With Little Mix’s ‘Cannonball’ reported to be 80,000 copies ahead of their nearest rivals in this week’s chart race, it seems the 100% strike rate of X Factor winners hitting No. 1 with their coronation hit will remain safe.
But, of course, even though every debut from every winner has gone to the top, it hasn’t always been at Christmas, and some years the sales figures have drastically differed from the preceding or following winner.
LET’S HAVE A LOOK, SHALL WE?
Updated with Little Mix sales
2004: Steve Brookstein – ‘Against All Odds’
Christmas chart position: #2 (climbed to #1 for New Year)
First week sales: 127,701
X Factor first week sales rank: 8th
Actual quality rank: 7th.
In brief: Steve released this Phil Collins cover as his debut, and its performance reflected the decent, but not almighty impact The X Factor had in its first year. Spot Sinitta (FUCK OFF SINITTA!) in the video…
2005: Shayne Ward – ‘That’s My Goal’
Christmas chart position: #1
First week sales: 742,180
X Factor first week sales rank: 1st
Actual quality rank: 1st. A big, cheesy, shamelessly corny classic
In brief: Shayne’s title for most successful X Factor winner’s hit ever will probably remain in tact for ever. It’s the only coronation single from the show to not be a cover.
2006: Leona Lewis – ‘A Moment Like This’
Christmas chart position: #1
First week sales: 571,253
X Factor first week sales rank: 3rd
Actual quality rank: 3rd
In brief: Believe it or not, ratings for Leona’s year are the second-lowest in the show’s 8-year history, which explains the difference in opening sales between ‘A Moment Like This’, originally the debut from a certain Kelly Clarkson when she won American Idol, and Shayne’s effort.
2007: Leon Jackson – ‘When You Believe’
Christmas chart position: #1
First week sales: 275,742
X Factor first week sales rank: 6th
Actual quality rank: 8th. Leon’s no Houston or Carey, bless him… but not for lack of trying…
In brief: This Whitney/Mariah cover was met with a tepid fan reception, and accordingly the song charged to No. 1 with less of a staggering sales tally than the two before it. Unsurprisingly, Leon’s mainstream career didn’t last too long.
2008: Alexandra Burke – ‘Hallelujah’
Christmas chart position: #1
First week sales: 576,046
X Factor first week sales rank: 2nd
Actual quality rank: 2nd. In terms of ‘Hallelujah’ versions, some screamed murder. But it’s one of the most listenable winner’s singles yet.
In brief: Alexandra scored the biggest-selling single of 2008 with just two weeks’ worth of sales, thanks to a strong ratings turnout for the show’s fifth season. The arrival of Cheryl Cole and an onslaught of fresh-faces such as Burke, JLS and Diana Vickers made for an exciting climax and, accordingly, a well received winner’s single.
2009: Joe McElderry – ‘The Climb’
Christmas chart position: #2 (climbed to #1 for New Year)
First week sales: 450,838
X Factor first week sales rank: 4th
Actual quality rank: 5th. Shamelessly Disney, if a little cliché by now.
In brief: Joe put up a good will-he-won’t-he-fight for Xmas No.1 in 2009, but was forced to take the hit from an anti-Cowell campaign from Rage Against The Machine supporters. Still, made for a tense chart battle, and ‘The Climb’ – originally by, uh, Miley Cyrus – managed to become the last No. 1 single of the decade.
2010: Matt Cardle – ‘When We Collide’
Christmas chart position: #1
First week sales: 439,007
X Factor first week sales rank: 5th
Actual quality rank: 4th. Obviously the original tops it, but in its own right it’s pretty decent.
In brief: The sheer amount of copycat RATM campaigns meant Matt had relatively little opposition with his Biffy Clyro cover. Indie purists hated it, but surely the band must have collected a hefty payday from half a million sales of the cover…
2011: Little Mix – ‘Cannonball’
Christmas chart position: Predicted #2, but entered at #1 the week before.
First week sales: 210,000
X Factor first week sales rank: 7th
Actual quality rank: 6th. The girls will be capable of much better in 2012.
In brief: HURRAH! Little Mix release one week before Xmas, meaning we might actually get an interesting old-school Christmas chart battle this year. The girls’ cover of ‘Cannonball’ is bland and uninspiring, carried only by the charm and likeability of the quartet themselves and, of course, Damien Rice’s powerful lyrics.
