The early 80s hit co-produced by Quincy Jones won two Grammy Awards and climbed all the way to the top of the UK charts in 1983 and according to BBC Radio listeners the song is still the best dance record to date.
Elsewhere on the top 10 list, Donna Summer's I Feel Love, which topped the UK charts in 1977, took second place in the music poll while James Brown’s Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine ended up just behind in third place.
The poll, revealed in a three-part series presented by Zoe Ball, was part of a Radio 2 dance music season.
"I'm delighted that Billie Jean has been voted the greatest dance record ever made," said Ball.
"This is Jackson at his best. This track is way up there for me - Jacko's rendition of it at the Motown 25th anniversary show has got to be one of the great live performances of all time.”
"The bassline is awesome, the production is killer. It's just perfect.”
