Metal Storm logo
Rage Against The Machine - UK Charts Christmas Number One


Quite cool isn't it.

The Christmas number one is a big thing over here. Every year, even if you didn't normally listen to the chart show, people would tune in on their radio to find out what the UK Christmas number one was.

Since 2005 however, Simon Cowell and his popular TV show The X Factor has stolen Christmas and the number one spot with the TV show's winner's single. This year the show was won a week ago by a young lad called Joe McElderry and has released his first single "The Climb" (originally Miley Cyrus) in the hopes of fulfilling the X Factor tradition and be the fifth X Factor winner to steal the Christmas number one spot.

To some people this has taken some of the magic away from Christmas, and so a Facebook group has been campaigning to get people to buy none other than Rage Against The Machine's 1992 track "Killing In The Name" in the hope of getting it to the Christmas number one spot and being the "David to the X Factor's Goliath" as Tom Morello has commented.

It started as an unrealistic idea to protest against Simon Cowell and his stranglehold on the UK charts, but soon captured the nation's attention and right now the group currently has nearly one million members! The Christmas number one battle is back, and has been one of the top national stories all week.

The Rage Against The Machine song was at a slight disadvantage by only being available via download, where Joe's single was in every shop in the country as well as available for download sales.

And we did it! The people of the UK have made themselves heard as we made Rage Against The Machine and "Killing In The Name" Christmas number one 2009 and stopped Simon Cowell's run of the charts he has had for four years.

The Facebook campaigners can be proud of themselves for bringing the rap/funk metal anthem back into the spotlight and certainly making headline news tomorrow morning. History has been made this evening, the people have spoken!

Tom Morello has promised a free headlining Rage Against The Machine show in the UK next year to celebrate. Zack de la Rocha has commented that the money made is going to be going to a shelter charity, and confirms the band will do a free show here next year.

Also making a one-off appearance in the top ten was Journey, with their 1981 hit "Don't Stop Believin'" at number nine after a similar, smaller campaign to stop The X Factor single reaching number one.

Band profile: Rage Against The Machine
Posted: 20.12.2009 by Baz Anderson


Comments

‹‹ Back to News
Comments: 35   [ 4 ignored ]   Visited by: 236 users
20.12.2009 - 20:57
Magatouve
Account deleted
Great... congratulations and fuck Simon Cowell
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 20:58
Baz Anderson
Staff
YES! Ha! I actually can't believe it. I helped make history.
This is the first number one single in the history of the charts to get there entirely by download sales. Amazing.
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 20:58
GT
Coffee!!
Staff
Haha that's cool...and stupid and funny as well
----


Dreams are made so we don't get bored when we sleep
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 21:05
Black_Handed
A village idiot
It would have been even better if they chose an english artist/band, but a great lesson nonetheless!
----

Cryptic Bleak Smurf of Ur
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 21:10
Idioglossia
This is hypocritical and rather pathetic. People who support this spend half of the year dismissing the UK charts as meaningless and "not real music", and then do this and think they're accomplishing something. Little do they realise that they are just playing into the hands of Sony, who in turn fund the release of the X Factor singles that these muppets claim to be rebelling against.
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 21:10
Magatouve
Account deleted
And that semi-man Joe McElderry is so sissy like most pop idols of nowadays....
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 21:12
Introspekrieg
Totemic Lust
Elite
Quote:
Also making a one-off appearance in the top ten was Journey, with their 1981 hit "Don't Stop Believin'" at number nine after a similar, smaller campaign to stop The X Factor single reaching number one.


Phew, that was close. Dodged the bullet.
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 21:16
Black_Handed
A village idiot
Written by Idioglossia on 20.12.2009 at 21:10

This is hypocritical and rather pathetic. People who support this spend half of the year dismissing the UK charts as meaningless and "not real music", and then do this and think they're accomplishing something. Little do they realise that they are just playing into the hands of Sony, who in turn fund the release of the X Factor singles that these muppets claim to be rebelling against.


also a good point.
----

Cryptic Bleak Smurf of Ur
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 21:17
divortium
This is AWESOME. Thank you, everyone who contributed... thank you.
----
Stop him in his tracks, show him that I am ruthless...
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 21:17
Magatouve
Account deleted
Written by Idioglossia on 20.12.2009 at 21:10

This is hypocritical and rather pathetic. People who support this spend half of the year dismissing the UK charts as meaningless and "not real music", and then do this and think they're accomplishing something. Little do they realise that they are just playing into the hands of Sony, who in turn fund the release of the X Factor singles that these muppets claim to be rebelling against.

No .... absolutely you misjudged that. Read this mister (from the Mirror):

"Rage Against The Machine will donate the proceeds made out of their Christmas number one battle with Joe McElderry to charity.

Guitarist Tom Morello told BBC 6 Music that the profits will help young musicians "take on the establishment".

