1984 saw the birth of two of the most iconic British Christmas pop songs of all time - Last Christmas and Do They Know it's Christmas? It's only when we hear the opening bars of each song that we know the festive season has well and truly descended upon us. While both tunes are absolute classics, wrapped up in a big eighties sparkly pop bow with a huge dash of eighties' pizazz, the sentiments and intentions of both were very different - even if they did both feature the smooth vocals of George Michael! Wham!'s Last Christmas showed us what heartbreak under twinkly lights in a cozy ski lodge looked like. But Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas? was about something so much bigger...
A fundraising effort composed to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia, Do They Know It's Christmas? was a heartfelt call to action during a humanitarian crisis that touched the hearts of everyone who saw the harrowing news reports. And all these years later, the original version of the song is remembered fondly, with the subsequent versions (and there've been a few!) regarded as a celebration of hope; giving, and attempting to make the world a better place. But despite all the positives, Do They Know It's Christmas? has still managed to find itself shrouded in controversy and has sparked more than its fair share of debate over the years. As we commemorate the song's fortieth year, this milestone gives us the opportunity to reflect on the song’s impact; its controversies, and the way it used star power and the influence of music to helped shift the world’s approach to charity.
The Song
Do They Know It’s Christmas? was co-written by Boomtown Rat, Sir Bob Geldof (before he became Sir Bob) and Ultravox's Midge Ure in the autumn of 1984, with the intention that proceeds from the sales would go towards famine relief in Ethiopia.
From its instantly recognizable opening chimes to the first lyrics sung by Paul Young to Bono’s powerful “Well, tonight thank God it’s them instead of you,” to that rousing chorus; the urgent appeal of this fundraiser gave the track a rawness and an energy that makes a strong impact even now.
Band Aid
No, not the sticky plaster you place over a small wound when you've nicked yourself with a razor! This Band Aid was a far more glamorous version! Do They Know It's Christmas? was recorded by an all-star lineup of artists under the name Band Aid. And what a stellar lineup that was! David Bowie; George Michael; Duran Duran; Bono, Kool and the Gang, Bananarama... and the list went on and on and on!
And so began Do They Know It's Christmas? - the song where Bono had the best line (arguably!) and has since been played every Christmas without fail! For us eighties' kids, it was very exciting as we'd never seen a collaboration like this before which was like a who's who of eighties pop and rock royalty. We had got a peek into Bob and Midge's address books - and we were very impressed!
It's been well-documented that when it came to getting people to sing on the track, Geldof was very persistent and didn't take no for an answer. As Midge Ure explained in the BBC documentary Against All Odds: The Making of Live Aid:
"I was the producer, the guy dealing with the music. He was the guy rounding up the crowd."
Live Aid
It's impossible to talk about Band Aid without mentioning Live Aid, as without the former, there may not have been the biggest and the best musical extravaganza the world has ever seen. No, not your Uncle Jim doing karaoke just before closing time - but Live Aid, organized by Geldof in a bid to raise even more money for famine relief. The biggest concert the world had ever seen took place simultaneously at two locations in the summer of 1985: the world-famous Wembley Stadium in England and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia.
Live Aid was also the blueprint for the ensuing high-profile musical benefits for various causes over the years. In 2005, twenty years after Live Aid, Geldof organized Live 8, a similar benefit concert in order to persuade G8 leaders to cancel the debts of African nations and create fairer trade laws.
The Subsequent Versions
1984's Do They Know It’s Christmas? proved to be so successful that over the years it inspired follow-up versions of the same song in order to raise funds for pressing global concerns - not just for famine relief in Africa. There have now been five versions of this track over a forty year period with Band Aid 40 being released in 2024.
1989 (Band Aid II)
Kylie and Jason featured on Band Aid II While the original was produced by Midge Ure, Band Aid II's Do They Know It's Christmas? was produced by pop music producing heavyweights Stock Aitken Waterman. This version had a slightly lighter; more pop-based vibe, It featured some of the biggest names in British pop including Bros; Sonia; Kylie and Jason; Wet Wet Wet and Lisa Stansfield among many others. The aim remained the same - raising money for famine relief in Ethiopia.
