Mama Mia let me go: Queen at number 1 in Top 2000 for 19th time

Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen has taken the top spot in the annual Top 2000 of best-loved songs for the 19th time since the ranking started in 1999.

The six minute classic from 1975 was only pried loose from first place five times, twice by the Eagles’ Hotel California, once by John Lennon with Imagine and twice by homegrown artists Boudewijn de Groot and Danny Vera with Avonden and Roller Coaster respectively.

The public had until 3pm yesterday to vote for their favourite pop songs. The top 10 again featured Roller Coaster, which came second, and Hotel California, which came in third. Cold Play’s Fix you rose to fifth place while Queen’s Love of my life came 10th, giving the group an unprecedented two songs in the Top 10.

‘The classics in the highest places are the familiar soundtrack to New Year’s Eve, Peter de Vries of organiser Radio 2 said. ‘They are as traditional as oliebollen, champagne and fireworks.’

However, while the average age of a Top 2000 song was 31 years, change may be on the way, Radio 2 statistician Tom Goris said. ‘Young people are going to take over. People under 30 are as keen to vote as the traditional voters in their 50s,’ he said.

The list will be broadcast from the Top 2000 café in Hilversum, beginning on Christmas day and ending at midnight on New Year’s Eve. The programme will not be headed up by disgraced presenter Matthijs van Nieuwkerk who will be replaced by Herman van Zandt.