The 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' of Band Aid? lead for the no. 1 in Official UK Singles Chart midweek update (December 2), following the release of 2024's Ultimate Mix.
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The new version was released to mark the 40th anniversary of Band Aid, the new version was produced by Trevor Horn [Spandau Ballet, Pet Shop Boys] and features singers from the 1984 original, 2004's Band Aid 20 and 2014's Band Aid 30. All three releases have topped the charts in the UK, as has 1989's Band Aid II.
In recent decades, the charity single has raised over £140 million ($178 million) for the Band Aid Charitable Trust, which seeks to benefit causes such as poverty in Africa. Written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure of Ultravox after a BBC mention the famine in Ethiopia and has since become one of the UK's biggest selling singles of all time.
All three previous incarnations of the song contribute to the Ultimate Mix, which includes a wealth of artists including George Michael, Sting, Chris Martin, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, One Direction, Bono and Sinead O'Connor, among others.
The push for the top spot follows the release of “Do They Know It's Christmas?” in physical form last Friday (November 29), with proceeds benefiting the Band Aid Charitable Trust. The CD and vinyl versions also feature the original, 20th and 30th anniversary editions and the 1985 Live Aid version from Wembley Stadium.
However, the depiction of Africa in the song and music video has drawn criticism over the years.
Following his decision to refuse to take part in the 2014 edition of Band Aid earlier today (December 3), British-Ghanaian artist Afrobeats Fuse ODG further clarified his stance via The Guardian. “While the generosity of the British public in 1984 was genuine and the aim of Band Aid was to address a specific humanitarian crisis, the way it portrayed Africa did more in the long term more bad than good,” he wrote. “It inadvertently contributed to a wider identity crisis for Africans by portraying the entire continent as a monolithic, war-torn, starving place.” Ed Sheeran previously said that Band Aid were using his vocals without permission and that otherwise he would have refused to join again.
Elsewhere, Gracie Abrams' “That's So True” – which has remained at the summit for the past four weeks – is at No. 2, closely followed by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars' “APT” at No. 3. “Defying Gravity” by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the emotional centerpiece of recent Bad soundtrack, enters the no. 6.
A festive theme continues throughout the Top 10, with three more Yuletide hits headed for the top of the chart. “Last Christmas” by Wham! is on track for its first Top 5 appearance of 2024 at No. 5, Mariah Carey's “All I Want For Christmas” debuts at No. 7 and “Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee. it is currently at no. 9.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/band-aid-do-they-know-its-christmas-uk-single-no-1-1235842839/
