Christmas Number 1 2022 Contenders: RAYE's paean to pain Escapism. could be the most unlikely #XmasNo1 in years

officialcharts.com:

Christmas, for some, can be a very lonely time of year. That's not talked about enough. But it seems that for droves of people up and down the country, they've found solace and acceptance in one song in particular - Raye's bold and bracing Escapism., which has quickly become the most unlikely contender for the coveted Official Christmas Number 1 in years.

Burning a bright trail up the Official Singles Chart for the past few weeks since going viral on TikTok, Raye's paean to accepting and then expelling her pain and trauma like a poison has so far peaked at Number 2, the highest-charting single of her career so far.

With the track still holding steady inside the Top 3, alongside festive heavyweights Mariah Carey and Wham! (!), we jumped on the phone to Raye to discuss what just might be the wildest and weirdest song to root for in taking the UK's most important Number 1 single next week. [laughs] I think I would have to agree!

No! It's bonkers. It doesn't make any sense. Honestly, the fact that we're having this conversation is hilarious. Obviously, TikTok just...took it and done a madness.