Have you heard the 2024 version of Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’

It’s been 40 years since the charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas? by Band Aid first entered global consciousness, and it’s great to see that proceeds from that 1984 single, and various versions of it since, continue to go towards helping ending hunger in Ethiopia and other nations where poverty and starvation still exist.

A 2024 ‘Ultimate Mix’ of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ has been unveiled today and, while it features only parts of previous recordings, I’ve got to say it’s a fine sounding 7-minute piece of music.

Produced by Trevor Horn – of Art of Noise fame, also the producer behind great songs from the likes of Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Grace Jones – the song melds standout sections of three of the previous four versions that were recorded and released: an amalgam of versions sung by Band Aid (1984), Band Aid 20 (2004), and Band Aid 30 (2014). For some sticky reason, the Stock Aitken Waterman-produced version of the track (recorded as Band Aid II in 1989) has been shunned, and that’s a pity because that version featured vocals by Kylie Minogue, and it would have been nice to hear her be a part of this take.

In the field of music, there’s good upcycling and bad recycling, and when a song is created for a charitable cause and manages to pick the better parts of songs previously offered – and some rarely heard sections lifted off the cutting room floor – the results should turn out alright. Indeed, the bits all work together brilliantly.

The full lineup of the original Band Aid, back in 1984, many of whom feature on the new ‘Ultimate Mix’ of the song.

Among the singers and musicians who feature on the 2024 track are U2’s Bono (young and older versions), Paul McCartney, Sting, Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, Paul Weller, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Blur’s Damon Albarn, Midge Ure, Phil Collins, Queen’s Roger Taylor, Supergrass’ Danny Goffey, Bananarama, Paul Young, the late Sinead O’Connor and George Michael, members of Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet, Boy George, Paloma Faith, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, the list goes on…

The reissue features the original 1984 version, and subsequent Band Aid 20 (2004) and Band Aid 30 (2014) versions, plus of course the 2024 Ultimate Mix, and a version performed live at Wembley Stadium back in 1985.

In the current version, some artists’ vocals have been intertwined with others in the most interesting way. For example, George Michael duets with Harry Styles, and Chris Martin harmonises with the Sugababes.

However, Ed Sheeran has objected to his vocals being recycled for the new track because he feels the “narrative” had changed, and said he would have declined permission if he had been asked. Twat.

In response, Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley, who sang on the original 1984 single, told BBC Radio 2: “I think they [critics like Sheeran] should shut up, to be honest. If you take that route, then nobody does anything to help anybody. So it’s just nonsense.”

Check out the new version here which features an intro by David Bowie (footage from 1984). And be sure to buy a copy for this Chrissy’s soundtrack, maybe even copies for your loved ones. We don’t need to hear another Mariah Christmas song, after all.

Antonino Tati