The Beatles and The Police both make the top ten
Grace Carroll
10:04 3rd January 2013

The top 10 highest-grossing songs in the history of music royalties have been revealed, in a new documentary from BBC Four.

The programme The Richest Songs In The World is still available to stream on iPlayer until Saturday (5 January) and, as well as sharing the highest-earning songs, also reveals how music royalties work.

Unsurprisingly, 'Happy Birthday' makes it on there - the royalties of which have been owned by Warner Chappell since he bought them in 1990, although it was originally written by sisters Patty and Mildred J. Hill.

British talent is represented, with both The Beatles and The Police making it onto the list, as well as a host of Christmas classics. Click through to the gallery for the full list...

  • 10. 'The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)' - Mel Torme/Nat King Cole

  • 9. 'Pretty Woman' - Roy Orbison

  • 8. 'Every Breath You Take' - The Police

  • 7. 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town' - John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie

  • 6. 'Stand By Me' - Ben E. King/Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller

  • 5. 'Unchained Melody' - Alex North and Hy Zaret/The Righteous Brothers

  • 4. 'Yesterday' - The Beatles

  • 3. 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - The Righteous Brothers

  • 2. 'White Christmas' - Irving Berlin

  • 1. 'Happy Birthday To You' - Patty Hill and Mildred J. Hill/Warner Chappell


Photo: WENN