Procol Harum's 1967 classic "A Whiter Shade of Pale" has been named as the most-played record of the past 70 years in the United Kingdom, according to British performing rights group Phonographic Performance Ltd.
To mark its 70th anniversary, PPL tabulated the 70 recordings that have received the most airings, not only on radio but all other public performances, including clubs, retail outlets and jukeboxes. It was produced using methodology that ensured each of the seven decades in the organization's history was fairly represented. Research reflected the amount of play gathered by a song on its original release, as well as subsequent exposure.
Top 10:
1. Procul Harum - "A Whiter Shade Of Pale"
2. Queen - "Bohemian Rhapsody"
3. Wet Wet Wet's - "Love Is All Around"
4. Everly Brothers' "All I Have To Do Is Dream/Claudette"
5. Bryan Adams "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You"
6. Abba's - "Dancing Queen"
7. Elvis Presley - "All Shook Up"
8. Rod Stewart - "Maggie May"
9. Beatles - "Hello Goodbye"
10. Beatles - "Get Back"
Elvis In U.K.'s Most Played Songs Top 10
May 17, 2004 | Other Source:ReutersColin B wrote on
May 18, 2004
Tony - Phonographic Performance Ltd have to come up with a figure as accurate as they can, in order for the appropriate royalties to be paid. It may not be 100% accurate, but it is as near as it is possible to get.
TonyP wrote on
May 18, 2004
Another utterly pointless and probably inaccurate waste of time. Just how do they have complete records of how many times these songs have been played in all public places and retail outlets across the country? The answer is they don't as such records don't exist. The list is largely guesswork, so what on earth is the point?