Band Aid 30 features a range of 28 new and renowned artists from all over the world.
By Viktoria Sciacca
“Do they know it’s Christmas time at all?”
Famous artists such as Rita Ora, One Direction, Bono and Chris Martin teamed up to re-create the 1984 Christmas Hit “Do They Know?” with ‘Band Aid 30’.
The non-profit project was released in effort to support Ebola relief in West Africa and all proceeds will be going to the cause.
According to the video, everyone involved in the video including artists, video editors and composers dedicated their services for free in order “to be a part of history”. The track was also recorded and made within 36 hours.
Pre-order sales were at $2 million prior to the release. Although the song was just released this morning, The $1.29 hit has already topped the iTunes singles chart. It has also shot to second on Amazon’s list of most purchased singles.
The original single was released in 1984 by UK charity group Band Aid. The group was founded by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money to combat famine in Africa. The single sold 3.7 million copies and is still a renowned Christmas hit today.
30 years and $230 million later, they hope to regain the same recognition with Band Aid 30.
The lyrics were even tailored to relate to the 2014 Ebola epidemic. Words like “Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears”, is now “Where a kiss of love can kill you and there’s death in every tear.”
Co-Founder of Bandaid and Organizer for this year’s single, Bob Geldof, said in a BBC interview that demand for the single has been ‘vast’.
“I love living in this country at moments like this,” said Geldof. Geldof also went on to say that the UK “led the world” in this form of charity campaigning.
Meet The Stars of Band Aid 30
Artists posing together in a UK studio for the 2014 remake “Do They Know?”
In order of appearance…
1, 2, 3, 4, 5: One Direction band members Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Liam Payne.
6: Love song crooner Ed Sheeran
7: Pop and Hip-Hop singer and songwriter Rita Ora
8: English breakthrough artist Sam Smith
9: British singer songwriter and actress Paloma Faith
10: British recording artist and songwriter Emeli Sande
11. Lead singer of Elbow Guy, Guy Garvey
12. Lead singer of Bastille Dan Smith
13. Grammy Award winner Angelique Kidjo
14. Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin
15. U2 lead singer Bono
16.R&B singer songwriter Seal
17. Unique-sounding vocalist Ellie Goulding
18. Infamous Irish singer-songwriter Sinead O’Connor
19. Television presenter and musician Olly Murs
20, 21, 22. Bastille lead singer comes together with other band members Chris Wood, William Farquarson and Kyle Simmons.
23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. Other artists join in for the chorus and add the instrumental element: Sir Bob Geldof, Karl Hyde, Roger Taylor, Joe Sugg, Alfie Deyes, Grace Chatto, Milan Amin-Smith, Jessie Ware, and Midge Ure.
Ever since its release today, #Bandaid30 has been trending worldwide.
Band Aid Single To Raise Fraction Of Wealth Of Those Singing On It http://t.co/qA7kypbR90 #BandAid30 #news pic.twitter.com/ocpJMwbauY
— Waterford Whispers (@WhispersNewsLTD) November 17, 2014
LISTEN – Sales of #BandAid30 ‘have gone bonkers’, Bob Geldof tells us http://t.co/WSGooHOX1O pic.twitter.com/OdxDtuP5o9
— BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) November 17, 2014
It’s only £5, but if we all put out hands in our pockets it could make a hell of a difference. #BandAid30 #EndEbola pic.twitter.com/UGe5KtNvGS
— Alice Kelleher (@AliceKelleher) November 17, 2014
Text AID to 70060 to give 5 . Click here to donate.