The money will go towards Youth Music, a charity which helps children work with music who ordinarily could not afford to. "

So the money will go to some people who need it.... not into the pockets of Simon my ass
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 21:25
Black_Handed
A village idiot
@Magatouve: but Sony does cut off their slack doesnt it? if it was released under them.....but maybe they dont have any rights for the download version?
----

Cryptic Bleak Smurf of Ur
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 21:28
Idioglossia
Written by Author on 20.12.2009 at 21:17

Written by Idioglossia on 20.12.2009 at 21:10

This is hypocritical and rather pathetic. People who support this spend half of the year dismissing the UK charts as meaningless and "not real music", and then do this and think they're accomplishing something. Little do they realise that they are just playing into the hands of Sony, who in turn fund the release of the X Factor singles that these muppets claim to be rebelling against.

No .... absolutely you misjudged that. Read this mister (from the Mirror):

"Rage Against The Machine will donate the proceeds made out of their Christmas number one battle with Joe McElderry to charity.

Guitarist Tom Morello told BBC 6 Music that the profits will help young musicians "take on the establishment".

The money will go towards Youth Music, a charity which helps children work with music who ordinarily could not afford to. "

So the money will go to some people who need it.... not into the pockets of Simon my ass


You really think RATM will get all the money generated from this? They will only see a fraction of it. Most of it will go straight into the pockets of the big bosses at Sony, who will then be able to (if they choose to) pump more money into Simon Cowell's company Syco, as Sony is its parent company.
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 21:40
Magatouve
Account deleted
Written by Idioglossia on 20.12.2009 at 21:28


You really think RATM will get all the money generated from this? They will only see a fraction of it. Most of it will go straight into the pockets of the big bosses at Sony, who will then be able to (if they choose to) pump more money into Simon Cowell's company Syco, as Sony is its parent company.

You are right not all of the money will go to RATM. If you mean that this act is not totally against the music industry establishment, I agree with you. But still, within the limits of this system, in which most popular metal bands operate, it is a good thing to break the hegemony and remind people that they don't need to follow everything they're told to follow.
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 22:02
Idioglossia
Written by Author on 20.12.2009 at 21:40

Written by Idioglossia on 20.12.2009 at 21:28


You really think RATM will get all the money generated from this? They will only see a fraction of it. Most of it will go straight into the pockets of the big bosses at Sony, who will then be able to (if they choose to) pump more money into Simon Cowell's company Syco, as Sony is its parent company.

You are right not all of the money will go to RATM. If you mean that this act is not totally against the music industry establishment, I agree with you. But still, within the limits of this system, in which most popular metal bands operate, it is a good thing to break the hegemony and remind people that they don't need to follow everything they're told to follow.


I see your point, but it seems that the people who are supporting this are only trying to non-conform by conforming.
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 22:03
Ellrohir
Heaven Knight
I listened to this band only once, but i seriously have to turn youtube down...not my cup of tea...but congr to them, it is always cool to lead something
----
My rest seems now calm and deep
Finally I got my dead man sleep


Loading...
20.12.2009 - 22:15
Dane Train
Beers & Kilts
Elite
They rally round the Christmas Tree! With a pocket full of shells.
----
(space for rent)
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 22:18
Valentin B
Iconoclast
Great to hear, cheesy, childish. in the end who the fuck cares for the Christmas no. 1 radio track? but hey, METAL UBER ALLES


it's like that sub-plot in Love Actually, only i praise Satan because the guys at RAtM chose not to strip naked while playing "Killing In The Name Of"
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 22:30
Symmachus
It is nice to know that Simon Cowell doesn't have absolute power in his position. Now it's getting to the point over here in America where there are American Idol commercials. How gagsome.
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 22:45
Magatouve
Account deleted
Written by Idioglossia on 20.12.2009 at 22:02


I see your point, but it seems that the people who are supporting this are only trying to non-conform by conforming.

I like this expression "to non-conform by conforming". You're 100% right.
One of the strongest points about consumerism is its ability to incorporate its opponents turning their works into products to sell. It's an ideology-blind system: they don't care what is the content of your work, even if you were criticising them, as long as it is marketable.
You actually reminded me of an article titled "Alienation Incorporated: 'F*** the Mainstream Music' in the Mainstream". It's mostly about Marylin Manson, Limp Bizkit, and Eminem. But its results can be extended to most other types of "rebellious" music. If anyone is interested, I can send it to them. Also the documentary "Merchants of the Cool" touches the same point
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdzxc8Fpn3o
Highly recommended.
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 23:02
Kingface
I just hope that now they have won they will do the free UK gig like they said they would.

