Smooth Icons 2019: George Michael is named the greatest artist of all time
21 January 2019, 17:00
You've voted in your thousands, but who is your favourite artist of all time?
George Michael was named the greatest artist of all time in the Smooth Icons poll today (January 21), taking in a huge 36% of the total vote, and 20% more than his nearest rival.
The Carpenters were the surprise runner-up, followed by Elvis Presley in third place.
The top five was rounded out by Whitney Houston and ABBA.
The result follows George Michael's victory in the 2016 All-Time Top 500, while the Carpenters topped our recent Best Christmas Song poll.
Also in the top ten were Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Bee Gees and Lionel Richie.
The likes of Sir Elton John, Adele, Take That and Stevie Wonder had to settle for top 20 positions.
Catch the full top 40 below:
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1. George Michael
via GIPHY George Michael's 15 greatest songs ever
Full name: Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou
Records sold: 115 million
Albums: 5
Biggest songs: 'Careless Whisper', 'A Different Corner', 'I Knew You Were Waiting for Me' (with Aretha Franklin), 'Faith', 'Father Figure', 'Praying for Time', 'Freedom 90', 'Heal the Pain', 'Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me' (with Elton John), 'Jesus to a Child', 'Fastlove', 'Outside'. -
2. Carpenters
via GIPHY The 11 greatest Carpenters songs
Years active: 1969-1983
Records sold: 90 million
Albums: 14
Biggest songs: 'Close To You', 'We've Only Just Begun', 'For All We Know', 'Rainy Days and Mondays', 'Superstar', 'Yesterday Once More', 'Only Yesterday'. -
3. Elvis Presley
via GIPHY QUIZ: How well do you know Elvis Presley?
Full name: Elvis Aaron Presley
Records sold: 600 million
Albums: 24
Biggest songs: 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'Blue Suede Shoes', 'Hound Dog', 'Love Me Tender', 'All Shook Up', 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Are You Lonesome Tonight?', 'A Little Less Conversation', 'In the Ghetto', 'Suspicious Minds', 'The Wonder of You', 'Always On My Mind'. -
4. Whitney Houston
via GIPHY Records sold: 200 million
Albums: 7
Biggest songs: 'Saving All My Love for You', 'How Will I Know', 'Greatest Love of All', 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody', 'Didn't We Almost Have it All', 'One Moment In Time', 'I Will Always Love You', 'I'm Every Woman', 'I Have Nothing'. -
5. ABBA
via GIPHY All the latest from ABBA's reunion
Members: Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad
Years active: 1972-1982
Records sold: 200 million
Albums: 8
Biggest songs: 'Waterloo', 'SOS', 'Mamma Mia', 'Fernando', 'Dancing Queen', 'Take a Chance on Me', 'Knowing Me Knowing You', 'The Name of the Game', 'Chiquitita', 'Voulez-Vous', 'I Have a Dream', 'The Winner Takes it All', 'Super Trouper', 'One of Us'. -
6. Michael Jackson
via GIPHY Michael Jackson's 30 greatest ever songs
Records sold: 350 million
Albums: 10 (2 posthumous)
Biggest songs: 'Don't Stop Til You Get Enough', 'Rock With You', 'Billie Jean', 'Beat It', 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'', 'Human Nature', 'PYT (Pretty Young Thing)', 'Thriller', 'I Just Can't Stop Loving You', 'Bad', 'The Way You Make Me Feel', 'Dirty Diana', 'Man in the Mirror', 'Smooth Criminal', 'Black or White', 'Heal the World', 'You Are Not Alone', 'Earth Song'. -
7. David Bowie
via GIPHY QUIZ: Which David Bowie song represents you?
Full name: David Robert Jones
Records sold: 140 million
Albums: 27
Biggest songs: 'Space Oddity', 'Changes', 'Starman', 'The Jean Genie', 'Life on Mars?', 'Rebel Rebel', 'Fame', 'Golden Years', 'Heroes', 'Ashes to Ashes', 'Under Pressure' (with Queen), 'Let's Dance', 'China Girl'. -
8. Rod Stewart
via GIPHY Full name: Roderick David Stewart
Records sold: 100 million
Albums: 30
Biggest songs: 'Maggie May', 'You Wear it Well', 'Sailing', 'This Old Heart of Mine', 'I Don't Want to Talk About It', 'The First Cut is the Deepest', 'You're in My Heart', 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?', 'Young Turks', 'Baby Jane'. -
9. Bee Gees
via GIPHY QUIZ: How well do you know the Bee Gees' lyrics?
