ACCORDING to the biographer, Jason Ankeny, Rage Against the Machine “earned acclaim from disenfranchised fans (and not insignificant derision from critics) for their bombastic, fiercely polemical music, which brewed sloganeering leftist rants against corporate America, cultural imperialism, and government oppression into a Molotov cocktail of punk, hip-hop, and thrash.”
And they also kept X-Factor off Christmas number one.
Which is why the bookies appear to be swiftly backtracking on this year’s festive chart-topper.
The Los Angeles rock band famously pipped X-Factor winner Joe McElderry to the prestigious spot in 2009.
And after Monday’s announcement that this year’s X-Factor winner, James Arthur, led the Hillsborough Justice Collective’s charity single by 3,000 downloads, He Aint Heavy’s price was slashed from an unbackable 1/8 to a still favourite, but more wavering 8/15.
“The Justice Collective ticks all the boxes for the Christmas number one but we have seen a few surprises in recent years and we might just see one this year from the likes of 1PoundFish, Jenn Bostic or even Gangnam Christmas Style,” said William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams.
Jenn Bostic and 1PoundFish could both be had at a Christmas cheery 33/1, while if anybody out there still hasn’t bought Gangnam Style, that was widely available at 66/1.
It seems that the Facebook led campaign to promote Rage Against The Machine’s Killing In The Name three years ago has cast a few doubts in some bookies’ minds.
“The Christmas charts have become a little less predictable since Rage Against the Machine denied the X-Factor another sure-fire Christmas number one a couple of years back, so anything now seems possible,” said Gennaro Castaldo of HMV.
“But the Justice Collective’s cover looks like the song to beat this year – we’re seeing a lot of interest from media and public alike.”
Wednesday’s High Court decision could give it the push needed to see off James Arthur and secure the coveted spot.
Arthur’s Impossible became the fastest-selling single of 2012 and debuted at number one on the Official Singles Chart on Sunday (December 16) with sales of over 490,000 copies.
William Hill 2012 Christmas Number 1: 1/8 The Justice Collective (Hillsborough Charity Single), 5/1 James Arthur, 20/1 Gabrielle Aplin, 20/1 The Choir (Military Wives), 25/1 One Direction, 33/1 1PoundFish. 33/1 Clive Dunn, 33/1 Girls Aloud, 33/1 Jenn Bostic, 33/1 Russell Grant (The Clapping Song), 40/1 others.
Christmas No.1s
1992: Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You
1993: Mr Blobby – Mr Blobby
1994: East 17 – Stay Another Day
1995: Michael Jackson – Earth Song
1996: Spice Girls – 2 Become 1
1997: Spice Girls – Too Much
1998: Spice Girls – Goodbye
1999: Westlife – I Have A Dream
2000: Bob The Builder – Can We Fix It?
2001: Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman – Somethin’ Stupid
2002: Girls Aloud – Sound Of The Underground
2003: Michael Andrews & Gary Jules – Mad World
2004: Band Aid 20 – Do They Know It's Christmas?
2005: Shayne Ward – That’s My Goal
2006: Leona Lewis – A Moment Like This
2007: Leon Jackson – When You Believe
2008: Alexandra Burke – Hallelujah
2009: Rage Against The Machine – Killing In The Name
2010: Matt Cardle – When We Collide
2011: Military Wives – Wherever You Are
