10 Christmas No 1's That Had Nothing To Do With Christmas

1. Rage Against the Machine - Killing in the Name

http://youtu.be/bWXazVhlyxQ

Year: 2009 Weeks at No.1: One

Any unknowing American is probably reading this and thinking "how was this Christmas number one and in 2009?" In the first successful campaign of its kind, a Facebook group launched to appeal in the public to prevent an X-Factor contestant reaching number one for the fifth consecutive year. Since then, the likes of The Wombles, The Trashmen and the cast of The Only Way is Essex (God forbid) have had ineffective backing on social networks in another bid to derail the charts.

The single became the first download-only Christmas number one, selling over 500,000 copies with proceeds eventually going to charity. The campaign was supported by many celebrities and musicians - even backed by Paul McCartney.

A common complaint is that the corporate might of Simon Cowell had all but destroyed the aura of the race for Christmas no.1 (in this instance, the X-Factor winner Joe McElderry was releasing a cover version of the Miley Cyrus song "The Climb"), and so a song was elected by husband & wife Jon and Tracy Morter - Killing in the Name.

Killing in the Name is about as far from Christmas as you can get. No joy, no holiday spirit, just lots and lots of rage. Written shortly after the LA riots in 1992, the song's lyrics allude to the KKK and the allegations to some of the US police force being a part of the racist organisation.

It would be a short stay for RATM, as McElderry climbed to the top for New Year, but the message had been made clear to Cowell and his turgid talent shows: "f**k you, I won't do what you tell me".