Members: Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, Robin Gibb
Years active: 1958-2003
Records sold: 220 million
Albums: 22
Biggest songs: 'Massachusetts', 'Words', 'Jive Talkin'', 'You Should Be Dancing', 'How Deep is Your Love', 'More than a Woman', 'Stayin' Alive', 'Night Fever', 'Tragedy', 'You Win Again'. -
10. Lionel Richie
via GIPHY Full name: Lionel Brockman Richie Jr
Records sold: 90 million
Albums: 10
Biggest songs: 'Easy', 'Three Times a Lady', 'Endless Love' (with Diana Ross), 'Truly', 'All Night Long (All Night)', 'Hello', 'Stuck on You', 'Penny Lover', 'Say You, Say Me', 'Dancing on the Ceiling', 'My Destiny'. -
11. Barbra Streisand
via GIPHY Full name: Barbara Joan Streisand
Records sold: 150 million
Albums: 35
Biggest songs: 'Woman in Love', 'Guilty' (with Barry Gibb), 'Evergreen', 'The Way We Were', 'Papa, Can You Hear Me?', 'You Don't Bring Me Flowers' (with Neil Diamond), 'People'. -
12. Aretha Franklin
via GIPHY Aretha Franklin's greatest ever live performances
Records sold: 75 million
Albums: 41
Biggest songs: 'Respect', 'You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman)', 'Chain of Fools', 'Think', 'I Say a Little Prayer', 'I Knew You Were Waiting for Me'. -
13. Neil Diamond
via GIPHY 11 of Neil Diamond's greatest songs ever
Full name: Neil Leslie Diamond
Records sold: 100 million
Albums: 32
Biggest songs: 'Cracklin' Rosie', 'I Am, I Said', 'Play Me', 'You Don't Bring Me Flowers' (with Barbra Streisand), 'Forever in Blue Jeans', 'Love on the Rocks', 'Sweet Caroline'. -
14. Barry White
via GIPHY Full name: Barry Eugene Carter
Records sold: 100 million
Albums: 20
Biggest songs: 'I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby', 'I've Got So Much Love to Give', 'Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe', 'Let the Music Play', 'You're the First, the Last, My Everything', 'Just the Way You Are'. -
15. Elton John
via GIPHY Full name: Reginald Kenneth Dwight
Records sold: 300 million
Albums: 30
Biggest songs: 'Your Song', 'Tiny Dancer', 'Rocket Man', 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting', 'Candle in the Wind', 'Bennie and the Jets', 'Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me', 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' (with Kiki Dee), 'Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word', 'Are You Ready for Love', 'I Guess That's Why they Call it the Blues', 'I'm Still Standing', 'Sacrifice', 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight', 'Something About the Way You Look Tonight', 'I Want Love'. -
16. Adele
via GIPHY Full name: Adele Laurie Blue Adkins
Records sold: 100+ million
Albums: 3
Biggest songs: 'Chasing Pavements', 'Make You Feel My Love, 'Someone Like You', 'Set Fire to the Rain', 'Rolling in the Deep', 'Rumour Has It', 'Skyfall', 'Hello', 'Send My Love (To Your New Lover)'. -
17. Take That
via GIPHY 20 best Take That songs of all time
Current members: Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald
Former members: Robbie Williams, Jason Orange
Albums: 8
Biggest songs: 'A Million Love Songs', 'Could It Be Magic', 'Pray', 'Relight My Fire' (with Lulu), 'Everything Changes', 'Back for Good', 'Never Forget', 'Patience', 'Shine', 'Rule the World', 'Greatest Day', 'The Flood'. -
18. Stevie Wonder
via GIPHY 14 greatest Stevie Wonder songs of all time
Full name: Stevland Hardaway Judkins
Records sold: 100 million
Albums: 23
Biggest songs: 'Uptight (Everything's Alright)', 'For Once in My Life', 'My Cherie Amour', 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours', 'Superstition', 'Higher Ground', 'Isn't She Lovely', 'Sir Duke', 'As', 'I Just Called to Say I Love You', 'Part Time Lover'. -
19. Phil Collins
via GIPHY 8 fascinating Phil Collins facts every fan should now
Full name: Philip David Charles Collins
Records sold: 150 million
Albums: 8
Biggest songs: 'In the Air Tonight', 'You Can't Hurry Love', 'Against All Odds', 'Sussudio', 'A Groovy Kind of Love', 'Two Hearts', 'Another Day in Paradise', 'True Colours'. -
20. Eagles
via GIPHY QUIZ: How well do you know the lyrics to 'Hotel California'?
