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And Finally Artist News Media
Greatest Hits Radio airs Elton John top ten ahead of Glastonbury performance
By Chris Cooke | Published on Monday 26 June 2023
If you followed this year’s Glastonbury Festival – and the BBC’s coverage of it – via a few cursory glances at some social media feeds over the weekend, you’d probably know the following…
Rick Astley was awesome, the BBC sign language interpreters were brilliant, Lewis Capaldi’s audience were magnificent, the sound levels on the Beeb’s broadcasts were inconsistent, Foo Fighters were the unsurprising surprise booking, and the headline sets from Arctic Monkeys and Guns N Roses were, well, let’s just say they divided opinion.
Elton John’s headline performance last night, however, was more of a general crowd pleaser. And, ahead of what was in theory John’s final ever UK live show yesterday, Greatest Hits Radio teamed up with record industry collecting society PPL to compile and air the snappily titled ‘Top Ten Most Played Elton John Songs In The 21st Century’.
Which was, well, the top ten most played Elton John songs in the 21st Century. As in, most played on radio and telly in the UK. According to PPL data.
“Since the start of the century the Rocket Man has generated over 600 million seconds of UK airplay on radio and TV”, the PPL data dudes revealed.
“In other words, if all of those plays had been consecutive they would equate to Elton being continuously on air for more than nineteen years – or around 80% of the century so far. And, between them, our top ten tracks account for almost 60% of Elton’s total air time, with the number one song alone – one of his greatest hits – making up almost 10%”.
So what were those top ten tracks? Well, you’ll have to read a quote from Mark Goodier – who ran through the special chart on Greatest Hits Radio – before I tell you that. And a quote from PPL’s Head Of Repertoire Dave Goggin. Because you know the rules, quotes first, charts later. Both spoke before the airing of their top ten and John’s Glastonbury set.
Goodier: “Over five decades of greatest hits, a Glastonbury headliner in 2023 and selling out stadiums across the globe on his farewell tour. Few singer-songwriters – of this or any age – can compete with the musical legacy of Elton Hercules John. The most played top ten showcases that legacy in the best way possible with songs that are still garnering an incredible amount of listening decades after their first release”.
Goggin: “Millions of fans around the world continue to listen to and enjoy the wonderful music recorded and performed by Elton John – a truly iconic artist. As festival-goers and fans at home prepare for what could be his final UK show, we hope our ultimate Elton top ten chart will whet their appetite and get them in the mood for what will surely be a highlight performance from this year’s event”.
And now here’s the top ten…
1. I’m Still Standing
2. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
3. Rocket Man
4. I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues
5. Your Song
6. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me
7. Step Into Christmas
8. Candle In The Wind
9. Sacrifice
10. Are You Ready For Love
