The latest version of Band Aid’s charity single ‚Do They Know It’s Christmas‘ has been released, with fans sharing their opinions on social media. This new mix, produced by Trevor Horn, commemorates the 40th anniversary of the original song and combines voices from the 1984, 2004, and 2014 recordings. Artists featured in this edition include Sting, Boy George, Sam Smith, Harry Styles, Chris Martin, and many more.
The charity single was initially conceived by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for the Ethiopian famine. While the song was a massive success in its time, with a million copies sold in the first week, it has faced criticism in recent years for perpetuating negative stereotypes about Africa.
The updated version of the charity single now includes contributions from artists such as David Bowie and George Michael, as well as a sample of a news report from Ethiopia in 1984. Following its release on streaming platforms and radio, fans have shared mixed reactions on social media.
Some have praised the new mix for blending the different versions together, while others feel that it falls short of the original 1984 version. Ed Sheeran, who was part of the 2014 recording, expressed that he was not consulted for the 2024 edition and would have declined if asked.
Despite the controversy, Geldof defended the release of the new version, emphasizing the importance of continuing to raise funds for those in need. The song’s premiere on BBC Radio 2 featured Liam Payne, who passed away earlier in the year, with Geldof highlighting his presence on the record as a tribute to his memory. He stressed that every sale or stream of the song directly benefits those in need, emphasizing the ongoing impact of the charity single. Und ich wache jeden Tag seit den letzten 40 Jahren zu 12 dieser E-Mails auf, aber wir konnten damit umgehen wegen dir.“
Eine weitere Person, neben Fuse ODG und Ed Sheeran, die sich über die potenziell negative Auswirkung des Liedes geäußert hat, ist der äthiopische Premierminister Abiy Ahmed. Während er anerkennt, dass die Originalversion „gut gemeint war zu der Zeit“, fügte Ahmed hinzu, dass es „frustrierend ist, unsere Nationale antike Geschichte, Kultur, Vielfalt und Schönheit auf Untergang und Verderben reduziert zu sehen“.
Er sagte auch, dass obwohl die humanitären Bemühungen von Band Aid „bewundernswert und zu schätzen sind“, er glaubt, dass es „sich nicht mit der Zeit weiterentwickelt hat [und] möglicherweise mehr Schaden als Gutes anrichten könnte“.