Frank Sinatra tops Radio 2 chart on 100th birthday

The Official Top 20 Frank Sinatra songs were announced today, Sunday 13th December, as part of BBC Radio 2's Sinatra season.

The season of special programming marks what would have been Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday and has featured Angie Dickinson, Shirley MacLaine, Debbie Reynolds, Tony Bennett and Sammy Davis Jr., among others, remembering Ol' Blue Eyes himself.

Radio 2 presenter Michael Ball kicked off the countdown on his show (7-9pm) – which has been compiled by the UK's Official Charts Company, based on sales information dating back over the past 60 years - by revealing the Sinatra songs in spots 20-11. Clare Teal (9-11pm) took over to announce the top 10. My Way proved the most popular Sinatra track, fending off Strangers In The Night and the Nancy Sinatra duet, Somethin' Stupid, to take the number one place.

Clare Teal, Presenter, says: "Frank Sinatra… what a legend. That man could light up the world with his voice. It has been so much fun revisiting his classic hits and revelling in the nostalgia that they create. My Way was first released in 1969 and remains timeless, it's an all-time classic."

There were a few surprises as the top 10 revealed that New York New York only made it to number 5 and Love and Marriage number 9. Fly Me To The Moon didn't make it into the top 10 only reaching number 12, and, although rumoured not to be a favourite of Sinatra's, Strangers In The Night is the second most popular.

Jeff Smith, Head of Music, BBC Radio 2, says: "I'm delighted that Radio 2 is turning its schedules over to one of music's masters – Frank Sinatra. As Radio 2 celebrates his centenary, this chart countdown reminds us just how iconic his music remains and has given listeners the chance to reminisce with an evening of Sinatra classics."

The Official Frank Sinatra Top 20:
1. My Way
2. Strangers In The Night
3. Somethin' Stupid
4. Three Coins In The Fountain
5. Theme from New York New York (Re-Issue)
6. (Love Is) The Tender Trap
7. Learnin' The Blues
8. I've Got You Under My Skin
9. Love And Marriage
10. All The Way
Source: Official Charts Company.

The chart is based on all time sales of Sinatra's physical singles and digital track sales from 1952 to 2015. A full Top 40 can be viewed at OfficialCharts.com.