“Do They Know It’s Christmas?”
“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” is a song written in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in response to the Ethiopian famine. It was first recorded by Band Aid, a supergroup consisting of British and Irish musicians, and was released as a single on December 3, 1984. The song was a massive commercial success, selling more than 10 million copies and becoming the UK’s best-selling single of all time.
In addition to its commercial success, the song also had a profound effect on the world. It raised awareness about the famine in Ethiopia and inspired other musicians to use their platform to address social issues. The song has since been covered by numerous artists and has been adapted for other purposes, such as raising money for the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
The Origins of The Song: “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”
The Origins of The Song: “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” was conceived in 1984 as a response to the famine in Ethiopia. Bob Geldoff, the vocalist of a popular British new wave group called The Boomtown Rats, had seen a BBC News report on the crisis and was determined to raise awareness and money. He enlisted the help of Midge Ure, a renowned songwriter, and the two men convinced some of Britain and Ireland’s biggest stars to record the song as a charity single. The song was recorded in 24 hours on November 25, 1984, with Geldoff and Ure sharing writing and production duties.
In typical fashion for a supergroup, the recording was a chaotic affair with numerous different musicians coming in and out of the studio at different times.
However, the end result was a soaring, anthemic rock track featuring soaring vocals and a spirited call to action.
Massive Success of a Song
The Massive Success of The Song: The song became a massive commercial success, selling more than 10 million copies and becoming the UK’s best-selling single of all time. It was the best-selling single of 1984 and remained the highest-selling UK single until 1997, when Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind” surpassed it.
Worldwide, the song raised over £8 million for Ethiopia, which was used to fund food, medicine, and other humanitarian aid.
The song was also a critical success, earning a Grammy nomination and winning the 1985 BRIT Award for Best Single.
It was praised for its simple, yet powerful lyrics, which made the tragedy in Ethiopia real for millions of listeners. In addition to its immediate impact, the song had a lasting influence on the British pop music scene. It is widely seen as the start of the charity single phenomenon, inspiring other musicians to use their platform to address social issues.
The Woolworths Boycott and Its Impact: In December 1984, the tune of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” was used in a boycott of Woolworths, a well-known UK retailer. Customers were angry at the company’s refusal to adhere to the “Fair Ground Act”, which mandated that employees receive at least the minimum wage. The boycott was supported by numerous celebrities, including Bob Geldoff and Midge Ure. It ultimately resulted in Woolworths agreeing to comply with the act, and the chain was praised for its change of heart.
The boycott highlighted the power of the song to inspire social change. It reminded listeners that buying the single was a powerful way to help the starving children in Ethiopia. It also showed the influence that celebrity endorsement can have, as many people were more willing to take part in the boycott when it had the support of famous musicians.
The Live Aid Performance
The Live Aid Performance: On July 13, 1985, Band Aid reunited to perform “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” at Live Aid, a benefit concert held at Wembley Stadium in London. This performance was a rousing success and has become one of the most memorable moments in Live Aid’s history. The members of Band Aid were joined on stage by Phil Collins, who was in the middle of a US tour at the time.
His impromptu appearance was a surprise to the audience and contributed to the electric atmosphere at the stadium. The performance was seen by an estimated one billion people worldwide and raised over $70 million for famine relief in Ethiopia. In addition to its immediate financial impact, it was also a powerful reminder of the humanitarian crisis in Africa. Millions of people around the world watched as some of their favourite musicians joined forces to make a difference.
Legacy of a Song
The Legacy of the Song: “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” is considered one of the most iconic charity singles of 
all time. It has been covered by numerous artists in decades since its original release, including Bono, Beyonce, and Bryan Adams.
It has also been adapted for various causes, such as raising money for the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
The song’s legacy also lives on in its influence on the British pop music scene. It proved that it was possible for musicians to make a difference in the world and that record sales could be used to fund humanitarian causes. It set a precedent for the charity singles of the future and continues to be seen as a benchmark for those seeking to make a difference.
