Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody has been voted the “ultimate British song” by radio listeners.
The 1975 song written by Freddie Mercury knocked Oasis hit Wonderwall from the top spot in the second Best of British poll by Radio X.
Queen guitarist Brian May thanked fans who were among 25,000 voters who took part.
He said: “Who could have known in 1975 that the sounds on that particular piece of recording tape would still be echoing loud and clear in people’s hearts over four decades later. Rock on.” ‘
Rock on’: Queen guitarist Brian May thanked fans for their votes (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
Kasabian’s Serge Pizzorno backed the result, which was revealed on air by radio host John Kennedy.
He said: “Every time I hear that I still go ‘wow’. They released it as a six-minute single and so it is ridiculous but that’s kind of why it’s so amazing. It’s a monster tune.”
Wonderwall dropped to number three in the list but Oasis still dominated the chart with 13 songs in the top 100, including Live Forever which came second.