Sam Ryder wins Radio 2 Poll to be named best 21st Century Eurovision song

Radio 2 has announced that “Space Man” by Sam Ryder – the UK’s entry in the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest – has claimed the top spot in Your Ultimate 21st Century Eurovision Song, as voted by listeners.

Thousands of music fans cast their votes, placing Loreen’s Euphoria (2012) in second place, followed by Rise Like A Phoenix by Conchita Wurst (2014) in third. Fairytale by Alexander Rybak (2009) landed in fourth, while Cha Cha Cha by Käärijä (2023) completed the top five.

Listeners were invited to ‘make their mind up’ by choosing up to five favourites from a curated list of 67 tracks. The selection included every Eurovision winner from 2000 to 2024, alongside other standout entries from the past 25 years, handpicked by a panel of Eurovision experts.

The results are revealed in a special show, Your Ultimate Eurovision Song, hosted by Radio 2 presenter and devoted Eurovision fan Michelle Visage. The programme is now available exclusively on BBC Sounds, ahead of its broadcast on Radio 2 on Saturday 17 May (3–5pm), as part of a day of programming celebrating the build-up to the Grand Final in Basel, Switzerland.

The Top 40, as voted by Radio 2 listeners

1. Sam Ryder – Space Man (United Kingdom, 2022)

2. Loreen – Euphoria (Sweden, 2012)

3. Conchita Wurst – Rise Like A Phoenix (Austria, 2014)

4. Alexander Rybak – Fairytale (Norway, 2009)

5. Käärijä – Cha Cha Cha (Finland, 2023)

6. Daoi Fryer – Think About Things (Iceland, 2020)

7. Mans Zelmerlow – Heroes (Sweden, 2015)

8. Loreen – Tattoo (Sweden, 2023)

9. Lordi – Hard Rock Hallelujah (Finland, 2006)

10. Måneskin – Zitte E Buoni (Italy, 2021)

11. Verka Serduchka – Dancing Lasha Tumbai (Ukraine, 2007)

12. Baby Lasagna – Rim Tim Tagi Dim (Croatia, 2024)

13. Keiino – Spirit In The Sky (Norway, 2019)

14. Subwoolfer – Give That Wolf A Banana (Norway, 2022)

15. Nemo – The Code (Switzerland, 2024)

16. Cornelia Jakobs – Hold Me Closer (Sweden, 2022)

17. Blue – I Can (United Kingdom, 2011)

18. Eleni Foureira – Fuego – (Cyprus, 2018)

19. Scooch – Flying The Flag (For You) (United Kingdom, 2007)

20. Alessandra – Queen Of Kings (Norway 2023)

21. Emmelie De Forest – Only Teardrops (Denmark, 2013)

22. Lena – Satellite (Germany, 2010)

23. The Common Linnets – Calm After The Storm (Netherlands, 2014)

24. Netta – Toy (Israel, 2018)

25. Duncan Laurence – Arcade (Netherlands, 2019)

26. Bambie Thug – Doomsday Blue (Ireland, 2024)

27. Olsen Brothers – Fly On The Wings Of Love (Denmark, 2000)

28. Dami Im – Sound Of Silence (Australia, 2016)

29. Kalush Orchestra – Stefania (Ukraine, 2022)

30. Mahmood – Soldi (Italy, 2019)

31. Charlotte Perrelli – Hero (Sweden, 2008)

32. Salvador Sobral – Amar Pelos Dois (Portugal, 2017)

33. Chanel – Slo Mo (Spain, 2022)

34. Gjon’s Tears – Tout L’Univers (Switzerland, 2021)

35. Jedward – Lipstick (Ireland, 2011) TIED

35. Rosa Linn – Snap (Armenia, 2022) TIED

37. Helena Paparizou – My Number One (Greece, 2005)

38. Diodato – Fai Rumore (Italy, 2020)

39. Ruslana – Wild Dances (Ukraine, 2004)

40. Jessica Garlick – Come Back (United Kingdom, 2002)

Radio 2’s Eurovision festivities kick off today on BBC Sounds, where listeners can also enjoy Your Ultimate 21st Century Eurovision Song – The Extras, an hour-long bonus playlist featuring memorable songs that missed the Top 40. Also available are Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Eurovision Kitchen Disco Special, Pop Top 10s: Eurovision Icons with Rylan and Scott Mills featuring guest Duncan James, and more exclusive content.