The Music licensing company PPL has released a Top 20 chart of the most played tracks in the 21st century that was produced by Apple Records to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the record company. The famous company was founded by The Beatles and Apple Records released its first ever single in Britain which was, The Beatles’ ‘Hey Jude’ on 30th August 1968.
George Harrison’s 1970 UK Singles Chart Number One, ‘My Sweet Lord’, has bagged the top spot, receiving more radio play than any of The Beatles’ tracks released on Apple Records as well as the hit tracks‘Hey Jude’ (Number Three), ‘Let It Be’ (Number Four) and ‘Get Back’ (Number Six). ‘My Sweet Lord’ also got to Number One in the Official UK Chart in 2002 after Harrison’s death the year before.
John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ also charts above any Beatles material, landing at Number Two. There’s also two of Lennon’s other solo releases in the chart; ‘Jealous Guy’ which got to Number 15, later covered by Roxy Music and ‘Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)’ reaching Number 17. Paul McCartney and Wings also have three entries inside the Top 20; ‘Band on the Run’ at Number Five, ‘Live and Let Die’ securing Number Nine and ‘Jet’ getting to Number 10.
The two only non-Beatles artists to feature in the Top 20 are Mary Hopkin with her 1968 Official UK Singles Chart Number One single ‘Those Were The Days’ at Number 19, that was produced by Paul McCartney
Badfinger completes the chart with ‘No Matter What’ at Number 20. The record company releases an eclectic range of music and other artists on its roster includes Ravi Shankar, The Modern Jazz Quartet, Billy Preston, The Radha KRSNA Temple, , The Sundown Playboys, James Tavener, James Taylor and Doris Troy.
The fact that Beatles tracks make up over half of the top twenty is a testament to the vast quantity and quality of The Beatles’ repertoire and also their continuing popularity. It also serves as a reminder, with National Album Week approaching, of the power of the record.
The most played Apple Records tracks of the 21st century
1.) ‘My Sweet Lord’ – George Harrison
2.) ‘Imagine’ – John Lennon
3.) ‘Hey Jude’ – The Beatles
4.) ‘Let It Be’ – The Beatles
5.) ‘Band on the Run’ – Paul McCartney and Wings
6.) ‘Get Back’ – The Beatles
7.) ‘Here Comes The Sun’ – The Beatles
8.) ‘Something’ – The Beatles
9.) ‘Live and Let Die’ – Paul McCartney and Wings
10.) ‘Jet’ – Paul McCartney and Wings
11.) ‘The Long and Winding Road’ – The Beatles
12.) ‘Back in the U.S.S.R.’ – The Beatles
13.) ‘Come Together’ – The Beatles
14.) ‘Revolution’ – The Beatles
15.) ‘Jealous Guy’ – John Lennon
16.) ‘The Ballad of John and Yoko’ – The Beatles
17.) ‘Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)’ – John Lennon
18.) ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ – The Beatles
19.) ‘Those Were The Days’ – Mary Hopkin
20.) ‘No Matter What’ – Badfinger
Don’t forget you can keep up-to-date on all things Nova over on our Instagram page – follow us for all the craziness of radio life coupled with news, sports and LOTS of cool competitions! Click here…
