Singles Poll Analysis

This page features the results, and analysis, of various polls to find the best, or favourite, singles. As with many polls, they are dominated by tracks from recent years, which then fall spectacularly in subsequent polls. Hence, by considering numerous polls a more accurate result can be obtained.

In all of these lists, if a single was originally listed as a double-A side then I have generally only included the more well known track (eg The Beatles 'Day Tripper / We Can Work It Out' would be given as just 'We Can Work It Out').

Unless stated all of the polls on this page are to find the best number one singles, rather than general singles.

Channel 4 Poll, 2000/1
The Guinness Book Of Hit Singles Poll, 2002
Radio 2 Poll, 2002
VH1 Poll, 2004
Radio 1 Poll, 2005
Channel 5 Poll, 2005
ITV Poll, 2012
Comparison Table
Analysis


Channel 4 Poll, 2000/2001


This poll was revealed in a programme hosted by Graham Norton on Channel 4. One source suggested that the poll was held in 2003, but from memory I think it was 2000 or 2001. The most recent tracks are from 1999 and 2000 and given that the majority of polls feature very recent acts it seems more likely to be from 2000 or 2001.
  1. Imagine - John Lennon
  2. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
  3. Hey Jude - The Beatles
  4. Dancing Queen - Abba
  5. Every Breath You Take - The Police
  6. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
  7. The Drugs Don’t Work - The Verve
  8. Don’t Look Back in Anger - Oasis
  9. Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love) - Spiller
  10. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams
  11. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O’Connor
  12. Millennium - Robbie Williams
  13. Like A Prayer - Madonna
  14. House Of The Rising Sun - The Animals
  15. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
  16. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
  17. I’m A Believer - The Monkees
  18. You Really Got Me - The Kinks
  19. A Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum
  20. If You Tolerate This - Manic Street Preachers
  21. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
  22. Firestarter - The Prodigy
  23. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
  24. What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
  25. Praise You - Fatboy Slim
  26. Gangsta’s Paradise - Coolio
  27. Space Oddity - David Bowie
  28. Going Underground - The Jam
  29. Ready Or Not - The Fugees
  30. Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys
  31. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
  32. Careless Whisper - George Michael
  33. I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
  34. Voodoo Chile - Jimi Hendrix
  35. Do They Know It’s Christmas? - Band Aid
  36. House Of Fun - Madness
  37. (Come Up And See Me) Make Me Smile - Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
  38. Come On Eileen - Dexy’s Midnight Runners
  39. Heart Of Glass - Blondie
  40. Relax - Frankie Goes To Hollywood
  41. Should I Stay Or Should I Go - The Clash
  42. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones
  43. Back For Good - Take That
  44. It’s Like That - Run DMC vs Jason Nevins
  45. Ghost Town - The Specials
  46. Another Brick in the Wall - Pink Floyd
  47. No Matter What - Boyzone
  48. Mr Tambourine Man - The Byrds
  49. Wuthering Heights - Kate Bush
  50. Oh Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison
  51. Don’t You Want Me - Human League
  52. Love Is All Around - Wet Wet Wet
  53. Video Killed The Radio Star - Buggles
  54. You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling - The Righteous Brothers
  55. Merry Xmas Everybody - Slade
  56. Night Fever - Bee Gees
  57. Brimful of Asha - Cornershop
  58. Get It On - T-Rex
  59. You’ll Never Walk Alone - Gerry And The Pacemakers
  60. Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick - Ian Dury and The Blockheads
  61. True - Spandau Ballet
  62. You’re The One That I Want - John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
  63. YMCA - Village People
  64. Baby Love - The Supremes
  65. Maggie May - Rod Stewart
  66. It’s Not Unusual - Tom Jones
  67. He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother - The Hollies
  68. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
  69. There Must Be An Angel - Eurythmics
  70. West End Girls - Pet Shop Boys
  71. I Feel Love - Donna Summer
  72. World in Motion - Englandneworder
  73. San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair) - Scott Mackenzie
  74. Albatross - Fleetwood Mac
  75. Without You - Nilsson
  76. Red Red Wine - UB40
  77. I’m Not in Love - 10cc
  78. The Fly - U2
  79. The Most Beautiful Girl in the World - Prince
  80. Reach Out (I’ll Be There) - Four Tops
  81. I Just Called To Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder
  82. That’ll Be The Day - Buddy Holly and The Crickets
  83. Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? - Culture Club
  84. The Tears Of A Clown - Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
  85. Hello - Lionel Richie
  86. I Should Be So Lucky - Kylie Minogue
  87. Jealous Guy - Roxy Music
  88. Je T’Aime (Moi Non Plus) - Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg
  89. The Model - Kraftwerk
  90. Strangers In The Night - Frank Sinatra
  91. Back to Life (However Do You Want Me) - Soul II Soul
  92. Something In The Air - Thunderclap Newman
  93. Israelites - Desmond Dekker and the Aces
  94. Brass In Pocket - Pretenders
  95. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley and The Comets
  96. Ride On Time - Black Box
  97. Rivers Of Babylon - Boney M
  98. The Young Ones - Cliff Richard and the Shadows
  99. I Believe - Frankie Laine
  100. Mull of Kintyre - Wings

