UK Christmas Number 1 and X-Factor

[Kev]

It's about that time of year again, time for the X-Factor winner to be number one at Christmas. Seems as though it's becoming a tradition.

What's wrong with that? Not much I guess, but it does bug me a bit that before we even knew who was going to win the X-Factor you'd have to be either very brave or very stupid to bet on anyone else winning.

So this year we have Alexandra Burke and her version of Leonard Cohen?s Hallelujah as a nailed on favourite for Christmas Number 1. But along with this there seems to be a few other Christmas songs around this year which have absolutley no chance of getting the Number 1 spot.

So sure was Simon Cowell that he'd get a number 1 with this that Leona Lewis' latest song was released a couple of weeks ago and on download only. So he can get a number 1 with her in the build up to Christmas (with much lower sales) and then get another one with Burke and no chance that Lewis will still be at number 1. It's no co-incidence that Burke is singing Hallelujah either as a contestant in American Idol sang this song in this years competition in the states and Jeff Buckley's version went straight back in the charts in America at Number 1 as the American Idol version wasn't available as a single.

So my rather longwinded question is this......

Given most of the members here are of single buying age (let's face it, I'm well past the target age) do you feel manipulated by the Big Business Record Industry giant that is Simon Cowell or aren't you bothered that he decides what you are going to listen to and buy? I know in the long run that ultimatley some record exec is going to decide what pretty much anyone is listening to, but don't you find this a little too manufactured?

 

[Highlander999]

I don't even watch that stupid programme. Can't stand it. I just download music which I like the sound of, I'm not the sort of guy who must have the latest music

 

[Kev]

I don't watch it either, I had to Google the song to get the Girls name. Myself I don't follow the Charts usually anyway. But there is something a little different about the Christmas Number 1, it gets far more press coverage than normal. I just find it a bit annoying that before the X-factor winner is even announced everyone else basically has no chance with the number 1 spot. Not sure what that says about the record buying public as much as anything else.

 

[Skater]

There have been efforts this year to boycott the X Factor single but it hasn't worked.

 

[treva]

I don't watch the programme once it gets past the auditions (Although I have seen a few of the finals). I think the fact that it's a certain no.1 is a bit ridiculous, meaning no matter how much better another song/singer/band is, they will never win. I do, however, think it's a great way to boost the career of the singer/band who wins X-Factor. They have worked hard for however long the X-Factor experience goes on for, and they have now been given a once in a lifetime experience.

I believe what Simon Cowell has done to make sure Alexandra Burke's first single is no.1 is wrong, but I do see the sense in it and I think that most X-Factor winners would pick up the no.1 spot anyway.

On the subject of 'am I bothered whether Simon Cowell decides what I am going to listen to and buy?', no I'm not, because like Tom said, I will probably not buy it anyway. The people who buy no.1 Christmas singles are probably going to buy the singles whether they are no.1 or no.2, so I don't think it makes a huge difference to the majority of people.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

There's nothing wrong with X-Factor. There are actually some good singers on there.

As for the question, no I'm not. I'm not going to actually buy this single. I heard it, it's good but I won't buy it so no, I'm not affected.

 

[Animator!]

If Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah (The definitive, best version) isn't number 1, I will lose the little remaining faith I have in the wider publics music opinion.

 

[Kev]

There's nothing wrong with X-Factor. There are actually some good singers on there.

I wasn't really questioning the quality of the music or the acts. It's more the fact that it's now expected that they will get the Christmas number 1 before we even know who will win or what they'll be singing. Perhaps I should have started this thread a month or so ago, but ask yourself the same question for next year, before the show even starts, before the audition rounds....How is it that you're going to accept that the winner will be number 1 at christmas before you even know who he/she is? Even if you aren't going to buy the single that so many people are just expected to do so.

 

[Sureshot]

If Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah (The definitive, best version) isn't number 1, I will lose the little remaining faith I have in the wider publics music opinion.

That is one of the best examples of putting emotion into a song.

 

[barmyarmy]

Some have argued that at least Simon Cowell has choosen a great song for her to cover (and introduced some of her fans to Cohen) rather than the usual poppy rubbish we've come to expect. Her version is about the 16th or 17th best cover but at least Cohen (and Buckley) are getting some credit.

 

[evertonfan]

I thought that fat little Irish kid won? Shows how much attention I paid tbh.

And I completely agree that Buckley's version is the absolute pinnacle of Hallelujah. That camel woman who won it a couple of years ago has ruined Snow Patrol's 'Run' as well.

 

[zimrahil]

That camel woman who won it a couple of years ago has ruined Snow Patrol's 'Run' as well.

That is quite possibly the worst comment ever posted on Planetcricket . Leona's version is far better than the original :cool:

 

[Sureshot]

Ya big soppy beggar!

 

[evertonfan]

My my my Zim. I thought you were quality, but how can any self respecting person listen to a moose make a great song seem so average? I think she should write her own stuff tbh. I'm not a massive Snow Patrol fan or anything and I don't have a problem with people doing cover songs, but her version of Run is just really bad.

 

[King Pietersen]

Her version of Run wasn't as good as Snow Patrol's but it wasn't bad. She's got a really cracking voice, was a very good cover.