X Factor And AC/DC Leading The Charge For Christmas #1
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Written by Elliott Batte
Each year, as December rolls around, the Christmas #1 debate gets underway. It's a contest to catch the attention of modern pop fans, social media campaigners and the odd uncle who's keen to see a return to the good old days.
This year is no different and the race is getting closer and closer. To keep you ahead of the curve we’ve compiled a handy round up of the main contenders. Could there be an upset this year? Or will Simon Cowell prevail? Let’s take a look at the odds.
X Factor Winner
You guessed it, the winner of 10th series of The X Factor is favourite, at 4/11, to be crowned #1. The show’s grand finale takes place this weekend, with potential winners Sam Bailey, Nicholas McDonald and Luke Friend all in the running for the accolade too.
AC/DC
Aussie rock legends AC/DC are among the hopefuls, having been given odds of 5/1 by bookies. Back in 2009, Rage Against The Machine's Killing In The Name took top spot thanks to a widespread Facebook campaign, and now AC/DC fans have followed their example in a bid to secure the band a first UK top 10 hit after 40 years together.
The Special AKA
Free Nelson Mandela, Jerry Dammers' iconic 1984 protest song, re-entered the charts this week following the death of the legendary South African president. In similar style to AC/DC, a campaign is now aiming to get the tune to #1. It's at 7/1.
Susan Boyle & Elvis Presley
Boyle released her second festive collection, ‘Home For Christmas’, earlier this year. Packed full of festive tracks, it’s a duet with the late Elvis Presley that has made the favourites list at 12/1.
Lily Allen
Allen recently hit #1 with her sweet cover of Keane’s Somewhere Only We Know, the soundtrack to this year's John Lewis Christmas advert. She’s at 14/1 to top the pile in a couple of weeks too.
Paramilitary Wives and LAD
A parody of Wham!’s Last Christmas, Last December, is in the running this year thanks to Paramilitary Wives and LAD (Loyalists Against Democracy). They're also at 14/1.
Labi Siffre
Something Inside So Strong, the biggest hit of Siffre's career, is also primed to climb the charts in the build up to Christmas following Mandela's death. You can get 14/1 on this topping the pile.
U2
Irish rockers U2 find themselves at 18/1 for the accolade with their latest track Ordinary Love. This song was put together for the upcoming Mandela biopic Long Walk To Freedom.
Jack Topping
This 11-year-old choir boy has completed something of a whirlwind rise in recent weeks to release Tomorrow, a single to raise funds for Save The Children. He is rated at 25/1.
Leona Lewis
Lewis has already notched a Christmas #1, back in 2006, and she’s 25/1 to do it again with One More Sleep. It’s the lead single from her new album ‘Christmas, With Love’.
Also In The Running
The Big Reunion, with a charity cover of I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday and One Direction, with Story of My Life. Also, '90s rave duo Altern-8 have Facebook and Twitter users attempting to get their 1991 song Activ-8 (Come With Me) to the top of the charts. Scottish pop band Deacon Blue have even submitted an effort this year, with their tinseled-up tune You’ll Know It’s Christmas.
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