‘Like A Prayer’ Voted As Favourite Madonna Song By Radio 2 Listeners
BBC Radio 2 listeners have crowned Like a Prayer as their favourite Madonna song, as revealed today (26 December), taking the No. 1 spot in Your Ultimate Madonna Song – the Top 40 chart of single releases by Madonna Louise Ciccone, as voted for by listeners.
2024 marks the 35th anniversary of Like a Prayer which reached No. 1 in the UK singles chart in March 1989. In the listeners poll, the No. 2 spot is Vogue, No. 3 is Into The Groove, No. 4 is Papa Don’t Preach and No. 5 is Like A Virgin.
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Madonna, one of the world’s greatest pop icons, is celebrated on Radio 2 on New Year’s Day with the three hour show, Your Ultimate Madonna Song hosted by Scott Mills (2-5pm) alongside Michelle Visage: My Queen – Madonna (5-6pm) and Madonna at the BBC (6-7pm). All the programmes are available exclusively on BBC Sounds from today (Tuesday 26th December) in the new Radio 2 Celebrates Madonna collection along with Madonna – Radio 2 In Concert from her 1993 Girlie Tour at Wembley Stadium.
For the vote – which launched in November in The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, closing on Friday 8th December – listeners were asked to select up to five of their favourite tracks from Madonna’s 61 Top Ten UK hits. In Your Ultimate Madonna Song, Scott Mills counts down the listeners’ Top 40 chart and he reveals more extraordinary facts and stats and behind the scenes insights from BBC Archive interview clips with Madonna herself.
In an official statement, Scott Mills said: “Like A Prayer is a phenomenal track the Radio 2 listeners have voted to top the chart in Your Ultimate Madonna Song, so please join me to celebrate the icon that is Madonna on Radio 2 on New Year’s Day and right now on BBC Sounds!”
Jeff Smith, Radio 2’s Head of Music, added: “Madonna has been inspiring fellow artists musically, artistically and creatively for 40 years, so I’m delighted that Radio 2 listeners cast tens of thousands of votes for their favourite songs which can be enjoyed on New Year’s Day… or on BBC Sounds on Boxing Day if Madonna fans can’t wait that long!”
The Top 40 favourite Madonna singles as voted for by Radio 2 listeners are as follows:
1 Like A Prayer (1989)
2 Vogue (1990)
3 Into The Groove (1985)
4 Papa Don’t Preach (1986)
5 Like A Virgin (1984)
6 Borderline (1986)
7 Crazy For You (1985)
8 Ray Of Light (1998)
9 Holiday (1984)
10 Material Girl (1985)
11 La Isla Bonita (1987)
12 Hung Up (2005)
13 Live To Tell (1986)
14 Frozen (1998)
15 True Blue (1986)
16 Beautiful Stranger (1999)
17 Express Yourself (1989)
18 Cherish (1989)
19 Open Your Heart (1986)
20 Dear Jessie (1989)
21 Music (2000)
22 This Used To Be My Playground (1992)
23 Justify My Love (1990)
24 Dress You Up – 1985)
25 Don’t Cry For Me Argentina (1996)
26 Deeper and Deeper (1992)
27 Who’s That Girl (1987)
28 Don’t Tell Me (2000)
29 The Power Of Good-Bye (1998)
30 American Pie (2000)
31 You’ll See (1995)
32 Rain (1993)
33 4 Minutes [Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake] (2008)
34 Erotica (1992)
35 Hanky Panky (1990)
36 Sorry (2006)
37 Nothing Really Matters (1999)
38 Drowned World (Substitute For Love) (1998)
39 Die Another Day (2002)
40 What It Feels Like For A Girl (2001).
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