‘Feel’ has topped the ranking of Robbie Williams’ most played songs on UK radio and TV in the 21st century, according to data released by music licensing company PPL to mark National Album Day 2026.
With this year’s National Album Day celebrating music ‘Icons’, and Robbie Williams named one of the Album Champions for the annual event, PPL has revealed the pop legend’s top 10 most played songs on UK airwaves, 30 years after his first solo release.
PPL, which licenses the use of recorded music on radio, TV and in public places, has compiled the chart using airplay data from radio and TV stations across the UK, which it collects in order to pay performers and recording rightsholders for the use of their music.
PPL’s airplay data underlines Robbie’s enduring appeal as one of the UK’s biggest pop stars. His music has amassed more than 100,000 hours of airplay across UK radio and TV this century, equivalent to nearly 12 years of continuous listening. That’s an average of 182 plays per day, or 7.5 times every hour.
‘Feel’, the international hit released in 2002 from Robbie’s fifth studio album Escapology, tops the ranking as his most played song. The Platinum-selling track, which reached number one in seven countries, has averaged 18 plays per day since its release.
Robbie Williams’ Top 10 Most Played Songs in the 21st Century
- Feel
- Rock DJ
- Angels
- Let Me Entertain You
- She’s The One
- Candy
- Millennium
- Strong
- Supreme
- You Know Me
The remainder of the chart contains other songs from recent decades much-loved by the British public. ‘Feel’ is closely followed by ‘Rock DJ’, from the 2000 album Sing When You’re Winning (reissued as a two-disc vinyl release for National Album Day), played an average of 17 times per day, while the number three spot is taken by ‘Angels’, the timeless anthem from Robbie’s acclaimed 1997 debut solo album, Life Thru’ A Lens, which was voted the best song of the previous 25 years at the 2005 BRIT Awards and which still averages 16 plays per day on radio and TV.
‘Let Me Entertain You’, also from Life Thru’ A Lens, and ‘She’s The One’ featured on Robbie’s second studio album, I’ve Been Expecting You, complete the top 5.
Robbie’s 2012 number one hit ‘Candy’ (Take The Crown) ranks at number six on the list, reflecting its particularly strong airplay performance since release and making it the newest track to feature in the top ten. ‘Millennium’ (I’ve Been Expecting You), ‘Strong’ (I’ve Been Expecting You), ‘Supreme’ (Sing When You’re Winning), and ‘You Know Me’ (Reality Killed the Video Star) make up the rest of the top 10.
Coinciding with National Album Day on Saturday 17th October, the chart celebrates one of the most iconic pop stars in British music. Since launching his solo career in 1996, Robbie Williams has achieved 16 UK number one albums, the most by any solo artist, alongside seven UK number one singles. He has sold more than 75 million records worldwide and received a record 18 BRIT Awards.
To mark National Album Day 2026, Universal Music Recordings and Island Records are reissuing Robbie Williams’ third studio album, Sing When You’re Winning, as a limited-edition 2LP red/blue vinyl set. Featuring classic singles including Rock DJ, Supreme, Kids (with Kylie Minogue), this will be the first time this iconic album has been reissued on vinyl, as well as its first-ever release on coloured vinyl. As with the original version, the 2LPs will play at 45 RPM. This release will be available to pre-order from all participating retail outlets from 6th October 2026.
Peter Leathem OBE, CEO of PPL, said:
“Few British artists have enjoyed the success and staying power of Robbie Williams. His record-breaking achievements speak for themselves, but what stands out is how his music continues to connect with audiences years after its release. This year, National Album Day celebrates music icons, and with PPL’s data showing such enduring levels of airplay across radio and TV, it’s easy to see why Robbie Williams remains one of the UK’s most iconic artists.”
