Queen classic is world's favourite song

Published on 29/09/2005 01:55

QUEEN'S We Are The Champions by has been voted the world's favourite song.

The 1977 classic, featuring the vocals of the late Freddie Mercury and which remains a favourite on football terraces, topped a survey of 700,000 music fans in 66 countries.

In the UK, however, it didn't even make the top ten - British fans instead voting Michael Jackson in at number one with Billie Jean. Jackson had seven hits in the UK top ten.

In the global poll, We Are The Champions was followed by the Britney Spears's hit Toxic. Billie Jean was third, ahead of Hotel California by The Eagles.

The Latin American superstar Shakira was fifth with her song La Tortura. Smells Like Teen Spirit from Nirvana was sixth. The Beatles had their only entry at No7 with Yesterday. U2's One was eighth, Imagine by John Lennon was ninth, and the Dire Straits hit Sultans of Swing was tenth.

The global poll was conducted by Sony Ericsson to mark the launch of its Walkman mobile phone.

"We Are The Champions is an anthem worldwide, both in music and sporting arenas. It conveys the passion music brings to our lives and proves a classic rock song is truly timeless," said Sony Ericsson's corporate vice-president, Dee Dutta.

In the UK, Jackson fans were busy casting their votes. The Jacko songs in the top ten were Billie Jean, Thriller, Beat It, Smooth Criminal, We've Had Enough, Black Or White and You Rock My World.

The only other songs to make it were Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, Angels by Robbie Williams and Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N' Roses.

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