Joe’s our No1 as song battle rages

THIS year’s race to be the Christmas number one was the most exciting Top of the Pops festive battle for years. An internet campaign pitted rock band Rage Against the Machine against X-Factor winner Joe McElderry in an attempt to stop the ITV show’s monopoly — and won in possibly the greatest chart upset ever. Richard Hooton asked Oldhamers what they thought of the outcome and what their favourite Christmas song has been.

THE “X-Factor” winner has topped the Christmas charts for the last four years and the effort by this year’s champion, Joe McElderry’s version of The Climb, was expected to do the same.

But in a fightback against a “very sterile pop monopoly” a Facebook campaign urged people to download protest song “Killing In The Name”, which soared into the lead.

Shoppers in Oldham Town Centre weren’t as thrilled by the result though — and many prefer good old Christmas classics to get them in the festive mood.

Don Carruthers (32), from Shaw, is a fan of Rage Against the Machine — but doesn’t think it’s a very festive number one.

He said: “I have their album back at home. I had it when it first came out. They do swear a lot and are a mad band. They have taken the swearing out the single though.

“But I don’t think it’s a good Christmas number one. It’s just not the same. It’s a good album but it’s not a Christmas one. I think it should have been Peter Kay or the ‘X-Factor’.”

Sara Leach (40) and daughter Naomi (16), from Oldham, were both glad Joe won the “X-Factor” but disappointed he hadn’t got to number one.

Sara said: “I thought it was brilliant when he won. I backed Joe and everything was good about it. He worked really hard. I have not really heard the ‘Rage Against the Machine’ song. I would rather Joe was number one or Susan Boyle.”

She added: “Cliff Richard does some good Christmas number ones.”

Amie Atkinson (14), from High Crompton, said: “I wasn’t happy with the result. I wanted Joe to win. I think he’s a good singer. I think Rage Against the Machine are rubbish.”

Mum Debbie Atkinson said: “I’m just glad Joe got to win ‘X Factor’ as he’s a good singer.”

They preferred older Christmas hits such as “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day” by Wizzard, Chris Rea’s “Driving Home For Christmas” and the carol Little Donkey.

Karen Grey (40), from Shaw, said: “I don’t like the Rage Against the Machine song. I would rather the ‘X-Factor’ got to number one.”

Her partner Darren Harrison (46) hadn’t taken any notice of the pop battle, adding: “They are a bit old hat for me now. It’s not the same as it used to be. I prefer the older ones, either Slade or Wizzard or a bit of Shakin’ Stevens. They tend to get me in the festive spirit.”

Siobhan Burrows (24), from Rochdale, and Matthew Hogan (21), from Royton, have taken no notice of the festive number one battle. But Siobhan said: “My favourite Christmas song is Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas’” and boy friend Matthew added: “I would go along with that.”

Bernadette Cook (57), from Werneth, said: “I wanted Joe to be number one. I was backing him all the way. If I was 18 I would run away with him!”