In 1968, which song kept "Fire" by the Crazy World of Arthur Brown from reaching number one in the US?

"Fire" is a 1968 song written by Arthur Brown, Vincent Crane, Mike Finesilver and Peter Ker. Performed by the Crazy World of Arthur Brown, it was released as a single and on the band's debut album, also called "The Crazy World of Arthur Brown". The single became a transatlantic hit. The single reached #1 in the United Kingdom in August 1968 and in Canada in October. Also in October, it reached #2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (behind "Hey Jude" by The Beatles).

The song's lyrics are sung from the perspective of a self-proclaimed "god of Hellfire," destroying, with tremendous glee, everything that his victims have built up over their lives. The song is an example of the psychedelic rock of the period, though its lack of guitars or bass guitar distinguished it from many of its contemporaries. The lead instrument in this case was Vincent Crane's Hammond organ, augmented by an orchestral section featuring prominent brass.

"Hey Jude" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles that was released as a non-album single in August 1968. It was written by Paul McCartney and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. The single was the Beatles' first release on their Apple record label. "Hey Jude" was a number-one hit in many countries around the world and became the year's top-selling single in the UK, the US, Australia and Canada.