But in terms of what is Christmas No. 1 overall I couldn't give a rat's arse, but it is kinda cool and amusing all the same for RATM to get there.
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 23:27
Baz Anderson
Staff
Apparently 500,000 people downloaded the song in this one week. That is also apparently 50,000 more than Joe. Ha!
Loading...
20.12.2009 - 23:52
benvolent
Hahaha, I don't have a clue, but it sounds hilarious... hahaha, no idea!
----
The struggle to free myself of restraints, becomes my very shackles
Loading...
21.12.2009 - 00:15
Doc G.
Full Grown Hoser
Staff
How bizarre.
----
"I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck."
- George Carlin
Loading...
21.12.2009 - 02:29
enumaelis
Very metal..:necro:
----
http://enumaelis.blogspot.com/
Loading...
21.12.2009 - 04:15
Marcus
Doit Like Bernie
Written by Idioglossia on 20.12.2009 at 21:28

Written by Author on 20.12.2009 at 21:17

Written by Idioglossia on 20.12.2009 at 21:10

This is hypocritical and rather pathetic. People who support this spend half of the year dismissing the UK charts as meaningless and "not real music", and then do this and think they're accomplishing something. Little do they realise that they are just playing into the hands of Sony, who in turn fund the release of the X Factor singles that these muppets claim to be rebelling against.

No .... absolutely you misjudged that. Read this mister (from the Mirror):

"Rage Against The Machine will donate the proceeds made out of their Christmas number one battle with Joe McElderry to charity.

Guitarist Tom Morello told BBC 6 Music that the profits will help young musicians "take on the establishment".

The money will go towards Youth Music, a charity which helps children work with music who ordinarily could not afford to. "

So the money will go to some people who need it.... not into the pockets of Simon my ass


You really think RATM will get all the money generated from this? They will only see a fraction of it. Most of it will go straight into the pockets of the big bosses at Sony, who will then be able to (if they choose to) pump more money into Simon Cowell's company Syco, as Sony is its parent company.


About 80-90% of the money from downloads goes to the artist, I believe.
Loading...
21.12.2009 - 09:10
gid
Written by Marcus on 21.12.2009 at 04:15

Written by Idioglossia on 20.12.2009 at 21:28

Written by Author on 20.12.2009 at 21:17

Written by Idioglossia on 20.12.2009 at 21:10

This is hypocritical and rather pathetic. People who support this spend half of the year dismissing the UK charts as meaningless and "not real music", and then do this and think they're accomplishing something. Little do they realise that they are just playing into the hands of Sony, who in turn fund the release of the X Factor singles that these muppets claim to be rebelling against.

No .... absolutely you misjudged that. Read this mister (from the Mirror):

"Rage Against The Machine will donate the proceeds made out of their Christmas number one battle with Joe McElderry to charity.

Guitarist Tom Morello told BBC 6 Music that the profits will help young musicians "take on the establishment".

The money will go towards Youth Music, a charity which helps children work with music who ordinarily could not afford to. "

So the money will go to some people who need it.... not into the pockets of Simon my ass


You really think RATM will get all the money generated from this? They will only see a fraction of it. Most of it will go straight into the pockets of the big bosses at Sony, who will then be able to (if they choose to) pump more money into Simon Cowell's company Syco, as Sony is its parent company.


About 80-90% of the money from downloads goes to the artist, I believe.


I'd love to see where you got this figure, because most of the time digital downloads bring the artist next to nothing. Yes, it's cool that RATM are going to give the money they make to charity, but you'd have to be naïve to believe most of the money doesn't go to the record label. Which happens to be the one Simon Cowell works for.
Loading...
21.12.2009 - 09:26
Marcus
Doit Like Bernie
Written by gid on 21.12.2009 at 09:10

Written by Marcus on 21.12.2009 at 04:15

Written by Idioglossia on 20.12.2009 at 21:28

Written by Author on 20.12.2009 at 21:17

Written by Idioglossia on 20.12.2009 at 21:10

This is hypocritical and rather pathetic. People who support this spend half of the year dismissing the UK charts as meaningless and "not real music", and then do this and think they're accomplishing something. Little do they realise that they are just playing into the hands of Sony, who in turn fund the release of the X Factor singles that these muppets claim to be rebelling against.

No .... absolutely you misjudged that. Read this mister (from the Mirror):

"Rage Against The Machine will donate the proceeds made out of their Christmas number one battle with Joe McElderry to charity.

Guitarist Tom Morello told BBC 6 Music that the profits will help young musicians "take on the establishment".

The money will go towards Youth Music, a charity which helps children work with music who ordinarily could not afford to. "

So the money will go to some people who need it.... not into the pockets of Simon my ass


You really think RATM will get all the money generated from this? They will only see a fraction of it. Most of it will go straight into the pockets of the big bosses at Sony, who will then be able to (if they choose to) pump more money into Simon Cowell's company Syco, as Sony is its parent company.


About 80-90% of the money from downloads goes to the artist, I believe.


