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

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

In 1989, five years after the original Band Aid recording, a new version of ”Do They Know It's Christmas?” was released under the name Band Aid II. This second incarnation of the charity supergroup was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, the masterminds behind the original project.

Band Aid II brought together a new generation of British and Irish pop stars, reflecting the musical landscape of the late 1980s. The lineup was dominated by Stock Aitken Waterman artists, who were at the height of their popularity at the time. This gave the new version a distinctly different sound from its predecessor, with a more polished, dance-pop feel characteristic of the era.

The cast for Band Aid II included some of the biggest names in British pop music at the time. Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, both major stars from the soap opera ”Neighbours” who had launched successful music careers, were among the lead vocalists. Other notable participants included Cliff Richard, Lisa Stansfield, Bananarama, Bros, Wet Wet Wet, and Jimmy Somerville.

The recording took place at PWL Studios in London, owned by Pete Waterman, one of the producers. The session was a major media event, with cameras capturing the stars as they arrived and recorded their parts. The atmosphere was described as festive and collaborative, with the artists eager to contribute to the cause.

Musically, the 1989 version maintained the core melody and structure of the original song but updated it with a more contemporary production style. The trademark Stock Aitken Waterman sound, characterized by its upbeat tempo and synthesizer-heavy arrangements, was evident throughout the track.

Released on December 11, 1989, Band Aid II quickly rose to the top of the UK Singles Chart, becoming the Christmas number one for that year. While it didn't achieve the same level of cultural impact as the original, it still raised significant funds for famine relief in Ethiopia and other African nations.

The project faced some criticism, with some arguing that it lacked the urgency and raw emotion of the original. Others felt that the updated sound didn't suit the serious nature of the lyrics. However, supporters praised the effort to engage a new generation in charitable giving and raise awareness about ongoing issues in Africa.

Band Aid II served as a bridge between the original 1984 recording and later versions, maintaining the tradition of musicians coming together for a charitable cause. It also reflected the changing nature of pop music and celebrity culture as the 1980s drew to a close.

In retrospect, Band Aid II stands as a unique snapshot of British pop music at the end of the decade, preserving the voices and styles of artists who defined that era. While it may not be as widely remembered as the original, it played an important role in keeping the spirit of Band Aid alive and continuing to draw attention to humanitarian issues in Africa.

The legacy of Band Aid II can be seen in the subsequent revivals of the project, including Band Aid 20 in 2004 and Band Aid 30 in 2014. Each iteration has reflected the musical trends of its time while continuing to address ongoing challenges faced by African nations.