I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since the Band Aid project released “Do They Know It’s Christmas”! It involved many of the most popular American and British music artists of the time. The song was written by Bob Geldof (from BoomTown Rats) & Midge Ure (from Ultravox) with all proceeds going to feed Ethiopia children. It was a massive success and eventually lead to the global Live Aid concert in the summer of 1985.
Here’s the video. See how many artists you can identify and which ones are still performing.
Here’s an interview with Midge Ure and Bob Geldof plus the original demo!
Here’s Do They Know it’s Christmas II from 1989 some 5 years after the original
DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS
It’s Christmastime
There’s no need to be afraid
At Christmastime, we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world at Christmastime
But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmastime it’s hard, but when you’re having fun
There’s a world outside your window
And it’s a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging
chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it’s them instead of you
And there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmastime
The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life
(Oooh) Where nothing ever grows
No rain nor rivers flow
Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?
(Here’s to you) raise a glass for everyone
(Here’s to them) underneath that burning sun
Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?
Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmastime again
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmastime again
repeat then fade
(Bob Geldof & Midge Ure)