EP: Do They Know It's Christmas?
Artist: Band Aid
2024 Band Aid Trust, under license to UMR (a division of Universal
Music Group)
CD: 0602475321248
Music and vocal contributors: Stuart Adamson, Damon Albarn, Milan
Neil Amin-Smith, Adam Ant, Daniel Bedingfield, Natasha Bedingfield,
Robert "Kool" Bell, Bono, James Bourne, David Bowie, Boy George,
Pete Briquette, Mark Brzezicki, Keisha Buchanan, Tony Butler, Mutya
Buena, Ben Carrigan, Tom Chaplin, Grace Chatto, Adam Calyton, Phil
Collins, Nathan Connolly, Stewart Copeland, Chris Cross, Simon
Crowe, Sara Dallin, Roger Daltrey, Conor Deasy, Alfie Deyes, Dido,
Dizzee Rascal, Skye Edwards, Estelle, Siobhan Fahey, Paloma Faith,
Johnnie Fingers, Guy Garvey, Bob Geldof, Danny Goffey, Ellie
Goulding, Jonny Greenwood, Glenn Gregory, Tony Hadley, Neil Hannon,
Dan Hawkins, Justin Hawkins, Fran Healy, Taka Hirose, Claire Hirst,
Kevin Horan, Niall Horan, Karl Hyde, Jamelia, Holly Johnson, Elton
John, Howard Jones, John Keeble, Gary Kemp, Martin Kemp, Angélique
Kidjo, Beverley Knight, Olly Knights, Simon Le Bon, Lemar, Shaznay
Lewis, Gary Lightbody, London Contemporary Voices, Madonna, Russell
Mael, Marilyn, Zayn Malik, Chris Martin, Paul McCartney, Linda
McCartney, Mark McClelland, Pádraic McMahon, Katie Melua, Freddie
Mercury, George Michael, John Moss, Alison Moyet, Ms Dynamite,
Róisín Murphy, Olly Murs, Grant Nicholas, Tessa Niles, Steve Norman,
Sinéad O'Connor, Rita Ora, Rick Parfitt, Gale Paridjanian, Liam
Payne, Jonny Quinn, Heidi Range, Nick Rhodes, Tim Rice-Oxley, Andrew
Ridgeley, Mark Richardson, Francis Rossi, Daniel Ryan, Emeli Sandé,
Seal, Ed Sheeran, Dan Smith, Sam Smith, Helena Springs, Rachel
Stevens, Sting, Joss Stone, Harry Styles, Joe Sugg, Zoe Sugg, Andy
Taylor, James "JT" Taylor, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, Roger Taylor (there
are two Roger Taylors, one from Queen and one from Duran Duran),
Dennis Thomas, Louis Tomlinson, Pete Townshend, Midge Ure, Jessie
Ware, Martyn Ware, Jody Watley, Bruce Watson, Paul Weller, Tim
Wheeler, Robbie Williams, Keren Woodward, Thom Yorke, Paul Young,
Will Young
Spoken word: Michael Buerk, Bowie, Madonna, Townshend
(5) performed by The Boomtown Rats
Produced by Midge/Ure (1), Nigel Godrich (2), Paul Epworth (3), Trevor Horn (4), Briquette (5)
Executive producer: Ure (2-4)
Mastered by Miles Showell/Horn/Alex McArthur
Sleeve design: Peter Blake
Front cover graphic design: Mark Cowne
Layout and design: Dareen Evans
Liner notes by Geldof
Tracks:
1. Band Aid: "Do They Know It's Christmas? (1984 Version)" (3:51)
2. Band Aid 20: "Do They Know It's Christmas? (2004 Version)" (5:05)
3. Band Aid 30: "Do They Know It's Christmas? (2014 Version)" (3:49)
4. Band Aid: "Do They Know It's Christmas? (2024 Ultimate Mix)"
(4:58), start of b-side for 12"
5. Band Aid: "Do They Know It's Christmas? (Live Aid Finale, Wembley
Stadium 1985)" (4:29)
Written by Geldof/Ure
Notes: (****) This EP was released 25 Nov 2024 digitally and then on
CD and 12" on 29 Nov. The digital track listing moves the 2024
version to be first. There is also a digital single version (3:54).
There is a music video that also mixes together performance and
other footage from across the years, directed by Oliver Murray (who
directed the music video for The Beatles' "Now and Then"). All
proceeds benefit the Band Aid Charitable Trust. "Do They Know It's
Christmas?" returned to the UK single chart, reaching #8 in the 12
Dec chart (#1 in sales, in physical sales and in vinyl, #2 in
downloads). It also returned to the Irish singles chart, making #28
(12 Dec).
This is the fortieth anniversary of the original charity single. (A
logo on the back identifies this as Band Aid Forty.) Horn produced
the 12" version of the original and a 1985 remix. He returned to
produce this version of the song that mixes together recordings of
the song from over the decades: the original in 1984, Band Aid 20 in
2004, and Band Aid 30 in 2014. Horn has said he didn't use anything
from Band Aid II in 1989 because multitracks weren't available. In a
Sep 2024 interview, Geldof said Horn had just completed the mix. Ure
explained in an Aug 2024 interview, "There's a big megamix about to
come out, done by Trevor Horn, utilizing all of the different mixes
and a bunch of new stuff [...] He's done his magic. He's created
kind of this slightly symphonic, mega-extra-long thing, which was
just wonderful. It's great. It's a great way of celebrating the 40
years, really." Horn reportedly used machine learning technology to
separate out some vocal parts for use in the mix.
Exactly which parts were used in the Ultimate Mix isn't entierly
clear, with reporting varying, but singers included appear to be
Bono, Paul Young, George Michael, Boy George, Sting, Simon Le Bon,
Gary Kemp, Paul Weller, and Kool & the Gang from 1984; Bono
(again), Chris Martin, Robbie Williams, Dido, Dizzee Rascal and the
Sugababes from 2004; and Bono (again), Chris Martin (again), Ed
Sheeran, Sinéad O'Connor, Sam Smith, Seal, Guy Garvey, Rita Ora,
Karl Hyde and One Direction from 2014. The backing band were
reported to be taken from just the 1984 and 2004 versions, including
Ure (1984), John Taylor (bass, 1984), Paul McCartney (bass, 2004),
Thom Yorke (piano, 2004), Phil Collins (drums, 1984), Jonny
Greenwood (guitar, 2004), and Justin and Dan Hawkins (guitar, 2004).
Promo also mentions Damon Albarn, but he was only ever originally
credited as a tea boy and as not actually performing on the 2004
version. However, another report had Roger Taylor (from Queen;
drums, keys) also included, who was on the 2014 version. The mix
also includes a spoken word contribution by David Bowie from a
promotional clip for the original single and audio from Michael
Buerk's BBC news report that inspired the record, both from 1984.
The new version also appears to use some new recordings (including
orchestra and choir).
The release received considerable news coverage and there was also a
flurry of documentaries about the song. The song has attracted
criticism over the years and some of the news coverage for this
release reflected that debate. This was particularly the case with
Ed Sheeran announcing that he would have declined permission for his
vocals to be used had he been asked. (HP, 7 Dec 24; updated 8 Dec
24)
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