Classic? Dont make me laugh. Just like Bohemian Rhapsody, or Radar Love, Sweet Child Of Mine or Comfortably Numb?

Purrlease.

This song may be remembered for stopping X Factor, but that is all it will be remembered for. In five years nobody will know any of the lyrics, any more than those of The Climb.

The song already IS a classic.

I, and plenty of others, knew and heard Killing in the Name more than 5 years ago.

I'm glad that people power seems to have won the day this year. With previous Christmas number 1s, people have been buying the song not necessarily because it was any good, but simply because it was rammed down their throats with a relentless marketing campaign run by someone who couldn't really care what the song was as long as it achieves its aims. People were almost hypnotised into buying it. I'm glad that this year everyone showed that they won't be manipulated, damn it, and showed their individuality by not following the blind masses.


On that basis, 'There's No-one Quite Like Grandma' must be up there with the all-time greats. I and plenty of others knew and heard it 30 years ago.

"You do realise Killing In The Name of is 17 years old, yeah? It's a classic on the rock scene and will not be forgotten for a long time."

Most people who are into their heavier music will know this song. Even my mum knew who RATM were before this campaign.

But people already remembered it from years ago.
I was among the crowd at T in the Park 2008 when around 40,000 people already seemed to know the words

Exactly. Just as how I know all the words to my aformentioned song marks that out as a classic. At least some people know the rules that define a classic.

I dance to it most weekends in the clubs I go to up here. We have been playing it my house for years...my mum doesn't like it but she sure as hell knew what it was. In fact when I told her there was a campaign to get Rage against the Machine to number 1 she knew straight away which song it was. They also played Reading last year and that's the main reason why thousands of people went. So for anyone to say that no one will remember it in five years time is just silly. You may not like it but there is no denying it's a classic rock protest song that has meaning and will continue to be popular to many more generations.

At least it's not some maudling piece of goddy garbage from Cliff Richard

Should be Bohemian Rhapsody for the 3rd time on the back of that marvellous video

Do you even know what the song's about?

Wow, I don't think you could have said anything else to make you appear any smaller.

Killing In The Name was released in 1992 and unless you've been buried under a rock for the last eighteen years, you will know the lyrics.

Taxi for Superwomble please.

Sorry. I wasnt paying that much attention. I didnt realise it charted at number 872 that year. My apologies.

I knew the lyrics years ago and even joked to my OH that I walk down the aisle to the song 10 years ago

That's nothing my mom actually asked me to show her how to download the song. And in her words "If it shuts that arrogant **** cowell up then I can put up with a few swear words" I love being in a family which listen to rock/metal

Also RATM are part of Epic Records which is part of Sony records. Simon Cowell's record label is part of Sony however it's the like the drunk rich uncle who shows his head twice a year.

Oh forgot to say that's Mr Degenerate to you

I’d heard of Rage Against The Machine before, but I’ve still never heard the song. Or, if I have, I don’t remember it on the radio. (Back when I was a kid the only music I ever heard was music they played on the radio.)


By “offensive” I meant “disrespectful in tone”. Jesus’ teachings may have caused outrage, but he would never have spoken to anyone in an insulting manner, or swore at them.

I myself never speak to anyone in an insulting manner, but I get angry about the injustices of the world, and there are times when I almost want to start throwing tables over (I don’t by the way!). But I don’t resent people — I just resent all the greed and exploitation and hatred in the world (i.e. all the sin). There isn’t one person I don’t love.


My mistake. Someone told me RATM were on Simon’s label.


I actually know the record producer who wrote that song! It was also the first song I ever bought! (Well, my mum bought it for me actually.)

For some reason my dad loves it and seems to play it every Christmas! So clearly some people regard it as a classic!

One thing’s for sure… no one who heard that song will ever be able to forget it.


Yeah… bloody Cliff Richard RUINING Christmas by trying to bring religion into it! The audacity!

Could you really get more ignorant?

