It’s begun! The countdown to the Christmas 2013 gets serious this week, with one more number one before this year’s champ is announced.
At the time of writing, Sam Bailey is pretty much favourite to win X Factor this year. Other contenders will have to go up against Cowell’s powerhouse but it must be remembered that James Arthur wasn’t Christmas Number One last year. One of the things that Sam Bailey has going for her is that classic voice, no doubt the winning song will be a ballad that would hang well with a Christmas No. 1 title, making her favourite for the Christmas Number One. That went to The Justice Collective‘s He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother.
So who’s up to the challenge? Choirboy Jack Topping has recorded a version of ‘Tomorrow’ from the musical Annie. From Liverpool, he’s signed to Decca records who had a Christmas Number one in 2011 with The Military Wives and Gareth Malone. (I have to confess I met Jack at work two weeks ago, he’s a lovely young man). Jack’s been on the campaign trail for a couple of weeks now, his single is out on the 16th.
There are also some contenders in the shape of The Big Reunion ‘I Wish it could be Christmas Everyday‘ and Altern 8 with Active 8. It’s hard to know how much traction these two actually will have, The Big Reunion just seems a bit jokey while 90’s rave just doesn’t say Christmas.
The one contender that really could scupper Sam Bailey’s plans is the campaign to get AC DC’s Highway to Hell to number one. Remember Joe McElderry? In 2009 Rage Against The Machine’s ‘Killing in The Name of’ kept him off the top spot thanks to a campaign from John and Tracy Morter. John was also involved in last years Justice Collective campaign but this year, he’s helping out Steevi Diamond. A rock fan with a Facebook campaign. If Facebook likes translate into sales, ACDC could give Sam Bailey a run for her money.
Christmas number one in Ireland is announced on the 20th while in the UK, it’s Sunday 22nd.