X-rated Jarvis Cocker song could become first number one of 2020 after new campaign push

Sheffield music icon Jarvis Cocker could be in line for the first number one of 2020 – after a surge up the charts with an X-rated song in a protest against Boris Johnson.
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The Pulp frontman’s ‘Running The World’ has moved up the UK Charts from number 48 to number 2, prompting the organisers of a campaign to get the track to Christmas No.1 to refocus on topping the charts in January instead.

The Facebook group running the campaign has now been renamed to ‘Fancy Getting ‘Running The World’ to New Years #1?’ and the social media handles are now @jarvis4january.

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The song – which includes the chorus line “c**** are still running the world” – has been used by the campaign as a protest against the Conservatives winning last month’s general election.

Jarvis Cocker. Jarvis Cocker.
Jarvis Cocker.

Darcie Molina, who started the campaign alongside Michael Hall, said: “We have insider info and are beyond thrilled to tell you that the song is now at #2 in the national day-by-day charts!!”

“The full UK charts. The proper charts. The one we were #48 in.

“You kept downloading this song for charity and saying you wanted a #1 this week instead. And we went up 46 places overnight. What do you think about that?!”

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As a result of the success, Molina went on to outline a new strategy: “We’re cancelling Christmas. We’re going to get this song to number 1 – the first Number 1 single of 2020. We’re doing this.”

The 2006 solo single has been widely shared on Facebook since the General Election with groups set up encourage fans to stream and download the song in a bid to propel it to the top of the charts.

The song has become an anthem for those unhappy with the result thanks to lyrics which criticise political leaders. “If you thought things had changed / Friend, you’d better think again / Bluntly put, in the fewest of words: / C**** are still running the world.”

This year’s Christmas number one went to YouTube star LadBaby with I Love Sausage Rolls, a reworking of Joan Jett’s I Love Rock and Roll.

All proceeds from the Jarvis single will go to the UK-based homeless charity Shelter.

The first top 40 of 2020 is due to be announce later today.