Band Aid - 'Do They Know It's Christmas' Reaction! Duran Duran, U2, Wham!, Culture Club, & others

[@kevanwillis4571]

It's not 'the European version' of We Are The World. It is the original inspiration for it.

[@FreethoughtsOnline]

Indeed, without Band Aid....there would have been no We are The World.

[@tinasmith9599]

I didn't know that.

[@Cleow33]

Second video I have seen today when Americans do that. They were talking about The Office (Uk) being the English ‘version’. No mate it was the original (and vastly superior) and the American VERSION was the copy.

[@yournamehere6002]

And it's better

[@mythicallegendwaggz7102]

Typical Americans think we are the world came out before band aid how stupid

[@07Shultz]

Band-Aid came first and was done in 48hrs.

[@kpodonnell7924]

Co-written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. Bob was also instrumental in We Are The World and also organized Live Aid.

[@dalenikolitch4627]

Yes😊

[@davemika1467]

Band Aid Started it .. USA For Africa followed

[@GaryLeishman]

"USA For Africa", what an imaginative title for a Band that's helping to provide Aid, lol

[@Scotdod24]

The song was wriiten, rehearsed and recorded in 48 hours. They contacted all the artists in 24 hours to come perform. Quite an accomplishment which couldn't be done today. It a staple part of Xmas in the UK.

[@oscarvanschijndel4989]

And keep in mind this was before the golden age of the internet, email and mobile phones.

[@dalenikolitch4627]

Yes😊

[@paulf2123]

Its NOT the European version. Its the ORIGINAL. USA was a year later and was a copy of Band Aid (aid for Ethiopa). Bob Geldoff had hoped it would raise a million. It raised 150 million !!!! // All the others were copies of this great tribute

[@dalenikolitch4627]

Yes😊

[@chrisstory563]

this song was in fact done in a hurry to get it released during the christmas season back then. this was done in 48hrs. there is a documentary on the making of the song that will give a better understanding how this was put together in 2 days. I think you can find it on youtube.

[@dalenikolitch4627]

Yep😊 That's what I'm saying😊

[@jeromemilne561]

Without Band Aid there is no We are the World or Live Aide.

[@glenn20081965]

We Are The World followed Band-Aid's lead with this charity single.

[@jiffin1]

Fpr the same charity ... The American music scene following the British music scene ...

[@sabinasabina2010]

This was before 'We are the world', Ethiopia wasn't even in the American news!!!!!!! Back story, the BBC were running a year long news piece on Ethiopia that was facing famine on a biblical scale (think about 1.2 million people who starved to death in 2 years). Sir Bob Geldof watched on the tv a nurse deciding between which children she would try and help and which children she would leave to die and said he had to do something. In 48 hours he wrote (with Midge Ure) the song, got a venue, got as many artists to drop what they were doing and come to the studio that day, produced it, got it recorded to vinyl, did the video and out into the record shops within 48 HOURS! This was to get the best opportunity of being Christmas number one (as Christmas number one gets a lot of revenue and gets into the consciousness of the British public)- there was no time for layers and finesse. As for Jodie Watley and Kool and The Gang they happened to be in England and heard about it so turned up at the studio. Only when the Americans saw and heard about Band Aid and finally realised what was happening in Ethiopia they came up with 'We Are The World' which I think is not a great sentiment because when once did that song mention AFRICA, NO WATER FLOWING BUT TEARS, THE BURNING SUN, WHERE NOTHING GROWS, NO RAIN.

[@lisannebaumholz5028]

As one of many Canadian OXFAM volunteers at the time, we were certainly very aware of the famine in the Horn of Africa and actively campaigned to both raise money and awareness in the public and the media about the issues that led to this specific famine. For example, advocacy led to this coverage from the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation): kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnezo2Cwdr2Bq8Usi=S26pCqwvv_PABvK6 While somewhat successful on both fronts, not many people these days pay much attention to the current ongoing famine in the Horn of Africa or it's causes. No geopolitical points to be gained, I guess...sadly.

[@swipeleft2468]

@@lisannebaumholz5028 still can't watch that footage, even today, without tears

[@Kieop]

@@lisannebaumholz5028 I love Tears Are Not Enough.

[@Kieop]

At the time, I really disliked We Are The World because I felt it was arrogant. We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving. Like only the US can make a difference. Now I realize it's just about stepping up to do your part, whereas the song I loved so much is a bit patronizing. Do they Know It's Christmas? Yes, they do. Both Ethiopia and Sudan had significant Christian populations. There's a severe drought, but they have rivers. Even so, the imagery is so powerful. What a great line: The only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears. Brilliant.

