Behind The Vinyl: "Do They Know It's Christmas?" with Midge Ure from Band Aid

Producer and Co-Songwriter for Band Aid Midge Ure dropped by the boom 97.3 studios to talk about the 1984 version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" on vinyl! Midge talks about the recording process of the song; how Phil Collins recorded his drum parts and working with all the artists to get the song done in 24 hours! Watch as Midge goes Behind The Vinyl!
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[@gizmoalexander9175]

Midge Ure...songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist, Unsung Hero.

[@ftgphoto]

He didn't quite get the credit he very much deserved for his work on this project, but then again he knew the project wasn't really about him, and getting there recognition; it was much bigger than that. Thank you, kind sir.

[@aprilgosa5779]

Jeremy Jo He got credit Bob said repeatedly without Midge there would be no Band-Aid he wrote the music and he had

[@kevjards]

Live Aid was this guy's idea.The song was his idea and yet he sat back and let Geldof take all the plaudits.What an amazing man and musician.

[@aprilgosa5779]

kevjards Bob wrote the song on a bus then took it to Midge it was not Midge's idea but Bob has said time and time again he could no have done it without Midge Midge came up with the melody and wrote the music an it was Midge's phone bill Bob ran up to get the celebs to do it

[@mikeysuzefour]

Great side story about Phil Collins 'assisting' with Ure...One of the greatest Christmas songs ever made!

[@senorxrey6429]

In late November 1984 I was working at KIQQ 100.3 in Los Angeles and we had the market rights to a satellite special about Duran Duran airing live at 8pm LA time from the UK. The song that closed the 2 hour special was the yet unreleased "Do They Know It's Christmas?" The song was a pleasant surprise, so I lifted this amazing track from the special and immediately called our music director at home to play it for him before putting it on the air. We had an exclusive for almost two weeks before Columbia could press copies for radio and retail. It was so popular with our audience we aired it in power rotation well into January before we retired it.

[@shibbert21]

OMG.. I was one of the callers that called into KIQQ that day! I got to speak to Simon and Nick! I was Susan from Laguna. I asked the question what The Wild Boys was about. That is so amazing that you should post that on here. I wish I still had a copy of that recording. To cut a long story short, I was 19 years old at the time and feeling very low about life and thinking of giving up. Getting through to KIQQ that day and speaking to Simon and Nick made me so happy, it literally saved my life! Thank you, KIQQ, and thank you, Simon and Nick!

[@illiamdeebe7579]

Always had such respect for this man. His talent was never appreciated enough in North America.

[@bloodsling]

I can't imagine the camaraderie and emotional connection to the craft and the cause that they all shared,you can see how much the song moves him after 34+years. What a beautiful thing.

[@Ernie1978]

Midge Ure is a bloody musical genius and yet he is always so humble and free with his compliments to others. The U.K. should be proud he represents them so well.

[@HenriHuikuri]

Midge is so underrated of a talent. Ultravox murrrrrdered at Live Aid, probably the best act besides Queen.

[@JohnFoxx108]

Let's not forget his involvement with the magic that was Visage...

[@veerchasm1]

Every Christmas this song is guaranteed to make my wife weep uncontrollably

[@URKillingme100]

Midge is an incredible human being. Talent, professionalism, selflessness and kindness. We need more people like him in the world.

[@klipkultur2951]

Maybe the best story on Behind The Vinyl. Thank you twice Midge.

[@kellyboyd407]

Midge Ure is a phenomenal talent then and now! He still sounds incredible live!

[@B_-_t_-_-_-_]

You can see how proud he is of this achievement & justfiably so - the lyrics, the music, the community, the cause. It's moving on so many levels.

[@oswjim]

Ure, we the truly 80s fans know that this and live aid was not just Bob ... what a great time to be alive and young those years were

[@dixchigme]

this series is excellent!! i look forward to more!!

[@lennartbeat]

that intro still gives me shivers

[@shyman99]

Had no idea his level of involvement. Very modest gentleman. When he mentioned it being the most somber intro to a Christmas song, I thought how he should listen to the amazing Rotary Connection Christmas album from the late 60's called, "Peace". Very unsettling as well. I own many copies of this recording in various formats. I always felt it was better than "We Are The World", and I'm American.

[@SkipSpotter]

Midge Ure is definitely an Icon, and a very talented Icon indeed. Respect!

[@ssmilosevic1960]

Genius and such a gentleman !!!

[@mikeycon10]

I absolutely love Phil Collins drums on this !! So musical and melodic !! Amazing record and performances all round !!

[@JanetLangdon]

I remember the video made it onto Friday Night Videos (NBC, I think) within days of the recording -- probably Dec. 7. It had been on the radio in Toronto for a few days so several stations must have gotten copies flown over or recorded off satellite. Anyway, it was astounding to realize how fast it had been turned around and put on radio and TV in North America. Very, very exciting.

[@FiveFishAudio]

It was such a special and surreal time when all the British artists/bands you like unite and sing together to make this recording.... and then of course, the following year the Americans copied the concept with their "We are the World" song.

