This was a fund raising song done with artists from the UK and was done months before We Are the World. Band-Aid's song is what gave America the idea of We Are the World.
@SpaceCattttt It wasn't a competition SpaceCadet. They were charity efforts to raise $$$ and enlighten people about the African famine and child hunger. A lot of Dooshes in these comments.
@@chrischar9428 Considering their ages, I am guessing they are more familiar with Band Aid 20 which released a version of this song in 2004 and had some different lyrics. It was also a big hit. Band Aid 30 also released a slightly changed version in 2014.
This was the start of it all...Band Aid's Christmas single in the UK released in Dec 1984, then inspired the US to do USA for Africa ,which followed in March 1985 & then the Live Aid concerts in July 1985.
As others have said - this is the original. It was before USA Africa - the US stars just copied the UK and thought oh we should do that too. Artists include Paul Young, Boy George, Sting, Bono, Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran), Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet), Phil Collins, Paul Weller (Jam) etc.... It was this record and the team behind it that also led to the Live Aid concert.
Dude, this IS the original🤷♀️😂. This song encompasses my childhood. I was born in ‘73 and grew up listening to all of these artists. While it was a ‘Christmas’ song, it was recorded to raise money for the famine in Ethiopia, hence the lyrics about Africa. After the success of this song, the massive Live Aid concert followed to raise more money for famine relief.
The first singer is Paul Young. He was huge in the 80's. You should listening to him singibg, Wherever I lay my hat, Common People or Everytime you go away. Amazing voice.
Listen to the albums instead, No Parlez and The secret of association. He did a cover of Joy Division "love will tear us apart" on No Parlez which IMO is the best cover of that. "Tomb of memories" from TSoA
It was recorded at Trevor Horn's Sarm West studio in London. Boy George woke up in New York, having forgotten he was supposed to be there. Well, got woken up by Bob Geldorf shouting at him down the phone and telling him to get Concorde to get there.
Midge Ure wanted Horn to be the producer, but he was not able to commit to the timeframe they needed, but as @paulqueripel3494 referenced he donated his studio and was a consultant to Midge. Horn was there for a short time on the day and also did the 12" remix of the song.
This is the song. Nothing is changed. This is the original. You "could" be wrong? Sorry, you are wrong. Not all were from the UK; Kool and the Gang are from the US. The bit at the end that was faded out is an acknowledgement to everyone who worked on the video. it is addressed to Bob Geldof of the Boomtown Rats and songwriter Midge Ure. I can't find a list of crew members but here are the musicians: Robert "Kool" Bell (Kool & the Gang) Bono (U2) Pete Briquette (The Boomtown Rats) Adam Clayton (U2) Phil Collins (Genesis and solo artist) Chris Cross (Ultravox) Simon Crowe (The Boomtown Rats) Sara Dallin (Bananarama) Siobhan Fahey (Bananarama) Johnny Fingers (The Boomtown Rats) Bob Geldof (The Boomtown Rats) Boy George (Culture Club) Glenn Gregory (Heaven 17) Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet) John Keeble (Spandau Ballet) Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet) Martin Kemp (Spandau Ballet) Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran) Marilyn George Michael (Wham!) Jon Moss (Culture Club) Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet) Rick Parfitt (Status Quo) Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran) Francis Rossi (Status Quo) Sting (The Police and solo artist) Andy Taylor (Duran Duran) James "J.T." Taylor (Kool & the Gang) John Taylor (Duran Duran) Roger Taylor (Duran Duran) Dennis Thomas (Kool & the Gang) Midge Ure (Ultravox) Martyn Ware (Heaven 17) Jody Watley Paul Weller (The Style Council) Keren Woodward (Bananarama) Paul Young
Thanks for the list. I knew many of these artists from when I was stationed in England (arrived at Heathrow from New York on Christmas Eve, 1984). The only name that was bothering me was Paul Young. I knew his first name was Paul, but I kept going to Carrack for his last name and knew it wasn't right (Paul Carrack is the singer for Mike + The Mechanics).
@@amelias.2509 The Paul Young in this video (Paul Antony Young) is the famed solo artist of the 90's and 90's, the late Paul Young that was in MATM is not in this video.
There’s nothing “weird” about the name Band Aid. The participants are all singers mostly from bands and it was to raise money, hence aid. It was a perfect choice for a name.
