Beatles bow to Indian hit in world poll
LONDON (Reuters) - Step aside the Beatles, Queen and Led Zeppelin – a Tamil song from a 1991 Indian film is topping them all in a worldwide poll to find the most popular song on the planet.
“Rakkamma Kaiya Thattu” is one of three Indian songs riding high in the top ten of a BBC poll of radio listeners, celebrities and politicians from 116 countries.
Cliff Richard is running a close second in the poll with his 1979 hit “We Don’t Talk Any More”. American singer Cher is holding down the third spot with her dance smash “Believe”.
At number four is John Lennon’s “Imagine” – an ode to peace that regularly tops favourite song lists – and at five is another Indian title, “Vande Mataram” by Bankim Chandra.
The BBC World Service said it had received votes from 116 countries with the most votes coming from India.
So far, more than 900 songs have been chosen and the Beatles have the most nominated songs.
Former first lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos chose the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah as her favourite song.
She told the BBC it always lifted her spirits when she needed spiritual healing.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, a well known Elvis fan, chose Ennio Morricone’s score for the film “Once upon a Time in America” as his top tune.
Other songs in the top ten are “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin at eight, “Yesterday” by the Beatles at nine and The Eagles’ “Hotel California” at number 10.
The final results will be published on December 21
