# Military Wives beats X Factor to #1 (UK)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-wives-beats-x-factor-to-1-uk/607525>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [December 27, 2011, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-wives-beats-x-factor-to-1-uk/607525 "2011-12-27T15:52:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-wives-beats-x-factor-to-1-uk/607525/1 "2011-12-27T15:52:29Z")

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For the second time in recent years, the Xmas #1 single has _not_ been the X Factor winner’s single (for those unaware - the Xmas #1 single is a big deal in the UK, and much speculation goes on in the run-up to Christmas as to who will get it).

This year, Military Wives ([watch the official video here on YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hR6O7VxKaQ) - then go buy it: proceeds go to worthy causes and the UK government is waiving VAT for it!) got the #1 spot with _Wherever You Are_, outselling the rest of the rest of the Top Ten combined.  
I think it’s actually getting released in the US today or tomorrow, though I don’t imagine it’ll get so much traction there.

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**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-wives-beats-x-factor-to-1-uk/607525/2 "2011-12-27T17:50:51Z")

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Good result !

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**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-wives-beats-x-factor-to-1-uk/607525/3 "2011-12-27T18:11:50Z")

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Meh. It’s no Rage Against the Machine.

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**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-wives-beats-x-factor-to-1-uk/607525/4 "2011-12-27T21:05:13Z")

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That explains a good bit about _Love Actually_. I wondered why anybody cared about Billy’s song.

StG