A brand new version of Band Aid’s festive hit, ‘Do They Know Its Christmas?’ is to be released to mark the song’s 40th anniversary.
The song is to feature the voices of original singers and young artists. Voices from the original 1984 track, will include the late George Michael, Boy George, Bono and Sting, as well as Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran, Chris Martin and the Sugababes.
Sheeran of course feature on the Band Aid 20 and Band Aid 30 versions in 2004 and 2014.
Other voices to feature on the 40th anniversary edition of ‘Do They Know Its Christmas’, will also include Sam Smith, Rita Ora, Sinead O’Connor, Robbie Williams, Bananarama, Underworld, Kool And The Gang.
Band Aid: ‘Do They Know Its Christmas?’
This special 40th anniversary edition of the Band Aid hit will be backed by the house band of Beatles icon Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Sting, Queen’s Roger Taylor, and Duran Duran’s John Taylor.
It will also feature Paul Weller, Midge Ure, Justin Hawkins, Gary Kemp, Supergrass’ Danny Goffey, as well as Radiohead pair Johnny Greenwood and Thom Yorke.
The new video will also be introduced by the voice of the late David Bowie, with newsreader Michael Buerk BBC report, also featuring.
Back in June, singer Paul Weller recalled his experiences of recording that ‘Do They Know Its Christmas?’. More on this from Nova here.
In 2021, Ed Sheeran also teamed up with Elton John to release the festive track, ‘Merry Christmas’.
While it celebrates the Christmas season, the song also acknowledges the “pain this year” and remembers “the ones who have gone”.
The video also includes a cast of famous friends, as well as scenes from past Christmas hits, including Shakin Stevens’ “Merry Christmas Everyone”, East 17’s “Stay Another Day”, The Snowman’s “Walking in the Air”, Wham’s “Last Christmas”. The video will also feature cameo appearances from Jonathon Ross, The Darkness and Michael McIntyre.
More on this from Nova here.
