BBC Radio 2 listeners were asked to choose between classics such as “Always On My Mind”, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “Suspicious Minds” as they voted for the UK’s favourite Elvis Presley song.
The station asked fans to choose Your Ultimate Elvis Song to compile a chart of the 40 most popular singles by the King of Rock and Roll, which led to more than 100,000 votes being cast.
The results landed on what would have been his 90th birthday, on 8 January 2025, revealing that Presley’s hit single “Suspicious Minds” had come out on top.
“In the Ghetto” finished second, followed by “If I Can Dream” in third, “Always On My Mind” in fourth, and “Can’t Help Falling In Love” rounding out the top five.
The top 10 favourite Elvis singles as voted for by Radio 2 listeners were:
1. “Suspicious Minds”
2. “In The Ghetto”
3. “If I Can Dream”
4. “Always On My Mind”
5. “Can’t Help Falling In Love”
6. “The Wonder Of You”
7. “An American Trilogy”
8. “Burning Love”
9. “I Just Can’t Help Believin’”
10. “Jailhouse Rock”
Hosted by Vernon Kay, Your Ultimate Elvis Song will count down the top 40 chart and feature words from Priscilla Presley, Elvis’s ex-wife.
“To everyone who has voted and shown this outpouring of love ahead of such a special anniversary, it’s wonderful knowing just how much Elvis’s music means to you all and that he lives on through the beautiful memories that remind you of him and his amazing career, and I send you all my love,” Presley said.
“To pick out one track from his vast catalogue is such a big decision. But between you, that’s what you’ve done. So let’s play Your Ultimate Elvis Song.”
“The King has earned another crown,” Kay announced. “Radio 2 listeners have had their say and I couldn’t be happier with their favourite hit, and to have it introduced by Priscilla Presley is such an honour.
“I’m a huge Elvis fan so I can’t wait to bring you two hours of the very best from his incredible catalogue of unforgettable songs.”
Your Ultimate Elvis Song will air on BBC Radio 2 from 3pm to 5pm and on BBC Sounds on New Year’s Day, and will feature BBC Archive interview clips with Elvis.
In October last year, a similar BBC Radio 2 poll unveiled the nation’s favourite British group, which pitted the Rolling Stones against The Beatles and Queen against Girls Aloud.
Additional reporting by Press Association.
