George Michael has cemented his status as the UK’s most beloved music artist, with his iconic track “Careless Whisper” topping Smooth Radio’s annual poll for an unprecedented eighth consecutive year.
The 1984 hit, co-written with Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley for their album Make It Big, secured the coveted number one spot in the station’s All Time Top 500 list.
Michael has 20 entries across the chart, including six songs recorded with Wham!.
He was also named the UK’s most popular artist.
This remarkable achievement comes almost a decade after the singer’s death from heart failure on Christmas Day 2016, aged 53.
Beyond the top spot, Michael also claimed the second position with his 1986 single “A Different Corner”, pushing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” down to third place from its previous standing.
“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,” Smooth Radio presenter Kate Garraway said.
“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.”
Following at joint second is Michael Jackson and Sir Elton John who had 14 entries each, with Jackson’s highest entry placing at number four with “Man In The Mirror”.
It comes following the release of the new biopic musical, Michael, which starred his nephew Jaafar Jackson as the late singer.
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Meanwhile Sir Elton’s most popular song, “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”, is a duet with Michael and placed at number seven.
Whitney Houston was named the most popular female artist, with 12 songs in the countdown, including her version of the Dolly Parton smash “I Will Always Love You” which placed at number 19.
Rock band Queen made Top 500 countdown history this year and were voted the most popular group for the first time ever, with 11 entries in the chart, putting them in joint first place with Abba.
Meanwhile, Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” reached its highest ever position on the Smooth Radio Top 500 list and placed at number 10.
It comes after the song went viral after featuring in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things – including its final season which was released in late 2025.
The Smooth Radio annual countdown chart is based on nearly 20,000 votes cast by the public and was announced on Monday evening.
“Music has always meant so much to me, whether celebrating or getting through the tougher times in life,” Garraway said.
“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
