1989 Band Aid_ Do They Know It's Christmas_ (Band Aid II)

1989 Band Aid: Do They Know It's Christmas? (Band Aid II)

In 1989, a new version of the charity supergroup Band Aid was formed to re-record the iconic Christmas song ”Do They Know It's Christmas?” This project, known as Band Aid II, aimed to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia, continuing the humanitarian efforts initiated by the original 1984 recording.

Key aspects of the 1989 Band Aid project:

Organizers: The project was spearheaded by Stock Aitken Waterman, the prolific British songwriting and production team.

Release Date: The single was released on December 11, 1989.

Chart Performance: It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart, staying there for three weeks, including the coveted Christmas number one spot.

Participating Artists: The lineup featured many popular British and Irish acts of the late 1980s, including:

Kylie Minogue

Jason Donovan

Lisa Stansfield

Cliff Richard

Jimmy Somerville

Wet Wet Wet

Bros

Bananarama

Big Fun

Deacon Blue

Sonia

Marti Pellow

Chris Rea

Technotronic

The Rebel MC

Musical Style: The 1989 version had a more contemporary sound, reflecting the pop music trends of the late 1980s, with a notable Stock Aitken Waterman production style.

Comparison to Original: While successful, this version didn't achieve the same level of cultural impact as the 1984 original.

Legacy: The 1989 Band Aid project helped maintain awareness of ongoing famine issues in Africa and continued the tradition of using pop music for charitable causes.

Criticism: Some critics felt the project lacked the urgency and star power of the original, while others praised the effort to keep the cause in the public eye.

Subsequent Versions: This would not be the last remake of the song, with later versions recorded in 2004 and 2014.

The 1989 Band Aid project, while perhaps overshadowed by its predecessor, remains an important chapter in the history of charity singles and the ongoing efforts to use popular music as a force for social good.