Band Aid 20_ Do They Know It's Christmas_ (2004 Version)

Band Aid 20: Do They Know It's Christmas? (2004 Version)

The Band Aid 20 project was a revival of the original 1984 charity supergroup, organized to record a new version of ”Do They Know It's Christmas?” in 2004. This incarnation was put together to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the original release and to raise funds for famine relief in the Darfur region of Sudan.

Key points about Band Aid 20:

Organizers: The project was spearheaded by Bob Geldof, Midge Ure, and Travis frontman Fran Healy.

Recording: The song was recorded on November 14, 2004, at Air Studios in London.

Release: The single was released on November 29, 2004, and quickly reached number one on the UK Singles Chart.

Participants: The lineup featured popular artists of the time, including:

Bono (U2)

Chris Martin (Coldplay)

Dido

Robbie Williams

Will Young

Busted

Sugababes

Dizzee Rascal

Ms. Dynamite

Beverley Knight

Joss Stone

Jamelia

Justin Hawkins (The Darkness)

Keane

Snow Patrol

Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood

Production: The track was produced by Nigel Godrich, known for his work with Radiohead and Beck.

Updates: The lyrics were slightly modified from the original to reflect the contemporary situation in Africa.

Reception: While the single was commercially successful, it received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the charitable effort, while others criticized the lyrics and questioned the effectiveness of such initiatives.

Impact: The project raised significant funds for charity and brought renewed attention to issues of poverty and famine in Africa.

Legacy: Band Aid 20 continued the tradition of the Band Aid concept, which would be revived again in 2014 with Band Aid 30.

Controversy: As with previous versions, the project faced some criticism for its portrayal of Africa and the effectiveness of celebrity-driven charity initiatives.

Despite the mixed reception, Band Aid 20 succeeded in its primary goal of raising funds and awareness for famine relief efforts. It also introduced a new generation to the concept of Band Aid and the original song, bridging the gap between the 1980s version and contemporary pop culture.

The project highlighted the enduring power of music to mobilize public interest in humanitarian causes, even as it sparked debates about the most effective ways to address complex global issues like poverty and famine.