Lucy Johnson reports: A group of university students from across the UK, are challenging music industry giants in a bid for this year’s Christmas No. 1 with their single, ‘Smells Like Christmas Time’.

Anarchy Xmas formed through social networking site Facebook, had the plan to write and record a Christmas-themed single together that would be made available to download in December, with all proceeds going to charity. 

The grass-roots group, the brainchild of Sheffield students, Iz El-Bahnasy and Tom Langhorn, was strongly motivated to challenge the coveted Christmas Number One spot that has, in recent years, been held by the winner of The X Factor TV Show.  Members were encouraged to spread the word and the group grew to over 1000 people in one month.

Songs were suggested by members and in June 2007 Tom Rosenthal’s demo, Smells Like Christmas Time, won the vote to be the song of choice. In a similar manner members submitted suggestions for the charities to benefit from the project, and in September 2007 NSPCC, Oxfam, Shelter, Friends Of The Earth and Cancer Research UK were chosen.

Composer Tom Rosenthal a student at Durham University said:

“The time has come to put the festive fun back into the Christmas pop charts. Anarchy Xmas is fed up of X-Factor winners having topped the last two Christmas charts with non-Christmas songs. We believe it’s time for a real festive number one.” 

The song is available to download through digital outlets such as iTunes and HMV Digital with all proceeds from the sale of the single which costs just 79p going to the chosen charities.

The song has already received support through airplay on regional BBC radio stations, to listen to the festive tune Click HERE:

Find More Anarchy Xmas on the web: Click  HERE: Click  HERE: Click  HERE: Click  HERE:

By Lucy Johnson @Island Pulse.

: Saturday : December 15th, 2007 at 12:02 am.