NEW YORK (Guinness World Records Website) - Queen's rock opera single Bohemian Rhapsody has topped a poll to find the UK's favourite hit of all time.
The 1975 track, which mixed opera-style harmonies with rock guitar riffs, held off competition from classic Beatles' tracks such as Yesterday and Hey Jude.
The top 100 poll of more than 30,000 people was compiled by the Guinness World Records British Hit Singles book. Queen guitarist Brian May, who will receive an award on Wednesday with drummer Roger Taylor to mark the feat, said: "It has become a classic phenomenon and one which no one will ever allow us to forget."
Half of the top 10 is occupied by tracks written by the Beatles and John Lennon, with Imagine at number two and Hey Jude at number three.
The most recent song to make the top 10 is Robbie Williams' song Angels, followed by The Spice Girls' hit Wannabe.
Bohemian Rhapsody was the first song ever to go to number one twice in the same version, the second time in 1991 following the death of lead singer Freddie Mercury.
May said: "The song was apparently so far ahead of any rival that even months before the deadline, its position in this new poll was unimpeachable.
"Thank you, people, for the memory."
May and Taylor are currently putting the final touches to a musical, We Will Rock You, based around the music of Queen.
British Hit Singles book editor David Roberts said Queen's achievements are legendary. "No band, apart from The Beatles, has had more top 10 hit singles.
"It really was miles ahead of the opposition but it is interesting looking down the list where there is a good mixture of old and new - unlike many polls which seem to have an imbalance of hits from the last two years."
Tracks from Atomic Kitten, Eminem, Destiny's Child make the top 100 as do more established songs from The Beach Boys, Michael Jackson and Simon and Garfunkel.
Elvis Presley and The Spice Girls both have three songs in the top 100.
Former Spice Girl Melanie C is recognised for her solo efforts with her track I Turn To You is at number 29 in the chart.
The Top 30 tracks as voted in the poll:
1. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
2. Imagine - John Lennon
3. Hey Jude - The Beatles
4. Dancing Queen - Abba
5. Like a Prayer - Madonna
6. Angels - Robbie Williams
7. Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles
8. Wannabe - Spice Girls
9. Yesterday -The Beatles
10. Let It Be - The Beatles
11. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
12. Don't Look Back in Anger - Oasis
13. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor
14. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
15. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
16. Losing My Religion - REM
17. Hotel California - The Eagles
18. (Everything I do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams
19. A Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum
20. With or Without You - U2
21. Candle in the Wind - Elton John
22. I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
23. Baby One More Time - Britney Spears
24. Vogue - Madonna
25. Heartbeat/Tragedy - Steps
26. Thriller - Michael Jackson
27. Never Ever - All Saints
28. My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
29. I Turn To You - Melanie C
30. Wonderwall - Oasis
