Ultravox's 'Vienna' Named UK's Favourite Number Two

Ultravox’s seminal song ‘Vienna’ has been voted as the best number two single of all time.

The Official Charts Company conducted the poll to find the greatest song to have narrowly missed out on the UK top spot.

Ultravox’s 1981 anthem, which lost out to Joe Dolce’s novelty song ‘Shaddup you Face’, was crowned the greatest in the public vote.

Frontman Midge Ure commented: “We are extremely pleased and very humbled to have been given this honorary Number 1, especially knowing the outstanding records which were also in the running.

“Strawberry Fields, Hound Dog and Wonderwall to name just a few. A huge thanks to everyone who took the time and effort to vote for Vienna.

“It has restored our faith in the idea that the public will always recognise the good in music, and that this song has proved this.”

The 20 best number two singles are as follows:

1. Ultravox 'Vienna' (1981) 2. The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl 'Fairytale Of New York' (1987) 3. Don McLean 'American Pie' (1972) 4. James 'Sit Down' (1991) 5. The Stranglers 'Golden Brown' (1982) 6. The Kinks 'Waterloo Sunset' (1967) 7. The Beatles 'Penny Lane / Strawberry Fields Forever' (1967) 8. Queen 'We Are The Champions' (1977) 9. The Beach Boys 'God Only Knows' (1966) 10. Aha 'Take On Me' (1985) 11. Free 'All Right Now' (1970) 12. The Who 'My Generation' (1965) 13. Oasis 'Wonderwall' (1995) 14. The Verve 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' (1997) 15. Squeeze 'Up The Junction' (1979) 16. Pulp 'Common People' (1995) 17. The Sex Pistols 'God Save The Queen' (1977) 18. Wham! 'Last Christmas / Everything She Wants' (1984) 19. Wheatus 'Teenage Dirtbag' (2001) 20. Elvis Costello & The Attractions 'Oliver's Army' (1979)

Ultravox ‘Vienna’