Whiter Shade 'most played' song

Procol Harum's A Whiter Shade of Pale is the most played song in public places in the past 75 years, according to a chart compiled for BBC Radio 2.

The song, with its distinctive organ riff, stayed at number one for six weeks in the UK in the summer of 1967.

Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody was at number two followed by All I Have To Do Is Dream by the Everly Brothers. There was no place in the top 10 for The Beatles.

The UK chart, presented by Rob Brydon, was compiled by licensing firm PPL.

TOP 10 MOST PLAYED SONGS

• 1. Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade Of Pale
• 2. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
• 3. Everly Brothers - All I Have To Do Is Dream
• 4. Wet Wet Wet - Love Is All Around
• 5. Bryan Adams - (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
• 6. Robbie Williams - Angels
• 7. Elvis Presley - All Shook Up
• 8. Abba - Dancing Queen
• 9. Perry Como - Magic Moments
• 10. Bing Crosby - White Christmas

Procol Harum lead singer Gary Brooker, who last year won back full royalty rights to the band's hit after a court battle, said its number one position in the 100-song chart was a "great and unsought honour".

"It isn't something I could have remotely imagined when I wrote the song and then made that legendary recording with Procol Harum all those years ago.

"Every musician and singer hopes to reach out and communicate to the audience so it means a great deal that the record has such an indefinable popularity and lasting appeal."

Wet Wet Wet's summer smash of 1994, Love Is All Around, was at number four followed by Bryan Adams's 1991 hit (Everything I Do) I Do It For You.

The Beatles and Robbie Williams both had the most entries in the chart with three each.

For the Beatles, Hello Goodbye was at number 11, Get Back was at number 13 and From Me To You was at number 51.

For Williams, Angels was at number six, Rock DJ was at number 16 and Strong was at number 56.

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Procol Harum
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