Hubbry Logo
Band Aid 20Band Aid 20Main
Open search
Band Aid 20
Community hub
Band Aid 20
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Band Aid 20
Band Aid 20
from Wikipedia

Key Information

Band Aid 20 was the 2004 incarnation of the charity supergroup Band Aid. The group, which included Daniel Bedingfield, Dido, Justin Hawkins of The Darkness, Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Bono of U2, and Paul McCartney, re-recorded the 1984 song "Do They Know It's Christmas?", written by Band Aid organisers Bob Geldof and Midge Ure.

Recording

[edit]

The song was recorded on 14 November 2004, to benefit Sudan's troubled Darfur region, and was released that same month.[1] The single became the UK's biggest seller of 2004 as well as the Christmas number one.[2]

Bono and Paul McCartney were the only artists from the original Band Aid to lend their voices to Band Aid 20.[3] There was a reported dispute over the line 'Well tonight thank God it's them, instead of you', which Bono sang on the original version. Justin Hawkins, of The Darkness, laid down a version of the line, as did Robbie Williams, but Bono insisted on re-recording his version, which was eventually used on the record.[4]

Travis lead singer Fran Healy, who played guitar on the recording, said, "It's dead exciting. When [the 1984 version] was first recorded, I was 11 and I went everywhere looking for it and I couldn't find it, and now we're going to do the follow-up to it. It's going to be great, McCartney's doing it, Bono's going to sing his own line, [and] we're going to help out with some music, with Nigel Godrich, who produced the single. I really wanted to get Franz Ferdinand involved in it -- I think they're going to do it, although I haven't spoken to Midge Ure for about a week now."[3]

"Midge did a thumbnail sketch of the original with new music on it," Healy continued. "He's got the Darkness doing the guitars at the end, and he's changed the arrangement of it. He shipped that over to L.A. where Nigel was working with McCartney. If it turns out absolutely shit, it does not matter. What I will say is you've got to buy the record because it's the only record that's going to save lives this side of Christmas, and you can't ask for more than that."[3]

A special documentary titled Band Aid 20: Justice, Not Charity, which went behind-the-scenes of the new recording, was broadcast by BBC One on 6 December 2004.[5]

Release

[edit]

The Band Aid 20 single was first played simultaneously on The Chris Moyles Show (on BBC Radio 1) and the breakfast shows on Virgin Radio and Capital Radio, at 8 am on 16 November 2004.[6] The music video was first broadcast in the UK simultaneously over multiple channels, including the five UK analogue terrestrial channels, at 5:55 pm on 18 November 2004, with an introduction by Madonna.[7]

One of the new ways to buy the song, by downloading it from the internet, hit a problem when Apple Computer's iTunes Music Store initially refused to supply it, due to their fixed-pricing policy. A partial solution was reached after a few days, enabling UK users to download the song at the standard iTunes price, with Apple donating an extra amount (equivalent to the price difference) to the Band Aid Trust.

The single sold 72,000 copies in the first 24 hours when it was released on 29 November 2004, and went straight in at No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart on 5 December 2004.[8] The CD version sold over 200,000 copies in the first week[8] and was the fastest-selling single of the year.[9] It stayed at No. 1 for Christmas and the week after, a total of four weeks, one week shorter than the 1984 original. It was the last single ever to sell a million physical copies in the UK[citation needed] as the format largely died out other than as a niche product.

The single was supported by companies such as the mobile entertainment provider, WebTV, which allowed customers to play and purchase the song and music video on their mobile phones. It could also be purchased with a bundle of tracks including both the original 1984 version and the 2004 version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?". HMV stores opened early to give customers more time to buy the single and staff wore Band Aid 20 shirts that said, "Have you bought your copy yet?". Prime Minister Tony Blair was seen picking up a copy of the charity single at an HMV store in Edinburgh.[10]

Critical reception

[edit]

Band Aid 20's efforts met with mixed criticism. The BBC said the new generation of singers, who differed greatly from those that appeared on the 1984 original, endeavoured to fit their talents into a 20-year-old template resulting in an "anonymous" record.[11] The Guardian said the appearance of female singers was successful.[12]

Artwork

[edit]

British artist Damien Hirst designed an intimidating cover for the Band Aid 20 single, featuring the grim reaper and a starving African child. However, this was later dropped after fears that it might scare children.

