Do They Know It's Christmas?
Band Aid
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
It's Christmastime, there's no need to be afraid At Christmastime, we let in light and we banish shade And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy Throw your arms around the world at Christmastime But say a prayer, pray for the other ones At Christmastime it's hard, but when you're having fun There's a world outside your window And it's a world of dread and fear Where the only water flowing Is the bitter sting of tears And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmastime The greatest gift they'll get this year is life Where nothing ever grows No rain nor rivers flow Do they know it's Christmastime at all? Here's to you Raise a glass for everyone Here's to them Underneath that burning sun Do they know it's Christmastime at all? Feed the world Feed the world Feed the world Let them know it's Christmastime again Feed the world Let them know it's Christmastime again Feed the world Let them know it's Christmastime again Feed the world Let them know it's Christmastime again Feed the world Let them know it's Christmastime again Feed the world Let them know it's Christmastime again
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Written by: Bob Geldof, Midge Ure
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
9 facts about this song
Origins"Do They Know It's Christmas?" was written by Irish singer-songwriter Bob Geldof of the Boomtown Rats and Scottish musician Midge Ure of the band Ultravox. The song was written in response to the famine that was occurring in Ethiopia in 1984.
|
Band Aid EnsembleBand Aid is not a typical band. It was a supergroup specifically formed in 1984 for the purpose of recording this song. The group consisted of famous UK and Irish musicians such as Sting, Bono, Boy George, and George Michael, among others.
|
Recording TimeDespite the star-studded cast and grand scale of the project, "Do They Know It's Christmas?" was recorded in just one day on November 25, 1984.
|
First of its Kind"Do They Know It's Christmas?" kicked off the trend of charity singles. The concept was relatively new at the time, and the success of the song helped spark similar initiatives.
|
SalesThe song quickly became the biggest-selling single in UK chart history, a record it held until it was surpassed by Elton John’s "Candle in the Wind 1997" in tribute to Princess Diana.
|
Multiple VersionsThe song has been remade several times for ongoing aid efforts. These remakes, released in 1989, 2004 and 2014, have featured different artists in each version.
|
ImpactThe song's success led to the creation of the Live Aid concerts the following year, which raised even more money and awareness for the crisis in Ethiopia.
|
CriticismDespite the song's popularity and noble intentions, it has received criticism over the years for paternalistic and stereotypical representations of Africa.
|
LegacyDespite the criticisms, "Do They Know It's Christmas?" remains a popular holiday song, and its impact of mobilizing the music community toward philanthropy is still felt today.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Do They Know It's Christmas? Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 30 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/35752974/Band+Aid/Do+They+Know+It%27s+Christmas%3F>.
Discuss the Do They Know It's Christmas? Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In