[@sabinasabina2010]

@@Kieop all sensible people know that Ethiopia the majority of the population are Christian and know about the birth of Jesus. As a black person and from a Christian background I did not take the lyric, "Do they know it is Christmas time at all' as something patronising, I took it as it doesn't feel like Christmas at all to them as they are dying and not celebrating and also they are trying to survive one day to the next so probably couldn't tell you what day of the week it is as it is all feels like groundhog day, all the same from one day to the next as they merge into despair- does that make sense. As for 'we are the world' - well I am glad it raised money but the lyrics are terrible for anyone in that situation, "But if you just believe, there's no way we can fall." Well as you said, Ethiopians ( as well as Sudanese) believe but they still dropped to their death ( literally fell on their feet) of starvation

[@bascomnewsome2612]

George Michael donated all proceeds from Last Christmas to the same cause.

[@dalenikolitch4627]

❤😊

[@dcanmore]

Guys, this was recorded in November '84 and was the inspiration for We Are The World, which came out in March '85. Band Aid and the song was conceptualised in only 48 hours and the song hit the charts only week after the recording, raising $$$millions for Africa. Band Aid was also the catalyst for the Live Aid concerts in the summer 1985. Both Band Aid and Live Aid were created by Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats) and Midge Ure (Ultravox). Everyone involved that you see in the video was only contacted the day before, and nobody had any idea who was going to turn up the next day for recording.

[@chrisjamieson3452]

Nobody who reacts to these songs seems to really understand the context of it. I advised they watch the Drive video and also they should read about the famine.

[@deggsymarley]

Totally Agree. It would be good if they had done some research

[@nelsonsmith9577]

@@dcanmore Absolutely agree! They referenced no color in the group. Well like you mentioned this was thrown together so fast and Kool and the Gang and Jody Watley were touring in England at this time so they answered the call. Plus some of these major artists that did show up were still on tour and had very tight schedules. This is by far the best song out of the two.

[@klipkultur3680]

Before, and way better, than We Are The World...

[@yournamehere6002]

We Are The World is so saccharine, much like Michael Jackson's output. Phony sentiment.

[@barr790]

We Are The World was nothing compared to this, this is the OG

[@jamesf5582]

Absolutely 💯 agree 👍🏽 👊🏽👏🏽

[@spartamykonos]

The song, Do They Know It’s Christmas raised approximately $150 million for humanitarian aid to Africa, while We Are The World raised approximately $80 million. If you do a little research, you will discover that without Do They Know It’s Christmas, there absolutely would not be a We Are The World. So “flavor” aside, Do They Know It’s Christmas was the catalyst for the massive humanitarian aid to Africa, in ‘84-‘85, and not the other way around.

[@kevinm3428]

This one paved the way for all the others, and is my favorite of the benefit songs.

[@oscarvanschijndel4989]

I may be mistaken, but I think George Harrison "Bangladesh" from 1971 was the first charity song ever made. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmavmpScbc2Io7c

[@kennethspears22]

I prefer this over We Are The World.

[@wendyryder2708]

Me too!

[@robbielux8353]

As I

[@larsbonzai]

Same

[@clarkmacgowan5114]

We Are the World is about the worst song I've ever heard. Do they know it's Christmas is a great song, it rocks, it has great harmonies. We Are The World Is a dragging slop. Unfortunately for me, I was working at CBS records at the time both came out. I loved working on do they know it's christmas, and I thought I'd need an ear transfusion after listening to We Are the World 15,000 times. Everyone in the office absolutely hated it and found it embarrassing. Especially given some of the stupid acts that took part. That had to do with a very powerful manager who insisted that some of his has been clients be part of it.

[@mythicallegendwaggz7102]

We are the world was shit

[@penname5766]

Bear in mind we don’t use the word “band aid” in the UK; we call them “plasters”, and in the early 80s, most Brits wouldn’t have even known this was a pun.

[@sueprator9314]

That should be emphasized to these guys.......interesting.

[@sandyczarnetzke7141]

I think this is a beautiful song done by the Brits in 84. For me it was the meaning behind it. To help bring awareness to the famine in Ethiopia. This song immediately shot up to #1. It was this that brought the attention to We Are The World so many years ago.❤

[@fabulousnobody3557]

At least this song gets played alot once a year, every year…When was the last time you heard We Are The World on the radio? Both songs are amazing, but this holds a little bigger piece of my heart…Cheers!