Participants

[edit]

Organisers and producers:

Instruments:

Vocals:

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Band Aid 20 was a of British and Irish musicians assembled in 2004 to re-record the song "Do They Know It's Christmas?" as a 20th-anniversary tribute to the original single, with proceeds directed toward famine relief efforts in Sudan's region. Organized by and produced by , the project featured prominent participants such as on bass, , of , and of , , , , and of The Darkness, alongside a core rhythm section including of and Fran Healy of Travis. The recording took place on 14 2004, emphasizing a collaborative yet logistically challenging session that blended established rock acts with pop and emerging talents, resulting in a version that retained the original's structure while incorporating contemporary vocal arrangements. Released on 29 , the single debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the country's biggest-selling track of 2004 and the number-one hit, with 297,000 copies sold in its debut week; it also pioneered significant digital sales, breaking early records for online music purchases and contributing over £15,000 from one platform alone to the Band Aid Trust. While praised for revitalizing the charity single format amid ongoing African humanitarian crises, the effort drew initial skepticism from some artists, such as , who later participated after recognizing its potential impact.

Background

Origins in Original Band Aid

The original Band Aid supergroup was formed in 1984 by Bob Geldof of the Boomtown Rats and Midge Ure of Ultravox to address the 1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia, which had been highlighted by a BBC television report in October 1984 showing widespread starvation in northern Ethiopia. Geldof, motivated by the footage, conceived the idea of assembling prominent British and Irish musicians to record a charity single, drawing on their collective fame to maximize donations for relief efforts. On November 25, 1984, approximately 40 artists gathered at in , , to record "Do They Know It's Christmas?", a co-written by Geldof and Ure in just a few days. The track featured vocal contributions from performers including , Sting, , and , with the ensemble credited as —a name suggested by Geldof referencing a temporary relief measure. Released on November 28, 1984, the single debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, where it remained for five weeks, becoming the fastest-selling single in history at the time with over one million copies sold in its first week alone. The song's commercial triumph generated approximately £8 million in initial proceeds for Ethiopian famine relief, establishing the Band Aid Charitable Trust to oversee distribution through humanitarian organizations. This success directly inspired the concerts on July 13, 1985, co-organized by Geldof and Ure, which expanded the fundraising model globally and raised additional tens of millions for the cause. The Trust, formed shortly after the recording, has since channeled funds into long-term development and emergency aid projects in .

Motivation for 2004 Re-recording

The re-recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" under the Band Aid 20 banner in November 2004 marked the 20th anniversary of the original 1984 single, which had raised funds for relief in . , who had spearheaded the initial effort, initiated the revival to leverage the milestone for renewed fundraising amid persistent humanitarian emergencies in . Unlike the original's focus on Ethiopia's acute drought-induced , Band Aid 20 directed proceeds specifically toward emergency aid in Sudan's region, where ethnic violence erupting in February 2003 had displaced over 1.5 million people and caused an estimated 70,000 deaths from starvation, disease, and conflict by late 2004. Geldof emphasized the project's intent to sustain global attention on Africa's unresolved crises rather than dwell on past achievements, framing it as a against complacency. Funds were channeled through the Band Aid Charitable Trust, established to provide short-term such as , medical supplies, and shelter, explicitly avoiding long-term development initiatives that Geldof argued required separate political advocacy. This approach reflected a strategic pivot to address the Darfur genocide's immediacy, amid international reports of systematic attacks on non-Arab populations by Sudanese government-backed militias, which had intensified media coverage and UN warnings of potential mass starvation by mid-2004. The effort incorporated contemporary British and Irish artists to adapt the song for a younger audience, ensuring its message of urgency—"feed the world"—resonated beyond while building on the original's proven model of rapid charity mobilization. Geldof positioned the re-recording as a non-bureaucratic intervention to bypass governmental delays in aid delivery, prioritizing direct emergency support in over broader systemic reforms.

Formation and Participants

Organization and Key Figures

initiated the Band Aid 20 project in , drawing on his experience from organizing the original in , with the aim of raising funds for humanitarian relief in Sudan's region amid escalating and conflict. He announced plans publicly by mid-October , coordinating a swift assembly of participants to align with the holiday season for maximum commercial impact and proceeds. served as , overseeing the logistical revival while emphasizing continuity with the original effort through the Band Aid Charitable Trust, which has managed distributions since and directed Band Aid 20 funds toward emergency aid and long-term development in affected areas. Production leadership fell to , known for his work with , who handled the technical oversight to ensure a contemporary sound without altering the song's core structure, a deliberate choice to preserve public familiarity and chart potential. This decision maintained the original's verse-chorus framework, originally co-written by Geldof and , to facilitate quick recognition and sales. The Band Aid Charitable Trust facilitated fund management, channeling royalties and single sales—estimated to contribute significantly to its over £145 million total raised by subsequent years—exclusively to verified relief efforts, bypassing general administrative overhead. The rapid timeline culminated in recording on November 14, 2004, just weeks after initial announcements, underscoring Geldof's focus on efficient mobilization.

