The next paragraph prefaces something the (2) UK readers that pop by here on occasion know all too well. Feel free to call it a “duh” moment and bypass. Thanks!

Ahem…

Over in England, they have this running ritual called a “Christmas #1″. Bets are placed as to which song will reach #1 on the official UK pop singles chart on, or around, Christmas Day. Usually, it’s some silly cartoon character singing a yuletide carol while high on helium. Which results in a whole bunch of folks losing their money over bets that a re-release of “Anarchy In The UK” would top the chart. Whatever.

The last couple of years, the Christmas #1s have been handed to winners of the UK TV Talent show “The X Factor” (which, in theory, is way more democratic than American Idol, in that they WILL take contestants over the age of 28).

This year, the contest was won by one Leon Jackson. A dude, who, frankly, makes Jamie Cullum sound like Tony Bennett.

Not to be down on anyone’s luck, peeps, but even Blake Lewis is better than this…

Anyway…

A recording of his performance was supposed to sell a gazillion downloads on ITunes, virtually guaranteeing him the top spot. However, something went wrong on ITunes’ UK servers, resulting in lower than expected download sales. Which has got show producer Simon Cowell (yes, kids, he’s on that too - does this guy ever SLEEP) calling both foul AND his lawyers.

Dude smiles even when he gets served. EESH!

Anywho…

The decks have apparently been cleared for an unexpected number one. Folks are slamming their money down faster than chips at the local casinos, and the odds are getting smaller and smaller for this guy to hit the top.

His name is Malcolm Middleton, and he’s best known over here for being one half one of this writer’s all time fave bands, Arab Strap. He released his “Christmas” song last week (from an album that’s been out since January last year) with the cheery title of…uh…”We’re All Going To Die”.

Hey! I can dig this! It sounds like a speeded up re-write of Anarchy in the UK without it actually BEING Anarchy in the UK! And I’ll take Malcolm’s brogue over Johnny’s sneer anyday.

The talk up of this has been thick and fast over in the UK. The hipster kids over at last.fm have been going nuts. He himself notes that he doesn’t discuss it with his best bud because he’s “embarrassed by it”.

As for that last note, I have to say is…

“Hon, there ain’t no shame in your game, but you need a new promo pic”

That’s just a little too “7th Seal” for us, y’know.

BTW, I lifted the last two pics from the 17 Seconds blog. Go there and give the dude some love. His coverage deserves it.

And once again, remember, for the holidays:

Update: Well, according to THESE PEOPLE, Leon ended up with the Number 1 song in the UK anyway, with ole’ Malcolm ending up at #31 - which, from my understanding is a better chart position than Arab Strap managed in their entire career.

True? False? Discuss…