Delirious? - 'History Maker'
It's always nice to give presents, isn't it? Everyone loves getting a gift, but the look of joy on a dear friend's face when you surprise them with a package they weren't expecting, and it turns out to be the perfect thing, well that's unbeatable.
So you can't blame the fans of Delirious? - who split up last year - for wanting to give their boys a lovely send-off, in the shape of a No.1 hit single. Not just ANY No.1 single either. No this is the much-coveted (no commandment pun intended) Easter No.1, which as any fool knows, is second only to the Christmas No.1 in the hearts and minds of the chart-watching public...kinda.
Actually, it's less to do with Easter being big with chartwatchers, and more to do with the band's faith, as expressed through their music. The thought being that a devotional song might be closer to the commemoration of Jesus Christ's final days better than, say, 'Telephone' by Lady GaGa.
So, Christian campaigners and Delirious? fans alike set up a Facebook group, as is the nowadays way of things, and started campaigning. They're doing pretty well with it too...
(No official video. It's not really the point)
As with the Christmas Rage Against The Machine campaign, it's not the purity of the original intention which is troubling, it's the occasionally silly rhetoric and desperation to succeed that comes with it. When John Otway got his fans to work together to get him a second Top 40 hit in 2002, it was a private joke crossed with an early Christmas present, nothing more, nothing less.
The Rage thing got slightly sidetracked by people claiming all pop music that they personally didn't like was about to tremble and die under Rage's mighty boot, which didn't happen, of course. What did happen was a band got a song to the top of the charts as a result of a special campaign targeting a specific chart position and date. Which is how street teams operate. And you know who has a really good street team? McFly.
(Yesyesyes, I should really have let that one go by now...)
Delirious? have massively devoted fans, and they are very passionate about their band and about how they have been handled by the media in the past. What I would hope is that this gesture, this seasonal gift, is left unspoiled by any sense of righteous vengeance, or desperate Facebook spamming. It's not what this kind of thing should be about.
The chart success of 'History Makers' is just a really nice gift to give some people who made some music together, and made a lot of people very happy. And it's a neat way of reminding everyone else that Easter isn't just about chocolate eggs.
That should really be enough, no matter what the song's final chart position.
Comment number 1.
At 31st Mar 2010, AJ wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 2.
At 31st Mar 2010, spireite_phil wrote:thanks for a great blog post fraser. well balanced. agreed that gift giving is where its at, rather than vengance and all that.
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Comment number 3.
At 31st Mar 2010, harrythedog10 wrote:I was actually suprised how much I enjoyed this song, normally the idea of a christian rock band would make me run a mile. It sounds a lot like U2 to me and am I the only person who thinks bits of the new Scouting For Girls single sound a lot like this?
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Comment number 4.
At 31st Mar 2010, charlottepattbc wrote:Great article! I must admit I only got into Delirious? a couple of years ago so this is a great opportunity to catch up on what I missed and thank the guys for (in my opinion) some of the best music on my iPod.
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Comment number 5.
At 31st Mar 2010, Ken Mavor wrote:Great blog and as said before well balanced. Would like to say thanks to Delirious for being the conduit for many christians to play good music loud without having to revert to other chart music. I also think this is a time when many christians are standing up to be counted.
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Comment number 6.
At 31st Mar 2010, superchris_liverpool wrote:Good article Fraser... I suppose Christmas and Easter only exist cos of Jesus so it seems quite apt to have a Christian song at the top of the charts on Sunday.
It's not a bad record either! I wish the campaign well.
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Comment number 7.
At 31st Mar 2010, Ben wrote:AND don't forget all the profits go to Charity - CompassionArt -
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Comment number 8.
At 31st Mar 2010, dibsii wrote:There is a video. Its on YouTube: Its the Live Version from the Farewell show at Hammersmith:
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Comment number 9.
At 31st Mar 2010, Naomi Fuller wrote:I love Delirious. I have done for years. I'm so glad that we have been able to do this. I just want a christian message to go out on Easter Sunday (lets face it, many people forget the true message behind eatster and just think about the chocolate). I think this is a great and well balanced article. I would love History Maker to be number 1 but even in the top 10 would be a great acheivement. I think as well as a christian message being sent out through a hugely poular media delirous offer true role models. The profits are being given to charity and these guys life a christian life. I want to be able to love God, praise him and follow him when I am older (I'm 16) like delirious show me I can. :)
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Comment number 10.
