For the seventh straight year,
George Michael
‘Careless Whisper’ has secured the number one position as Britain’s favorite song, based on Smooth Radio’s All Time Top 500 poll.
The track, co-written with
Andrew Ridgeley
for the Wham! album
Make It Big
, marked its 40th anniversary in 2024 and has amassed over 1.4 billion views on YouTube.
The late artist George Michael, who
passed away on December 25, 2016
, also led the poll as the top overall artist, with 19 entries featured in Smooth’s chart.
This includes 13 individual hit songs, with “A Different Corner” reaching the third spot.
Swedish pop giants
Abba
They have secured 16 spots within the Top 500. This ensemble holds the distinction of being the most beloved group, with their song “Dancing Queen” ranking at number 10 and “The Winner Takes It All” placed at number 25.
This achievement comes after the band’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2024, marking
Their triumph at the Eurovision Song Contest with “Waterloo” in 1974
.
British singer-songwriter Sir
Elton John
He made a return to the top 10 of the Smooth Radio chart for the first time since 2017 with his collaboration “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” featuring Michael, landing at number nine.
Sir Elton secured 13 spots in this year’s countdown – which makes him the top choice among current musical artists, as per the Smooth Radio survey.
Whitney Houston, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 48, received the title of the most beloved female artist after being included in the countdown with 13 tracks, among which was her version of “I Will Always Love You,” placing her at spot number 14.
Also entering the top 20 list is the singer-songwriter
Ed Sheeran
With his track “Perfect” hitting No. 11,
Robbie Williams
He climbed two positions on the chart since 2024 to reach number 15 with his song “Angels”.
Seamless host Angie Greaves, who unveiled the top 20 during her broadcast, remarked, “Smooth’s All Time Top 500 stands as an exceptional tribute to the finest tunes that form the musical backdrop of our lives—spanning iconic musicians and contemporary chart-toppers alike.”
It’s delightful to witness George Michael’s ‘Careless Whisper’ reclaiming the top spot on the charts, showcasing how his enduring music still connects deeply with audiences. Meanwhile, ABBA enjoys their greatest year yet, solidifying their position as the most beloved band.
We extend our congratulations to Elton John for making his way back into the top 10 after eight years and for being crowned the country’s favorite living artist. We also celebrate Robbie Williams, Ed Sheeran, and Kylie Minogue on their achievements this year.
During the May bank holiday long weekend, the most frequently broadcast tracks among the top 500 were aired, culminating in revealing the No.1 song shortly before 7 pm on Monday.
Smooth’s Ultimate Top 500 – top 20:
1. “Careless Whisper” – George Michael
2. “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen
3. “A Different Corner” – George Michael
4. “Man In The Mirror” – Michael Jackson
5. “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” – Simon and Garfunkel
6. “Dance With My Father” – Luther Vandross
7. “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson
8. “Hotel California” – Eagles
9. “Don’t Let The Sun Set On Us” – Elton John and George Michael
10. “Dancing Queen” – ABBA
11. “Perfect” – Ed Sheeran
“Mr Blue Sky” – Electric Orchestra
13. “Human Nature” – Michael Jackson
14. “I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston
15. “Angels” – Robbie Williams
16. “Wind Beneath My Wings” – Bette Midler
“Sweet Caroline” – Neil Diamond
18. “Don’t Halt Me Anymore” – Queen
19. “(Every Move I Make, It’s All for You)” – Bryan Adams
20. “Running Up That Hill” – Kate Bush
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