Broadcasting last night, Sunday 20 December, on RTÉ 2fm, Dave Fanning handled the countdown, which saw 'One' fight off competition from the likes of Kings of Leon’s 'Sex On Fire', Led Zeppelin’s 'Stairway to Heaven' and The Killers 'Mr Brightside' for the best single off all time title. RTÉ 2fm’s listeners voted in their droves for Ireland’s most famous band, with U2 claiming three of the top ten places with 'One', 'Bad' and 'With Or Without You'. A further two tracks featured in the top fifty, with 'Magnificent' and 'Where The Streets Have No Name'.

Now in its 29th year, Fanning’s Fab 50 is not just promoted through Dave Fanning’s show: an RTE spokesperson described it as "RTÉ 2fm’s alternative music poll, mixing the hottest new acts with classic rock and indie tunes."

Fanning’s Fab 50 has, of course, been virtually synonymous with U2, a variety of their tracks having picked up the title over the years.

“U2 have always dominated Fanning’s Fab 50," Dave Fanning says, "and over the past few years 'One' in particular has been topping the charts. I’ve seen them been challenged by the likes of Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, The Smiths and Radiohead among others – but, regardless, U2 are always there or thereabouts. Every year the top ten has featured numerous U2 tracks, especially since the release of Achtung Baby – so it’s great to see that their following in Ireland is as strong as ever.”

Other winners included The Smiths 'Sooner Than Now' (1984), Nirvana’s 'Smells like Teen Spirit' (1991) and Radiohead’s 'Creep' (1993). But this year, it's a case of 'business as usual' for U2...