Bob Dylan showing up on the list of notable artists who’ve never had a #1 hit isn’t exactly surprising. Even at his most popular, his music was a bit too cerebral and too far out of the mainstream to translate to chart success.
While he’s not a singles artist, Dylan’s complete albums have sold well. He has placed 20 albums in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200, and five at #1. But how close has he come to a #1 single?
Closer than I thought, as it turns out. Both ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ and ‘Rainy Day Women #12 & 35′ peaked at #2 on the Hot 100. The former was held from the top spot for two weeks by The Beatles’ ‘Help!’ while the latter spent one week behind The Mama and the Papas’ ‘Monday, Monday.’ It least it took two great songs to keep The Bard from #1.
In addition to these close calls, Dylan has placed two other songs in the Top 10 during his career. Non-album track ‘Positively 4th Street’ made it to #7 in 1965, and 1969’s ‘Lay Lady Lady’ also made it to #7.
Well, they’ll stone you when you’re tryin’ to be so good
They’ll stone you just like they said they would
They’ll stone you when you’re trying to go home
Then they’ll stone you when you’re there all alone
[Chorus]
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
[Verse 2]
Well, they’ll stone you when you’re walking on the street
They’ll stone you when you’re trying to keep your seat
They’ll stone you when you’re walking on the floor
They’ll stone you when you’re walking through the door
[Chorus]
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
[Verse 3]
They’ll stone you when you’re at the breakfast table
They’ll stone you when you are young and able
They’ll stone you when you’re trying to make a buck
They’ll stone you and then they’ll say, “Good luck”
[Chorus]
Yeah, but I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
[Verse 4]
Well, they’ll stone you and say that that’s the end (Yeah)
Then they’ll stone you and then they’ll come back again (Yes they will)
They’ll stone you when you’re riding in your car
They’ll stone you when you’re playing your guitar
[Chorus]
Yes, but I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned, alright
[Verse 5]
Well, they’ll stone you when you are all alone (Oh, yes they will)
They’ll stone you when you are walking home
They’ll stone you and then say they’re all brave
They’ll stone you when you’re sent down in your grave
[Chorus]
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
Meet Me In Montauk 
No, not a surprise, though I did think “Like a Rolling Stone” made it to number one. Guess it’s time to use a Dylan song, maybe “Tangled Up in Blue,” in an episode of Stranger Things.🤪
IMO the songs “Help” and “Monday Monday” were not good enough to keep him from number one.