Gregory Robinson
Bob Geldof has responded to criticism over the lyrics of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’.
With Christmas fast approaching, people are well and truly getting into the festive spirit by playing playlists and songs fit for the season.
One song that is considered a classic is ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ by Band Aid, the supergroup of musicians who first came together in 1984 to raise money for anti-famine efforts in Ethiopia.
The famine killed between 300,000 to 1.2 million people and over 200,000 children were orphaned as a result. As a reminder of the hard work people put in to raise funds, it was played every year and sold around 2.5 million copies by January 1985.
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The group, consisting of major names like Boy George, Sting, Bono, George Michael and more, was put together by Geldolf and fellow musician Midge Ure.
When the single was released in the UK on 3 December, 1984, it became a huge success. There have been multiple remakes over the years for similar charitable efforts.
However, some of the lyrics have been deemed offensive in the 40 years that have passed since the original song came out.
Some listeners have been left in shock by the words to the song and the fact it’s still played on the radio and at Christmas parties to this day.
A lyric that has often been singled out is: "Well tonight, thank God it's them, instead of you."
Geldof himself has been asked about the criticisms in a recent interview and it seems he's not offended by the new critiques of the track.
“I’m always up for a scrap,” he told USA Today in response to the modern criticisms. “I like to be intellectually challenged and engaged.”
The song has raised over $178 million for the Band Aid Charitable Trust, which assists with poverty relief efforts in Africa.
“This record is an instrument of change," Geldof said. “In 40 years, sensibilities change. But those wouldn’t see the light of day if it wasn’t for this record. This record gives you agency, a way to change the world a little bit … Any contradictory opinion gives me political leverage. Now it’s not just a pop song, it’s in the cultural arena.”
A new anniversary edition has dropped recently, featuring combined vocals from the 1984 version and the 2014 version, and it's called the '2024 Ultimate Mix', to commemorate the original song's 40th anniversary.