over 17 years to reach the runner-up position? Could a song finishing second on a list of the best No. 2 hits be a cruel jest or an ultimate compliment? When did "Purple Rain" solidify its status as Prince's most celebrated hit?

How did the Ronettes' "Be My Baby" manage to hold the No. 2 position for so long, despite being overshadowed by other songs? Should Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" be recognized as an all-time classic? Is the Village People's "Y.M.C.A." a noteworthy song? And perhaps the most pressing query of all: Has the concept of a No. 2 hit lost its significance, given the increased chances for even the most determined artists to climb the chart?

The podcast episode is available on Apple Music or Spotify, and links to related No. 2 articles are provided.