Why I didn’t buy ‘Killing in the Name’
Well I did buy it in 1992, or rather I bought the album; but in 2009 I did not buy it as part of the ratm4xmas campaign to keep Joe McElderry (read: Simon Cowell) from the UK Christmas No.1 spot. Here's why …
Firstly, the debate around this movement is a total mess. People seem confused about what they are supposedly protesting against.
- It clearly isn't rejecting commercialism, or the record industry, because it involves buying a record. In fact, as the purchasers of ‘Killing in the Name' probably wouldn't have purchased Joe McElderry's track in the first place, this protest most likely generated more record sales than the industry would have otherwise.
- It clearly isn't rejecting crowd mentality either, because the whole notion is a collective endeavor, and arguably worse, because I doubt all the participants even like the music of RATM.
The intial protagonists of the campaign never suggested it protested against any of these things. It was simply to prevent Simon Cowell's "kareoke act reaching number 1" as a "protest to the X-factor monotony". As Simon Cowell himself pointed out, it was a direct attack on him and the content he is responsible for producing. And yes, I think that content is tripe too. Cowell may well be spoon-feeding the next genertion a self-perpetuating culture of celebrity-obsessed drivel, but this protest is just worthless.
- The X-factor monotony doesn't bother me [most of the time], because I avoid it. I don't watch Cowell's TV programmes, I don't read trashy tabloid entertainment columns, and I don't listen to commercial radio. Easy.
- If you like the music of RATM then the UK pop charts are probably not your cup of tea. People who follow the pop charts take enjoyment from it. Why ruin it for them, just because you don't like their music?
- I have not been aware of a Christmas No.1 since I was at school. The cultural meme of the Christmas No.1 has no impact or relevance to my life, and I go to no effort to achieve this. This year has obviously ruined that.
- Getting RATM to number 1 surely didn't mean less sales to Cowell, because they are clearly two separate groups buying the records
- Who is supposed to take notice of this protest? It won't stop Cowell pumping out drivel and it won't stop people liking it.
- It seems only to have served to generate a load of press, social media noise, and a bunch of extra record sales for Epic Records who have signed other such subversive musical acts as Jessica Simpson and Shakira.
Tags: music, ratm4xmas, social media protest
December 21st, 2009 at 11:02 pm
For what it’s worth…
There is absolutely no doubt that this campaign did not stop The X Factor winner, Mr Cowell and all of his various businesses making a lot of money. Joe McElderry will no doubt become a very rich young man in the next couple of years and fair play to him. When I bought the RATM single I knew this was the case. If anything my purchase would only accelerate the sales of the X Factor winner and fill the pockets of all involved – that was the only foregone coclusion of the campaign and nothing would stop that. But, I felt that with my 99p I had made a point worth making.
I also doubt if the couple who started the campaign actually thought it out completely and have probably been taken by surprise by the campaigns success. Quite exhilerating that a huge amount of people have been mobilised in such a short space of time.
But, for me, why not challenge the status quo? Why not make the point that a lot of people are tired of the uniformity of popular music? The whole idea that Christmas Number 1 is either, A) Not relevant to people who are tired of mainstream music. Or, B) Is only for people who are interested in making music for commercial success, is flawed.
Mainstream success should not be reserved exclusively for people who play the game. For every Joe McElderry or Joe Murs who get to live out their dream on primetime TV there are a hundred other talented and passionate musicians out there holding onto the idea that one day they will get a chance to be heard by an audience whether it be small or mainstream. But the message that these TV shows and subsequently the charts sends out to aspiring, creative musicians is that if you dare to be different then you will never achieve success, so why bother?
The X Factor does not encourage any kind of diversity, originality or creativity at all and that is the wrong message to be sending out to people who want to forge a career in music. Yes, of course everyone can find their ‘niche’ but why should they be niche?
If this internet campaign has encouraged a handful of musicians to continue doing what they do in the belief that one day they might make it, then it has been a success. If the campaign has prevented a handful of people from throwing in the towel and giving up on their dream of a successful career then it has been a success. If the campaign has inspired one angry young musician to pick up a guitar and sing about what fucks them off then it has been a success. Some of the greatest music ever made was inspired by the desire to protest and that surely is a good thing?
I sincerely hope that at some point in the future someone will achieve huge commercial success with a number 1 record, Christmas or otherwise, without the help of Talk Talk, Sainsburys, Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole, Danni Minogue, BMG Records or ITV. Wouldn’t it be amazing to think that this is still possible and that a number 1 record will be decided purely on talent alone?
This should not be about opting in or opting out of the mainstream or deciding on commercial success or a life on the fringes of the charts. There are people out there who do not care about the black and the white – they just want to be heard and have the right to success and we should really give a shit that in 10 years time we still have a music business that supports this notion.
My protest was not about Simon Cowell personally, it was about what he stands for. And I stand by my vote.
December 22nd, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I also hope that one day a no.1 record is decided on talent alone, but I don’t believe this protest in any way aids, or even inspires that notion.
If the campaign was to get an unknown act to no.1 without the help of ITV, etc.. I would have been behind it, and the symbolism would have been worth something. But getting a Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum selling, Sony-owned act to no.1 instead was in my opinion an empty and somewhat ironic gesture.
December 22nd, 2009 at 12:53 pm
It would have been slightly less ironic if Simon Cowell wasn’t also a major shareholder of Sony records, who own Epic.
Best thing I’ve read on the topic, though I’m feeling slightly guilty for increasing the social media noise, I’ve avoided mentioning it so far.
December 22nd, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I suppose that argument stands if it was RATM’s idea to go up against X Factor but it wasn’t. They were chosen, I assume, because for a lot of people they represent an alternative point of view. They have campaigned tirelessly over the years for economic equality, activism, democracy, freedom of speech and resistance against oppression, both economical and physical with their global platform and for many this song is a call to arms. An anthem against oppression.
The fact that they signed to a major label in order to reach a global platform shouldn’t detract from the fact that they offer music fans a much needed alternative amongst the melee of love, sex, money and violence that makes up the current music charts both here and in the US. All they did was start with an opinion and the ability to play music, the fact that they have connected with millions of people should be celebrated, not derided.
I wonder what Joe McElderry will do with his fame and wealth? Buy his nanna a new bungalow?
Maybe next year it will be an unknown act who gets to number one? I would certainly put my hand in my pocket to help make that happen. Do you feel like helping me make it happen Tim? That would be a real achievement. The campaign starts here…
December 22nd, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Ok, you pick the artist, I’ll start the Facebook group.
December 22nd, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Better idea: maybe we could create a TV programme, so the public could select the artist?
December 22nd, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Or do it online completely free of advertising. I would be excited now if I didnt know you were taking the pi$$.
December 22nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
completely free of advertising, like Facebook you mean?
December 22nd, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Let’s just build a site and do it word-of-mouth shall we? Maybe we can redirect your healthy cynicism in the process.
December 22nd, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Why not just for the joke? Like a giant music downloading flash mob…
December 22nd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Come back Mike. The advertising industry needs you!
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:31 pm
I can only echo, Simon Bucknall’s comments. Very well put. I don’t think I have anything else to add.