[@saintdon4461]

soon we will be able to play the dead or alive game watching it on christmas day

[@fabulousnobody3557]

@@saintdon4461 …Sadly, this is true…

[@robbielux8353]

I agree

[@FreethoughtsOnline]

Corey Roy, Band Aid only had 48 hours to write and get the performers to make this song in order to get it's entry into the Christmas charts.

[@rhphotocdn]

This was the FIRST to start the Africa charity. The USA and CDN songs came out the year after. 40 years later and this song still is amazing.

[@martinl8574]

One man, Bob Geldof, started a worldwide movement of care and compassion for Africa. He was Knighted by the Queen of England for his humanitarian efforts, which led to the worldwide event known as Live Aid and Inspired We are the world!

[@sj6546]

All done (written, produced, organized) with Midge Ure from Ultravox, who got overshadowed by Geldof. No shade to Geldof, but he didn’t do it alone.

[@markrichards636]

Midge Ure

[@AnnaPantoja-w6k]

I feel that the Band Aid song was so much deeper and had more heart. The line that always gets me is “tonight thank God it’s them instead of you “. I had to think about that. Happy Holidays to all 💜❤️💚☮️

[@rel5401]

Without this song “Do they know it’s Christmas?” there’s no “We are the World.” This was the inspiration for the Quincy and the Americans doing their song This song was in response to the severe famine in Ethiopia that BBC had covered in the U.K. for the whole year. It was an idea that came together in 48 hours. Writing the song, getting the artists, producing and releasing this song in time for release at Christmas 🎉 This song has raised millions for charity/famine relief in Ethiopia

[@macjbe]

I do hope you read the comments, y’all wouldn’t be as hard on this if you knew the backstory, it was literally thrown together, and it shows

[@ThomasPalmen]

It would have to be very ignorant or very unfamiliar with the era not to realise that these were the absolute greatest artists of their time. It starts with Paul Young, Boy George, Phil Collins (Genesis), George Michael (Wham!), Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran), Sting (The Police), Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet), Bono (U2), Paul Weller (The Jam/Style Council), Midge Ure (Ultravoax) and so on and so forth. It was an absolute sensation and got ‘USA for Africa’ off the ground in the first place.

[@jacquelinejohnson6447]

No you had to be a generation x child to understand the impact of this song. The song was about the famine in Ethiopia. Bob Geldof help to create Live-Aid.

[@AncientBriton1948]

USA for Africa had 6 months to prepare this was a 48 hour job to write, record and sell it. All those on the record volunteered their time for free, The appearance of Jodie and the Kool and the Gang speaks volumes unlike when the live shows took place in 1985 and some of the American acts were prevented from taking part as management teams were demanding normal appearance fees of their clients, it seems that the word charity was alien to them. This is why both Wembley and Philidelphia shows were loaded with British acts 🇬🇧

[@anthonyv1719]

We are the world better than this? Please. Horrible, crass, ego driven, over produced and rarely played - and with good reason. Band Aid Christmas has become a Holiday staple for generations and will continue to do so because its a great song, great melody and a holiday Classic.

[@v.j.3029]

True. This is still being played on radio stations every December every year. We Are The World is never being played on the radio.

[@clarkmacgowan5114]

We Are The World is bad enough to make me heave.

[@JD-qv2br]

Lol. I remember Prince wouldn't do it and SNL did a sketch about it.

[@TigerLily00]

The Canadians also did a song to fund raise for the famine relief. They called themselves "Northern Lights" and the song is Tears Are Not Enough.

[@sylc8241]

Bob Geldof was at the taping of We Are the World, to give the group pointers since he was the one that came up with the idea with Band Aid. He is also the creator of Live Aid.

[@john-daviddennison2862]

The first face you see is Bob Geldoff ... the creator of Live Aid but it all started with Band Aid's charity single.... and yes this was before the U.S ' self indulgent "We are the World"

[@paulmccarthy7512]

This was Number 1 at Christmas that year, George Michael and Wham. Although they recorded "Last Christmas " to be a Number 1 single. They gave all the royalties to Band Aid. What a true gentleman George Michael was. Sadly missed. 🇬🇧Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄

[@nelerhabarber5602]

Status Quo is a British band that was founded in 1962/1965 and is one of the most successful and long-lasting rock groups. The band has released a total of 33 studio albums, several live albums and more than 100 singles.

[@catserver8577]

Came out when I was in HS, even though I was in the US, knew who everyone was. Very exciting at school the next day after it was broadcast.

[@nelsonsmith9577]

@@catserver8577 Same here. As an American the second British invasion was the absolute BEST. Me and my high school friends were naming every last artist when the video came out. We also saw the making of Do They Know Its Christmas. Boy George was a trip! He had us rolling.

