Rage For Christmas Number 1

Unless you've been unconscious all week - perhaps from excessive holiday partying or an eggnog overdose - you're probably well aware of the battle raging in the UK for the Christmas number 1 single. The latest X Factor winner Joe McElderry is up against Rage Against The Machine in the fight for top spot and today, Saturday 19 December, is the final day for sales to be counted in this closely fought battle.

In recent years the once coveted Christmas No. 1 has lost a lot of it's magic and charm after being one year after year by X Factor winners. There really hasn't been an interesting battle for the Christmas No. 1 since 2003 when The Darkness (remember how fun they were?) lost out to Gary Jules version of "Mad World".  Thankfully in 2009 there is plenty of interest and excitement again with McElderry versus Rage.

McElderry is the latest Simon Cowell endorsed television pop idol - another cash-cow from the Cowell farm, ready to be milked for every penny until the next pop idol comes along. Boring, boring, boring.

Thankfully for us, a couple of bright sparks named Tracy and Jon Morter started up a Facebook group to campaign to get RATM's "Killing In The Name Of" to No.1 for Christmas. Awesome. The song is the second track from Rage's eponymous debut album, released in 1992, and is eligible due to changes to the rules that decide the Christmas winner with the inclusion of downloads.

If Rage clinch then number one spot then it will be a victory against X Factor and against Simon Cowell, and ergo, a victory for music.

Moreover,  Rage Against The Machine have announced today that they will play a free show in the UK if they do clinch the Christmas No. 1.

Let's start the next decade with a great band at the top of the charts - go and download a copy of "Killing In The Name Of" from your favourite MP3 store before midnight tonight!

Brian, Editor
Music Vice Magazine - In one word: Independent