Rage Against The Machine become Christmas Number one in The UK

[denem]

Source: Altsounds

On the 20th December 2009 musical history was made when Rage Against The Machine's 1992 hit 'Killing in The Name' became the first Christmas Number one based on download sales alone beating the winner of the UK reality TV show 'The X Factor''s release which was a cover of the Miley Cyrus song 'The Climb'.

The idea for getting RATM to number one was started by a facebook group created by Jon and Tracy Morter on December 13th as a protest against the dominance of the X Factor over the past 4 years.

Over the following weeks support came from members of Muse, comedian Bill Bailey, magazines such as Metal hammer even Sir Paul McCartney. ...

On the other side Simon Cowell believed the group were 'cynical' at a press conference before the X Factor final ... Three days before the event, Cheryl Cole described it as 'mean and that If that song, or should I say campaign, by an American group is our Christmas Number One I'll be gutted for (Simon) and our charts.'

Read more: http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/113638-rage-against-the-machine-become-christmas-number-one-in-the-uk.html

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Not to put too fine a point on it, UK punters had words with Simon Cowell:

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!

RATM *Killing In The Name - Official Video*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkuOAY-S6OY

[ixion]

1. Big Rage Against the Machine fan here

and that song, in particular. :yourock:

[AwakeAtLast]

10. Me, too!

Had that as a ringtone once as a matter of fact. When that thing went off, people looked at me a little funny, LOL! :D

:headbang:

[bigworld]

2. FYI: X Factor basically = American Idol

Still waiting for the American Idol backlash here.

[TheCML]

3. Its a win win for Simon Cowell

Killing in The Name Of was released on Sony records, he works for Sony records, $$$$$ either way.

[Bluenorthwest]

4. Oh how I love this story!

Lots of people I like backing a band I love, annoying a bunch of people I do not like at all.

[Lost-in-FL]

5. Bwaaa!!!

This is great! :applause: :rofl:

[GodlessBiker]

6. "...I'll be gutted for him and our charts." What the hell does that mean? Maybe I'm too old.

[denem]

8. If she means anything it's shell will be in deep mourning for Cowell, the X Factor

winner and the 'integrity' of the British charts.

[HughMoran]

7. Beautiful!!! I played RATM it at mega volume in front of a polling station in 2008

I was in an open vehicle and I CRANKED the refrain in Guerrilla Radio when RATM was repeating

ALL, HELL, CAN'T STOP US NOW!!

Dear effing God that was one of the best moments ever - hundreds of people waiting to get into the polls in my fucking conservative town all looking at me as I pumped my fist in the air. I was wearing an Obama T that I was pointing to with the other hand. I'm glad they used a RATM song to protest against the bullshit going on across the pond.

FUCK YOU, I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME!!!!!

[autorank]

9. Well, well deserved

This is all time everything. There's no political/social/human comment like it anywhere, in any medium.

[shadowknows69]

11. Best.Song.Ever.

[mackerel]

12. I know it's a win win for Cowell and Sonybut still

good to see indie music get greater consideration.

[Onceuponalife]

13. Yeah I saw these guys at San Jose State way back when

The "Evil Empire" tee shirts were sold out before the show started. At the merch table it was $3 for CDs and $5 for for tee shirts. Fuck yeah.

[OneBlueSky]

14. all I know is that Tom Morello is an amazing guitarist . . .

saw him with Springsteen twice on tv -- once at the Seeger birthday bash, and then at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame shindig . . . at the latter, he did things with a guitar that I've never seen anyone do . . . apparently B.B. King jokingly asked him for guitar lessons! . . .

[Jkid]

15. 'Killing in The Name'

I loved that song. I heard it for the first time in the game "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas"

[shadowknows69]

16. k