The Guinness Book Of Hit Singles Poll, 2002


This poll was to mark 50 years of charts from 1952-2002, and was published in the 15th Edition of the 'Guinness Book of Hit Singles'. The poll was based on 31,000 votes, and covered hit singles and not just number ones.
  1. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
  2. Imagine - John Lennon
  3. Hey Jude - The Beatles
  4. Dancing Queen - Abba
  5. Like A Prayer - Madonna
  6. Angels - Robbie Williams
  7. Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles
  8. Wannabe - The Spice Girls
  9. Yesterday - The Beatles
  10. Let It Be - The Beatles
  11. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
  12. Don't Look Back In Anger - Oasis
  13. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor
  14. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
  15. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
  16. Losing My Religion - REM
  17. Hotel California - The Eagles
  18. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams
  19. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
  20. With Or Without You - U2
  21. Candle In The Wind 1997 - Elton John
  22. I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
  23. Baby One More Time - Britney Spears
  24. Vogue - Madonna
  25. Tragedy - Steps
  26. Thriller - Michael Jackson
  27. Never Ever - All Saints
  28. My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
  29. I Turn To You - Melanie C
  30. Wonderwall - Oasis
  31. American Pie - Don McLean
  32. Everybody Hurts - REM
  33. Careless Whisper - George Michael
  34. Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty
  35. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
  36. I'll Be Missing You - Puff Daddy and Faith Evans featuring 112
  37. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones
  38. Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve
  39. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
  40. Wuthering Heights - Kate Bush
  41. Better The Devil You Know - Kylie Minogue
  42. Vienna - Ultravox
  43. She Loves You - The Beatles
  44. Music - Madonna
  45. Every Breath You Take - The Police
  46. Layla - Derek And The Dominoes
  47. The Winner Takes It All - Abba
  48. Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley
  49. My Sweet Lord - George Harrison
  50. I'm Not In Love - 10cc
  51. Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys
  52. Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
  53. Back For Good - Take That
  54. Stan - Eminem
  55. Without You - Nilsson
  56. God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
  57. Don't You Want Me - The Human League
  58. I Don't Want To Miss A Thing - Aerosmith
  59. Bat Out Of Hell - Meat Loaf
  60. Help - The Beatles
  61. Heroes - David Bowie
  62. Purple Rain - Prince
  63. Can't Get You Out Of My Head - Kylie Minogue
  64. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
  65. God Save The Queen - The Sex Pistols
  66. China In Your Hand - T'Pau
  67. Hero - Mariah Carey
  68. Whole Again - Atomic Kitten
  69. Love Is All Around - Wet Wet Wet
  70. Space Oddity - David Bowie
  71. (Come Up And See Me) Make Me Smile - Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
  72. Knowing Me Knowing You - Abba
  73. The Drugs Don't Work - The Verve
  74. Teenage Kicks - The Undertones
  75. Summer Of '69 - Bryan Adams
  76. Cars - Gary Numan
  77. Mr Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra
  78. 2 Become 1 - The Spice Girls
  79. Rock DJ - Robbie Williams
  80. Pure Shores - All Saints
  81. Sultans Of Swing - Dire Straits
  82. Holler - The Spice Girls
  83. Into The Groove - Madonna
  84. Believe - Cher
  85. Independent Women Part 1 - Destiny's Child
  86. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
  87. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
  88. My Generation - The Who
  89. We Can Work It Out - The Beatles
  90. Common People - Pulp
  91. Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks
  92. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - The Righteous Brothers
  93. Voodoo Chile - Jimi Hendrix
  94. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
  95. Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns 'n' Roses
  96. Anarchy In The UK - The Sex Pistols
  97. Eternal Flame - The Bangles
  98. Without You - Mariah Carey
  99. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix
  100. How Do I Live - LeAnn Rimes

