Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas? gets 40th anniversary all-star mix

Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas? gets 40th anniversary all-star mix

As a seasoned music connoisseur who has witnessed the evolution of pop culture over the past few decades, I must say, the announcement of Band Aid 40 is a nostalgic and heartwarming event that stirs memories of my youth. The fusion of timeless melodies with contemporary talent in this remix is an exciting prospect for any music enthusiast.


This month, a fresh take on “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” is set to drop, blending together the past three versions of the classic tune, featuring a stellar lineup of musical stars.

On Monday, 25th November, the revised rendition of the song is set to debut on UK radio stations and digital music platforms, celebrating the 40th anniversary of its 1984 chart-topping predecessor.

I had the privilege of being part of the inaugural supergroup known as Band Aid, which was masterfully put together by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. Some of the biggest ’80s icons graced our lineup, including Phil Collins, Tony Hadley, George Michael, and Sting. It was an unforgettable experience to share the stage with such musical legends!

In 2004, a largely refreshed lineup of the supergroup formed for Band Aid 20. This time around, they included the Sugababes, Dizzee Rascal, Chris Martin, Robbie Williams, and Dido, among others. Notably, U2’s Bono reappeared from the original lineup.

2014 saw a fresh rendition featuring artists such as Paloma Faith, Ellie Goulding, One Direction, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, and Emeli Sandé. Notable appearances were made by popular YouTube stars Joe Sugg, Zoella, and Alfie Deyes during this time.

In the creation of Band Aid 40, each individual recording will be combined, resulting in a smooth, ultimate mix that merges all three tracks. This masterful blend is skillfully designed by music producer Trevor Horn.

In the performance, you’ll find both the original singers and musicians playing together with their contemporary counterparts. Notably, the music video will be directed by Oliver Murray, who is known for his work on The Beatles’ Now and Then.

A brief teaser for Band Aid 40 was released today, which you can watch below:

For this upcoming release, the original Band Aid cover art creator, Sir Peter Blake, will also be designing the cover. Notably, Band Aid 40 will provide both CD and 12″ vinyl versions in addition to the digital download option.

In the United Kingdom, for every vinyl record sold, at least £5 goes towards charitable causes; for each CD sold, a minimum of £1.50 is contributed; and for each digital download, a minimum of 50 pence is donated.

The Band-Aid Charitable Trust has been actively funding various projects in Africa over the years, and it’s estimated that they have managed to accumulate approximately $200 million in donations since their establishment in 1984.

On the other hand, every rendition of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” has been met with criticism for lyrics deemed to perpetuate harmful stereotypes by some, and for misrepresentations regarding the African continent.

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2024-11-13 14:33