At 31st Mar 2010, Nick wrote:Delirious are a great band and history maker is a good song but these are not the reasons that started the campaign or the facebook group. The reason for the campaign for why 54,000 have signed is that Easter is about Jesus not eggs, chocolate or bunnies. We want a christian song at Easter - and Christmas - to honour god and speak into the hearts of all of us. I think even non believers will honour the fact that Easter and Christmas belong to one huge history maker in Jesus Christ . This is our cause not delierius - they are one of many great Christian bands.
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Comment number 11.
At 31st Mar 2010, andie wrote:its great that this article is positive in its tone. However, i must say that giving Delirious a final chart hit is NOT the purpose behind this campaign. It is to get a Christian song maximum airplay (if thats possible on british radio) to spread the message of love and hope to a wider audience.
the song was chosen by a church minister who kick started the campaign, and im sure that he chose this song because of the message contained within, not because of any sentimental fondness or affiliation with the band. Lets just remember, Jesus is our focus , not Delirious, and thats how they would want it too!!
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Comment number 12.
At 31st Mar 2010, BernardR wrote:I think it is a great track and admire the campaign to get it to number one. In fact I hope it makes it after all Easter is a Christian celebration so it makes good sense ... good job Delirious!
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Comment number 13.
At 31st Mar 2010, jonesybcfc wrote:I never knew Delirious? had a fanclub that took coachtrips out to our good land of ChartBlog. Ah well, learn something new every day. As long as your not as rowdy as the bieber lot...
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Comment number 14.
At 31st Mar 2010, RandomEnigma wrote:Yeah what's with all the randomers. I only recognise Jonesy and Harry.
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Comment number 15.
At 31st Mar 2010, BloggingLiam wrote:Whoa the bus parked. Good job it was a positive review. Very sweet Frazzel.
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Comment number 16.
At 31st Mar 2010, spirit wrote:Well , onto the halfway stage of the chart campaign . .
This song is currently number 6 , with 4 more days to go !!
Good luck Delirious? .
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Comment number 17.
At 1st Apr 2010, Maysie wrote:Number 3 currently ..
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Comment number 18.
At 1st Apr 2010, Gareth wrote:This facebook initiative seems all rather joyous and positive (I only came across it a week ago) but has naturally received negative attention. Despite how the band may have been overlooked before, the media seem to be giving them great profile now. As a Delirious? fan- cheers.
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Comment number 19.
At 1st Apr 2010, Connie wrote:I'd love to re-iterate what has been said above about the initiative being not a thank you to an (admitedly awesome) band but as an act of praise to an Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe came to down to earth over 2000 years ago to die, taking the consequence for human sin (turning against God) so that we can truly know and love the living God. We believe that three days later he rose up from the grave showing God's power over sin and death, and demonstrating the reality of God's promise of eternal life for all who believe in Jesus.
In light of this, whilst still being pleased about the postive sentiment towards the campaign shown in this blog, I have to contest the reason that you have given here for the campaign..
It's not that Christians wish to 'commemorate Jesus Christ's final days' by getting 'History Makers' into the charts, but to celebrate the love of God shown through the sacrifice made my Jesus on the cross, and the amazing saving power of God shown in his ressurection. This is the truth referred to in the song's lyrics - 'I'm gonna be a speaker of truth to all mankind' and this is, or at least should be the reason for the campaign and the season itself. I downloaded the song, and would love to see Delirious at #1. But more than this I want to see Jesus in the spotlight!
So I agree that the final chart position is in part irrelevant- my prayer as a Christian will not firstly be for a number one single but for many more people to know the love and great saving power of God through Jesus Christ, who I believe died and rose for me.
Happy Easter!!
Words below from classic easter hymn 'Thine Be The Glory'
'Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly He greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
Let the church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing;
For her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting.
Thine is the glory, risen conqu’ring Son,
Endless is the vict’ry, Thou o’er death hast won!'
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Comment number 20.
At 1st Apr 2010, jonesybcfc wrote:Dont think this is the place to admit we like the chocolate side of Easter lads...
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Comment number 21.