Artist Selection and Contributions

Band Aid 20's participants were selected primarily by to encompass leading figures from the British and Irish music scene circa 2004, prioritizing high-profile acts capable of driving sales and media attention for famine relief efforts. The lineup blended established solo artists and band frontmen such as of , of Blur and , , and with emerging rock and indie groups including Keane, , Feeder, and . Pop and R&B contributors featured , , , , , , Estelle, and , while reality television alumni like and joined to leverage their recent chart prominence. Additional vocalists included , , Fran Healy of Travis, , of , , and , the latter providing a grime-rap verse to incorporate urban influences. Instrumental roles were filled by select musicians, such as and Dan Hawkins of The Darkness on guitar, and of on piano and guitar, and of The Darkness on drums. Limited involvement from 1984 Band Aid alumni occurred, with of and contributing vocals to bridge generations. Geldof's choices emphasized commercial viability over strict adherence to the original's rock-oriented ensemble, incorporating over 30 performers in total.

Recording Process

Session Details

The recording session for Band Aid 20's version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" occurred on November 14, 2004, over the course of a single day at Air Studios in , emulating the rapid, collaborative spontaneity of the original while leveraging contemporary techniques for vocal layering and overdubs. Participating artists arrived in sequence throughout the session to contribute vocals against a newly prepared assembled by and producer , allowing for quick integration without full band re-recording. , as organizer, actively guided improvisational ad-libs to infuse energy, while of provided piano accompaniment that introduced subtle experimental textures amid the ensemble's pop-oriented vocal ensemble. Some contributions, such as ' vocals from and Bono's from , were captured remotely and synced digitally post-session, reflecting logistical adaptations enabled by modern production workflows. The atmosphere remained focused and efficient, prioritizing charity momentum over extended deliberation, with the core group completing principal takes by evening.

Production Choices

Producer chose to retain the core arrangement from Midge Ure's 1984 version of "" with minimal structural changes to ensure the track remained instantly recognizable as a homage to the original. This decision prioritized fidelity to the established framework over extensive modernization, despite the involvement of contemporary artists whose styles could have suggested a fuller overhaul. Godrich balanced the raw, high-energy contributions—such as the twin guitar solos and screams from The Darkness—against more polished overdubs and ensemble elements, aiming to capture the session's live vitality without compromising cohesion. He explicitly avoided a complete , opting instead to layer modern touches like Dizzee Rascal's grime rap and genre-blended instrumentation (including Jonny Greenwood's guitar and Thom Yorke's piano) onto the foundational structure to honor the song's legacy while reflecting the 2004 participants' diversity. The production emphasized a vocal ensemble approach, integrating a "lucky dip" of singers across sections rather than spotlighting extended solos, with key lines like Bono's preserved through his insistence on performing them personally. Instrumentation incorporated subtle contemporary flourishes, such as the grime elements and a gospel-tinged finish leading into a , but subordinated them to the collective vocal drive and original's rhythmic backbone provided by basics like Paul McCartney's bass and Danny Goffey's drums.

Release and Commercial Performance

Single Release

The single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid 20 was released in the on November 29, 2004, distributed by in CD format, alongside digital download options reflecting emerging online music platforms, and a limited-edition vinyl pressing. Promotional activities centered on broadcast media tie-ins, including a live broadcast on BBC's appeal and a dedicated behind-the-scenes documentary, Band Aid 20: Justice, Not Charity, aired on on December 6, 2004, which documented the recording process and artists' involvement to build public awareness ahead of the holiday sales peak. The accompanying music video featured archival and contemporary footage of humanitarian aid operations in Africa to underscore the urgency of the Darfur crisis in Sudan. All net proceeds were allocated through the Band Aid Charitable Trust specifically for emergency relief in Sudan, with funds earmarked for direct provisions such as food supplies and basic necessities rather than sustained infrastructure projects.

Chart Success and Sales

"Band Aid 20" debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart on 5 December 2004, selling 292,594 copies in its first full week. The single maintained the top position through the period and into early 2005, securing the UK's Christmas number one spot. By the end of its chart run, it had accumulated physical sales of 1,104,536 units in the UK, with total chart sales reaching 1.18 million when including subsequent formats. Internationally, the single topped the , marking it as the highest-selling version of the song in that market. It achieved top 10 placements in several other European countries, though specific sales data outside the remains limited. Released amid the emerging digital music era, "Band Aid 20" was made available on shortly after its physical launch, ranking number eight on the downloads chart and contributing to the shift toward online single purchases, even as physical CDs drove the majority of its volume. In comparison, the original Band Aid single sold 3.8 million copies in the alone.