[@StephenAllison-gl2ky]

Band-Aid is what inspired we are the world. Band-Aid came first.

[@AncientBriton1948]

USA for Africa had 6 months to prepare this was a 48 hour job to write, record and sell it. All those on the record volunteered their time for free, The appearance of Jodie and the Kool and the Gang speaks volumes unlike when the live shows took place in 1985 and some of the American acts were prevented from taking part as management teams were demanding normal appearance fees of their clients, it seems that the word charity was alien to them. This is why both Wembley and Philadelphia were overloaded with British acts. By the way Band Aid is the perfect name for a famine relief group as the band aid product is not common in the UK, its not unknown but Elastoplast is our brand and we call them plasters short for sticking plaster 🇬🇧

[@iallyl3877]

I think you all need to watch " band aid- the song that rocked the world" to appreciate what this group of artists did, it was done in 24 hours.. recorded, produced and released.. the artists got a call and was given a days notice to record this, boy george was actually in new york and had to fly back for it.. and this was the FIRST time anything like this had ever been done, there was no budget, and every penny raised went to charity, so excuse us for not having enough layers or theatrics, this was raw and got done what needed to be done, we are the word came after and had a huge budget, considering micheal jackson had a few quid in his bank, while bob geldof had buger all, so they where able to make it more of a spactacular show... and they had longer than 24 hours to record produce and release it.. so lets give credit where credit is due.. what this people did was amazing..

[@jiffin1]

Bob Geldolf and Midge Ure organized this record and LIVE AID, which followed this ...

[@samdo7243]

I think people prefer what they've been brought up on. Do they know its christmas is more prominement in the UK hence why it's more popular

[@barr790]

Obviously it was prominent everywhere, it was played in 62 countries compared to We Are the World's 25 countries. Americans have historically copied the Brits and its never as good

[@clarkmacgowan5114]

Sorry but totally wrong. I don't know anyone personally who ever listened to We Are the World more than once. But my friends and I all play do they know it's Christmas lie every Christmas time.

[@jog8483]

STOP!! It doesn't even matter what you think of the song. Bob Geldoff kicked off the idea of feeding starving Africans and raised millions of dollars! Quincy Jones jumped on the bandwagon and kept it going to raise millions more. Then Bob organized the epic, multi-continent concert Live Aid. Doesn't matter what song you like more, it was for a beautiful cause. THANK YOU BOB GELDOF!!! For the song & the historic Live Aid concerts.

[@sandraaitken7965]

Midge ure wrote the song, and kicked the whole thing off with geldof

[@GhostyTMRS]

Wow! There’s no way these guys won’t mention the comments section blowing up for this in the next video. lol Yeah, on a critical level this one is much more well regarded than the later We Are The World and has been revived several times, each with newer artists singing (the dance version with Rick Astley, Kylie Minogue and others was the followup and is practically forgotten now).

[@Gira21Gramos]

Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. LEGENDS.

[@dranderson6071]

Midge yes. Bob mishandled the finances sadly

[@CjJohns1776]

​@@dranderson6071 STILL a legend

[@dranderson6071]

@@CjJohns1776 A crook yes

[@amccoll73]

Check out how long after USA for Africa came after. May give a clue to the difference

[@Reba-123]

Getting so fed up of Americans thinking they were first with everything maybe google info first before showing ignorance …Without Bob and Midge organising Band Aid and then LiveAid there would NOT have been the Crappy American single We are the world

[@nelsonsmith9577]

@@Reba-123 American here. Not all of us are like that. Those of use who grew up in the 80's know this song was the song that started it all.

[@clarkmacgowan5114]

Another American here. And Trust me, not all of us are like this at all. I worked at the record company that put out both songs. Everyone in the office absolutely love do they know it's christmas, we were very moved by the song and the video. Then a bunch of egomaniac managers insisted that there be an American version mainly so they could stick their stupid has been artists in there. It was embarrassing. We were embarrassed at the office. And you have to listen to that song even once let alone the 10,000 times we had to hear it was akin to torture.

[@marinamartinez6886]

Those of us Americans who were around at the time know it was first. No need to get mad.

[@lynneblacketer6479]

Not as flashy as some might like, and it may be a bit dated, but the fact remains that the fund has raised over 178 million since 1984

[@clarkmacgowan5114]

I don't think it's flashy, and I don't think it's at all dated. I love listening to this song every year.

[@kittykatt7652]

Really? It's the perfect name. Bands joined to provide aide. It's plain and simple. Plus, it sounds better than USA FOR AFRICA.

