Geldof and Ure do it again!

Band Aid 20 recorded a new version of Do They Know It’s Christmas last weekend. Official release will be on the 29th of November when the CD single hits the shops. Proceeds of the sale will go to the famine relief activities in Africa, specifically in Sudan, via the Band Aid Trust. The recording got its first airplay in BBC’s Radio 1 last Tuesday. Eversince, other radio stations have been playing it as well over their frequencies.

Why Band Aid 20?

Simply because of the fact that the first, original recording was 20 years ago. I couldn’t believe myself that it had been that long ago already.

So, how is it? Well, the melody did not change that much. But as they say, there is nothing like the original … I personally think that it could exist on its own though. It has definitely been updated since there is a rap version! Very big potential for Christmas #1.

Who sings what? (Apologies if there are errors!)

1984
2004
(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

(George Michael)
But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmas time

(Simon LeBon)
It’s hard
But when you’re having fun
There’s a world outside your window

(Simon LeBon & Sting)
And it’s a world of dread and fear

(Sting & Tony Hadley)
Where the only water flowing is
The bitter sting of tears

(Sting, Simon LeBon & Bono)
And the Christmas bells that are ringing
Are the clanging chimes of doom

(Bono)
Well, tonight thank God it’s them instead of you

(Boy George, Paul Weller, Bono, George Michael, Paul Young & Glenn Gregory)
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

(Marilyn, Glenn Gregory, Rick Parfitt & Francis Rossi)
Here’s to you

(Paul Young)
Raise a glass for everyone

(Marilyn, Glenn Gregory, Rick Parfitt & Francis Rossi)
Here’s to them

(Paul Young)
Underneath that burning sun
Do they know it’s Christmas time at all

(Everyone)
Feed the world
Feed the world
Fee the world
Let them know it’s Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmas time again
Feed the world

(Chris Martin)
It’s Christmas time
There’s no need to be afraid
At Christmas time
We let in light and we banish shade

(Dido)
And in our world of plenty
We can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
At Christmas time

(Robbie Williams)
But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmas time it’s hard
But when you’re having fun

(Sugababes)
There’s a world outside your window
And it’s a world of dread and fear

(Fran Healy)
Where the only water flowing

(Fran Healy & Sugababes)
Is the bitter sting of tears

(Fran Healy & Justin Hawkins)
And the Christmas bells that are ringing
Are the clanging chimes of doom

(Bono)
Well, tonight thank God it’s them instead of you

(Will Young & Jamelia)
And there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmas time
The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life

(Ms Dynamite & Beverly Knight)
Where nothing ever grows
No rain or rivers flow

(Group of 10 & Joss Stone)
Do they know it’s Christmas time at all

(Tom Chaplin)
Here’s to you

(Justin Hawkins)
Raise a glass for everyone

(Dizzie Rascal)
(rap) Spare a thought this yuletide for the deprived
If the table was turned would you survive

(Busted)
Here’s to them

(Justin Hawkins)
Underneath that burning sun

(Dizzie Rascal)
(rap) You ain’t gotta feel guilt just selfless
Give a little to the helpless

(Joss Stone and Justin Hawkins)
Do they know it’s Christmas time at all

(Tom Chaplin)
Feed the world

(Tom Chaplin & Chris Martin)
Feed the world

(Tom Chaplin, Chris Martin & Sugababes)
Feed the world

(Everyone)
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmas time again
Feed the world

But here is something else that I’ve found as well from surfing the net. There was another recording made last 1989 and the prominent artist mentioned was Kylie Minogue.

Want to hear the 3 different versions? Click here to hear snippets of each version compiled by the BBC. This will open in your default media player.

8 thoughts on “Geldof and Ure do it again!

  1. okay, i just had to comment again after clicking on the link you posted… i had goosebumps listening to the original, said eeeeehhhhh to the second one and hmmmm, looks promising to the third one. thanks charl, you’re my link to my addiction to entertainment in the uk!

  2. Well Cats, we seem to like the same things as far as entertainment is concerned (except for ‘Little Britain’, medyo di ko dig yon!) I do like Style Council as well. By the way, he was hospitalised last week due to throat infection and had to cancel his gigs. And of course, yummy Bono! Who could resist? He did say that he didn’t feel comfortable singing that line again (the only one preserved from the original 1984). Oh well…

    Ha ha ha…I had the same reaction upon hearing the 2nd version! Andun din yata si Jason Donovan!!!

  3. I thought I was listening to ‘Especially for You’ when version 2 of “Do They Know It’s Christmas” rolled in. :laughing:

    I heard Paul Weller sold more albums after going solo but never heard any from him after Style Council. It’s nice to know he still has gigs! As for Bono… hmmm Bono.. hehehe He sounded too reserved singing that line in version 3! I wonder why. Then again his music now, compared to 20 years ago… Big difference! Just like Gordon Matthew Sumner.

    As for Little Britain… hahaha… Weird siya talaga!!! I doubt they’d show season two here in the US as I heard it was too raunchy for American sensibilities. Buti na lang di ako ‘Kano… :yikes: :laughing:

  4. Karen, 20 years of our lives may have gone by :arg: but the question is do we remember what we have actually achieved during that time? And are we proud of it? Sya, naging philosophical na…:sly:

  5. ahhh,

    heto pala yung orig post.

    oo nga no, 20 years had gone by. to think na grade 7 lang ako nung 1984. kelan ba yung live aid? i’ll never forget freddie mercury, he really rocked wembley. si simon le bon, laging pumipiyok pag live.

    notice that the old geezers are still around:

    U2 shempre back with a new album pati
    duran duran
    george michael
    sting

    bananarama i watched them perform in 1998, woooh. the best girl-band of al time as far as i’m concerned.

    the past 20 years, oo naman kahit paano proud pa rin kahit modest achievement lang. paano kaya pag band aid 40 na? sana lang by that time nakabangon na ang ethiopia.

    i read somewhere na ethiopians are actually asar that they’re doing band aid again. they said they need foreign investors. not aid. this benefit is sending the wrong signal to investors daw. hmmm… ano sey nyo dyan?