- Artists:
- Band Aid 20 »
- Label:
- Mercury »
With three years of press stuffed full of fear and distrust, with us being trained to rat on our neighbours and look at strangers as enemies, all in the service of some sinister 'War On Terror'... how about we just for one moment, prize ourselves off our cynical arses and do something to make the world a better place?
...Bob Geldof is back again, nowadays prefixed by 'Sir', bawling at us to help a bunch of people existing in a living hell in Sudan, armed with a new supergroup and a new version of 'Do They Know It's Christmas'. It is one of the **worst records I have heard in recent memory, and more on that later, but how about we get inspired by Sir Bob, follow the sentiment and part with some of our hard earned cash... Watch the Band Aid 20 video, shed real tears at the skeletal Sudanese kids, caught between a genocidal militia's rock and starvation's hard place, but then shed indie tears that our established heroes Radiohead, and their producer Nigel Godrich, could be involved in such a shocking record, and finally extricate ourselves from our muso doldrums and vow to *do* something...
Visit the Band Aid 20 website here and make a direct donation.
Forfeit a couple of pints every month and feed the money to Oxfam's direct debit scheme here
If you're in the mood for good music, you could get hold of the Live Aid DVD at any good record store.
It all goes to the same place...
What I can't, in my heart of hearts, motivate myself to do, is buy this single. I cannot believe that a respected producer is happy to put his name to such an awful sounding record. There was all that talk about Bono and Justin Hawkins vying for the line that heralds the first chorus, and seniority won the day... and where Justin would have sung his heart out for us, Bono rewards us with a fkin _croak. Never before have I so yearned for **Simon Le Bon and George Michael.
...But you know what.. I don't think anyone on the record seems to care. Everyone's so wrapped up in the altruism of the sentiment that they've lost sight of any sense of pride in their actual work. This record is pure cp. It is symptomatic of all that is wrong with Britain, an attempt yet again to make scam win over substance, to make gimmick win over greatness. The fact that this record will sell based on the guilt trip alone appears to have led it's producers to believe that they could get away with anything vaguely intelligible, and somehow everyone's missed the point that a good pop record would also have sold to people who *_didn't give a st_* about people dying in Africa. I hear no passion, no performance, no charisma... just a mixture of musicians and manufactured mediocrities going through the motions. I am inclined to say to the participants 'Do YOU know it's Christmas'?
Band Aid 20
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Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
the point you are missing is that people WON'T just donate to charity, or the majority won't. Whether the record is shite or not (and it obviously is, but nobody is denying that) doesn't matter at all - the thing will be bought by people who wouldn't give money to a cause.
That's more an issue of human nature than if a cd is crap or not. We live in a culture where 98% of people only give to Children in Need if they get the TV show to go along with it. They'll only put a pound in a box if they get a shiny badge or a chance to win a million.
However fucking retarded this whole thing is, money will go from it, to wherever, and help SOMEONE. Not enough, and probably not in an ideal way, but either way round it will raise money from people who it wouldn't usually, and raise awareness in kids who won't pay attention to anything usually.
Quite frankly when the stakes are that high I don't give a shit what the middle eight sounds like. The issues to be "debated" are more about what a fucking state society is in when we have to do this to make people give money, rather than how much of a wanker Joss Stone is.
(though if it's "all about the music" you can't really argue that it's utterly lacking in passion on most counts)
That's more an issue of human nature than if a cd is crap or not. We live in a culture where 98% of people only give to Children in Need if they get the TV show to go along with it. They'll only put a pound in a box if they get a shiny badge or a chance to win a million.
However fucking retarded this whole thing is, money will go from it, to wherever, and help SOMEONE. Not enough, and probably not in an ideal way, but either way round it will raise money from people who it wouldn't usually, and raise awareness in kids who won't pay attention to anything usually.
Quite frankly when the stakes are that high I don't give a shit what the middle eight sounds like. The issues to be "debated" are more about what a fucking state society is in when we have to do this to make people give money, rather than how much of a wanker Joss Stone is.
(though if it's "all about the music" you can't really argue that it's utterly lacking in passion on most counts)
Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
The irony of this is
having "Do They Know It's Christmas?" to help a Muslim country is suspect
The whole problem in Sudan seems to be repression of the more indiginous population by the Muslim ruling elite. So "Do They Know It's Christmas?" is a bit of a suspect message to have...no doubt offending all the wrong people.
having "Do They Know It's Christmas?" to help a Muslim country is suspect
The whole problem in Sudan seems to be repression of the more indiginous population by the Muslim ruling elite. So "Do They Know It's Christmas?" is a bit of a suspect message to have...no doubt offending all the wrong people.
Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
Again, everyone involved with this is stinking rich. It might be for a good cause,and i've already told Bono to hand over a million quid, but does he listen to a mere CD buying member of the general public like me...