Reception

Critical Reviews

Critical reception to Band Aid 20's rendition of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" was mixed, with reviewers praising elements of enthusiasm and diversity while critiquing vocal mismatches, stylistic incoherence, and a failure to recapture the original's raw urgency. The track's looser, shambolic jam in the final section drew some commendation for its chaotic energy, particularly highlighting contributions like The Darkness' guitar work, but overall it was faulted for bloating into an overstuffed medley of contemporary British genres without cohesive impact. Vocally, the ensemble struggled with integration, as the new generation of singers diverged markedly from the participants, leading to indistinct layering and mismatched tones that obscured individual lines—a key charm of the original. Specific issues included ' falsetto on the bridge line, deemed unsuitable and ultimately replaced by Bono's delivery, alongside criticisms of Dido's flat execution and Joss Stone's ornate improvisations, which evoked heavy-metal excess rather than emotional restraint. While Dizzee Rascal's grime-infused rap was occasionally noted for its pointed lyricism, it was more often panned as jarringly out of place amid the rock-ballad framework. Production choices under emphasized a slower , portentous piano openings, and extended runtime exceeding five minutes, resulting in a "pale imitation" that prioritized era-specific trends over evolution from the template's tinny synths and punchy drums. Reviewers described the mix as rushed and overproduced, with heavy backing obscuring vocals and creating a disjointed that lacked the predecessor's stadium-rock drive. Despite acknowledgments of its diversity as a snapshot of 's music scene, the execution was broadly deemed incoherent and desecratory, scoring low in assessments like 3/10 for failing to transcend nostalgic replication.

Public and Media Response

The release of Band Aid 20's version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" on November 29, 2004, received extensive media coverage in the United Kingdom, framed as a revival of the original 1984 charity single's holiday tradition amid ongoing famine crises in Africa, particularly Sudan. Broadcasters like BBC Radio 1 aired the world premiere on November 16, 2004, during the Chris Moyles show, capitalizing on seasonal goodwill and public familiarity with celebrity-driven philanthropy. This coverage emphasized the single's role in sustaining Bob Geldof's activism, positioning it as a timely bridge to broader campaigns against poverty, including early momentum toward the 2005 Live 8 events. Public sentiment, as captured in immediate listener responses, was predominantly mixed, blending charitable intent with reservations about artistic execution. Following the Radio 1 , e-mailed feedback to the station described the track as a "pale imitation of a classic" and questioned alterations to the original arrangement, reflecting a nostalgic attachment to the version's raw energy. Despite such critiques, many respondents affirmed they would purchase the single regardless, prioritizing the humanitarian cause over musical preferences, which underscored a pragmatic embrace driven by seasonal rather than unqualified enthusiasm. Generational divides emerged in informal discussions, with younger listeners expressing appreciation for the inclusion of contemporary acts like , , and The Darkness, which injected fresh pop and rock elements appealing to audiences. Older fans, however, voiced tempered support tempered by comparisons to iconic 1984 participants such as and , highlighting a tension between innovation and reverence for the supergroup's foundational lineup. Radio airplay sustained buzz, fostering broad exposure that aligned with the track's charitable messaging during the pre-Christmas period.

Controversies

Performance and Artistic Criticisms

Producer , who helmed the Band Aid 20 recording session on November 14, 2004, described the process as a "clusterfuck," highlighting the difficulty in achieving cohesive takes amid the diverse lineup. He noted "insane crossovers" in the arrangement, such as guitarist Jonny Greenwood's subtle, art-rock contributions segueing into The Darkness' more bombastic guitar solo, and 7's delivering pop vocals over Thom Yorke's understated piano playing, which underscored stylistic clashes between experimental acts and mainstream pop performers. Tensions arose during the live vocal overdubs, with reports of Geldof pressuring participants like and instances of limited cooperation from some artists, contributing to a chaotic atmosphere that hindered artistic flow. Godrich worked until 3 a.m. with minimal assistance to salvage the track, reflecting the overbearing organizational demands that prioritized rapid completion over refined execution. The emphasis on speed—driven by the charity's urgency—led to artistic compromises, resulting in a perceived rawness and amateurishness that contrasted with the polished production standards of contemporaries like U2's from the era. In later reflections, Godrich distanced himself from the final product, calling it "not me" despite initial satisfaction in avoiding outright failure, attributing the unrefined quality to the event's hasty, ensemble-driven nature rather than deliberate studio craft.

