NOW UPDATED WITH X FACTOR WINNER, JOE McELDERRY, AND THE RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE CAMPAIGN

With just a little over three weeks to Christmas, the race for the 2009 Christmas number 1 starts to hot up with many artists releasing new songs to try and get the number 1 spot.

George Michael is re-releasing his December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)  on the 13th of December and could well be a contender for this years Christmas number 1.

Another re-release is from St Winifred’s School Choir who had a Christmas Number 1 back in 1980 with “There’s No One Quite Like Grandma” and this time it’s backed by Innocent Drinks and is helping raise money for Help the Aged.

Obviously the eventual winner of X Factor will more than likely be releasing a Christmas single, with Stacey appearing the main favourite.  The song choice for the X Factor winner hasn’t been announced yet, but we’re hoping it’ll be a festive one.

Terry Wogan teams up with Aled Jones and Sharon Corr to try and grab the Christmas number 1 song, with their song entitled Silver Bells / Me and My Teddy Bear which is released on the 7th of December.

Beyonce, Lady Ga Ga, Madonna, Cheryl Cole, Pet Shop Boys, Shakira and Taylor Swift are among others that have singles set for release in the weeks before Christmas.

2009 Christmas Number 1 Contenders

X Factor Winner, Joe McElderry with The Climb: Amazon – MP3 / CD | 7Digital | Play.com | iTunes

Rage Against The Machine – Killing In The Name: YouTube | iTunes | Amazon MP3 | 7Digital

St Winifred’s Choir -There’s Nothing Quite Like Grandma (2009) : YouTube | iTunes

Robbie Williams – You Know Me :  YouTube | iTunes

Cheryl Cole – 3 Words : YouTube | iTunes

Julian Casablancas – I Wish It Was Christmas Today : YouTube | iTunes

Lady GaGa – Bad Romance : YouTube | iTunes

George Michael – December Song : YouTube | iTunes

The Library Suits – Christmas Retreat YouTube | iTunes

Beyonce feat Lady GaGa – Video Phone : YouTube | iTunes

Taylor Swift – Fifteen : YouTube | iTunes

The Saturdays may have had a chance with their new single Ego, but unfortunately it’s not out until January 4th so therefore would miss out on Christmas number 1.

Peter Kay Children In Need 2009

Peter Kay’s brilliant new Children In Need song has topped this weeks charts, with the Children In Need Medley by Peter Kay’s Animated All Star Band knocking the X Factor finalists off the number 1 spot.

Peter Kay guarantees the song will have his listeners both “astonished and delighted,” and with over 100 famous faces taking part, you’ll want to listen and watch it again and again to make sure you catch each one!

Not only is the single a musical delight for everyone, but for every CD and DVD sold, the purchase will benefit the BBC Children in Need Appeal. This means if you buy the single and bring Peter Kay’s musical magic home, you will be helping to make a positive change to a young life in need here in the UK.

Buy Online: Official CD | Official DVD | Download

The stellar line up includes over 100 world famous icons from the past such as The Thunderbirds, The Wombles, BagpussTMand Postman PatTM, lining up alongside contemporary faces including Fifi and the Flowertots, In The Night GardenTM, and of course, Pudsey BearTM.

The single includes a medley of popular songs for all generations to enjoy; Can You Feel It (originally by The Jacksons), Don’t Stop (originally by Fleetwood Mac), Jai Ho (originally by Pussycat Dolls), Tubthumping (originally by Chumbawamba), Never Forget (originally by Take That), Hey Jude (originally by The Beatles), and One Day Like This (originally by Elbow).

Featuring a Sgt Pepper-inspired cover , the single is available as a CD or DVD Audio, as well as being able to be downloaded from iTunes and Amazon MP3.

Peter Kay’s Children In Need Official Song and Video

Buy Online: Official CD | Official DVD | Download

Over the years there’s been some cracking Christmas Number 1’s and not to mention the odd comedy Christmas song, just to cheer everyone up!

In recent years, the number 1 spot has been won by winners of the X Factor and 2009 could well be the same story, although there are a number of contenders set to release their Christmas number 1 songs soon.

Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas was the first ever multi artist charity song to reach the Christmas number 1 spot and sold over 3 million copies, making it the best selling Christmas number 1 of all time.

Christmas Number 1’s

The 2009 Christmas Number 1 song will be announced on Sunday December 20th on the Official Chart Show.