Let us not cast judgement just yet. I know what you’re thinking, I thought it too. Damien Rice agreeing to have his song ‘Cannonball’ used as the winners song, and most likely hit the number one in both Ireland and the UK.
However last year there was a similar reaction. ‘When We Collide’ or if you’re a fan of decent music ‘Many Of Horror’ by the amazing Biffy Clyro was the winner single. Since that release the band have said the decision was pretty much out of their hands. It is possible the decision was not Damien’s, but even if it was his own decision to allow the X Factor use his song (which considering how fame shy he is seems unlikely), let’s try look at this from an artist promotional aspect initially and then turn the analysis on X Factor chiefs.
Damien hasn’t released an album in around five years, live album in 2007 not withstanding. He’s an Irish act who like other Irish acts has struggled to be globally successful on the scale that perhaps his great music should be. He is rumoured to be working on a new album for release next year. The first thing the X Factor release will do is raise awareness of Damien’s work, particularly his back catalogue which is already charting again not even 24 hours after the show.
A raised profile before releasing an album could be extremely lucrative. I for one won’t begrudge a man a few euro’s regardless of the promotional aspect. Are Marcus’s and Little Mix versions of the song good covers of the original. No I didn’t particularly enjoy them. The iTunes version just sounds highly produced and the raw emotion of Damien’s version is what makes it such a special song.
We have an opportunity here. A top Irish act’s music has been highlighted by a massive PR machine and is likely that his material will rise high in the charts, ironically more than possibly higher than the previous chart high of 19th back in 2004. Great for Damien, but if you REALLY like Damien’s song then do yourself, Damien and the world a favour and buy HIS version. Millions will buy the X Factor one. They always do, but it’s entirely possible to have the original chart above the new version.
That’s what I feel the fans who loved Biffy Clyro’s verson should have done, helped the original to chart higher than the X Factor version. They missed an opportunity to do that last year choosing to denegrate their favourite bands decision to allow the song be used, rather than make ‘Many Of Horror’ the Christmas number one. This year there are so many options of a song to support. An amazing charity single like the TwitterXmasSingle, Shade Of Lights excellent and original Christmas song ‘December Eve’. The thing to remember here is that you have a choice, your are not a slave to the X Factor machine.
Buy the original, buy a charity single, but for the love of god don’t just buy the Little Mix song for the sake of it. I don’t say this because I inherently dislike the act, I think they have a future in music in the same stream as J.L.S. and One Direction, but it is time for the X Factor chiefs to realise that doing a karaoke cover version and releasing it for Christmas is not good enough. Write an original song and have the finalist perform a unique version of it customised to their style and sound. You have the budget, you have the audience. Why continue to pillage other artists work.
You have eleven months to hire a team of writers and produce a pop song worthy of the number one slot. Hell wouldn’t it be great if it was a Christmas song that was number one. Give your winning act an original song and marginal credibility leaving the show and not confirm their victory with a lazy karaoke version of an amazing original song. The only power we have as people is to vote with our feet and wallets until the search for a top new music act produces new music, and not yesterdays music rehashed.