Radio 2 Poll, 2002


This poll was revealed in August 2002 and was held to mark the 50th Anniversary of the charts. Voters were recruited through Radio 2, the Guinness Book Of Hit Singles, Friends Reunited, and The Sun, and was based on a total of 188,000 votes.
  1. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
  2. Imagine - John Lennon
  3. Hey Jude - The Beatles
  4. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
  5. My Sweet Lord - George Harrison
  6. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
  7. The House Of The Rising Sun - The Animals
  8. Dancing Queen - Abba
  9. Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys
  10. Under Pressure - Queen & David Bowie
  11. Wuthering Heights - Kate Bush
  12. Another Brick In The Wall - Pink Floyd
  13. Every Breath You Take - The Police
  14. You've Lost That Loving Feeling - The Righteous Brothers
  15. Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid
  16. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones
  17. She Loves You - The Beatles
  18. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
  19. All You Need Is Love - The Beatles
  20. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
  21. I'm Not In Love - 10cc
  22. (Come Up And See Me) Make Me Smile - Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel
  23. Maggie May - Rod Stewart
  24. Oh Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison
  25. Space Oddity - David Bowie
  26. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor
  27. I Want To Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
  28. Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners
  29. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
  30. I'm A Believer - The Monkees
  31. I Don't Like Mondays - Boomtown Rats
  32. A Hard Day's Night - The Beatles
  33. Help - The Beatles
  34. Relax - Frankie Goes To Hollywood
  35. Can't Get You Out Of My Head - Kylie Minogue
  36. Innuendo - Queen
  37. Mr Tambourine Man - Byrds
  38. Waterloo - Abba
  39. A Little Less Conversation - Elvis vs JXL
  40. You Really Got Me - The Kinks
  41. Don't Look Back In Anger - Oasis
  42. All Shook Up - Elvis Presley
  43. Albatross - Fleetwood Mac
  44. Are You Lonesome Tonight - Elvis Presley
  45. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams
  46. Paint It Black - The Rolling Stones
  47. Without You - Nilsson
  48. The Wonder Of You - Elvis Presley
  49. What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
  50. Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick - Ian Dury and The Blockheads
  51. The Winner Takes It All - Abba
  52. Heart Of Glass - Blondie
  53. We Can Work It Out - The Beatles
  54. Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
  55. Careless Whisper - George Michael
  56. Ticket To Ride - The Beatles
  57. Woman - John Lennon
  58. Can't Buy Me Love - The Beatles
  59. It's Now Or Never - Elvis Presley
  60. Voodoo Chile - Jimi Hendrix
  61. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - Dusty Springfield
  62. Yellow Submarine - The Beatles
  63. Don't You Want Me - Human League
  64. Only The Lonely - Roy Orbison
  65. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley and The Comets
  66. Paperback Writer - The Beatles
  67. Going Underground - The Jam
  68. Get It On - T. Rex
  69. Merry Xmas Everybody - Slade
  70. I Got You Babe - Sonny & Cher
  71. Sunny Afternoon - The Kinks
  72. Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler
  73. With A Little Help From My Friends - Joe Cocker
  74. Mamma Mia - Abba
  75. You'll Never Walk Alone - Gerry & The Pacemakers
  76. Ashes To Ashes - David Bowie
  77. Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
  78. Get Back - The Beatles
  79. Knowing Me Knowing You - Abba
  80. Like A Prayer - Madonna
  81. Return To Sender - Elvis Presley
  82. Eternal Flame - The Bangles
  83. Living On My Own - Freddie Mercury
  84. Beautiful Day - U2
  85. Video Killed The Radio Star - Buggles
  86. Jumping Jack Flash - The Rolling Stones
  87. I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) - Meat Loaf
  88. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
  89. San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair) - Scott McKenzie
  90. From Me To You - The Beatles
  91. School's Out - Alice Cooper
  92. The Sun Always Shines On TV - A-Ha
  93. Night Fever - Bee Gees
  94. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
  95. Honky Tonk Women - The Rolling Stones
  96. He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother - The Hollies
  97. Hello Goodbye - The Beatles
  98. Tears Of A Clown - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
  99. Message In A Bottle - The Police
  100. Uptown Girl - Billy Joel Mull of Kintyre - Wings

