Although virtually unknown in the US (they had only one Top 40 hit in the US with “Pictures of Matchstick Men” peaking at #12), Status Quo are a national treasure in the UK. From 1968 to 1990, the hard rockers hit the Top 10 on the UK Singles Chart an astounding 22 times. Status Quo also had endurance with a Top 10 UK single in four different decades.
Status Quo, in fact, hit the UK Top 10 19 times between 1970 and 1989. That’s more than the Rolling Stones (8), Electric Light Orchestra (15), Elton John (18) and Queen (18) during that same period; and only one less than David Bowie (20) and Rod Stewart (20). Only Paul McCartney / Wings had more Top 10 singles in the UK between 1970 and 1989 with 26.
“Pictures of Matchstick Men” UK #7 (1968) from the LP Picturesque Matchstickable Messages from the Status Quo
“Ice in the Sun” UK #8 (1968) from the LP Picturesque Matchstickable Messages from the Status Quo
“Paper Plan” UK # 8 (1972) from the LP Piledriver
“Caroline” UK #5 (1973) from the LP Hello!
“Break the Rules” UK #8 (1974) from the LP Quo
“Down Down” UK #1 (1974) from the LP On the Level
“Roll Over Lay Down” (live) # 9 (1975) non-album single
“Rain” UK #7 (1976) from the LP Blue for You
“Wild Side of Life” UK #9 (1976) non-album single
“Rockin’ All Over the World” UK #3 (1977) from the LP Rockin’ All Over the World
“Whatever You Want” UK #4 (1979) from the LP Whatever You Want
“What You’re Proposing” UK #2 (1980) from the LP Just Supposin’
“Something ‘Bout You Baby I Like” UK #9 (1981) from the LP Never Too Late
“Rock ‘n’ Roll” UK #8 (1981) from the LP Just Supposin’
“Dear John” UK #10 (1982) from the LP 1+9+8+2
“‘Ol Rag Blues” UK #9 (1983) from the LP Back to Back
“Marguerita Time” UK #3 (1983) form the LP Back to Back
“The Wanderer” UK #7 (1984) non-album single
“Rollin’ Home” UK #9 (1986) from the LP In the Army Now
“In the Army Now” UK #2 (1986) from the LP In the Army Now
“Burning Bridges (On and Off and On Again)” UK #5 (1988) from the LP Ain’t Complaining
“The Anniversary Waltz – Part One” UK #2 (1990) non-album single
