The Story of: The facts behind the hits

The Story of… ‘Smooth Operator’ by Sade

The Story of… ‘Smooth Operator’ by Sade

The Story of... 'Last Christmas' by Wham!

The Story of... 'Last Christmas' by Wham! - as told by Andrew Ridgeley

Shakin Stevens

The Story of... 'Merry Christmas Everyone' by Shakin' Stevens

Chris Rea - Driving Home for Christmas

The Story Of... 'Driving Home for Christmas' by Chris Rea

'Step Into Christmas' is the 9th most played Christmas song in the UK.

The Story of... 'Step Into Christmas' by Elton John

More Stories

'Do They Know It's Christmas?' was a star-studded affair, and raise millions for charity.

The Story of... 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' by Band Aid

The Story of... 'Angels' by Robbie Williams

The Story of... 'Angels' by Robbie Williams

East 17

The Story of... 'Stay Another Day' by East 17

Freddie Mercury's final video for Queen

The Story of... 'These Are the Days of Our Lives' by Queen, Freddie Mercury's heartbreaking farewell
Cyndi Lauper's 'Time After Time

The Story of... 'Time After Time' by Cyndi Lauper

He's hot just like an oven, and he needs some lovin'.

The Story of... 'Sexual Healing' by Marvin Gaye

Phil Oakey in the Electric Dreams video

The Story of... 'Together in Electric Dreams' by Phil Oakey and Giorgio Moroder

The Story of… ‘Thriller’ by Michael Jackson

The Story of… ‘Thriller’ by Michael Jackson

Louis Armstrong recorded the secondary theme for 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'

The Story of... 'We Have All the Time in the World' by Louis Armstrong

Unchained Melody was used in 1990's Ghost

The Story of... 'Unchained Melody' by The Righteous Brothers

Freddie Mercury and David Bowie both performing at Wembley Stadium for Live Aid in 1985.

The Story of... 'Under Pressure' by Queen & David Bowie

The Story of... 'A Different Corner' by George Michael

The Story of... 'A Different Corner' by George Michael

Aretha Franklin, singer, poses for portrait in 1960s

The Story of... 'Respect' by Aretha Franklin

The Story of... 'I Will Always Love You'

The Story of... 'I Will Always Love You' by Whitney Houston

Neil Diamond On Stage in 1984

The Story of... 'Sweet Caroline' by Neil Diamond

Bryan Adams

The Story of... 'Everything I Do (I Do it For You)' by Bryan Adams

The Story Behind the Songs

Best Song Lists

Music Quizzes

Music News

Smooth Interviews

More Features

See more More Features

'Woman In Love' is Barbra Streisand's is the most globally successful song of her career.

Listen to Barry Gibb's haunting original demo of Barbra Streisand's 'Woman In Love'

Barry Gibb

After Life

After Life soundtrack: All the songs in Ricky Gervais' Netflix show so far

TV & Film

Freddie Mercury, George Michael and Elton John were all in love with women in the past

Forgotten loves of George Michael, Freddie Mercury and Elton John: The secret women they loved

Music

Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman

6 Hollywood actors you totally forgot had huge hit singles

The Guitarist performed the lonely solo high above the city and was accompanied by the orchestra far below him in the Palace gardens, whilst being projected live to millions of people across the world.

Jaw-dropping moment Brian May played 'God Save The Queen' on the roof of Buckingham Palace

Queen

Tom Cruise and Cher

When Tom Cruise and Cher secretly dated in the 1980s: 'There was a connection'

TV & Film

Why did Michael Jackson wear a single white glove?

Why did Michael Jackson wear his iconic single white glove?

Michael Jackson

George Benson

George Benson's 10 best songs, ranked

Song Lists

Who is Whitney Houston’s talent manager father John Russell Houston?

Who was Whitney Houston’s talent manager father John Russell Houston?

Whitney Houston

Opening lyrics quiz

QUIZ: Can you name these 10 songs by the opening lyrics?

Quizzes

Must Read on Smooth

See more Must Read on Smooth

All the actors who have played James Bond

All 6 James Bond film actors, ranked in order of greatness

Michael Jackson practising thee Moonwalk

Rare footage of Michael Jackson practicing iconic 'Billie Jean' routine in 1983 is incredible
A timeline of Barry Gibb and Linda Gray's heartwarming 50-year relationship

A timeline of Barry Gibb and Linda Gray's beautiful 50-year relationship
Whitney and Kevin had a beautiful friendship

Kevin Costner's beautiful relationship with "one true love" Whitney Houston revealed
The last confirmed image of Freddie Mercury has been revealed

Freddie Mercury's last ever photo revealed: Beautiful private image of the Queen star at home
ABBA

How ABBA's two marriages and divorces split the group apart for nearly 40 years