I am American, too, and agree it's a perfect name & I thought so when it was released. The purpose of an adhesive bandage (or plaster) is to help provide healing of a wound. This group was formed to raise funds to help healing of wounds being suffered in the continent of Africa. I thought it was an excellent play on words to combine musical bands providing aid with the idea of a product that provided aid.
@@hazza5999 I think most people in the UK would have heard of the phrase 'Band Aid' as a generic term for for a medical wound covering, or a quick fix for something (a 'band-aid solution'). Haven't they? I can't remember now, that far back. :-)
Google would help half of these reaction channels look more informed as it amazes me they don't seem to look into who band members are and their history before filming a reaction video.
This was released 4 months before "We Are The World" USA for Africa. Heavy Metal artists also formed a super group "Hear "N" Aid" "We;re Stars" was their song.These lead to Live Aid where ya'll heard Queen's set.July 13 1985
Wasn't there also a PUNK-AID song taped in some decrepit rat infested warehouse in SoHo? A bunch of clothes pin/safety pin wearing guys in Mohawks and tattered clothes gathered together and played an extremely loud 2 minute 3 chord rock song telling everyone to foch off, and then just started banging into each other. I don't think it raised much $$. 😮
This is the original, it screams the eighties and is the most sincere, the version that meant the most and not the cash grab songs of the later versions.
The 1984 benefit single by the British supergroup Band Aid is my favorite Christmas song. Written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money to combat famine in Ethiopia, it features some of the biggest British pop stars of the day, including Duran Duran, Boy George, Phil Collins, Sting and Paul Young (not to mention New Jersey’s own Kool & the Gang).
My favorite part is when Sting starts harmonizing behind Simon Le Bon, and then Bono comes in...I never thought much of Boy George, but he sounds fantastic here...I think this is the best thing he ever did...
This is the original version of this song. This was conceived by Bob Geldolf and Midge Ure for Ethiopia which had been going through drought. It was followed up by Live Aid. Your 'We Are The World' did not come out until after this song. Late to the party again.
I so love these reactions. I am 67 now and when I was a young mother I lived for MTV and loved the music at that time. MTV brought me so much joy and peace of mind and heart in those times. Watching your reactions just warms my heart with memories of the wonderful years of raising my three children. Seeing all these singers together in one video was a dream come true at that time. Thanks so much. Also, I LOVE THE HAIR!
Hey guys this version was the original it was the event that proceeded the Live Aid concert the following summer it was written by Bob Geldoff and Midgeure I THINK in a few hours and, it came before USA for Africa to the best of my recollection ....it was an emotional Christmas at the age of 9/10 seeing this evolve
Your faces when Boy George comes on (second, with the orange hair) are too funny...Culture Club was HUGE in the '80s and I hope you'll react to some of their videos - Do You Really Want to Hurt Me was their debut hit, plus Church of the Poisoned Mind. Later George would do a remake of the song The Crying Game for the film. What an iconic voice...
It's the original but not the only there are at least two other later versions from UK artists but non can match this one probably one of the greatest Christmas songs ever and it raised millions. 😊
This is the Grand Daddy of them all. Of EVERYTHING. This lead to U.S.A. For Africa (United States), Northern Lights for Africa (Canada), Live Aid (Greatest Concert Ever!). Also band-aid is the brand of bandage famous for healing. This BAND was raising money for AID to Ethiopian Famine Relief. Band Aid was the quintessential name for this band.
Bob Geldof kicked this off. Bob was the lead of the Boomtown Rats - one of the early new wave bands. I Don't Like Mondays, inspired by a school shooting in San Diego (when they asked her why she did it, Brenda Spencer said "I don't like Mondays") was their biggest hit in the US.
London. It was recorded a year before Live Aid and was performed after the Live Aid concert at Wembley. The live version is fun. David Bowie, Sting, Bono, George Michael, Simon LeBon, (Wham) Freddie Mercury, Bob Geldorf(The Boomtown Rats) Roger Daltrey (The Who) Paul McCartney etc..