VH1 Poll, 2004


This poll was held between July and August 2004 with the results revealed on VH1 in August 2004. I'm not sure whether it focused entirely on number one singles, but all of the tracks that I have checked did indeed reach the top spot.
  1. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
  2. Imagine - John Lennon
  3. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
  4. Don't Look Back In Anger - Oasis
  5. Vogue - Madonna
  6. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams
  7. Leave Right Now - Will Young
  8. Can't Get You Out Of My Head - Kylie Minogue
  9. Like A Prayer - Madonna
  10. Without You - Mariah Carey
  11. Toxic - Britney Spears
  12. Flying Without Wings - Westlife
  13. Every Breath You Take - The Police
  14. Don't Speak - No Doubt
  15. Baby One More Time - Britney Spears
  16. Careless Whisper - George Michael
  17. Think Twice - Celine Dion
  18. I'll Be Missing You - Puff Daddy and Faith Evans featuring 112
  19. True - Spandau Ballet
  20. Wannabe - The Spice Girls
  21. Crazy In Love - Beyonce
  22. Earth Song - Michael Jackson
  23. Frozen - Madonna
  24. Back For Good - Take That
  25. Where Is The Love? - Black Eyed Peas
  26. Stand And Deliver - Adam & The Ants
  27. Never Be The Same Again - Mel C featuring Left Eye
  28. The Reflex - Duran Duran
  29. Beautiful - Christina Aguilera
  30. Ashes To Ashes - David Bowie
  31. Black Or White - Michael Jackson
  32. Atomic - Blondie
  33. Beautiful Day - U2
  34. Stan - Eminem
  35. Going Underground - Jamiroquai
  36. I Believe I Can Fly - R Kelly
  37. World Of Our Own - Westlife
  38. Relax - Frankie Goes To Hollywood
  39. Into The Groove - Madonna
  40. I'll Do Anything For Love - Meat Loaf
  41. The Drugs Don't Work - The Verve
  42. All The Things She Said - Tatu
  43. It's A Sin - Pet Shop Boys
  44. If You Come Back - Blue
  45. The Winner Takes It All - Abba
  46. You Are Not Alone - Michael Jackson
  47. Prince Charming - Adam & The Ants
  48. Dirrty - Christina Aguilera
  49. Mmmbop - Hanson
  50. Swear It Again - Westlife
  51. Keep On Movin - Soul II Soul featuring Caron Wheeler
  52. Music - Madonna
  53. Tragedy - Steps
  54. When You Say Nothing At All - Ronan Keating
  55. West End Girls - Pet Shop Boys
  56. Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid
  57. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor
  58. Rock DJ - Robbie Williams
  59. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
  60. Gangsta's Paradise - Coolio featuring LV
  61. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
  62. Some Might Say - Oasis
  63. Under Pressure - Queen and David Bowie
  64. House Of Fun - Madness
  65. I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
  66. Don't You Want Me - Human League
  67. Don't Stop Movin - S Club 7
  68. Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners
  69. It's Like That - Run DMC vs Jason Nevins
  70. Yeah - Usher
  71. Fame - Irene Cara
  72. She's The One - Robbie Williams
  73. My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
  74. A Town Called Malice - The Jam
  75. Hero - Enrique
  76. Should I Stay Or Should I Go - Clash
  77. Always On My Mind - Pet Shop Boys
  78. No Matter What - Boyzone
  79. Call Me - Blondie
  80. Lose Yourself - Eminem
  81. Just A Little - Liberty X
  82. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go - Wham!
  83. Whole Again - Atomic Kitten
  84. Killing Me Softly - The Fugees
  85. Stay - Shakespear's Sister
  86. Love Is All Around - Wet Wet Wet
  87. Eternal Flame - The Bangles
  88. End Of The Road - Boyz II Men
  89. Back To Life - Soul II Soul featuring Caron Wheeler
  90. If You're Not The One - Daniel Bedingfield
  91. Say You'll Be There - The Spice Girls
  92. Groovejet (If This Ain't Love) - Spiller
  93. Firestarter - Prodigy
  94. Eye Of The Tiger - Survivor
  95. Millennium - Robbie Williams
  96. Papa Don't Preach - Madonna
  97. Dilemma - Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland
  98. Pure Shores - All Saints
  99. I Just Called To Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder
  100. Independent Women Part 1 - Destiny's Child

