George Michael’s classic hit Careless Whisper has been voted the UK’s favourite song for the eighth year running in the Smooth Radio Top 500
George Michael has been named the UK’s most popular music artist with his iconic track Careless Whisper securing the top spot as the nation’s favourite song for an unprecedented eighth consecutive year, a poll has revealed.
The late star maintained his dominance on Smooth Radio’s All Time Top 500, an annual ranking of Britain’s most cherished songs, with the 1984 classic which he penned alongside his Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley for the duo’s album Make It Big.
George dominated the poll and the top 500 chart with an impressive 20 entries, including six tracks recorded with Wham!. The findings emerge nearly a decade after the legendary singer’s death from heart failure, aged 53, on Christmas Day in 2016. George also secured second place on the top 500 with 1986’s A Different Corner, surpassing Queen, whose Bohemian Rhapsody slipped one position from last year’s ranking to number three.
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Smooth Radio presenter Kate Garraway said: “It’s fantastic that George Michael’s music and legacy shine as brightly as ever, with Careless Whisper voted the number one song and George Michael named the most popular artist. It’s a fitting tribute to one of the greatest artists of all time. And what makes these results even more exciting is seeing singers like Sir Elton John and Whitney Houston, and groups such as Queen and ABBA, connecting with a whole new generation.”
Joint second place went to Michael Jackson and Sir Elton John, who each achieved 14 entries, with Jackson’s highest-ranking song being Man In The Mirror at number four. The announcement follows the release of the new biopic musical, Michael, which starred his nephew Jaafar Jackson, who portrayed the late singer.
Sir Elton’s biggest hit, Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, a collaboration with Michael, secured seventh position. Whitney Houston emerged as the leading female artist, claiming 12 spots on the countdown, including her rendition of I Will Always Love You at number 19.
Legendary rock outfit Queen made Top 500 countdown history this year, being crowned the most popular group for the first time, with 11 chart entries placing them joint first alongside ABBA.
Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill achieved its highest-ever ranking on the Smooth Radio Top 500 list, landing at number 10. This follows the track’s resurgence after appearing in the smash Netflix series Stranger Things – including its concluding season which dropped late last year. The Smooth Radio annual countdown is compiled from nearly 20,000 public votes and was revealed on Monday evening.
Garraway added: “Music has always meant so much to me, whether celebrating or getting through the tougher times in life. I love that this chart is always a powerful reminder of how much music means to all of us.”
Smooth’s All Time Top 500 – Top 20:
Careless Whisper – George Michael
A Different Corner – George Michael
Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
Man In The Mirror – Michael Jackson
Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon and Garfunkel
Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me – Elton John and George Michael
Human Nature – Michael Jackson
Dance With My Father – Luther Vandross
Running Up That Hill – Kate Bush
Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
Father Figure – George Michael
Always On My Mind – Elvis Presley
Hotel California – Eagles
Jesus To A Child – George Michael
Dancing Queen – ABBA
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You – Bryan Adams
Suspicious Minds – Elvis Presley
I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
Fastlove – George Michael
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