[@EclecticInstinct]

Corey you are not well informed. You need to understand the motivation, the urgency, the humility. It may have been underproduced, but it was written quickly and the artists were called up and turned up and made the record with almost NO NOTICE. No egos, no big fanfare. Just to raise as much money as possible to get food to starving humans. It took the arrogantly titled USA for Africa 4 months to do their thing. 4 months versus 48 hours. Not great optics. No wonder their product sounded better. As for your analogy about McDonald's - what a dreadful irony. You were so off the pace with this reaction. Thank God that the youngest of you got the point. Kudos young man. You are the reason that I didn't unsubscribe.

[@tomfoolery9749]

You need to understand how this song came about, it all started with a news article highlighting the devastating famine in Ethiopia. When Bob Geldof saw it, he immediately contacted Midge Ure, insisting that something needed to be done. Within days, the song was written, and they managed to assemble a staggering lineup of British pop talent in record time. This song wasn’t just a hit, it was the spark that ignited one of the most iconic concerts in history, elevating bands like U2, Queen, and others to worldwide superstardom. The concert itself was split between London’s Wembley Stadium and, if I recall correctly, a stadium in Philadelphia. Now, I need to phrase this as politely as I can: there are over 8 billion people in the world, yet the US, comprising around 300 million, sometimes seems to act like it’s the majority. The contrast between the two charity records highlights this perfectly: while the British version urged us to “Feed the World,” the US version declared “We Are the World.” To me, these songs reflect a mindset, the British version outward-facing, while the US one feels a bit more self-centred. It’s a real shame, because there’s a whole world out there brimming with talent and humanity.

[@nigelw7626]

No taste and plenty of ignorance. That's Americans for you!

[@JudeAussie]

Spot on! 👍

[@clarkmacgowan5114]

Hey, not all of us! I'm very proud to have worked on this records marketing campaign. On the other hand, I was ashamed to have to work on the We Are the World marketing campaign. The record company I worked for put out both of these songs. This one rocks, the other one sucks. And that's the end of that story!

[@RetNemmoc555]

I've never thought about which is better,, it is for charity after all. That was the point.

[@kennbicknell5492]

*Pretty much everyone is from the U.K., EXCEPT Jody Watley and Kool & The Gang, who happened to be in London touring at the time, so they joined in -- but they weren't featured since they were not British or Irish. And they weren't supposed to be upbeat, singing about thousands of Africans dying every single day at the peak of the famine.*

[@MsCST11]

Eh, Bob Geldof and the rest of the Rats are from Dublin, as is Bono, Siobhán Fahy (Bananarama) is from Meath. 😊

[@glastonbury4304]

Not being rude but why do Americans think they do everything first when they invariably follow 🤷‍♂️

[@brookemiley4927]

As an American I have to agree with you! lol! I have to listen to this song every year at Christmas and much prefer it to We Are The World!

[@CjJohns1776]

WE didn't - 40 years ago, WHEN THE SONG CAME OUT! We were there, we knew which came 1st

[@clarkmacgowan5114]

I'm an American and I don't think we're always first. But we don't always follow either. Just because these guys are ignorant, don't pin everything on the rest of us please thank you.

[@glastonbury4304]

@clarkmacgowan5114 ...when you see a guy like Trump can become President then it's not hard not to...just sayin...

[@swipeleft2468]

FR

[@melvin7094]

I always thought we are the world was a bad attempt of copying the original. Because the song do they know is Christmas is the original. A song that I love to listen every year around Christmas for the last decades.

[@sueprator9314]

Sorry thats absurd. THEY ARE TWO ENTIRELY DIFFERENT SONGS. Michael Jackson wrote We are the World w/Lionel Ritchie and was perfectly fine but a completely different production.

[@yvetteadshead4212]

This was for the famine in Ethiopia. Bob Geldof and Midge Ure put Live Aid together and made that happen, then they did the song "Do the know it's Christmas time at all" with a group of people from popular bands at that time. Without Bob Geldof and Midge Ure there wouldn't have been Live Aid or the single "We are the World "

[@TerenceShortman]

other way around the song came first then live aide

[@yvetteadshead4212]

@TerenceShortman did it , I wasn't sure, it was a spectacular effort by Sir Bob.

[@denniscortez8828]

I suggest to these reactors watch documentaries regarding how this music/video was created.

[@mickhalligan1772]

American artists were shamed into bringing out we are the world as all there black artists were all talk and no action.