So did Cliff Richard! At Nostalgia Pie, we love this version as much as the original, and we know that there are plenty of others who agree with us, especially kids of the latter part of the eighties who loved seeing so many of their pop idols feature on one track. But compared to Band Aid, Band Aid II seems to have received more of a lukewarm reception, and is horribly underrated. There are some who feel that it lacked the urgency of the original and didn't have the same 'big name' influence.
That's a bit mean to Sir Cliff Richard, we think!
2004 (Band Aid 20)
Coldplay's Chris Martin In order to mark the song's twentieth anniversary, Band Aid 20's version - produced by Nigel Godrish - featured a new generation of pop artistes including Chris Martin, Dido, Joss Stone, and 'He's just a rascal' Dizzee Rascal! The song along with Dizzy's rap was given a modern twist, while still maintaining its fundraising essence. However, although Band Aid 20 should be appreciated primarily for its charitable efforts, it did garner some criticism with critics believing that this version failed to recapture the spirit of the original.
2014 (Band Aid 30)
One Direction Band Aid 30 featured artists such as One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Seal and Ellie Goulding. This version was created in order to raise funds for West Africa's Ebola crisis, so the lyrics were amended to highlight the new cause. Despite its good intentions, the song was criticized for being rushed and for oversimplifying complex issues.
2024 (Band Aid 40)
Ed Sheeran Released this year, Band Aid 40 marked the hit's 40th anniversary. This incarnation was produced to raise awareness and funds for the worsening humanitarian crisis in East Africa, focusing on the impact of climate change and conflict. 2024's efforts featured a mix of contemporary stars and some returning faces from previous versions, including Billie Eilish, The Weeknd... and a very reluctant Ed Sheeran! This new iteration had a fresh, modernized sound while keeping the heart of the original.
Each version of Do they Know It's Christmas? served as a reminder of celeb-influence and what could be achieved with collective action. But despite each new version being brought out to a new generation of listeners who may not be so familiar with the 1984 version, many believe that every new line-up and release has highlighted how difficult it is to recapture the the essence and magic of the original.
Controversies
The legacy of Band Aid has been debated since the initiative began all those years ago. On the one hand it highlighted problems in other parts of the world, and called upon the more fortunate in society to lend a helping hand. But for all of the great things that Band Aid achieved, there were also some rather controversial issues and over the years it has faced a fair amount of criticism, mainly due to the song's lyrics and the way in which Africa has been depicted.
Here are some of the main points of contention:
Patronizing Tone and Stereotypes
It's been argued that the lyrics of Do They Know It's Christmas? views Africa as a region that is totally helpless and impoverished. The continent's diversity is largely ignored, as is the fact that there were parts of Africa that were not ravaged by drought, famine or political unrest. Lyrics such as “In this world of plenty, we can spread a smile of joy" and even the song's title “Do they know it’s Christmas?” have been described as patronizing, belittling and perpetuating stereotypes of Africa as a somewhat undeveloped, perpetually struggling region.
Inaccurate Assumptions
The song’s portrayal of Africa ignores the fact that Ethiopia is a predominantly Christian country... so of course they know when Christmas is! Furthermore, there are a number of African countries that are not predominantly Christian and don’t celebrate Christmas. But rest assured - they still know when Christmas is! The emphasis on snow also reflects a Western-centric view of what Christmas should look like, which doesn’t resonate with many other cultures, especially with people who hail from countries with a more tropical climate.
Bono’s Controversial Line
U2's Bono There are many who think that U2's Bono had the best line in the song due to his powerful delivery that really makes the listener sit up and take notice. While most people are well aware that “Well, tonight thank God it’s them instead of you,” is not meant in a self-absorbed, uncharitable manner, and was intended to be thought-provoking and arouse empathy, this line has faced a great deal of criticism. It has often been (mis)interpreted as insensitive and expresses relief that it's someone other than yourself suffering. Even Bono himself has said in his autobiography that he felt uncomfortable singing that line but was made to do so by a very insistent Bob Geldof.
