Is Imagine the best single?

[albionboy]

Channel 4 and the Observer voted Imagine the best number 1. Give me a break. Mawkish and sentimental. Voodoo Chile by Hendrix - easy!

[horseman]

I saw the programme and as we all know, the best records don't always make Number One - but of the list available at least Firestarter, by The Prodigy, represents something that wasn't just middle-of-the- road nonsense. Bands that stand for something out of the ordinary should get recognition, so I would opt for Firestarter.

[Ape]

...and as for Spiller at No. 9?! Good programme tho. Interesting interviews and Graham Norton denied enough camp rope to hang the programme. BTW the full list can be found at http://www.channel4.com/100_no1s/results.html

[Jim Gregory]

Albionboy -- you got it in one. Pop music=electric guitar. Greatest guitarist=Hendrix. His greatest playing=Voodoo Chile (Slight Return). It's a simple piece of arithmetic

[Dave Nick]

Sure, Hendrix, Queen, 10cc - they always get rolled out as contenders for that 'best single ever' title. But shouldn't this title go to a great pop record rather than something groundbreaking or overly-grandiose like the work of the above. Personally I think a seriously strong case could be made for virtually anything by Abba, Dancing Queen is an undeniably brilliant slice of disposable feel-good pop, for example. But who gets my vote for the best pop No 1 ever? Simple: Sugar Sugar by The Archies.

[windwoman]

Absolutely!! John Lennon's work was inspired and for good reason...he was an aspect of God alive on the planet for a time. Why do you suppose Lucifer wanted Chapman to off him so bad? The Chapman interview was very enlightening and a warning to us all.

[greenplastic]

Imagine is a great record, but the best? I want to know where Radiohead's Creep was. By the way, Dave Nick, seriously come on, ABBA? What the hell WAS that doing in there to start with? Honestly. Lennon's work was inspired, and im glad it went to something worthwhile, but I would go for Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody over it. That was seriously brilliant!

[Tubby]

Contrary to common belief, the best single ever is 'Substitute' by The Who (not to be confused with 'Substitute' by Clout).

[Vendetta]

Substitute by Clout!? Is this the only number One by a South African band? Best: Rubber Bullets; I should be so Lucky; Going Underground; Don't You Want Me. Too hard a question really. But not Imagine.

[subsultus]

When Imagine was first released it reached no 5 and was largely ignored by those people who compile best-of-all-time charts. Only since Lennon's death has this song - and many others of equally questionable merit - been adopted as universal anthems. Check out other artists who have died. Much of their fame is derived from the simple fact that they are no longer with us.

[Patrese]

In response to the query about Radiohead's Creep - since it only made number 7 it wasn't likely to appear in the greatest number one singles ever. Personally I'd have liked to have seen something by the KLF - 3 am Eternal or Doctorin' the Tardis both didn't make the shortlist but are both classics and, as with Firestarter, are out of the ordinary. The programme was Ok, but threw up few surprises apart from the usual sign of the times single (Spiller at 9).