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A song written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984 to raise money for relief of the 1984–1985 famine in Ethiopia. The original version was produced by Midge Ure and released by Band Aid on 29 November 1984.
In late 1984, a BBC report by Michael Buerk was aired highlighting the famine that had hit the people of Ethiopia. Irish singer Bob Geldof saw the report and wanted to raise money. He called Midge Ure from Ultravox and together they quickly co-wrote the song, "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
Geldof kept a November appointment with BBC Radio 1 DJ Richard Skinner to appear on his show, but instead of discussing his new album (the original reason for his booking), he used his airtime to publicise the idea for the charity single, so by the time the musicians were recruited there was intense media interest in the subject.
Geldof put together a group called Band Aid, consisting of leading Irish and British musicians who were among the most popular of the era. The 1984 original became the biggest selling single in UK singles chart history, selling a million copies in the first week alone. It stayed at Number 1 for five weeks, becoming Christmas number one, and sold more than 3.5 million copies domestically. It remained the highest selling single in UK chart history until 1997, when Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997" was released in tribute to the late Diana, Princess of Wales, which sold almost 5 million copies in Britain.
Participants
The original Band Aid ensemble consisted of (in sleeve order):
•Adam Clayton (U2)
•Phil Collins (Genesis)
•Bob Geldof (The Boomtown Rats)
•Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet)
•Chris Cross (Ultravox)
•John Taylor (Duran Duran)
•Paul Young
•Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet)
•Glenn Gregory (Heaven 17)
•Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran)
•Simon Crowe (The Boomtown Rats)
•Marilyn
•Keren Woodward (Bananarama)
•Martin Kemp (Spandau Ballet)
•Jody Watley (Shalamar)
•Bono (U2)
•Paul Weller (The Style Council)
•James "J.T." Taylor (Kool & the Gang)
•George Michael (Wham!)
•Midge Ure (Ultravox)
•Martyn Ware (Heaven 17)
•John Keeble (Spandau Ballet)
•Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet)
•Roger Taylor (Duran Duran)
•Sarah Dallin (Bananarama)
•Siobhan Fahey (Bananarama)
•Pete Briquette (The Boomtown Rats)
•Francis Rossi (Status Quo)
•Robert 'Kool' Bell (Kool & the Gang)
•Dennis J. T. Thomas (Kool & the Gang)
•Andy Taylor (Duran Duran)
•Jon Moss (Culture Club)
•Sting (The Police)
•Rick Parfitt (Status Quo)
•Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran)
•Johnny Fingers (The Boomtown Rats)
•David Bowie
•Boy George (Culture Club)
•Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes to Hollywood)
•Paul McCartney
•Stuart Adamson (Big Country)
•Bruce Watson (Big Country)
•Tony Butler (Big Country)
•Mark Brzezicki (Big Country)
Source: Wikipedia
Paul Young
It's Christmas time, there's no need to be afraid
At Christmas time, we let in light and we banish shade
Boy George
And in our world of plenty, we can spread a smile of joy!
Throw your arms around the world at Christmas time
(Phil Collins on the drums)
George Michael
But say a prayer - pray for the other ones
At Christmas time
Simon Le Bon
it's hard, but when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
Sting and Simon Le Bon
And it's a world of dreaded fear
Where the only water flowing is a bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom
Bono
Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you
And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
Where nothing ever grows
No rain or rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
Here's to you
Raise your glass for everyone
Here's to them
Underneath that burning sun
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time and
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time and
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time and
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time and
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time and
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time and
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas...
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