X Factor winner Joe McElderry losing to Rage Against The Machine in Christmas number one battle

That's just plain mean. It's not Joe's fault... are people thinking about that? He's just worked really hard to win this thing and all people want to do is undermine it. Definitely scrooges. Plus, the Rage agains the machine song is rubbish! All sounds the same. At least Joe can sing!
Comment by Emma on December 16 12:51

I think people should just buy what they want and not be led by anyone! Surely encouraging everyone to buy RATM is almost as bad, as people think they are making a point against X Factor but are in fact still doing as they are told and being led, regardless of whether they like the song or not?! Also wouldn't it have been better to choose a charity single in this fight – i.e. more downloads for the Children in Need single? If people hate X Factor, they can always turn the TV or radio over if it offends them so much!
Comment by Suze on December 16 13:00

I am inclined to agree with Simon on this. Just because these guys go through the X Factor process, does not instantly make them less talented than others who choose another route to the record labels(with the exception of maybe Jedward.) Most of the contestants on the show this year had fantastic voices. I think it's really mean spirited of the facebook group to essentially be taking their war on Cowell out on poor Joe, who is an exceptional singer. And I agree, it's a bit of a slap in the face to the millions of X Factor fans and voters. By all means, fair enough they don't get to No. 1
Comment by Alison on December 16 13:40

Xfactor has been Christmas number one since the program started, isn't it growing a bit old now?
I can remember when the Christmas no.1 spot was actually exciting, but now it's dull and predictable.

Also, the song is awful. Miley Cyrus? HA!
Comment by Lauren on December 16 13:40

TEAM RATM
Comment by Michelle on December 16 13:52

For god sake - he's just won the XFactor and if he really is any good then he'll have plenty of number ones to look forward to. Xmas number one should be a choice not a given! I'm all for Rage getting to the top spot. If I were there record label I'd be putting out a re-run of CD's in HMV right now!!
Comment by Abby on December 16 13:55

I agree that the X Factor single always getting to number 1 is boring and whilst I do watch the show I do agree that it's not totally representative of real talent.

However, first of all Joe is very talented, few can deny that with true conviction, so I do think there are better ways to bycott and make a stand against the X Factor than punishing Joe. He's just a kid trying to get his break and he deserves it. As Simon Cowell said, Joe getting the Christmas number 1 won't mean anything to him (the single will sell well either way, Simon will still earn the same amount of money) but it will mean the world to Joe. Getting to number 2 I'm sure will still be a very big victory for him as he's come from obscurity to get a chart topping single but it still seems unfair to punish him.

I can understand that X Factor winners being guaranteed the Christmas number 1 takes out the magic of the Christmas number 1 that it used to have but this movement doesn't seem to be saying let's bring Christmas back into it, it just seems to be saying let's fight against something for the sake of it, afterall, it's not like Joe is robbing someone else of the spot as there are barely any Christmas songs recorded these days. If they had chosen a different song to battle it out with Joe then I might agree with them a bit more. I've never been a fan of Rage Against the Machine but even if I was I wouldn't think this was a good song to pick. It's political and full of hate - about as non-Christmassy as you can get! At least Joe's single symbolises happiness, dreams coming true and sounds a damn sight more joyful and festive than Rage's song.

Besides, the real winners in this are Sony BMG as they own rights to both songs...I bet they're loving this battle!
Comment by Jade on December 16 14:43

I pay v. little attention to the charts normally, but SO badly want RATM to beat the joke that is the Xfactor, I might even buy the track.
Comment by Grace Dalton on December 16 14:45

..Bet it will be something totally different..mayb the George Michael Christmas song he sang on X Factor?? or something totally surprising...
Comment by anon on December 16 14:46

errr actually ok maybe this time I actually will. yeah yeah they're both on the same record label, it's a contridiction, WHO CARES. It's funny. I agree, whether or not Joe deserves it is irrevelant...it shouldn't be automatically awarded to the x-factor winner. Oh and by the way Rage are giving the proceeds to Young Music a british charity. And the original campaign is for Shelter, so they'll get money also Much more worthwhile the Simon Cowell.....
Comment by Me on December 16 15:15

I feel very sorry for Joe, its unfair for him to be caught up i certain people's unhappiness with x factor. The fact is that millions of people across the nation watch and love the x factor. If people want to buy a song it should be because they like it, and i'm pretty sure that a lot of people who have bought the Rage single have only bought it because they've been pressured into this 'anti-x factor' novelty. This negative campaign helps no one and will only upset people, especially the people who work for x factor and Joe. I think it's quite laughable that so many people seem to care so much about this.
Comment by Ellie on December 16 15:17

FYI peeps - RATM are signed to Epic, a subsidiary of Sony, which is the record company Joe McElderry is signed to.... so Simon Cowell continues his monopoly on the Xmas no. 1 no matter who wins the race to the top spot!? With that in mind, here's a novel idea: if you don't like Joe McElderry's song, don't buy it. The idea of buying RATM's 'killing in the name of' not because you actually like it but simply to stop someone else from succeeding just smacks of spitefulness as far as I'm concerned.
Comment by JF on December 16 15:19

I will make a point of downloading Rage against the Machine and will encourage all my friends to do likewise. What has Joe done to deserve a number one hit? He's just part of Simon Cowell Inc.
Comment by Helen on December 16 16:35

Rage Against The Machine have announced that all profits from sales of the single will be going to charity, just to let you guys know. I find it irritating that Simon Cowell is so certain of "his" no.1 yet again this Christmas. It's time for something different.
Comment by Laura on December 16 16:59

All i can say if he wants to get to number he could at least write his own song and not do a miley cyrus song, then when he does we will see if he gets to number one
Comment by niall on December 16 17:12

I have to agree with Simon on this. If you don't like x-factor, don't watch it. If you don't like the song, don't buy it. Joe is only 18 and have worked very hard for his dream. This RAGE campaign is just ruining it for him. Imagine someone ruining your dreams. And Simon didn't force or tell you to buy the single. On the contrast, whoever started the campaign is telling people to buy a certain song. Joe not reaching no. 1 is not going to ruin Simon's career. However, Joe will forever bear the scar of being the first x-factor winner not to get x-mas no. 1. Very unfair for the young guy. Joe's supporters out there, the single cost only 29p on amazon for download. How about don't buy the CD which is £2.99 and buy 10 copies of the mp3 instead.
Comment by Nolsterom on December 16 21:18

I think it realy realy unfair that year after year after year i have to listen to x factors crappy songs and the one year when a song thats not crap starts to beat Simon what does he do?
HE HAS A TEMPER TANTRUM calm down u little baby. mabee if you make a song thats actually any good people wont protest.
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE ALL THE WAY

**** YOU,I WONT DO WHAT U TELL ME simon.
Comment by anonomus on December 16 22:14

Not only I am I well and truly sick of the X-Factor (although I can't argue Leona and Alexandra are decent singers) I love Rage Against the Machine so this one is a no-brainer for me. The girl who should have won this year went out over the Jedward shennanigans and I wash my hands of the show.
Comment by Saetana on December 17 04:57

This is stupid what they are doing! Joe McElderry deserves his place as christmas number one and this stupid facebook group has come out of hand!
Comment by Isobel Andrews on December 21 00:39