To be fair, this rant is long overdue…
“Rage Against The XFactor”…
I’ve been following this from the beginning, more or less, when I got invited through the creator of the “Rage Against The Machine” fan page on Facebook. At first I thought it was pretty funny, in a kind of ‘what if…’ sort of way. But it seems to have spiraled out of control now. It’s not for love of the band, or the song, it’s more a united disdain, dislike and hatred for Simon Cowell and the X Factor.
Not that I’m sitting on that fence because I can’t stand the X Factor, it’s horrible, and I’m against everything it stands for, produces, and the terrible blemish that it is tarnishing the positive side of the music industry with. It has been said before, but it’s nothing short of a glorified talent contest meets karaoke contest, where the winners are guaranteed a number 1 single off the strength of viewing figures alone, and all of about 5 minutes worth of fame before they are neatly brushed under the rug for the next one hit wonder to come along in the inevitable following series.
Sound like i’m talking about the music industry yet?
And now for Rage Against The Machine…
First and foremost, “Killing In The Name” was written in 1992, and for the most part found it’s way onto impartial fans mixtapes/mix cds/whatever because of the closing line: “Fuck you I wont do what you tell me.” repeated over and over towards the end of the song. It is my understanding that song is written in focus at secret Klu Klux Klan members who were also US Police officers. However in all honesty the casual fan just picks up on it, and uses it for it’s closing line, which is fine, I’m cool with that. Whatever.
Now lets take that and blow it all out of perspective: The Christmas Number 1 campaign.
I mean, this could have been any song. Seriously just pick one. The only reason RATM has found itself in the spotlight is for that closing line. Not for love of the band, not for love of the song, just because of THAT line, as if trying to convey a message to Simon Cowell that “we” wont “buy what you tell us.”
However, the success of this campaign as already mentioned elsewhere requires a proportion of people greater than that whom support X Factor / Joe Mcwhatever and his Miley ‘Hannah Montana’ Cyrus cover, doing exactly what they have been told to do. Somehow missing the already misperceived point of the song in question.
If said ‘Angry Mob’ are really as sick as the conveyor belt chart music that has been slithering out of Simon Cowell’s X Factor since 2004, and if people really cared about who was charting where in the U.K. charts, why not do something ELSE about it? Instead of mass purchasing a 1992 song that will only financially benefit Song BMG who also own Cowell’s record label, and further financing the show that they aim to take a pot shot at?!
Now I’m reckoning I’m already too late with ‘Killing In The Name’ selling something like 770,000 digital copies or something. But I thought I’d put it out there, I honestly couldn’t give a flying fuck about who charts where, given that it is sorta special over Christmas. In the past we have had Mr. Blobby, Cliff Richard and Bob the flaming Builder (thanks Neil Morrisey ¬_¬) as Cowell has mentioned somewhat ironically in this weeks *ahem* New Music Express *HA!*, but I must admit I can’t help but feel a bit proud when somebody I support does well, like when Florence’s album charted at Number 2. And Frank’s new record was in the Top 50. But to be honest the charts have always been full of manufactured music because it will always appeal to the casual buyer, the casual listener and to some extent the followers of whichever commercial consumerist organisation is pushing their product on the eve of Christmas.
So as not to sound defeatist, by all means stage a revolution. I’m all for a diversion from the normal, expected and predictable, but choose your ammunition carefully. A true revolt at the X Factor can be better achieved by supporting Independent or struggling labels who push genuine musicians, who didn’t get famous on a TV show because of judges who in effect have little or no authority to decide who or who not is possessing of musical talent! What the hell has Simon Cowell done to deserve the authority to decide who you should be listening to? Nothing.
But by lining his pockets with a kneejerk response aimed at sending nothing more than misguided message, the point has somewhat been missed.
Although, that being said I suppose it’s not a bad place to start. If you are going to buy or have brought this song, the very least you could do is follow this link and donate an equal amount to what you have just paid to Shelter: http://www.justgiving.com/ratm4xmas so at least something credibly positive can come out of this campaign.
Just my opinions though. For the record I brought Kevin Devine - Splitting Up Christmas and Laura Marling - Goodbye, England as my Christmas records. I haven’t downloaded Rage Against The Machine nor do I plan to just yet. I have no intentions of purchasing the X Factor single what so ever.
Thanks. x
