The annual speculation about Christmas number ones is getting going. Last year I appeared on local radio giving an interview about Christmas number ones, we also spoke about the sociology of popular culture more generally. It was really good fun. This year it looks like things are going to change a bit. There’s an article in the NME with some of the details. It looks like the X Factor winner is not aiming for Christmas number one this year. This is probably to avoid the negative publicity that has come on the past when they’ve missed on on their expected top spot. Instead the prediction is that nostalgia will win out this year with The Pogues song Fairytale of New York favourite to be number one. It’s the 25th anniversary of its original release (plus, it is the best Christmas song). But Girls Aloud are providing the competition apparently. I expect the usual narrative of competition will develop in the media over the next 3 or 4 weeks.
Thinking culture 