X factor has ruined the traditional number one slot. Remember the buzz of watching top of thepops on Christmas Day. Happy days when we had no way of finding out unless we watched topo of the pops!!!! I would love to see X fator knocked of its perch. For the sake of proper artists. But Rage against the machine? What dope thought that up. The song should be one that appeals to a broader audience. Fairytale of New York is the leat cheesiest and most popular of all Christmas songs. More people would have taken to a campaign like that.
The Christmas No.1 has been fairly meaningless for years, definitely before the X-Factor came along. As has the position of most singles during the year. I honestly couldn't say what the no.1 song has been for a long, long time. I wouldn't bother trying to 'subvert' the Top 40, because that's what it is, the mainstream. And when it comes to Christmas number ones, the mainstream will win.