VAN HALEN’s only Billboard number-one single has topped a poll of the world’s best sporting songs, ahead of the Olympic Games in London.

Music rights body PRS For Music held a vote among its members to mark the London Olympics. The resulting top 20 also includes the Rolling Stones, Hawkwind, Queen, the Beatles, Survivor, Tina Turner and Journey.

PRS boss Guy Fletcher says:

“Music plays such a classic role for both the spectator and participant. As a Brit I would have to vote for Spaundau Ballet’s Gold – I think we might get a few of those, fingers crossed.”

Jump, from VAN HALEN’s sixth album 1984, has a controversial history. Its heavily-featured synth riff alienated singer David Lee Roth, who’s said to have written the lyrics and performed the track under protest.

The change in musical direction led to a split between the founder members and Roth’s later departure. Despite that, it remains one of the band’s most popular tracks.

PRS for Music’s top 20 sporting tracks

01. Jump – Van Halen
02. Start Me Up – Rolling Stones
03. Higher and Higher – Jackie Wilson
04. Gold – Spandau Ballet
05. Thriller – Michael Jackson
06. Wake Me Up! – Wham!
07. The Winner Takes It All – ABBA
08. Silver Machine – Hawkwind
09. We Are the Champions – Queen
10. Shine – Take That
11. Tracks of My Tears – Smokey Robinson
12. The Long and Winding Road – Beatles
13. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
14. Simply the Best – Tina Turner
15. Jump Around – House of Pain
16. Gonna Fly Now – from Rocky
17. Another One Bites the Dust – Queen
18. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
19. Chariots of Fire Theme
20. We Will Rock You – Queen