Band Aid star defends song as megamix is released

Today is a significant day as it marks the 40th anniversary of the first Band Aid recording that took place in London. Many well-known stars, including Bob Geldof, Paul Weller, and Bono, gathered to record the charity single 'Do They Know It's Christmas? ' back in November 1984. In the original recording, they sang together, looking up and smiling. To celebrate this milestone, a new version of the song has been released, referred to as the 'ultimate mix. ' This new version combines vocals from various recordings of the charity single made over the years, allowing listeners to hear George Michael singing alongside Harry Styles and Chris Martin harmonizing with the Sugababes. However, Ed Sheeran, a popular singer, has expressed his discontent with his vocals being used in this new track. He stated that he would have declined permission if he had been asked, as he feels the narrative of the song has changed. In response to Sheeran's comments, Tony Hadley, the lead singer of Spandau Ballet and a participant in the original 1984 recording, shared his thoughts on BBC Radio 2. He suggested that critics like Sheeran should refrain from voicing their opinions, stating, 'If you take that route, then nobody does anything to help anybody. So it's just nonsense. ' Hadley emphasized that the original intention was to support those in need, particularly in Ethiopia, and questioned what should be done if not to help. Last week, Ed Sheeran shared a post from British-Ghanaian rapper Fuse ODG, who argued that the song perpetuates harmful stereotypes about Africa, portraying it solely as a place of famine and poverty that requires Western assistance. Midge Ure, who co-wrote the track, acknowledged the criticisms surrounding Band Aid's approach, stating that it was unfortunate Sheeran had not been consulted. He recognized the concept of the 'white savior complex' but clarified that the song aimed to highlight the real-life consequences of famine, war, and conflict, which result in children needing food, medication, and education. Trevor Horn, the producer of the new version, mentioned that he would have removed Sheeran's vocals had he been aware of the objection. Live Aid promoter Harvey Goldsmith, who also appeared on the show, remarked, 'Stuff him. ' The original version of 'Do They Know It's Christmas? ' raised an impressive £8 million for famine relief within a year, and the Band Aid Charitable Trust has raised nearly £150 million to date. The remix was released on the exact date of the first recording, which took place at Sarm Studios in Notting Hill, London. In the studio, Horn utilized advanced machine learning technology, similar to what The Beatles used for their recent project, to extract vocals from three different recordings of the song. This allowed for a unique listening experience, where artists like Sinead O'Connor, Rita Ora, Boy George, and The Darkness appeared to perform together. The new version also features a sample from Michael Buerk's poignant 1984 BBC News report from Ethiopia, which inspired Sir Bob Geldof to create the song. The new rendition concludes with David Bowie, who was unable to attend the original recording, delivering a spoken introduction to the original version, stating, 'It would be wonderful if you could all buy copies of this record. ' When the song premiered on BBC Radio 2, Geldof became emotional as he reminisced about the stars involved, including Bowie and George Michael, who are no longer with us. He also expressed his feelings about late One Direction star Liam Payne's contribution to the 2014 version, saying, 'I just thought, 'Well, he's here? He's here [on the record] with his mates. He's alive with us. ' The new version opens differently than the original, lacking the somber bells and pounding drums that introduced the first recording. Instead, the voices of Paul Young, Bono, and Sheeran deliver the opening lines over a haunting new string arrangement, featuring some vocal takes that have never been heard before. Throughout the song, Horn adds emotional elements, including harp glissandos and twinkling Christmas motifs, to enhance the overall impact. The song's most controversial lyric, 'Tonight thank God it's them instead of you,' remains unchanged but is immediately followed by the 2014 rewrite, 'Tonight we’re reaching out and touching you. ' The new mix incorporates contributions from various artists, blending their voices together, although some parts from earlier versions are missing. The final result is grand and emotional, yet it still captures the spirit of hope that the original song conveyed. Sir Bob reminded listeners that the project is about more than just the music. Every copy sold or streamed directly connects to helping those in need, whether it be a child requiring food or a farmer struggling due to climate change. He stated, 'I wake up to emails every single day for the last 40 years, but we've been able to deal with it because of you. ' However, there has been a growing wave of criticism surrounding the Band Aid project, with detractors highlighting the song's patronizing portrayal of Africa as a desolate land in need of rescue from the West. Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed that while the original song was well-intentioned, it is frustrating to see the nation's rich history, culture, and beauty reduced to a narrative of doom and gloom. He acknowledged that Band Aid's humanitarian efforts are commendable but cautioned that a good cause that fails to evolve with the times may inadvertently cause more harm than good. In response to these criticisms, Sir Bob defended the project over the weekend, stating, 'This little pop song has kept millions of people alive. ' He questioned why Band Aid would stop providing meals to thousands of children who depend on their support, emphasizing that no abstract argument should distract from the harsh reality of hunger. He concluded by highlighting the staggering number of hungry people in the world, particularly in Africa, and reaffirmed their commitment to continue helping those in need.