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
"a good pop record would also have sold to people who didn't give a s**t about people dying in Africa."
I think the record is SO bad that it would put people off buying it in order to help the Sudanese. Own goal. I put the links in the hope that DiS readers have rather more savvy and conscience than 'most 'people'. I've had a direct debit going out to Oxfam dating back to days when I was signing on. It was something like £4 a month...quite painless... even for a doley. re.the record... it stinks of contempt for the audience, and I hate that, no matter what the excuse.
I think the record is SO bad that it would put people off buying it in order to help the Sudanese. Own goal. I put the links in the hope that DiS readers have rather more savvy and conscience than 'most 'people'. I've had a direct debit going out to Oxfam dating back to days when I was signing on. It was something like £4 a month...quite painless... even for a doley. re.the record... it stinks of contempt for the audience, and I hate that, no matter what the excuse.
Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
the dizzee rascal interludes make my face turn inside out.
and it seems youre right, this has sold 350,000 copies in its first week so isnt going to get close to Band Aid 1. although is this more to do with the sorry state of singles than the songs inherent shitness? and who really cares?
if people give money to charity direct they won't need to do this again! go peeps!
and it seems youre right, this has sold 350,000 copies in its first week so isnt going to get close to Band Aid 1. although is this more to do with the sorry state of singles than the songs inherent shitness? and who really cares?
if people give money to charity direct they won't need to do this again! go peeps!
Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
what got me riled up was Tony Blair buying a few copies in HMV somewhere or other. one of a few people in an authoratitive enough position to actually make a real differance and he's reduced to token gestures. fucking pussy. why should sorting out affrica, which Blair himself called "a scar on the world's conscience" (i think) be left for popstars to work out?
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
Bono only listens to who he wants to,chum.
What does everyone think of The Darkness being on this track? do they look like the biggest bunch of w***Kers or what?
What does everyone think of The Darkness being on this track? do they look like the biggest bunch of w***Kers or what?
Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
I think the main point for Blair buying the singles was to try and encourage others to do so. Obviously, the whole "PM's buying the single, therefore, I should too" approach doesn't/isn't working.
I don't understand why they couldn't write an original song instead of another version of that Godawful tune. At least the original Band Aid has respectful musicians in it. The new one features....Dido, Busted, Jamelia, Rachel Stevens????!!?? I wouldn't be surprised if you told me Avid Merrion and Jonny Vegas were lurking in there too.
Very poor effort.
I don't understand why they couldn't write an original song instead of another version of that Godawful tune. At least the original Band Aid has respectful musicians in it. The new one features....Dido, Busted, Jamelia, Rachel Stevens????!!?? I wouldn't be surprised if you told me Avid Merrion and Jonny Vegas were lurking in there too.
Very poor effort.
Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
20 years and millions of pounds and what has changed? Band Aid, as honerable as it's intentions are should be called BAD AID. Lets not get bowled over by the season of goodwill, most of the food & supplies that is shipped out to Sudan will be snatched by the Sudanese army. Not the people it's intended for. There are pleanty of other worthwhile causes in the world where the intended food would actually get to the people and benefit them. Yes it's harsh, but sorry Sir Bob Gandalf (er Geldof) you are not a wizard and you cannot expect the public to be as short sighted as you obviously are.
Yes, it's a good cause BUT the money raised will not change the government of Sudan so when it comes down to it all you are doing is helping this tyranicall government stay in power. The only way we can change things is by pushing for the abolishion of 3rd World Debt and get our government to help build relations with the government of Sudan. A crappy pop record will not change the fate of the poor stick people in Sudan.
Now for the record. I never thought I would long for the voice of Paul Young over Chris Martin. Fu*k it, I can't even bring myself to review it, I can only hope that no one is pushed to buy it by the bully-boy tactics of the BAD AID team. Buy the 20th Anniversary Special DVD instead.
Yes, it's a good cause BUT the money raised will not change the government of Sudan so when it comes down to it all you are doing is helping this tyranicall government stay in power. The only way we can change things is by pushing for the abolishion of 3rd World Debt and get our government to help build relations with the government of Sudan. A crappy pop record will not change the fate of the poor stick people in Sudan.
Now for the record. I never thought I would long for the voice of Paul Young over Chris Martin. Fu*k it, I can't even bring myself to review it, I can only hope that no one is pushed to buy it by the bully-boy tactics of the BAD AID team. Buy the 20th Anniversary Special DVD instead.
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
I'm by no means their biggest fan, but I really wish that they'd been more featured in the record, because at least they'd have GONE for it... the sight of all those pop stars with morose 'I'm Earnestly Doing This For A Good Cause' is not in the slightest bit entertaining.... and this is the ENTERTAINMENT industry, right?
Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
i think it sounds fine. good song, some surprising touches, with the solos at the end... the only truly laughable aspect of it is dizzee's terrible contribution, and i say that as a fan! but of course it's cool to write it off. the fact is it could be the best composition in history and still get such scathing reviews.
i'm not saying its a masterpiece, but the tune itself is still miles better than 90% of recent pop.
so for fucks sake save the righteous hysterical condemnation for the truly shit, the music that sparks neither love, hate nor debate.
believe me, there's plenty of it.
i'm not saying its a masterpiece, but the tune itself is still miles better than 90% of recent pop.
so for fucks sake save the righteous hysterical condemnation for the truly shit, the music that sparks neither love, hate nor debate.
believe me, there's plenty of it.
Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
The link to donate without having to buy the record is:
http://www.7digital.com/downloads/bandaid/donation.htm
http://www.7digital.com/downloads/bandaid/donation.htm
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
"the tune itself is still miles better than 90% of recent pop."
Were we listening to the same song?
Were we listening to the same song?
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
I know :-) . The reason I linked to the home page rather than the actual donate page is that the donate page didn't look particularly 'official', in th sense that it didn't have anything to indentify exactly who you were donating TO.... like who the hell are 7digital? At least if you followed the 'donate now' bit on the bandaid20 site you'd probably feel a bit more secure.
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
7digital do a lot of downloadable music stuff, but you're right. I confess, I was at work and read the article at speed... sorry!
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
i expect so. i think i can see what's happened here... we must have different opinions.
Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
Hmmm. I don't think it's 1/2 a star bad, although it is a bit annoying. The Justin Hawkins solo is just abominable.
I'm always prepared to absolve charity singles. As someone pointed out above, people won't just give to charity of their own motivation. It's a worthy venture. That doesn't change the music, of course - I especially agree that it's a distinctly lazy effort from Godrich - but it's like the reworking of "Perfect Day" and stuff like that: sometimes big and sappy just has the greatest effect.
I'm always prepared to absolve charity singles. As someone pointed out above, people won't just give to charity of their own motivation. It's a worthy venture. That doesn't change the music, of course - I especially agree that it's a distinctly lazy effort from Godrich - but it's like the reworking of "Perfect Day" and stuff like that: sometimes big and sappy just has the greatest effect.
Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
If you really want to buy a cd to help the band aid charity, whilst parting with your cash to receive some musical entertainment, then i have the answer. Bugger that "do they know it's christmas" song. A bunch of students from my university have made a compilation of brilliant and talented musicians from the local music scene and put it all together on one CD. For £6 (£5 of it goes to bandaid, the other £1 on p&p) you can get hold of this truly great album and feel good about supporting a charity and doing somethig nice at christmas. If you want a copy of this CD please e-mail me... luisa_mateus@hotmail.com and I'll see what i can do!
Lots of Love@christmas
Luisa Mateus
Lots of Love@christmas
Luisa Mateus
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
i agree with u there. dizzee's contribution is absolutley disgrassful. he shouldn't have bin in bahnd aid 20 at all. it puts the song down alot. pop songs 2day have gone rite down hill. rock music ROCKS THE WORLD 4 EVAA
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
You don't have a clue. Dizzee Rascal's contribution is just about the only thing that stops the song from slipping into dido-willyoung-coffee-table music hell. Having looked at your profile (you like The Rasmus, and class them as rock) it is clear that your opinion amounts to pretty much nothing. If only you understood the irony of saying "pop songs 2day have gone rite down hill" and liking The Rasmus...
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
no i don't clas them as rock thank you very much. i think you need 2 get a life mate. at the end of the day i was expressing my point of view. as u exressed ur's so don't start havin ago at me. i'm more in2 marilyn manson than anything. u want 2 listen 2 his album lest we forget the best of album its a gr8 album brought out 4 a while.
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
"u want 2 listen 2 his album" - Really, I don't.
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
erm i already got the album and listened 2 it. wot music r u in2?
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
You completely misunderstood the point of my last point. Have a look at my profile to see what music I'm into.
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
"If on the other hand, you don't like my taste: fuck off. The chances are it is better than yours..."
Now now, temper...
Now now, temper...
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
That was meant to be taken tongue-in-cheek. Things like that don't come accross well on the internet. So what do you think of my taste?
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
That was meant to be taken tongue-in-cheek. Things like that don't come accross well on the internet. So what do you think of my taste?
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
I prefer crispy-fried chicken, but yeah, you're hot and tender enough...
mwar etc.
mwar etc.
Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
Is it just me or is the line 'thank God it's them instead of you' almost hilariously offensive?!
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
thats what I thought! The song is littered with offensive and patronising lyrics. "Do they know it's christmas?" - well probably. Africa is, after all, a predominately Christian continent. In fact they probably know its christmas because of their faith, rather than becuase there are inflatable santas and Woolworths adverts everywhere.
