I'd recently heard about the newest incarnation of the classic Christmas tune Do They Know It's Christmas?, conceived by Boomtown Rats frontman and activist Bob Geldof and sung by a myriad of pop stars way back in 1984, but I didn't know that there were two other versions of the song. Yes, originally I was going to post the new one next to the original, but in doing my search for the videos I came upon the those other two.
Like with most things, the original is usually the best, and that is no doubt the case with this tune. However, music is very subjective and not everyone may agree with me. All four versions of Do They Know It's Christmas? feature top artists of the day when they were recorded and if any of those times were your time, then you might think that One Direction or Emile Sandé being involved make this year's recording better or likewise with Natasha Bedingfield and Joss Stone in 2004.
Anyway, I don't expect anyone to listen to all four versions fully, but it is kind of fun to check out the different artists singing the lyrics made so famous 30 years ago...it's history in some form. In any case, if you'd like to plead a case for any one of the versions being better, by all means do so in the comment section. In the meantime, please check out at least one of them...
Band Aid 30
The newest incarnation of Do They Know It's Christmas? was recorded on November 15th, and the proceeds from the single are meant to lend aid to the current Ebola crisis currently happening in West Africa and around the world. The 30th anniversar edition features some of today's hottest British and Irish acts, including Coldplay's Chris Martin, Sam Smith and Ellie Goulding, and the lyrics were tweaked to fit the current aim of the group. Check it out...
Band Aid 30 Participants
Bono Clean Bandit Paloma Faith Guy Garvey (Elbow)
Ellie Goulding Angélique Kidjo Chris Martin Olly Murs
Sinéad O'Connor One Direction Rita Ora Emile Sandé
Seal Ed Sheeran Dan Smith (Bastille) Sam Smith
Underworld Jessie Ware
Band Aid 20
The 20-year anniversary edition of the song was recorded to benefit those stricken by the humanitarian crisis in Sudan's Darfur region and wasn't as well received as the original...
Band Aid 20 Participants
Tim Wheeler (Ash) Daniel Bedingfield Natasha Bedingfield Bono
Busted McFly Chris Martin Dido
Dizzee Rascal Ms. Dynamite Skye Edwards (Morcheeba)
Estelle Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy)
Justin Hawkins (The Darkness) Jamelia
Tom Chaplain (Keane) Tim Rice-Oxley (Keane) Beverley Knight Lemar
Shaznay Lewis (All Saints) Katie Melua Róisín Murphy (Moloko) Feeder
Snow Patrol Rachel Stevens Joss Stone Sugababes
The Thrills Turin Brakes Robbie Williams Will Young
Weird Al Yankovic Russell Mael (Sparks) Fran Healy (Travis) Fraser Stone
George Cave Fraser Aitken Felix Pivcevic
The second version of Bob Geldof's brainchild was recorded just five years after the original, in 1989, and was produced by the then hot production trio Stock, Aitken and Waterman. Proceeds from the single added to what had been raised since the first and this version became the last number one hit of the year in Britain. Check it out...
Band Aid II Participants
Bananarama Big Fun Bros Cathy Dennis
D-Mob Jason Donavan Kevin Godley Glen Goldsmith
Kylie Minogue Pasadenas Chris Rea Cliff Richard
Jimmy Somerville Sonia Lisa Stansfield Technotronic
Wet We Wet
Band Aid - The Original
Who can forget images of this, the very first incarnation of the now-classic Christmas tune? This was the first such exposure many of us ever got of the day's top musical acts getting together to perform for a cause (remember USA for Africa?). With the likes of Duran Duran, Cyndi Lauper, Phil Collins, The Pointer Sisters, Sting, Paul McCartney, Boy George and many more, this one etched itself into the Christmas songbook for all time. Enjoy...
Band Aid Participants
Adam Clayton (U2) Phil Collins Bob Geldof Spandau Ballet
Chris Cross (Ultravox) Duran Duran Paul Young Heaven 17
The Boomtown Rats Marilyn Bananarama Jody Watley
Bono Paul Weller Kool & the Gang Sting
George Michael Midge Ure Francis Rossi Boy George
Rick Parfitt Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes to Hollywood)
Paul McCartney David Bowie Big Country
Well, I hope you've enjoyed this trip down Christmastime memory lane with me. Have an awesome Saturday and stay tuned for more...
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