Radio 1 Poll, 2005


This poll was held on Radio 1 to celebrate the 1000th Number One single, so must be from January or February 2005, and was based on around 26,000 votes.
  1. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
  2. Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter - Iron Maiden
  3. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
  4. Like A Prayer - Madonna
  5. Vogue - Madonna
  6. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
  7. Don't Look Back In Anger - Oasis
  8. Dancing Queen - Abba
  9. Without You - Mariah Carey
  10. Imagine - John Lennon
  11. Hey Jude - The Beatles
  12. Leave Right Now - Will Young
  13. We Don't Talk Anymore - Cliff Richard
  14. Thunderbirds - Busted
  15. Wuthering Heights - Kate Bush
  16. Can't Get You Out Of My Head - Kylie Minogue
  17. All The Things She Said - Tatu
  18. Wannabe - The Spice Girls
  19. My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
  20. Flying Without Wings - Westlife

Channel 5 Poll, 2005


This poll was revealed in 'The Nations Favourite Number One Singles' in February 2005. Unfortunately the only list I can find omits the track at position 37.
  1. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
  2. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
  3. Hey Jude - The Beatles
  4. House Of The Rising Sun - The Animals
  5. White Shade Of Pale - Procul Harum
  6. Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid
  7. Imagine - John Lennon
  8. Dancing Queen - Abba
  9. Every Breath You Take - The Police
  10. Candle In The Wind '97 - Elton John
  11. I Just Called To Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder
  12. Killing Me Softly - The Fugees
  13. You've Lost That Loving Feeling - The Righteous Brothers
  14. I Want To Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
  15. She Loves You - The Beatles
  16. Eye Of The Tiger - Survivor
  17. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
  18. All I Have To Do Is Dream - Everly Brothers
  19. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
  20. Millennium - Robbie Williams
  21. Maggie May - Rod Stewart
  22. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
  23. Another Brick In The Wall - Pink Floyd
  24. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley and The Comets
  25. The Power Of Love - Jennifer Rush
  26. I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
  27. Don't Look Back In Anger - Oasis
  28. I Believe I Can Fly - R Kelly
  29. Stan - Eminem
  30. Living Doll - Cliff Richard
  31. Waterloo - Abba
  32. I'm A Believer - The Monkees
  33. Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners
  34. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
  35. Where Is The Love? - Black Eyed Peas
  36. Dry Your Eyes - The Streets
  37. (unknown)
  38. Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys
  39. I'll Be Missing You - Puff Daddy and Faith Evans featuring 112
  40. Unchained Melody - Gareth Gates