It may not have been as much of a hit as those songs you mentioned but it most certainly is a hit, it wasn't a chart topper because of the severe anti-establishment lyrical content and swear words.

I and millions of rock fans over the world however most certainly consider it a hit, of course it won't be a hit to an armchair rock fan which is how you are presenting yourself by mentioning those songs.

Yet another 'DJ' who doesn't know how to use the Guinness Book of Hits.

The dates refer to 'week ending', ie the Saturday of the week it got to number one. In the 80s, the chart was released on a Tuesday, so the actual day it topped the charts was four days earlier, Dec 24th, as already stated.

“Tubthumping” by Chumbawamba might have been a good choice. It’s your general edgy anti-oppression campaign song, only blended into a sort of mainstream-sounding light-hearted, feel-good party vibe with almost no profanities (apart from the obvious word “pissing” which could be censored).

It could be played on the radio no problems, would work well at Christmas parties, and even the kiddies would know it, thanks to Peter Kay!

It got to Number 25 actually. Not bad for a heavy rock song with lots of swearing.

The point is the charts don't make bands. Creating great albums, good songs and developing a loyal fanbase make a band.

According to you Crazy Frog is a greater artist than The Beatles.

Do you realise how ridiculous that makes you look?

It is already a classic. Its a massively popular song that came off an album that went multi platinum in the US, and Platinum is every major country in the West...

It also was a pioneer of the rock-rap genre of music, which it was pretty much the first album to be released in that genre. No RATM, no Limp Bizkit, no Korn, no Deftones, no Slipknot, no Linkin Park, no System of a Down, no Evanescence... Basically absolutely none of the nu metal scene.

It is already a classic of its times, akin to Nrivana's output at the time. Its listed in many Top 100 lists...

Don't talk saft. You make yourself look immature, and stupid.

All this picking on Superwomble is ridiculous!

Superwomble was talking about mainstream attention.

RATM might have been the best group ever, but until now most people in the UK won’t know their songs, or any of the words to them; while most people in the UK will probably know the chorus to one or two Robbie Williams songs.

Superwomble may not agree with RATM being a Christmas number one, but he/she was only talking about the song’s place in (or absence from) the public conscience; not how talented the band are.


While the charts may not be a very accurate measure of talent, they most certainly are a measure of fame.

I’m willing to bet more British people had heard a Crazy Frog song than a RATM song (until lately).

I hate Crazy Frog, but I’ve heard of it, and I’ve heard the song. On the other hand, I have a massive music collection from the 90s, yet I’ve still never heard a RATM song. I may even own one or two of their songs like “Bulls On Parade”, but I am not generally aware of their music.

If radios don’t play it, and parents don’t play it, then kids simply don’t hear it, which is the case for many of us.

I wholeheartedly agree with Superwomble that this song is never going to be a classic… in the eyes of the mainstream. Because it’s not a mainstream-friendly song. Likewise, something like “God Save The Queen” by the Sex Pistols is never going to be regarded as a classic by the mainstream. The mainstream doesn’t promote that kind of thing, so kids don’t hear it and ultimately no one cares about it.

''No on cares about it''

..except for the fact that millions do.

Did you just step in from another thread and posted your response here?

You seem to think we're arguing that RATM are as famous as Michael Jackson. Why?

RATM are well known to any fan of rock music in the last two decades. Not for chart positions. If you actually believe you know about the genre don't come on here saying you've never heard of them. Their records clearly aren't aimed at everyone, so you need to have a word with yourself. You seem to think they're trying to appeal to the casual pop music fan who spends Saturday watching garbage like X-Factor, something which confuses music with entertainment and is only created to convert cash.

RATM continue to sell because they influenced a genre of rap-rock. X-Factor garbage is shallow, an uninspired waste of space. People still listen to RATM today, more than can be said of the dross that's created on X-Factor - Steve Brookstein a prime example of the disposable prototypes that leave the winner.

My apologies, posted in wrong thread.