[@vassa1972]

Beautiful song then and still is to this day

[@MrAitraining]

Yes. They were smart to make a christmas song. More timeless and seasonal. "We are the world" sounds very dated and pretty hokey today. Not this.

[@timmyodaley1411]

Thank you sir

[@Madmun357]

This Christmas song nearly brings me to tears. This is a great series! So glad I subscribed.

[@davidarmitage289]

Wow great to hear these stories … cheers Midge for all you did … thanks so much for sharing this

[@boom973Toronto]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dailyfleetwoodmac6999]

This song is one of a kind

[@edwingomez9308]

great clip. love the emotion

[@dublingirl6945]

Musical master, the true force behind this would never have happened with him, what a man 😍😍😍😍

[@connellylawcoprusjuris4408]

Amazing behind the scenes stories

[@traciemarsh1611]

what a hero and special man :) great song the legend behind this song :)

[@skintrader100]

It should be Sir Midge Ure!

[@patrickcurley8951]

Midge Ure what a singer song writer,hats off to a genius Happy Christmas Midge

[@dr.feelicks2051]

Thanks fer all the fine tunes ,maestro!

[@ukmedicfrcs]

RIP George Michael I love and miss you so much xx

[@idoliznuman8835]

Always such a charming man mr ure true gentleman

[@imannonymous7707]

Omg !

[@ohtani-w3p]

Reason that i love U.K

[@cmikesmith664]

Who gave this a thumbs down?

[@RugbyFootballer]

It would have been nice if he mentioned how he came up with the song what inspired him to write the lyrics they should interview Lionel Richie and ask him the same question for the “We Are The World Song”

[@RageInEden]

Bob Geldof actually wrote the lyrics.

[@aprilgosa5779]

rugbyfootballer Bob Geldof wrote the lyrics Midge write the melody when Bob came to him and then they got together but Bob came up with it there are plenty of documentaries explaining Bob's inspiration he was at home watching the 6pm news and saw the babies in Ethiopia just as the video they played at Live Aid shows I was a baby that year but I have seen the documentaries Midge narrated one and he told the whole story even he saysBob came to him its called Band-Aid the song that rocked the world then there is also Live Aid Against All Odds

[@aprilgosa5779]

the second the first really says it and Bob and Midge put Live Aid together but it all started when Bob saw the new that night sitting with Paula and his firstborn Fifi TrixieBelle who was 18 months at the time I believe I too was moved to to tears when I saw those little children

[@antoineferdinand5513]

you can see he mentally went back to 1984 around the 0:16 point,so powerful

[@wesleystafford8521]

This song is unfairly bashed by the common and clueless.

[@lemilemi5385]

though one only knows its "Christmas time" when its being played on the radio.

[@edwardbliss8931]

Apparently Morrissey was asked to participate in this, but turned it down

[@veerchasm1]

He was late...as usual 😉😂

[@suspiria1966]

If that is true, it figures.....

[@Bikewithlove]

A valiant effort. I think it was a lovely time, and that’s what it is to be an artist - you really mean well, but the world’s problems are vastly complicated. There were reasons Africans were in need, and it had more to do with African government corruption. I recall there were hearings in England over Live Aid failing to deliver on most or any of its promises, which had something to do with shipments of food & supplies being confiscated by African soldiers. It seems evident to me now how even back in the 80s you had to fall into a social-justice mindset and virtue signal politically to get anywhere in the pop music business. Oh well, they seemed to mean well, and it was certainly a sign of the times.

[@mattbelinski7760]

It's rather well known that the opening drums are sampled from Tears for Fears The Hurting track. Why he says it's all him I dont know.

[@babayaga1767]

he probably put the samples together then programmed them

[@elsongs]

@@babayaga1767 Yeah, it's not a straight lifted sample like a rap record. It's definitely those tom-tom drums from the TFF song, but he re-arranged the samples to a slightly different rhythm. Similar to like chopping up a breakbeat.

[@seanscanlon9067]

He actually said it's all his voice, so presumably he's talking about the parts where he used his voice to make the sounds.

[@skintrader100]

@@seanscanlon9067 I think he’s meaning the aaahhs at the start not the instruments

[@babayaga1767]

and then he went on to form amazon

[@walkinonthinice]

LOL

[@SuperPussyFinger]

This guy is in love with his own cheese.

[@MaryBlanche]

No Madonna? ❤️ No Prince? 🤔💜

[@SPAZZOID100]

Old news bro.

[@robtyman4281]

No, this was a record featuring British pop stars only. The U.S did their own version (We are the World) six months later. Ours is a classic, while their one is truly awful.

[@jonsingle1614]

Do they know its Xmas ? Of course not ....they are mostly Muslim......seems legit

[@alejandrovaldiviesobernal462]

Even more, do they know it´s Satan´s time!!!

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Could this be any darker? Shades of Spinal Tap here, "none more black". Why don't you just get it over with and put a lens cap on the video camera.