Broader Critiques of Charity Model and Stereotypes

Critics have accused Band Aid 20 of perpetuating a paternalistic "white savior" narrative through its lyrics and video imagery, which depicted Sudanese victims in ways that implied helplessness and cultural ignorance, such as the recurring question in the song "Do they know it's Christmas?" suggesting Africans lack familiarity with Western holidays amid starvation. This portrayal, echoed in the video's focus on emaciated children in without contextualizing local agency or failures, reinforced as a monolithic of perpetual victims reliant on external benevolence. Recent reflections in by musicians like and highlighted these issues, with ODG arguing the model treats as an eternal "charity case" that harms dignity and , while Sheeran stated his view evolved to recognize the stereotypes' damage. countered that the song's intent was grounded in observable crises like the , where over 2 million were displaced and acute hunger affected millions, enabling rather than abstract cultural critique. The charity model underlying Band Aid 20 faced ideological challenges for prioritizing short-term direct aid over addressing root causes such as corrupt and political instability in , potentially fostering dependency rather than . Critics contended that funneling funds—Band Aid 20 raised approximately £3.5 million for Ethiopian and Sudanese relief—bypassed incentives for local , as evidenced by Sudan's entrenched where aid diversion to warlords and officials undermined distribution, with ranking Sudan 172nd out of 180 in 2004 for perceived public sector corruption. In specifically, reports documented aid leakage to militias amid the campaigns, exacerbating conflict rather than resolving it through structural reforms. Proponents, including Geldof, emphasized verifiable immediate impacts, such as deliveries averting deaths in camps housing hundreds of thousands by late 2004. Balanced assessments acknowledge 's role in global awareness—prompting over $100 million in parallel donations for African relief post-release—yet highlight inefficiencies, with studies showing up to 30-50% of in conflict zones like lost to or mismanagement. Right-leaning perspectives, such as those questioning prolonged Western interventions, argue the model sustains flawed regimes by alleviating pressure for internal reforms, as seen in original dealings with Ethiopia's Mengistu dictatorship, a repeated in Sudan's aid flows without conditioning on improvements. These views prioritize causal realism, positing that external charity often props up systemic failures like Sudan's dynamics over fostering accountable institutions.

Impact and Legacy

Funds Raised and Aid Distribution

Band Aid 20's recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" achieved 1,104,536 physical sales in the , marking a substantial contribution to the Band Aid Charitable Trust's resources for humanitarian initiatives. Additional revenue from international sales and royalties supplemented these figures, with proceeds explicitly earmarked for emergency relief in Sudan's region amid the escalating conflict and displacement crisis. The Band Aid Charitable Trust directed these funds toward frontline aid, including food distributions, access to clean water, and support for refugees and internally displaced populations affected by the 2003-2005 violence. Distributions occurred via collaborations with non-governmental organizations experienced in the region, ensuring targeted delivery despite logistical challenges posed by the conflict. While administrative expenses were incurred, the Trust's structure prioritized high allocation to , as overseen by regulatory filings, with grants focused on immediate needs rather than long-term development.

Long-term Influence and Reflections

Band Aid 20 contributed to the evolution of celebrity-driven charity recordings by establishing a precedent for anniversary re-releases, directly influencing in 2014, which adapted lyrics to mitigate earlier stereotypes while supporting relief efforts in . This pattern culminated in the 2024 Ultimate Mix for the song's 40th anniversary, produced by , which integrated vocals from the 2004 recording alongside those from the 1984 original and 2014 version, featuring artists like and layered with contemporaries such as and . The inclusion underscored shifting industry norms, where subsequent iterations incorporated partial lyric revisions to address criticisms of cultural insensitivity, reflecting broader scrutiny of charity singles' portrayal of African crises. In retrospectives, organizer has defended the Band Aid model's efficacy amid 2024 backlash, emphasizing tangible outcomes like famine relief and dismissing detractors' focus on stereotypes as secondary to lives saved, while countering claims of perpetuating a "white savior" narrative by citing the initiative's role in prompting global policy shifts. Participants' views vary; for instance, some 2004 contributors have reflected positively on the exposure, though specific regrets from Band Aid 20 artists remain limited in public discourse, contrasting with broader participant critiques in later versions. Hindsight analyses reveal that while Band Aid efforts, including the 2004 release, delivered short-term —such as emergency — they achieved minimal systemic alterations to underlying drivers like political instability and economic dependency in targeted regions. Critics argue the charity model fostered dependency rather than self-sufficiency, with funds addressing symptoms but not incentivizing reforms or market-oriented development, prompting debates favoring and institutional capacity-building over recurrent appeals. Geldof counters that such interventions forced international attention and resource allocation, yet persistent regional vulnerabilities highlight the limits of episodic absent structural interventions.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.