[@chrisgibson7591]

The British song was done last minute it wasn't planned months in advance, the Christmas theme helped it to sell , it become the Christmas number one, it was also less pretentious

[@Cleow33]

You can see that the performers turned up at a moment’s notice,looking like sh&t (many of them), some of them straight off a plane to do their bit. Contrast this with We Are the World, where everyone is ‘in costume’ ready to perform. The Americans turned up late and take the credit… much like WW11! 😂

[@MsCST11]

British and Irish! 😊

[@donnagreen3626]

This song was written to help the children ,people who were starving and it worked. When this came out everyone was for it. It made millions. Everyone watched it on telly. It was a great time. Bless you all.

[@sueprator9314]

It came out before We Are The World. Bob Geldorf came over to Quincy and gave the boost talk to the group to remind them why they were there to do We are The World. This song was out almost a year before We are the World. They are two different songs and they should get PROPS FOR BEING THE FIRST. THEY inspired the creation of We are The World.

[@declanrussell2232]

UK comes up with feed the world, US replies with we are the world 😉

[@penname5766]

Ha! I’d never even thought about it like that, but you’re so right! It sums up the differences between the cultures and mindsets so perfectly!

[@lydmarl.475]

Omg where have you been, Corey, under a rock??!!

[@marvelharris9540]

This was the first... we are the world is the copy.

[@lightlantern]

To Say That This Song & Event Changed My Life Is Putting It Mildly!! I Watch My DVD Boxset Every Holiday Season!! Thank You Bob!!

[@mariamenegalli2321]

kool and the gang just happened to be recording in the same place at the same time so they invited them to participate, and the beginning part Paul Young... he sang in place of David Bowie due to prior commitments

[@penname5766]

This song is MUCH more recognisable in Europe (and, incidentally, throughout the rest of the planet) than We Are The World. As usual, Americans assume their experience of reality is the same as everyone else’s. None of the artists were paid and they had to buy their own food, unlike the US artists a year later who famously had expensive catering and where nothing was in the spirit of charity.

[@rosamiller8687]

Please remember that this was written and recorded basically in 24 hours. They needed to get this out, in time for Christmas so the public could buy the record, and all the money could go to the famine relief. They called all of those singers in only the day before to come to the studio the next morning. You need to check out the 40th anniversary of Do they Know it's Christmas.

[@danielakorneck8385]

Band Aid with Do They Know It's Christmas was the beginning of the charity concert that took place on 13 July 1985. It was largely organised by the musicians Bob Geldof and Midge Ure on the occasion of the acute famine in Ethiopia at the time. On the occasion of this concert, many countries, including the USA, wrote their own songs.

[@obiwonton369]

UK OG Classic Icons this celeb collab got it all started Live Aid, Farm Aid, Feed the World...

[@eurotiggesc]

Should check out the documentary on KZbin on the Live Aid channel. Shows how quickly this all came together from recording to print to release.

[@nigelw7626]

Of course they won't check that out they are ignorant and lazy!

[@minno-e2u]

Wow, blind reactions are great, but without proper context it kinda feels like you’re cheating yourselves and your audience

[@penname5766]

This song gives me goosebumps EVERY TIME without fail because it’s authentic and you can feel it. We Are The World doesn’t because it isn’t.

[@sueprator9314]

Not true. We are the World was authentic. This song was the FIRST however and deserves props for that.

[@BlackCountryShaneywaney]

Totally missing the point entirely. Never have I seen a more uninformed reaction to a record and video that totally led the way, and, in a damned hurry. People were dying of hunger by the thousand monthly. This was thrown together, very quickly by Bob Geldof ( Boomtown Rats singer,) and Midge Ure ( Ultravox singer ) in order to get as much money together, in as quick a time as possible, to get it out there. This was produced for that, and that alone. You're We are the world was a highly produced plagiarised version of this, entirely. No argument on this can be had. You should do your research guys before slating what was, with the full context of the times, an incredible achievement. These two guys were heroes here in Britain. That said, Wokism has thrown its twisted thoughts into the arena recently, and now, its got words in it that actually offend. Yes, offend. This is the value of the totally woke mind leading the blind by an invisible ring through their stuck up noses. How's that for a rant!? Merry Christmas guys😊

[@Justyna_N]

“Wokism” isn’t twisted it’s the people who use it as a means to defend not accepting people’s right to be ‘different’ and don’t know what it means. The word itself has been twisted into something it’s not. I was in agreement with you until just then.

[@BlackCountryShaneywaney]

@Justyna_N Thank you. I completely disagree with you entirely, but merry Xmas.

[@belladonnichazeyjane4887]

Completely with you until you had to bring the bullshit, overused, meaningless word 'woke/wokism' into your rant. Anything and everything people dislike nowadays is 'woke' 🙄 ugh.

