Before “going viral” was a thing, one of the best ways to measure a song’s popularity and ubiquity was the Billboard Hot 100 chart. More than 30,000 songs have charted over its 65-year run as a gauge of pop music airplay, but plenty of good ones never made it (and plenty of not-so-good ones have).

Let’s focus on the hidden gems, dark horses, late bloomers, and viral phenomena. These are songs that have become well-known, but often in surprising ways. Billboard recently listed 100 such songs that didn’t charm radio in their day. Check out the list and see if any ring true for you, or if others come to mind.

For today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, which popular songs that didn’t hit the Billboard Hot 100 do you want to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played
Tears for Fears - Mad World
Weezer - Island in the Sun
Violent Femmes - Blister In The Sun
The Postal Service - Such Great Heights
Aretha Franklin - Do Right Woman, Do Right Man
Coldplay - The Scientist
A Tribe Called Quest - Can I Kick It
Mitski - Love Me More (bonus)