At 2nd Apr 2010, BloggingLiam wrote:@ Connie, you are only guessing. As is Fraser. Everybody can interpt the message behind the campaign however they want. The same is said about the word of God, The Bible and everything associated with all religions. So actually, unless you're running the campaign, how can you be certain?
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Comment number 22.
At 2nd Apr 2010, BloggingLiam wrote:I realise I've opened a whole can of worms with that post .. but hey, I'm in an argumentative mood tonight!
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Comment number 23.
At 2nd Apr 2010, Deeksie wrote:I'm not a huge fan of Delirious? albums, but, I've seen them play live 3 times, once at my church! It was pretty epic! :-D I'd love to see them make Easter No.1 just to see a good Christian message played on the radio.
@ BloggingLiam You're right, no one can know. However, I think Delirious? would only want this to be about God, no one else. If you've seen them play, you'll know they do what they do only to exemplify the name of God. :-)I think most of Delirious? fans would want what Delirious? wants.
Everything is down to interpretation, I think the question is which interpretation makes most sense. That's what Science does, and that's what Bible believing Christians try to do. IMO
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Comment number 24.
At 2nd Apr 2010, BloggingLiam wrote:Im glad its not The Lord's Prayer to the tune of Auld Lang Syne anyway!
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Comment number 25.
At 2nd Apr 2010, loo wrote:Wow- Frazer I'm impressed a Christian band getting a review on the ´óÏó´«Ã½, v good.
i love this song and have it on my ipod already but will definitely download it. Delirious? make great music, and are amazing live. I only learnt about this campaign recently, but think its great to remind people what Easter is about, even if thye don't celebrate it.
Kudos Fraze. Loved the blog neway, love it even more now.
p.s. randomenigma- I always read the blog but rarely post as v rarely have time or feel can contribute anything good.
God Blessxx
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Comment number 26.
At 2nd Apr 2010, loo wrote:And a very Happy Easter everyone!xx
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Comment number 27.
At 2nd Apr 2010, Connie wrote:@ jonesyfcbc I am definately a fan of chocolate at Easter
@ bloggingliam - you are right, i don't know exactly the original aim of the campaign - but from a christian perspective can hope that we are rightly wanting to give the praise to God rather than the band!
having said this, Delirious are a quality band, saw them live a few years ago, and History Maker is top tune of mine- would love to hear this on the radio!
Kudos Kudos
Connie
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Comment number 28.
At 2nd Apr 2010, Roscoe1314 wrote:Great campaign, great band, great song, great big God !
Interestingly, the date on Easter Sunday will be 4th April which, as anyone who has listened to the U2 track "Pride (in the name of love)" will know, is the anniversary of the day that another unashamed speaker of truth to all mankind, Dr. Martin Luther King, was assassinated.
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Comment number 29.
At 3rd Apr 2010, sandra wrote:Sorry Fraser- it's not about Giving Delirious? a parting gift at all, great band that they are/were- it's about reminding people that Jesus and what he did is what Easter's all about. Getting a Christian song to the top of the charts and getting played on mainstream radio is a great way to go about it IMO.
Getting Rage Against the Machine to number one last Christmas was a great anti X Factor campaign, but such a bad song choice for the time of year. It would be great to have this brilliant, contemporary, positive, Delirious? track as Easter number 1... the perfect 'antithesis' perhaps!
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Comment number 30.
At 3rd Apr 2010, spirit wrote:@ 28 Good insight Bryan , and one that brought a tear to my eye .
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Comment number 31.
At 4th Apr 2010, vicki wrote:the last time this band was in the charts it got in to the top 40 i cannot belive, they are in the top 20 its great, they are a gr8 band thank you for blogging this put a smile on my face every time i hear it :D
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Comment number 32.
At 4th Apr 2010, spirit wrote:Congratulations on an Easter Number 4 single , Delirious ?
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Comment number 33.
At 4th Apr 2010, nefari wrote:What a brilliant blog! This song's really grown on me, anointed for sure, it's been the soundtrack to my Easter day. Congratz on No.4. x
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Comment number 34.
At 5th Apr 2010, cherry_soda wrote:hey. dont know if you are interested but if you are like harrythedog10 and are surprised about jow much they like this song then there are other Christian Rock bands too which you might be interested in such as Relient k and DC Talk :)
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