So, you expect John Lennon's 'Imagine' to come top of 'best pop song ever' polls - it happens all the time. But Chris De Burgh's 'Lady In Red' in second place? Who names 'Lady In Red' as a favourite song? I mean, I know this poll was of the over fifties, and of potential Smoooooooth Radio listeners, but still, Chris De Burgh? I mean, I'm not anti-Chris De Burgh for the sake of it (in fact, if you promise not to tell anyone, I'll admit to quite liking his 'Spanish Train' album) but 'Lady In Red'? Ah well, I suppose the baby boomers also voted Led Zep (twice), Lou Reed, The Beach Boys and even Gnarls Barkley into their top ten, so perhaps we can forgive them the De Burgh moment, and the more predictable inclusion of that Katie Melua.
Anyway, this survey of over 3000 fifty-somethings as to the best pop song ever was undertaken by the Guardian owned Smooth Radio, who are preparing to relaunch next week having acquired and re-branded the Saga Radio network, which means that, in addition to their existing outposts in London and Manchester, there will now be six Smooth stations.
Commenting on the poll, Mark Goodier who, as previously reported, will present the morning show on Smooth's revamped London station, told CMU: "From John Lennon to Led Zeppelin to Ben E King - you can't get much wider than that! They might be a nostalgic generation but they are clearly not stuck in the past and love recent music as well, which is why Smooth Radio will be the perfect station for this audience".
In case you're looking for something to pull apart this afternoon, here's the top twenty, and look, we've included the year they come from too, mainly because the press release we were sent did...
1. John Lennon - Imagine (1971)
2. Chris De Burgh - Lady In Red (1986)
3. Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven (1971)
4. Ben E King - Stand By Me (1961)
5. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy (2006)
6. Lou Reed - Perfect Day (1972)
7. The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations (1966)
8. Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)
9. Katie Melua - The Closest Thing to Crazy (2003)
10. Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love (1970)
11. Louis Armstrong - What a Wonderful World (1967)
12. Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds (1969)
13. Abba - Dancing Queen (1976)
14. Andy Williams - Moon River (1961)
15. The Beatles - Hey Jude (1968)
16. Procul Harum - Whiter Shade of Pale (1967)
17. The Beatles - I Want to Hold Your Hand (1963)
18. Lionel Richie - Hello (1984)
19. Status Quo - Rockin' All Over The World (1977)
20. The Eagles - Hotel California (1976)