Band Aid celebrates the 40th anniversary of the charity song “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”

“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” It was an idea by Bob Geldof in 1984 to raise funds to combat hunger in Ethiopia and brought together some of the leading British artists of the time (Band Aid).

In November 1984 , a group of the UK’s most iconic artists of the time came together in a historic initiative to combat the famine in Ethiopia: Band Aid. Led by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, this collective recorded Do They Know It’s Christmas? , an anthem that marked an era, transforming music into a powerful tool of solidarity. Now on its 40th anniversary, the song remains a reminder of the impact music can have in helping save lives.

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The genesis of the solidarity anthem

The idea of ​​Do They Know It’s Christmas? came from Bob Geldof, report inspired by a shocking BBC on the famine in Ethiopia. Collaborating with Midge Ure, Geldof turned his initial draft, titled Feed the World , into a stirring tune.

Together, they summoned a constellation of British and Irish music stars to record the song in just one day, on November 25, 1984, at London’s Sarm West studios.

Among the participants were U2’s Bono, Phil Collins, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, George Michael, Sting, Boy George and Simon Le Bon , among many others. Each contributed their talent to give life to a record-breaking song: in just five weeks, it sold more than three million copies and became the best-selling single in UK history up to that point.

Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas? (Official Video)

The impact of the project transcended music, raising millions to combat hunger and laying the foundation for events such as Live Aid in 1985 or the song We Are The World , recorded in the United States.

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New versions in 2004 and 2014

Band Aid’s success inspired new versions of the song on key anniversaries: In 2004, Band Aid 20 updated the song with stars including Chris Martin (Coldplay), Dido and Robbie Williams , with the funds going towards the Darfur crisis.

The 2014 reissue had an even greater impact. Band Aid 30 addressed the Ebola crisis that was affecting West African countries , featuring artists such as Roger Taylor (Queen), Chris Martin, Bono, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and the boy band One Direction . The recording took place on November 15, 2014, at the same Sarm West studios in Notting Hill, London, where the original version was created in 1984. The production was carried out by Paul Epworth, known for his work with artists such as Adele, Florence and the Machine and Coldplay.

On its first day, the song sold 206,000 copies, becoming the best-selling single of that year in the United Kingdom. Fundraising exceeded millions of pounds , funding medical equipment, hospitals and education programs to prevent the spread of Ebola.

Band Aid 30 – Do They Know It’s Christmas? (2014)

A controversial reissue in 2024

This 2024, Band Aid, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Do The Know It’s Christmas?, a union of British musicians who promoted the song have decided to reissue the song with new mixes and in the midst of a bitter controversy over the image offered in it on the African continent.

The fifth edition of the song is by a new group called Band Aid 40 , which made it public this Monday, as reported by the British media.

The new version combines voices from several versions of the single that have been recorded over the years and adds those of more recent singers. Thus it is possible to hear the late George Michael in a duet with Harry Styles, former member of One Direction , or Chris Martin, from Coldplay, singing with the members of Sugababes, now separated.

Vocals faces Band Aid band Paul McCartney, Sting, John Taylor (bass), Phil Collins, Roger Taylor, Danny Goffey (drums), Thom Yorke (piano), Paul Weller, Damon Albarn, Midge Ure, Johnny Greenwood , Gary Kemp and Justin Hawkins (guitar).

But the new charity initiative has not pleased everyone and some of the former participants criticize that the issue has been published when there is a renewed debate about the representation of Africa in it.

Singer Ed Sheeran , one of the most prominent pop figures of the last decade, has opposed his voice being recycled for the new song because the “narrative” has changed, according to what he says on social networks, adding that there would be declined permission to participate if asked.

However, Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley, who sang on the original 1984 single, told BBC radio that critics like Sheeran “should shut up, to be honest.” Hadley added: “If you go that route, then no one does anything to help anyone. So it’s nonsense…” he said.

” Everyone is doing their bit to try to support various charities and we were innocently doing our bit to support what was happening in Ethiopia… So what do we do? Do we sit back and “We don’t do anything?” added the singer.

Sheeran believes, however, that the song perpetuates “harmful stereotypes” that Africa is plagued by “famine and poverty,” which can only be remedied with Western help.

And Midge Ure, the legendary vocalist of Ultravox and co-author of the song, finds it “unfortunate” that he had not contacted Sheeran and acknowledged the criticism of Band Aid’s approach, although he denied that he was trying to portray Africa in a different way. negative way.

Meanwhile, Bob Geldof has defended the initiative that “has kept millions of people alive” and found no justification to stop doing so.

Singers and musicians featured on the 2024 song include Bono of U2 (younger and older versions), Sting, Paul Young, Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, Paul Weller, Damon Albarn, Justin Hawkins of The Darkness, Phil Collins, Roger Taylor, Paul McCartney, Danny Goffey of Supergrass, and Gary Kemp, among others.

Bob Geldof has responded to Ed Sheeran’s recent comments about the famous song “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” of Band Aid, stating that it has “kept millions of people alive.” (Sunday Times)

The former Boomtown Rats frontman conceived the original 1984 charity single alongside Ultravox’s Midge Ure, seeking to raise money for the Ethiopian famine. The song has been remade numerous times since, with a 40th anniversary “Ultimate Mix” overseen this month by producer Trevor Horn, premiering digitally today.

Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas? (2024 Ultimate Mix / 40th Anniversary Video)

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