Members: Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Timothy B Schmit, Joe Walsh, Bernie Leadon, Randy Meisner, Don Felder
Records sold: 150 million
Albums: 7
Biggest songs: 'Take It Easy', 'Hotel California', 'One of These Nights', 'Tequila Sunrise', 'Desperado'. -
21. Billy Joel
via GIPHY Records sold: 150 million
Albums: 13
Biggest songs: 'Piano Man', 'She's Always a Woman', 'My Life', 'Tell Her About It', 'Uptown Girl', 'This Night', 'We Didn't Start the Fire'. -
22. Fleetwood Mac
via GIPHY 8 of the best Fleetwood Mac cover versions
Classic lineup: Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie
Records sold: 100 million
Albums: 17
Biggest songs: 'Albatross', 'Oh Well', 'Go Your Own Way', 'Dreams', 'Don't Stop', 'You Make Loving Fun', 'Songbird', 'The Chain', 'Little Lies', 'Everywhere'. -
23. Tina Turner
via GIPHY Birth name: Anna Mae Bullock
Records sold: 200 million
Albums: 10
Biggest songs: 'Proud Mary', 'River Deep Mountain High', 'Nutbush City Limits', 'Private Dancer', 'What's Love Got to Do With It', 'The Best'. -
24. Marvin Gaye
via GIPHY Full name: Marvin Pentz Gay Jr
Albums: 25
Singles: 83
Biggest songs: 'How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)', 'It Takes Two' (with Kim Weston), 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' (with Tammi Terrell), 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine', 'What's Going On', 'Mercy Mercy Me', 'Let's Get It On', 'Sexual Healing'. -
25. John Lennon
via GIPHY QUIZ: How much of a John Lennon fan are you?
Full name: John Winston Lennon
Albums: 11
Singles: 21
Biggest songs: 'Give Peace a Chance', 'Imagine', 'Happy Xmas (War is Over)', '(Just Like) Starting Over', 'Woman', 'Jealous Guy'. -
26. Madonna
via GIPHY The 20 greatest Madonna songs of all time
Full name: Madonna Louise Ciccone
Records sold: 300 million
Albums: 13
Biggest songs: 'Holiday', 'Borderline', 'Like a Virgin', 'Material Girl', 'Crazy for You', 'Into the Groove', 'Live to Tell', 'Papa Don't Preach', 'True Blue', 'Open Your Heart', 'La Isla Bonita', 'Like a Prayer', 'Vogue', 'Take a Bow', 'You'll See', 'Frozen', 'Ray of Light', 'Music'. -
27. Prince
via GIPHY The 10 best Prince songs ever
Full name: Prince Rogers Nelson
Records sold: 100 million
Albums: 39
Biggest songs: 'I Wanna Be Your Lover', '1999', 'When Doves Cry', 'Let's Go Crazy', 'Purple Rain', 'Raspberry Beret', 'Kiss', 'Sign 'o' the Times', 'Diamonds and Pearls', 'The Most Beautiful Girl in the World'. -
28. The Beach Boys
via GIPHY The 8 greatest Beach Boys songs ever
Classic lineup members: Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson, Al Jardine, Mike Love
Records sold: 100 million
Albums: 29
Biggest songs: 'Surfin' USA', 'In My Room', 'I Get Around', 'Help Me Rhonda', 'Barbara Ann', 'Wouldn't It Be Nice', 'Good Vibrations', 'God Only Knows'. -
29. Paul McCartney
via GIPHY Full name: James Paul McCartney
Bands: The Beatles, Wings
Solo albums: 16
Biggest songs: 'Maybe I'm Amazed', 'Live and Let Die', 'Band on the Run', 'Silly Love Songs', 'Mull of Kintyre', 'Say Say Say' (with Michael Jackson). -
