George Michael tops Smooth Radio’s All Time Top 500 countdown again
Careless Whisper, written by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, has once again been voted the number one song in Smooth Radio’s All Time Top 500 chart.
More than 42,000 votes were cast by the public in the station’s annual countdown of the most popular songs. Across the May bank holiday weekend, the top 500 songs were played on air, with the number one announced just before 7pm today.
Last year, Careless Whisper celebrated its 40th anniversary, marked by the release of an exclusive EP that reignited interest in the song and brought it back into the spotlight.
The track has surpassed 1.4 billion views on YouTube and amassed more than 700 million views on TikTok. It has been voted the number one song of all time for a record seven years in a row.
ABBA are enjoying their most successful year ever on the chart with a record-breaking 16 entries, led by Dancing Queen at number ten and The Winner Takes It All at number 25.
Elton John returns to the top 10 for the first time since 2017, reaching number nine with his duet Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, with George Michael. With 13 entries in this year’s countdown, Elton is the most popular living music artist.
Overall, George Michael is the most popular music artist in Smooth’s chart – with 19 songs, including 13 solo songs.
A Different Corner is at number three, followed by Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me at number nine. Whitney Houston is the most popular female artist, with 13 songs featured in the countdown. Her rendition of I Will Always Love You is her highest-placed entry, reaching number 14.
Robbie Williams and Ed Sheeran both feature in this year’s top 20, with Robbie rising two places since 2024. Perfect, one of Ed’s most successful songs, sits at number 11 in the top 500. Kylie Minogue makes her first ever appearance in the chart with Better the Devil You Know, at 362.
Smooth presenter Angie Greaves, who revealed the top 20 on air, said: “Smooth’s All Time Top 500 is a fantastic celebration of the best songs that are the soundtrack to our lives, from legendary music artists to the stars of today.
“It’s wonderful to see George Michael’s Careless Whisper top the chart again, with his timeless music continuing to resonate with the public, and ABBA celebrate their biggest year ever, retaining their crown as the most popular group.
“Our congratulations to Elton John on his first return to the top 10 in eight years and on his place as the nation’s favourite living artist, and to Robbie Williams, Ed Sheeran and Kylie Minogue on their success this year.
“The breadth of timeless and newer songs hold such a special place in people’s lives and that’s what makes our countdown so special.”
The full countdown of Smooth’s All Time Top 500 is available to listen to on catch up on Global Player.
Smooth’s All Time Top 500 – top 20:
- Careless Whisper – George Michael
- Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
- A Different Corner – George Michael
- Man in the Mirror – Michael Jackson
- Bridge Over Trouble Water – Simon and Garfunkel
- Dance With My Father – Luther Vandross
- Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
- Hotel California – Eagles
- Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me – Elton John and George Michael
- Dancing Queen – ABBA
- Perfect – Ed Sheeran
- Mr Blue Sky – Electric Orchestra
- Human Nature – Michael Jackson
- I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
- Angels – Robbie Williams
- Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
- Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
- Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
- (Everything I Do) I Do It For You – Bryan Adams
- Running Up That Hill – Kate Bush