ITV Poll, 2012


This poll was revealed in 'The Nations Favourite Number One Single' in July 2012. It was based on a public vote, most likely via the ITV website.
  1. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
  2. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
  3. Someone Like You - Adele
  4. Don’t Look Back In Anger - Oasis
  5. Hey Jude - The Beatles
  6. Imagine - John Lennon
  7. Baby One More Time - Britney Spears
  8. Dancing Queen - Abba
  9. I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
  10. Can’t Get You Out Of My Head - Kylie Minogue
  11. Back For Good - Take That
  12. Don't You Want Me - The Human League
  13. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
  14. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams
  15. Space Oddity - David Bowie
  16. Like a Prayer - Madonna
  17. Wannabe - Spice Girls
  18. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
  19. Heart Of Glass - Blondie
  20. Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid
  21. Wuthering Heights - Kate Bush
  22. Careless Whisper - George Michael
  23. Crazy In Love - Beyonce ft Jay-Z
  24. Every Breath You Take - The Police
  25. Candle In The Wind 1997 - Elton John
  26. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procul Harum
  27. The Winner Takes It All - Abba
  28. What A Wonderful Worl - Louis Armstrong
  29. Vogue - Madona
  30. You Really Got Me - The Kinks
  31. Poker Face - Lady Gaga
  32. Umbrella - Rihanna ft Jay-Z
  33. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones
  34. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor
  35. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
  36. Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys
  37. West End Girls - Pet Shop Boys
  38. Going Underground - The Jam
  39. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
  40. Stand And Deliver - Adam AND The Ants
  41. Maggie May - Rod Stewart
  42. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - The Righteous Brother
  43. Stan - Eminem
  44. I Wanna Hold Your Hand 1963 - Beatles
  45. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
  46. House of The Rising Sun - The Animals
  47. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
  48. Relax - Frankie Goes To Hollywood
  49. Stand By Me - Ben E King
  50. I Believe I Can Fly 1991 - R Kelly
  51. The Drugs Don't Work - The Verve
  52. Should I Stay Or Should I Go - The Clash
  53. Gangsta's Paradise - Coolio ft L.V.
  54. I'm Not In Love - 10cc
  55. Firestarter - The Prodigy
  56. Dry Your Eyes - The Streets
  57. Killing Me Softly - Fugees
  58. Merry Christmas Everybody - Slade
  59. Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick - Ian Drury & The Blockheads
  60. Bonkers - Dizzy Rascal

Comparison Table


This table shows the top 10 tracks, ordered by their average position across the polls. A similar approach, including a different selection of polls, but reaching a similar conclusion, is also available here.

  Song - Artist Ch 4, 2000/1 Guinness, 2002 Radio 2, 2002 VH1, 2004 Radio 1, 2005 Ch 5, 2005 ITV, 2012 Average
1 Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen 2 1 1 3 1 1 1 1.4
2 Imagine - John Lennon 1 2 2 2 10 7 6 4.3
3 Don't Look Back in Anger - Oasis 8 12 41 4 7 27 4 14.7
4 Hey Jude - The Beatles 3 3 3 -- 11 3 5 18.4
5 Every Breath You Take - The Police 5 45 13 13 -- 9 24 18.6
6 Dancing Queen - Abba 4 4 8 -- 8 8 8 20.1
7 Billie Jean - Michael Jackson 23 15 88 1 3 22 2 22.0
8 (Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams 10 18 45 6 -- -- 14 22.1
9 Like A Prayer - Madonna 13 5 80 9 4 -- 16 24.0
10 Crazy In Love - Beyonce NYR NYR NYR 21 -- -- 23 26.5

Analysis