Ah Cheap Trick—a band with power-pop hooks and rock ‘n’ roll edges that’s been kicking around since the mid-’70s. They’re the kind of group that can blast out riff-heavy anthems one minute and drop a sweet, melodic sing-along the next. Whether it’s Rick Nielsen’s zany guitars, Robin Zander’s golden pipes, or the steady thump of Tom Petersson on bass (and originally Bun E. Carlos on drums), they’ve always known how to pump out a catchy tune. But here’s the burning question: How many number one hits do Cheap Trick actually have?
If you’re thinking they racked up a bunch, given all those iconic tunes, you might be in for a surprise. See, Cheap Trick is one of those bands whose influence stretches way beyond the Billboard charts. They’re the quintessential “musician’s favorite band,” revered for their quirky stage presence and knack for pulling off that perfect balance between pop and rock. Over the decades, they’ve dropped a bunch of singles that got plenty of radio love—“Surrender,” “I Want You to Want Me,” and “Dream Police,” just to name a few. “I Want You to Want Me,” for instance, soared to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 when the live version hit big in 1979. That’s not too shabby, right? And “Don’t Be Cruel” (their Elvis cover) even climbed to No. 4. Still, those were close calls, not chart-toppers.
Then came 1988, and along with it, a glorious ballad called “The Flame.” Suddenly, Cheap Trick found themselves landing their first and only No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. At a time when glam metal ballads and pop-rock crossovers were all the rage, “The Flame” fit right in with its slow-burning melody and heart-on-sleeve lyrics, catapulting Cheap Trick to the top of the charts for the first time in their career. It was like the universe finally said, “Okay, guys, you’ve been working at this for years—here’s the big one you deserve.” The funny part is, the band reportedly wasn’t crazy about the song at first, but fate had other plans.
So, if we’re counting official No. 1 hits in the United States, Cheap Trick’s scoreboard features exactly one: “The Flame.” Sure, they might’ve only worn the Billboard crown once, but that hardly tells the whole story. These guys have sold millions of records, inspired legions of bands, and played somewhere around a gazillion live shows (with Rick Nielsen tossing out more guitar picks than some folks will ever see in a lifetime). Plus, “Surrender,” “I Want You to Want Me,” and “Dream Police” are so woven into rock culture that they feel like anthems, chart position be damned.
If anything, Cheap Trick’s story shows that chart success isn’t the end-all, be-all. They didn’t need a string of No. 1s to stay relevant. Instead, they carved out a distinctive corner of rock that fans still flock to today. They kept it fun, loaded it up with huge hooks, and never took themselves too seriously. And while “The Flame” might be their one shot at official chart-topping glory, the rest of their catalog hits a different kind of top spot: the hearts of rock lovers who appreciate a band that goes beyond the numbers. After all, in the grand scheme of things, having a dedicated following, delivering high-energy performances, and writing songs that stand the test of time can be more satisfying than a stack of No. 1 trophies.
So, hats off to Cheap Trick—for giving us unforgettable riffs, spunky stage antics, and that one shining moment at the peak of the charts. Because hey, one is all you really need if you play your cards right. And judging by how their music continues to resonate, they’ve done just fine with that single, glorious #1.
Rock On
Sam
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