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
"There won't be snow in Africa this Christmas" - so fucking what? There probably won't be snow in England either! The whole generalisation of Africa fucks me off as well. People will be left with the impression that every corner of Africa is poverty stricken, which is not the case. But then "There won't be snow in Ethiopia this christmas" sounds a bit obscure doesn't it?
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
you sound like a textin chav. Your posting, so stop using words that blazin squad use before your dignity is lost forever
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
To thom, the first album you bought was embrace?!!!!? Hypocrite warning.............
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
well what the fuck were you buying when you were 9? I'm sorry, when The Good Will Out Came out Embrace were actually quite a respectable band. Most of my mates like the Spice Girls and Boyzone. Yes, Embrace are pretty shit now, but so are lots of bands that used to be good. At least have some fucking substance to your argument.
Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
If you are really serious about donating to this crisis on a regular or semi-regular basis, check out www.africacare.org website. It's a secure site and I recently recieved the annual report of exactly where and how the donations are spent.
And everything that is done for this emergency help's, no matter how small.
And everything that is done for this emergency help's, no matter how small.
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
Very good point
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
uh uh uh oh nooooooo...embrace were always baaaaaaaaaaad...
i dunno if anyone else has made the following points, but...
number one: as the little girl in field of dreams said 'people will come' give them joss stone, ketie thingy and the darkness and the average pop gibbon will go out and buy it.
number two: yes it is guff, but it is for a good cause so maybe we should get off our high indie/rock/metal/wank horses and buy it, AND do something more and lasting through out the year.
number three: if each one of those artists gave 10p from the sales of their remastered and re-released albums over christmas, more money would be raised than sales of one single, but maybe that is just stating the obvious.
bye
i dunno if anyone else has made the following points, but...
number one: as the little girl in field of dreams said 'people will come' give them joss stone, ketie thingy and the darkness and the average pop gibbon will go out and buy it.
number two: yes it is guff, but it is for a good cause so maybe we should get off our high indie/rock/metal/wank horses and buy it, AND do something more and lasting through out the year.
number three: if each one of those artists gave 10p from the sales of their remastered and re-released albums over christmas, more money would be raised than sales of one single, but maybe that is just stating the obvious.
bye
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
Its not the best record ever, but at least its not the fucking teletubbies. People are happy to slag me off for buying the embrace album when I was 9, but I don't see anyone volunteering their own first records. What was yours?
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
still waiting for a reply...
Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
i just loved this song i just couldnt get enough of it!by the way who sings it?and could i listen to it again please?
isabell linuza
isabell linuza
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
still waiting...
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
"your" -> "you're"
OK love?
OK love?
Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
Chumbawamba summed the whole BandAid/LiveAid thing up On their "Pictures of Starving Children Sell Records" - Charity not change.
Instead of giving money lobby the IMF/World Bank, Arms manufacturers and Politicians.
Tony Blair - suit full of compassion and a gob full of shite.
Instead of giving money lobby the IMF/World Bank, Arms manufacturers and Politicians.
Tony Blair - suit full of compassion and a gob full of shite.
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
And I bet there's snow on the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Didn't think it through, did you, Geldof?
Didn't think it through, did you, Geldof?
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
Not forgetting the BEST lyric in that song
"Where no rain or rivers flow..."
Funny that, last thing i heard some of the biggest rivers in the world flow through Africa, has there been some major drought thats gone rocketing straight over my head?
"Where no rain or rivers flow..."
Funny that, last thing i heard some of the biggest rivers in the world flow through Africa, has there been some major drought thats gone rocketing straight over my head?
Re: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?
"Do they know it's christmas?"
No. Ethiopia and Sudan are both Muslim countries!
Also, the lyrics of the song blame the weather for the dreadful state of these countries, which just isn't the case. The weather doesn't help matters, but it's the governments of these countries and the governments of western countries who are responsible. Truth.
sp xx
No. Ethiopia and Sudan are both Muslim countries!
Also, the lyrics of the song blame the weather for the dreadful state of these countries, which just isn't the case. The weather doesn't help matters, but it's the governments of these countries and the governments of western countries who are responsible. Truth.
sp xx
band aid 20
we all know that this is happening,people choose to ignore it! we can't just do that though its not right to do it,just imagine if you lived there and you had barely enough food to live on and if you're parents/brothers/sisters were dieing of sti's or aids, they only do this to help people in need,but like i said people choose to ignore it and they think they can just brush it away like its not a part of their daily lives and it doesnt include them! but the fact is it does!so even though u may think the song is crap people buy it to show they care about others in need because they couldnt imagine themselves in that place and they wouldnt like to see others in that spot,nobody deserves to live like they do!
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