I'd love to see where you got this figure, because most of the time digital downloads bring the artist next to nothing. Yes, it's cool that RATM are going to give the money they make to charity, but you'd have to be naïve to believe most of the money doesn't go to the record label. Which happens to be the one Simon Cowell works for.


http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2008_Jan_8/ai_n24225355/

End of the second paragraph, "artists get the lions share of revenue"

http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4620784-1.html

Artists get 50% of revenue, at least from Sony BMG, which happens to be the label Cowell is under. My ass he gets most of the revenue.

Unfrotunately I couldn't find the exact figure that i mentioned, not sure where I read them. But as you can see, Artists get much more from downloads than the usual 15% they receive from record sales.
Loading...
21.12.2009 - 10:23
gid
Written by Marcus on 21.12.2009 at 09:26

Written by gid on 21.12.2009 at 09:10

Written by Marcus on 21.12.2009 at 04:15

Written by Idioglossia on 20.12.2009 at 21:28

Written by Author on 20.12.2009 at 21:17

Written by Idioglossia on 20.12.2009 at 21:10

This is hypocritical and rather pathetic. People who support this spend half of the year dismissing the UK charts as meaningless and "not real music", and then do this and think they're accomplishing something. Little do they realise that they are just playing into the hands of Sony, who in turn fund the release of the X Factor singles that these muppets claim to be rebelling against.

No .... absolutely you misjudged that. Read this mister (from the Mirror):

"Rage Against The Machine will donate the proceeds made out of their Christmas number one battle with Joe McElderry to charity.

Guitarist Tom Morello told BBC 6 Music that the profits will help young musicians "take on the establishment".

The money will go towards Youth Music, a charity which helps children work with music who ordinarily could not afford to. "

So the money will go to some people who need it.... not into the pockets of Simon my ass


You really think RATM will get all the money generated from this? They will only see a fraction of it. Most of it will go straight into the pockets of the big bosses at Sony, who will then be able to (if they choose to) pump more money into Simon Cowell's company Syco, as Sony is its parent company.


About 80-90% of the money from downloads goes to the artist, I believe.


I'd love to see where you got this figure, because most of the time digital downloads bring the artist next to nothing. Yes, it's cool that RATM are going to give the money they make to charity, but you'd have to be naïve to believe most of the money doesn't go to the record label. Which happens to be the one Simon Cowell works for.


http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2008_Jan_8/ai_n24225355/

End of the second paragraph, "artists get the lions share of revenue"

http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4620784-1.html

Artists get 50% of revenue, at least from Sony BMG, which happens to be the label Cowell is under. My ass he gets most of the revenue.

Unfrotunately I couldn't find the exact figure that i mentioned, not sure where I read them. But as you can see, Artists get much more from downloads than the usual 15% they receive from record sales.


You've managed to cherry pick figures out of both articles you linked without actually putting them in context. In the first link it says artists will increasingly get the lion's share once record labels become marginalized. Which they haven't done yet. And the second article is about how Sony BMG are being sued by artists who are only get 4.5 cents per 99 cent track, rather than the 30 cents they believe they are owed. So they think they're owed about 30% of the total revenue, and are only getting 4.5%. Nowhere near the 50% magic number you came up with from somewhere.

I never said Simon Cowell himself is getting the majority of the money, I said Sony BMG is, which is the label Simon Cowell works for. Whichever single won, Sony BMG gained from it, and Simon's just laughing all the way to the bank. Do you think he honestly cares where his money comes from? He's a pop music peddlar.
Loading...
21.12.2009 - 12:03
Baz Anderson
Staff
Who gives a damn about the money. None of this has anything to do with money.
This was plain and simple - a protest from the British people against manufactured pop music. And we won.

Joe will be number one next week no doubt, because this campaign was just about the Christmas number one - but the point has been made.
Loading...
21.12.2009 - 13:05
gid
What was the point exactly? Pop music is simply what's 'popular'. This week RATM was pop music. Is that a bad thing? No. But I think it's naïve to believe it's shown the record labels the middle finger. Yeah it's a victory against the manufactured rubbish we've had for the past five years coming from the X Factor, and it's great to see an actual battle for Christmas number 1, but it isn't a victory against the record labels or the stranglehold they have over music. Without the original label backing, nobody would have even heard of Rage Against the Machine originally, and we wouldn't have had this cute little protest in the first place. And that is what's really wrong with the current music industry, not the manufactured chart rubbish which is just a symptom.

Yeah we removed a cover song from number one this year, and perhaps next year they'll market more rock because that's where the 'angry Generation Y dollar' is, and that's a good market (apologies to the late Bill Hicks). But all we've done, ultimately, is made Sony BMG a wad load of cash and encouraged them to keep doing what they're doing.
Loading...

Hits total: 5821 | This month: 4