Muirsical Christmas #1's

So ‘Killing in The Name’ by Rage Against The Machine was the 2009 Christmas #1 in the U.K. thanks to huge download numbers on the back of the campaign to scupper the previously inevitable 'X Factor' winners annual Crimble climb to the top of the charts.
Splendid.

Well done to everyone involved for not just getting an un-manufactured and non-conformist artist up there at this time of year, but one with a very different song, and the name of the band tells you why they were picked as the challenger to the X Factor’s Crown of Yawns.
As regards Rage’s success though, I can only hope and trust it put Sheryl Cole’s nose seriously out of joint…

X Factor judge Cole, who was the mentorof this years X Factor winner Joe McElderry, has commented on how she feels it is a “mean campaign” and that she “…would be devastated to see Joe lose…”
Splendid.

American band Rage however were so jazzed about it, and the publicity it has brought them, that they later confirmed they would come over to the U.K. to perform a free show sometime in 2010.

Millions may be disappointed that their new hero on the block (until next year's bigger and even better model) has been knocked into second place by some angry punk metal band shouting and swearing (although he was predictably #1 the week after, but the campaign did what it set out to do), but those millions are so tuned in to the X Factor shows and their marketing-over-music mentalities that they forget one thing…
On average 14 million people watch the X Factor in the U.K. which means that, on average, 46 million don’t.

Now, it has to be stated that a percentage of that 46 million don't watch because they are statistically too young or too old, but a larger percentage don't watch because they are genuinely uninterested, ambivalent, or could care less.
For every person voting there will be another who detests this sort of programme where we are told what’s good and why we should vote for the shiny people with the best haircuts and most fashionable attire.

As regards 'Killing in The Name' I don’t like the song and I don't think it’s a particularly clever piece of anti-establishment observation.
But as regards the efforts of those that pushed it to the top of the charts, not because they necessarily felt it deserved to be there, but because it would hopefully stop the X Factor getting to #1?
I couldn't get the smile off my face.
 
And on the other side of the marketing coin, the wee Scot with the big voice, Susan Boyle (runner up in the 2009 series of 'Britain’s Got Talent') predictably got to #1 in the albums chart within a week of her debut release ‘I Dreamed a Dream’. But not just in the U.K. - it hit top spot in many countries including the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Australia and has sold over a million copies at home while going Platinum in the States.
Personally I feel 'I Dreamed a Dream' was a little rushed (in time for Santa?) and each song has a similar arrangement, although that may be because Miss Boyle only has one vocal gear (at least at this stage).

As regards Susan’s success though, I can only hope and trust it put Lily Allen’s nose seriously out of joint…

Lily, bless ‘er, is a singer that has been critical of Susan Boyle, seeing her as “…so overrated” and having timing and control issues vocally.
Actually, she’s right - Susan Boyle does need some vocal tuning, especially if she is going to perform live more often, but she has those issues because she isn’t a professional singer, doesn’t constantly perform and, up until last year, was more likely to be seen down the local shops picking up her groceries than singing live on TV.

And let's not forget Miss Allen, if it wasn’t for your ability to write catchy pop tunes along with your quirky singing style (including your accent intentionally exaggerated for vocal effect), you probably wouldn’t be the name you are.
Because as regards the true definition of singing - and by that I mean musically pleasing tonality, intelligent phrasing, sympathetic lyrical interpretation and an ability to take on and deliver various song types and styles - you, love, can "sing nane," as we say up here.
 
However Merry Christmas to both Sheryl and Lily - I hope Santa brought you both a copy of Susan Boyle’s album and the Christmas #1 single.
Because, as those wise philosophers Peter Sinfield and Gregory Lake once wrote and stated, “The Christmas we get, we deserve.”
Ho. Ho. Ho.

Ross Muir
December 2009