30. Bob Marley
via GIPHY 12 fascinating facts about Bob Marley
Birth name: Robert Nesta Marley
Records sold: 75 million
Albums: 13
Biggest songs: 'I Shot the Sheriff', 'No Woman, No Cry', 'Jamming', 'One Love', 'Is this Love', 'Could You Be Loved', 'Three Little Birds', 'Redemption Song', 'Buffalo Soldier'. -
31. Dolly Parton
via GIPHY 10 fascinating facts about Dolly Parton
Albums: 43
Records sold: 100+ million
Biggest songs: '9 to 5', 'Jolene', 'Islands in the Stream' (with Kenny Rogers), 'I Will Always Love You'. -
32. Bryan Adams
via GIPHY Records sold: 75 million
Albums: 13
Biggest songs: 'Run to You', 'Summer of 69', 'Heaven', 'Everything I Do (I Do it for You)', 'Please Forgive Me', 'When You're Gone' (with Mel C), 'Cloud Number Nine'. -
33. George Benson
via GIPHY George Benson's 8 greatest ever songs
Albums: 36
Biggest songs: 'Never Give Up on a Good Thing', 'Breezin'', 'The Greatest Love of All', 'In Your Eyes', 'Give Me the Night'. -
34. Simon & Garfunkel
via GIPHY Members: Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon
Records sold: 100 million
Albums (as a duo): 5
Biggest songs: 'The Sound of Silence', 'America', 'Homeward Bound', 'Cecilia', 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', 'Mrs Robinson'. -
35. Diana Ross
via GIPHY Full name: Diane Ernestine Earle Ross
Former groups: The Supremes
Albums: 24
Biggest songs: 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough', 'Love Hangover', 'Upside Down', 'Endless Love' (with Lionel Richie), 'When You Tell Me That You Love Me', 'Chain Reaction'. -
36. Simply Red
via GIPHY Simply Red's 10 greatest ever songs
Frontman: Mick Hucknall
Records sold: 50 million
Albums: 11
Singles: 45
Biggest songs: 'Money's Too Tight (To Mention)', 'Holding Back the Years', 'If You Don't Know Me By Now', 'Something Got Me Started', 'Stars', 'For Your Babies', 'Fairground', 'Remembering the First Time'. -
37. Eric Clapton
via GIPHY Eric Clapton's 7 best ever songs
Records sold: 130 million
Albums: 23
Biggest songs: 'I Shot the Sheriff', 'Wonderful Tonight', 'Layla', 'Tears in Heaven' -
38. Blondie
via GIPHY Blondie's 10 greatest ever songs
Classic lineup members: Debbie Harry, Chris Stein, Frank Infante, Nigel Harrison, Gary Valentine, Clem Burke, Jimmy Destri
Records sold: 40 million
Albums: 11
Biggest songs: 'Denis', 'Hanging on the Telephone', 'Heart of Glass', 'Sunday Girl', 'One Way or Another', 'Call Me', 'Atomic', 'The Tide is High'. -
39. Randy Crawford
via GIPHY Real name: Veronica Crawford
Albums: 16
Biggest songs: 'One Day I'll Fly Away', 'Street Life', 'You Might Need Somebody', 'Rainy Night in Georgia', 'Almaz'. -
40. Sting
via GIPHY 10 fascinating Sting facts
Real name: Gordon Sumner
Former Band: The Police
Records sold: 100+ million
Albums: 12
Biggest songs: 'Message in a Bottle', 'Every Breath You Take', 'Roxanne', 'Every Little Thing She Does is Magic', 'Englishman in New York', 'Fields of Gold', 'Shape of My Heart'.
