Superstition is crowned ‘Your Ultimate Stevie Wonder Song’ by BBC Radio 2 listeners 06 Jan 2026
BBC Radio 2 listeners have crowned Superstition as their ‘Ultimate Stevie Wonder Song’, following an audience vote from a long list of his 60 most played solo tracks on the station.
The song, taken from Stevie’s 15th studio album Talking Book, was a hit in the US and the UK in 1973 and later won Grammy Awards for Best Rhythm & Blues Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male. The track was Stevie’s second number-one single in the US, following his first number one, Fingertips, Pt 2, as a 13 year old in 1963.
Sir Duke (1977) takes second place, and For Once In My Life (1968) comes in bronze medal position.
Soul fans rejoice as Trevor Nelson counts down the 60 songs in Your Ultimate Stevie Wonder Songon Thursday 1st January 2026 from 3-5pm on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds. The countdown marks 50 years since the release of his landmark Songs In The Key Of Life album. Listeners were asked to vote up to five times - either all on one song or spread across multiple tracks, and the shortlist was compiled from his 60 most played solo tracks on Radio 2.
Trevor Nelson, who usually presents on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds each weekday (2-4pm), says: “ The Radio 2 listeners have voted Superstition as their favourite Stevie song, and it’s hard to disagree with them. It’s a stone cold classic and a guaranteed floor filler with one of the best intros to a song ever made.”
Jeff Smith, Head of Music, Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music says: “The music we play on Radio 2 is timeless and melodic at its core, values which Stevie Wonder’s songs embody wholeheartedly. There are few that can match the range and depth of his canon of music. From heartbreak songs like Lately to the declarations of love, such as My Cherie Amour, his music touches everyone. I’m so pleased that we’ve given our listeners the opportunity to vote for their favourite Stevie song, as well as having this perfect programme on New Year’s Day.”
The full top 60 as voted for by listeners is:
- Superstition
- Sir Duke
- For Once In My Life
- As
- Isn’t She Lovely
- You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
- Master Blaster (Jammin’)
- Living For The City
- I Just Called To Say I Love You
- Lately
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)
- He’s Misstra Know-It-All
- My Cherie Amour
- Higher Ground
- Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing
- Uptight (Everything’s Alright)
- I Wish
- Part-Time Love
- Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday
- Do I Do
- Happy Birthday
- Another Star
- I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)
- If You Really Love Me
- Love’s In Need Of Love Today
- Knocks Me Off My Feet
- A Place In The Sun
- I Was Made To Love Her
- Pastime Paradise
- Overjoyed
- Golden Lady
- All I Do
- Ribbon In The Sky
- Boogie On Reggae Woman
- I Ain’t Gonna Stand For It
- All In Love Is Fair
- Never Had A Dream Come True
- I Don’t Know Why (I Love You)
- Ngiculela - Es Una Historia - I Am Singing
- What Christmas Means To Me
- If It’s Magic
- Heaven Help Us All
- Someday At Christmas
- We Can Work It Out
- You Haven’t Done Nothin’
- Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)
- Blowin’ In The Wind
- Until You Come Back To Me
- For Your Love
- Too High
- Fingertips Pt 2
- That Girl
- Did I Hear You Say You Love Me
- Rocket Love
- I’m Wondering
- Lovelight In Flight
- Send One Your Love
- Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day
- Stranger On The Shore Of Love
- Fun Day
The New Year’s Day countdown will be followed by The Wonder of Stevie with DJ Spoony (5-6pm), who is a Stevie superfan. Spoony recalls how his fandom started when he was growing up in Hackney, East London in the 70s, but he wouldn’t fully appreciate the artist’s legacy until much later in life, an appreciation which continues in the present day.
DJ Spoony says: “Growing up in Hackney in the ’70s, Stevie Wonder’s music was one of the first sounds that truly stopped me in my tracks. I was a fan from the moment I heard him, even if I didn’t yet understand the scale of his genius. It wasn’t until much later in life that I fully appreciated the power of his songwriting, his innovation, and the way his music shaped so many of us. The show will be a must listen for Stevie fans everywhere, a tribute to the influence Stevie has had on my journey, and an opportunity for us to celebrate his genius.”
Stevie Wonder was born in Michigan on May 13th 1950. He was signed to Motown and made his recording debut at age 11 in 1961 and two years later, had his first hit as Little Stevie Wonder at the age of 13 with Fingertips Pt 2, which also featured Marvin Gaye on drums. Stevie quickly became a force to be reckoned with via hits like My Cherie Amour and I Was Made To Love Her, and went on to have global hits with Superstition, Higher Ground and You Are the Sunshine of My Life. Stevie is one of the best selling musicians of all time, and has won 25 Grammy Awards, the most by a male solo artist. His songs have been covered by George Michael, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Aretha Franklin amongst many others. He has sung duets with Paul McCartney, Whitney Houston, Luciano Pavarotti, Tony Bennett and Beyonce.
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THE HEADLINES
Spotify now lets you share what you’re streaming in real time with friends (see Digital)
Streamed and retail entertainment sales grew four times faster than UK economy in 2025 (see News)
UMG announces collaboration with NVIDIA to pioneer responsible AI for music discovery, creation, and engagement (see News)
2026 music industry predictions (see Features)
New wave of global British breakthrough talent helps UK recorded music grow for 11th consecutive year (see News)
What’s going to give you the marketing edge in 2026? (see Features)
The global value of music copyright hits an all-time high (see Reports)
The 'metamorphosis' of Atlantic Records (see Features)
Looking ahead to 2026 (see Opinion)
Boost for artists in AI copyright battle as only 3% back UK active opt-out plan (see News)
Music discovery: More channels, more problems (see Reports)
The 10 biggest AI music stories of 2025 (see Features)