White Saviour Complex
Band Aid, and later down the line Live Aid, have been accused by critics of embodying the 'white saviour complex,' where Western celebrities rush to the rescue of African nations without any real knowledge of the complex systemic and governing issues; histories of exploitation, and the agency and autonomy of African countries.
In an interview with the Independent after Live Aid had taken place, Midge Ure said:
“...We were lambasted for not having enough Black artists on the bill. It became this anti-colonial diatribe: ‘You whites, telling us poor black guys what to do.' It was unfair but it happened.”
Critics have stated that projects like Band Aid, while well-meaning and driven by a sense of compassion, don't always amplify the voices of those directly affected by the issues they seek to address. Instead, they rely on Western perspectives and narratives.
What Band Aid Achieved
The song became a smash hit - the fastest-selling record in UK history. Do They Know It's Christmas? was the coveted Christmas UK Number One in 1984, staying at the top spot for five weeks. Go, Band Aid!!! It has been said that the original Band Aid line-up raised a total of £8million. What started out as a one-off charitable fundraiser has become an on-going venture with Geldof going on to create the Band Aid Charitable Trust which is believed to have raised in excess of £140million so far. Furthermore it created awareness around the world of the plight of certain African nations, and the publicity encouraged western nations to produce enough surplus grain to end the hunger crisis in Africa.
There was also a vibe that went back to an earlier time - the sixties: a more carefree time intermingled with a sense of having a social conscience. Band Aid proved to be a surreal yet tender moment of idealism, realism and altruism. Everyone became more aware of what was going on in the world around them, and it made people less selfish, more giving, and people generally developed a sense of compassion and a desire to make the world a better, safer, happier place. Plus it paved the way for Live Aid!
Band Aid also developed the notion of 'celeb culture' in getting celebrities to promote and raise funds for worthy causes, and also 'aid culture' - the concept of developed nations raising and donating funds to more impoverished countries. Both concepts are not without its accomplishments and drawbacks but Band Aid did inspire a whole host of charity singles, including USA For Africa's We Are The World in 1985 which included an equally impressive line-up - Lionel Richie; Michael Jackson; Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross and more.
The Legacy of Do They Know It's Christmas?
For what may have been considered at the time as a one-off charity single that would probably fade into obscurity (how little they knew!) Do They Know It's Christmas? - despite the criticism - has left an indelible mark in the world of music; pop culture; charity fundraising, and of course, the festive season, and remains a cultural landmark. It raised millions for famine relief and inspired countless other charity efforts, proving that music can be a powerful force for positive change.
While many of us may not have fully appreciated the cultural significance of the song when it was first released, Do They Know It's Christmas? has been a constant presence in the lives of many over the last four decades, remaining as iconic as ever and reminding us of the importance of compassion and giving back.
A combination of quality music; star power, and nostalgia are why it's stood the test of time. And it also serves as a reminder to give back, and to approach global issues with empathy, understanding and respect.
And as we celebrate forty years since the release of this Christmas classic, it’s important to reflect on how charitable initiatives should evolve to be more inclusive, respectful, and accurate in their messaging. Good intentions are important but so is the need to implement plans in a thoughtful and sensitive manner. Perhaps one can never get it completely right, no matter how hard we try but we can certainly learn from mistakes and lessons of the past.
So as we get stuck into our Christmas playlists yet again, we can take a moment to appreciate the legacy; significance, and, of course, the incredible music and meaningful lyrics of the festive banger that is Do They Know It's Christmas?
Despite the controversy, the track does an excellent job in reminding us that Christmas isn’t just about gifts and mince pies, but in finding solutions to a problem and in giving hope. And it demonstrates that when music merges with compassion, we all get that little closer to the kind of world we’re all striving for.
I was 10 years old when this was released. We all went crazy over it. It's true we'd never seen a line-up like it. Now they'd call it a supergroup. I realize that because of the political side of things, not everyone views the song the same way a lot of us do, but I think Do They Know It's Christmas is a great piece of pop for a great cause. I'm not surprised it's endured 40 years.