December 16, 2009 16:43

'X Factor' winner Joe McElderry: 'I've never heard Rage Against The Machine'

McElderry says he's 'enjoying' Christmas chart battle but wants to be Number One

Photo Gallery: Rage Against The Machine
Photo: PA Photos

The X Factor winner Joe McElderry says he has never heard Rage Against The Machine, despite his single 'The Climb' currently being in a chart battle with the LA band's 'Killing In The Name'.

As of yesterday (December 15), McElderry was over 65,000 sales behind Rage Against The Machine, although his single is likely to have received a boost today, having come out on CD for the first time.

Speaking of 'Killing In The Name', which Rage Against The Machine originally released in 1992, McElderry told BBC News that he's unfamiliar with the track.

"I haven't heard it," he said, adding: "I need to listen to it. I have not heard it yet but I'll have to have a listen."

McElderry also admitted that he's "not a rocker kind of guy", and that he mainly listens to "new chart stuff [by] all different kinds of artists".

The singer added that he desperately wants to be Number One this Sunday (December 20).

"Obviously I would love, love, love a Number One but it's out of my hands. I can only go and promote the single and that’s all I can do," he said. "If I could get a Number One it would be amazing. I'm just gonna work hard and try my best, that's all I can do. Good luck to them [Rage Against The Machine] as well."