[@swipeleft2468]

stop with this woke rubbish- it says more about you

[@BlackCountryShaneywaney]

@@belladonnichazeyjane4887 meaningless? Interesting..what exactly would you like to call it then?

[@spacefanatic]

This song made more money than 'We Are The World' did for Africa and is still raising money today. America copied the UK again. You are not the greatest country in the world far from it.

[@wombatwilly1002]

O c'mon the American healthcare system is a model for the world 😂

[@viking0079]

I see someone is still butt hurt about the revolutionary war😂😂😂

[@spacefanatic]

@viking0079 Actually not. Your young have no idea about the rest of the world and cannot tell what country is at the top of them and what is underneath. You think you invented lots of things you didn't and you had help winning the war from 3 other nations whilst we only sent a small army as we were busy fighting a war elsewhere. Look up the history of the world and how we had a huge empire. Losing the war of independence was a lucky escape for us.

[@juneseghni]

Band Aid is only corny to Americans-it's not a brand in the UK.

[@graemey]

It would have helped your review if you were aware that it was composed, rehearsed, recorded and released in a matter of days, in a rush to catch the Christmas market of 1984.

[@GodLovesComics]

A true Christmas classic! It's rare to get a great song out of one of these massive collaborations for charity but somehow they did it. Meanwhile, I could live happily never having to hear the pedestrian sap of "We Are The World" ever again.

[@kalex888]

This song still gets played everywhere. When was the last time you heard we are the world? Most of the people there didn't get solos. Get over yourselves

[@Escapee5931]

There was a definite time pressure between Bob Geldof seeing the BBC documentary on the Ethiopian famine, and getting the finished record out in time to get the Christmas No. 1. They were limited to artists who the organisers knew and who could be in London on recording day. Being dramatic about it, they could have spent time getting a better song and a more representative cast, but the extra time would been spent in dead Ethiopians.

[@eric-j001]

Without Band Aid there would never have been a " We Are The World " - which came along later. You three youngsters might not have been around at the time, but there was a serious famine happening in parts of Africa at the time, and this raised a lot of awareness as well as just money.

[@Renkk17]

The First and the Best!!!!! This song is so so so so much better than we are the world! You need to know all the other singers and bands that you didn't know..... there would be no other charity song if it wasn't for this one.

[@richardworonowicz9076]

We are the World was artificial, not natural like this done in 48 hours.

[@moonsiemeda5054]

Hello, You all are knocking a song that was done for a good cause? FYI, this song was done before "We Are the World ( do your at least some time-line research, first). Fenom202, what's in a name? You come off as an intelligent man so why is the play on words with the group lost on you? The banded together to aid famine victims in Africa and other parts of the globe -hence, Band Aid plus they are musicians. Corey Roy why should it have sounded more like "We Are the World"? Why isn't ok for this song to be it's own thing? I think "We are the World was more focused on the artists their hype and ego than on the cause for making the song. Adding a verse from Big Daddy Kane's "Ain't No Half Stepping: to emphasize the point: A school of emceein' for those who wanna be in My field and court, then again, on second thought To have MCs comin' out soundin' so similar It's quite confusin' for you to remember the Originator. ( is it really a good thing for songs to similar you think it is an inferior song because the artists weren't doing vocal gymnastics. There was a reason why Jody Watley and Kool and the Gang came at the end and did not do major vocal-DO YOU RESEARCH it was an impromptu recording and video. OllywoodDDA, why do you think the song is "pigeon-holed" because it was made as a Christmas song? ( it was done around Christmas time, so there is that) Aren't Christmas songs perennial? WHAT WAS/IS IMPORTANT IS THE CAUSE BEHINFD THE SONG! J Also listen to the lyica and what is is trying to convey. Just as you should noy substitute someone else's values as your own, viewers of this reaction please do not substitute these gentlemen opinion regarding this song as your own. This was/is a very good song as is "We are the World" why does there need to be a comparison/competition both songs shared/share the same goal. Fenom202, it is perfectly fine to agree to disagree, especially respectfully. However, the cynicism that you all expressed was uncalled for. I have watched you all gushed over and praised song that were dry and lackluster.

[@clarkmacgowan5114]

Will these guys think we are the world was a better song so they don't have any taste at all. That song sucked so hard it's still fighting gravity.

[@belladonnichazeyjane4887]

There's something very arrogant and judgemental about these three. Which is ironic given how ill informed they are.

[@nelsonsmith9577]

Oh no! This song is much better than We Are the World. This was artist from the United Kingdom. Jody Watley and Kool and the Gang were touring in the UK at that time. This song was a tremendous hit all over the world back in late 1984 and 1985. THEN USA for Africa decided to do something similar. The United Kingdom was able to assemble major superstars who were hot at that time. Did you notice who was missing from USA for Africa? Prince and Modanna.

