Forty years on, and it seems the world still faces many of the same challenges. Bob Geldof, who gave us the poignant anthem I Don’t Like Mondays, is perhaps even more renowned for his groundbreaking humanitarian work, particularly through Band Aid and its iconic charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas? Now, four decades after the original recording, Geldof, along with Midge Ure and legendary producer Trevor Horn, has unveiled plans for a special anniversary celebration.
The new song will meld previous editions of the classic charity track.
The forthcoming Band Aid Compilation will feature the 2024 Ultimate Mix of Do They Know It’s Christmas?, accompanied by a newly crafted video. This commemorative release is a tribute to the song’s enduring legacy as a musical milestone and a global call to action.
The 2024 Ultimate Mix will premiere across UK breakfast-time radio stations on November 25, 2024—exactly 40 years to the day since the original recording brought together some of the biggest names in music to combat famine in Ethiopia. Immediately following the premiere, the track will be available to stream on all major digital platforms, ensuring it reaches audiences both old and new.
For collectors and fans alike, the updated version will also be released in physical formats, including a CD and 12” vinyl, as part of the Band Aid Compilation. These editions are set to hit shelves on November 29, offering a nostalgic yet refreshed take on one of the most enduring Christmas songs of all time.
On “Band Aid – 2024 Ultimate Mix” you will hear a young Sting sing alongside a young Ed Sheeran. A young Boy George with a young Sam Smith. A young George Michael beside a young Harry Styles. The young Bono with an older Bono, Chris Martin with Guy Garvey, the Sugababes and Bananarama, Seal and Sinead O’Connor, Rita Ora and Robbie Williams, Kool and the Gang and Underworld.
The voices sing on against the Band Aid house band of Paul McCartney, Sting, John Taylor (bass), Phil Collins, Roger Taylor, Danny Goffey (drums), Thom Yorke (piano), Paul Weller, Damon Albarn, Midge Ure, Johnny Greenwood, Gary Kemp and Justin Hawkins (guitar).
“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” has been recorded across three distinct generations: Band Aid (1984), Band Aid 20 (2004), and Band Aid 30 (2014). What began as a simple Christmas pop song grew into one of the most significant movements in the history of popular music. The song not only raised awareness and funds for humanitarian causes but also galvanized political action, uniting an unparalleled lineup of musical talent that traces the evolution of British rock ’n’ roll over the past four decades.
To honor this groundbreaking “instrument of change,” producer Trevor Horn has masterfully combined the recordings from these three eras. Using cutting-edge production techniques, he has seamlessly blended the voices of multiple generations into a single, unified anthem—a tribute to the enduring legacy and transformative power of the song.
This release not only marks a celebration of Band Aid’s historic achievements but also serves as a reminder of the power of music to unite people for a common cause. Will the new mix inspire the same sense of hope and urgency as the original did in 1984? Only time will tell, but the message behind the music remains as relevant as ever.
Tracklist
SIDE A:
1. Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas? – 1984 Version
2. Band Aid 20 – Do They Know It’s Christmas? – 2004 Version
3. Band Aid 30 – Do They Know It’s Christmas? – 2014 Version
SIDE AA:
1. Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas? – 2024 Ultimate Mix
2. Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas? – Live at Wembley Stadium, 1985
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