Top Ten Songs by American Artists That Topped The Austrian, German and/or Swiss Charts But Did Not Enter The Top 50 In The USA

Usually, an artist is most successful in their home country. Sure, they can make international careers and become worldwide superstars, but usually their songs first become big at home before conquering the rest of the world. However, the tracks on this list were huge in other countries while having been largely unnoticed where they originated from. These tunes by American artists managed to become so popular in at least one of the German speaking countries that they topped the local song charts, while they were barely noticed or even completely ignored in the USA. It also counts if only a featured guest artist is American.
The Top Ten
1 Stan - Eminem & Dido

Although it might not have been a big hit in the US at the time I am pretty sure that fans in the US would today think of it as one of his main songs. For example it is number 2 on the list of best Eminem songs and the title has come into usage frequently.

This song got so much airplay and was all over TRL. It's shocking that it didn't chart in The US.

Austria: 1
Germany: 1
Switzerland: 1
USA: 51

Eminem is American.

2 Left Outside Alone - Anastacia

She is American and will never understand why she didn't make it big. She is very good, in my opinion.

Austria: 1
Germany: 2
Switzerland: 1
USA: none

3 When the Rain Begins to Fall - Jermaine Jackson & Pia Zadora

Jermaine threw his core fanbase off with this song.

Austria: 2
Germany: 1
Switzerland: 1
USA: 54

It's a very catchy tune.

4 Dear Mr. President - P!nk & Indigo Girls

Really curious how it came to be such a specifically American song was ignored in the USA but became a hit in other countries.

Austria: 1
Germany: 3
Switzerland: 3
USA: none

5 I Belong to You (Il Ritmo Della Passione) - Anastacia & Eros Ramazzotti

Austria: 2
Germany: 1
Switzerland: 1
USA: none

Anastacia is American.

6 Shut Up - The Black Eyed Peas

Not a fan of this band but I can see why this song topped some charts. I mean, this is a song I can tolerate and even like, although my music taste is quite far from it.

Austria: 1
Germany: 1
Switzerland: 1
USA: none

7 An Angel - The Kelly Family

Austria: 1
Germany: 2
Switzerland: 2
USA: none

The Kelly Family is an Irish-American, multigenerational family music group.

8 Boat on a River - Styx

I like this song. I thought it was big in the USA. But I see it wasn't.

Austria: 2
Germany: 5
Switzerland: 1
USA: none.

9 One - Mary J. Blige & U2

Austria: 1
Germany: 6
Switzerland: 2
USA: 86

Mary J. Blige is American.

10 Music Is The Key - Sarah Connor & Naturally 7

Austria: 6
Germany: 1
Switzerland: 2
USA: none

Naturally 7 are American.

The Contenders
11 I Can't Help Myself (I Love You, I Want You) - The Kelly Family

Austria: 2
Germany: 1
Switzerland: 1
USA: none

The Kelly Family is an Irish-American, multigenerational family music project.

12 Looking For Freedom - David Hasselhoff

Austria: 1
Germany: 1
Switzerland: 1
USA: none

13 Scatman's World - Scatman John

Austria: 4
Germany: 1
Switzerland: 3
USA: none

14 Rosana - Wax

Austria: 1
Germany: 7
Switzerland: 7
USA: none

15 Paid My Dues - Anastacia

I like this song and Anastacia in general.

Austria: 3
Germany: 3
Switzerland: 1
USA: none

16 Men in Black - Will Smith

This song was number 1 US Billboard Hot 100 Airplay

Austria: 2
Germany: 1
Switzerland: 1
USA: none

17 Do the Limbo Dance - David Hasselhoff

Austria: 1
Germany: 12
Switzerland: 19
USA: none

18 Dangerous - David Guetta & Sam Martin

Austria: 1
Germany: 1
Switzerland: 1
USA: 56

Sam Martin is American.

19 Lovers on the Sun - David Guetta & Sam Martin

Austria: 1
Germany: 1
Switzerland: 2
USA: none

Sam Martin is American.

20 Scatman (Ski Ba Bop Ba Dop Bop) - Scatman John

Despite it not being successful in the US, the song was featured in a memorable scene of the American comedy movie "Nothing To Lose".

Austria: 1
Germany: 2
Switzerland: 1
USA: 60

21 Ich Kenne Nichts (Das So Schön Ist Wie Du) - Xavier Naidoo & Rza

Before hip hop fans go crazy over this: RZA is officially credited as an artist, but he has no verse on the song. He serves as a co-writer and producer and has a short spoken intro. All the singing is done by Xavier Naidoo. The song is bilingual in English and German, and I assume RZA wrote the English lyrics.

Austria: 2
Germany: 1
Switzerland: 3
USA: none.

RZA is American.

22 Sweat - David Guetta & Snoop Dogg

Austria: 1
Germany: 2
Switzerland: 2
USA: none

Snoop Dogg is American.

23 These Days - Rudimental, Jess Glynne, Macklemore & Dan Caplen

Austria: 1
Germany: 3
Switzerland: 2
USA: none

Macklemore is American.

24 Solo - Clean Bandit & Demi Lovato

Austria: 1
Germany: 1
Switzerland: 2
USA: 58

Demi Lovato is American.

25 Hangover - Taio Cruz & Flo Rida

Austria: 1
Germany: 2
Switzerland: 1
USA: 62

Flo Rida is American.

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