[@tsch38301]

We are the world was done because of this. This was the first and original idea for helping the starvation in Africa.

[@denisealexander5441]

Bob Geldof, from The Boomtown Rats, organized this fundraiser event in Britain. He got with Quincy Jones later on to get a similar event going in the US. That became USA For Africa. He was there the night they recorded it, and gave a little speech before they started. It was a collaborative effort. Both were amazing and generated a great deal of funds towards helping during the severe famine Africa was experiencing at the time. I wish people around the world would do things like that more often. Its sad they only managed two overa period of nearly forty years.😢 I guess we were lucky to have such wonderful and generous celebrities back then... Willing to donate their time and talent to a worthy cause.❤

[@Reba-123]

Band Aid was all British NOT European we did it first in 48 hours from that Bob and Midge arranged Live Aid … America as always was late to the party !!!!!!

[@MsCST11]

All British? Bob is Irish. Midge is Scottish. (Neither like being referred to as 'British'). Bono would definitely not like it! 😂

[@Rob-eo5ql]

Bono’s line is legendary. “Tonight thank god it’s ‘them’ instead of you”

[@deggsymarley]

This is one time when it would have helped if they had done some research about a song before listening to it

[@clarkmacgowan5114]

It would have helped if they would have had some taste. To actually call We Are the World Superior is mind-numbingly insane.

[@amandab4978]

Agree with a lot of commentators here; Do They know It's Christmas is far superior to the US contribution. However, I am British, Sir Bob was my teenage crush (40-odd years ago 😱), and the way Bob and Midge got the song and the recording artists together....nothing short of fan-bloody-tastic. These guys, on the other hand, are 'Murcan, and We Are The World was produced for an American, mainstream audience, whose musical aesthetics are somewhat different to the UK. I mean, they had The Osmonds, we had The Sex Pistols, (for example). Can't imagine Anarchy in the US, or, God Save The Prez... We do 'rough and ready' THEY do 'corporate gloss' Each to their own 😁

[@clarkmacgowan5114]

I'm an american. I worked at CVS records on both of these records. We Are The World is a piece of garbage. It's one of the worst songs ever recorded and if it wasn't for the publicity campaign and the big managers involved, if it had just been a regular song instead of some charity thing, it would have been thrown in the garbage as a failure. I was embarrassed that we even put it out it was so bad.

[@amandab4978]

@clarkmacgowan5114 thanks! I was worried American friends might be a tad offended 😁

[@Hollingsworth2781]

I like this song way better than We are the World. I like the melody better.

[@jameskirschling7887]

Band Aid is the perfect name, that was Bob Geldof's way of saying what they were doing was merely a "Band Aid" on a severe wound. Also, if you would have read the end you would have known how quickly this was put together. We Are The World had months to prepare. That's not slamming you guys, there was a technical difficulty beyond your control. Anyway, I like the song. Plus, it brought back memories of when I lived in England.

[@russellstanton7583]

Paul Young who started the song does a great version of Marvin Gaye's " wherever I lay my hat ". Very different but great vocals.....

[@clarkmacgowan5114]

Paul Young was absolutely huge in the UK at the time and his appearance in this video helped Propel his album to number one in the United states. A lot of people haven't heard of him these days but in the mid-80s he sold out Wembley six nights in a row. He was iconic.

[@penname5766]

Thank you Ollie - most people in Europe would agree with you 🙏 🙏 🙏

[@jiffin1]

This was the first!

[@GoWestYoungMan]

It bears mentioning that there were many collaborations around the world to raise money for famine relief. Canadian artists bandied together to do 'Tears Are Not Enough'. I prefer the UK effort 'Do They Know It's Christmas' but like its counterpart, the song quickly zoomed to #1 in the charts.

[@timmistorey5989]

They are British. Soul is in us ❤and we are aware and help

[@kevanwillis4571]

British and Irish with a sprinkling of American.

[@MsCST11]

I think Bob and Bono might disagree with you. Oh, and Siobhán Fahey. 😊

[@sabinasabina2010]

By the way band aid is a term only in America- we use the term plasters over here. So a super band raising money for aid in Ethiopia why would it not be called band aid- you guys are getting slammed on this x

[@harlee2191]

This was the start of live aide.. Which I attended in Philadelphia. At 16yrs old.

[@starlightperkins330]

This inspired Live Aid. Geldof spearheaded both. The song was played a lot on MTV and the radio during the Christmas season that year.