It has been literally decades since I gave a monkeys about who was number one in the charts, probably since Iron Maiden brought out their Number of the Beast album. This year the race for Christmas number one has been fantatstic and I'm very pleased that Rage Against the Machine won it. I have no argument about Joe McElderberry or whatever his name is and I'm sure he's a very nice young man with a pretty face who will sell lots of records over the next few months before becoming an answer on Never Mind the Buzzcocks in 2020 ("Who came 2nd in the 2009 race for Christmas no 1".."erm...Joe something...?"). Honestly, I wish the chap well in his career in an already oversubscribed arena and I may be proved wrong when he achieves long lasting fame and success as a performer and songwriter.
The backlash will probably be fierce from the "moral majority" in the papers tomorrow morning. However, take this from Gennaro Castaldo, of HMV who said the following to the BBC re RATM
"The expletive-laden song is a "powerful protest", he said, adding: "Rage Against The Machine may not be the ideal expression of the Christmas spirit - and many people will have preferred a more appropriate song to top the festive charts, but their anti-corporate message proved a perfect vehicle through which to register such a powerful protest."
The words of "Killing in the Name of" are powerful and certainly aren't "festive" but what is meant by "festive" lyrics? Some sort of glowing, romanticised view of the world in which robins dance on the snowy lawn outside while the yule log burns on the hearth and everyone gets wassailed as a newt? "Mistletoe and Wine"? Jonah Louis' (excuse spelling) "Stop the Cavalry" song is probably the best Christmas song ever as it has something approaching a message of reconciliation and hope in it. It isn't jolly (despite the ripping brass band break in the middle), doesn't exude warmth but it is a good song with good lyrics or at least it did until it became an advert for John Smith's beer.
I think "Killing in the Name Of" is the perfect Christmas chart topper. In my lifetime Christmas has become over commercialised with the pressure on everyone, especially parents, to provide huge amounts of presents or their offspring will feel unloved, worthless and different ("Everyone else is getting Call of Duty when they're 8 years old..."). I would argue that the sentiment of the lyrics of "Killing in the Name Of", if not the exact wording of the sentiment, is entirely in keeping with the spirit of Jesus' ministry. Bear with me on this while I explain...
Throughout his ministry Jesus openly pointed out the hypocrisy of the religious and political leaders of his time ("Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses"), he cured the lame, spoke to prostitutes, threw the money changers out of the temple and refused to be kowtowed by the Sanhedrin, the Temple authorities, the Roman authorities ("F*** you I won't do what you tell me") but, unfortunately, due to humans interpretations of the Bible, we have been "killing in the name of" Him for the past 2000 years and counting.
(By the way, before anyone complains or starts spitting hellfire and brimstone at me, I'm not trying to convert anyone or denounce anyone and certainly don't want to get into a religious slanging match about matters of doctrine etc or to annoy anyone of any religious faith. I've got an A level in RE, have read the Bible through from Genesis to Revelation twice and am entitled to my opinion & interpretation)
Of course it is ironic that the label RATM are signed to is the same one as Simon Cowell's acts but this is beside the point as far as I am concerned. They are a band who have written and performed some of the finest rock music of the past 20 years and their longevity is guaranteed.
Now, if you want a truly awful Christmas song and to donate to a good cause, go to www.justgiving.com/statusold where you will find a video of a Christmas song I've written which perfectly sums up the festive spirit whilst raising money Maggie's Cancer Care Charities.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
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