When this was topping the UK charts xmas 1984 Michael Jackson was in the UK at the time and saw this great idea that Band Aid came up with to raise money for the starving ethiopians and when he returned to the USA he teamed up with Lionel Richie & Quincy Jones to make their version . All proceeds from both songs and both Live Aid concerts at wembley & philadelphia went to africa . This entire concept was created by Bob Geldof (boomtown rats) & Midge Ure (ultravox) .
They worked all day and night to complete this song and all donated their time. I remember it coming out and it was EPIC! Also, we don't use the term Bandaid for a sticky dressing, as we call them PLASTERS and so the term is because they built a band to give aid! You pulled a confused face when the guy with the Orange hair sang and to help you out...that was Boy George...he sang Karma Chameloen, Do you really want to hurt me....etc. Some others in this; Bananarama, Status Quo, Bono, Wham 9george Micheal started in Wham), Pepsi and Shirley.....and so many more!
The one and only version, much preferred over We Are the World. Band Aid used when you try to heal something. That’s how I always interpreted their name. 😊
As stated this is the original and led to Live Aid the following summer. This was a HUGE concert. His humanitarian work led Bob Geldolf winning the Man of Peace Award (Nobel Peace Prize) and getting G-8 involved in helping African nations.
This is the Christmas song that should go to number 1 on the charts every year instead of the other one there. This would raise money for charity, instead of lining the pockets of those who are already rich.
This is the original, and way better than the overproduced ego driven crass WE ARE THE WORLD. No one plays that song, while the BAND AID song is a staple for many during Christmas time - and holds its place well after all these years.
It's amazing how many people don't seem to pick up the section where Sting is shown alone and the lyrics being sung/displayed are " The bitter STING of tears". It must be deliberate...surely.
The name Band Aid shouldn't be confusing at all if you think about it. It was "BANDS" giving "AID" for African famine relief. With the additional meaning of trying to "stop the bleeding" and "heal the wounds" of famine, ie putting a "Band Aid" on it. Its catchy and clever.
Every year around end of November, I start coing back to this MASTERPIECE!! The composition and arrangements by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure were sooooo SPOT ON!! And what a lineup they were able to assemble in a matter of hours... Paul Young, Boy George, George Michael, Tony Hadley from Spandau Ballet, Simon LeBon from Duran Duran, Sting, Bono, Bananarama... and of course the legendary Phil Collins working his magic on the drums! EPIC song with legendary artists! PS.: This was the original version... Bob Geldof and Midge Ure actually composed and arranged this song in a couple of days!
It opens with Paul Young, then Boy George, George Michael, Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran) with Sting. Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet), then Bono joins in. Paul Weller (The Jam/Style Council). In centre on mixing desk is Midge Ure (Ultravox & co-organiser). Gary Kemp on guitar (Spandau Ballet), then with Paula Yates (Bob Geldof's wife).The 3 women exiting the car together are Bananarama (?). Next to Midge is Rick Parfitt, then you see Francis Rossi at the back(both Status Quo). Any I have missed I can't remember either.
As Canadians you should react to Northern Lights… Tears are not enough. There is a great video of the making of…. Geddy Lee, Neil Young, Anne Murray, Gordon Lightfoot, Bryan Adams, Dan Hill, Mike Reno, Corey Hart, Joni Mitchell, Carole Pope etc etc
This is the original and was the inspiration for all the following ones, including the US version. Organised by Bob Geldhof and Midge Ure, as were the following Live Aid Concerts a year or so later.
This isn't a - version of the song...this is the original of the song! A long gone by era of when the greats of the British music industry really did do their part and for those of today who bemoan Live Aid etc. I say to you all, what happened back then stood the world much more for common humanity than the nasty self absorbed world of today where some have to carp and criticise on something just because of the people involved being white giving to Africa! Band Aid and the subsequent Live Aid will forever be things to be proud of not, the opposite!!!
This is the original group and song that started everything. There's a documentary out on youtube on how Band Aid did the whole thing in just 24 hours. The two main guys involved are Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats) and Midge Ure (Ultravox). Boy George flew the concorde from New York to make it just in time for this recording.
As others have said, this is the original and it is brilliant. I seem to remember this was supposed to be a rehearsal so everyone showed up in their casual gear and it was so good they just ran with it and released it
IIRC, quite few of them had only just got out of bed. Wasn't it held on a Sunday morning, with almost zero notice, and some were pretty hung over from the night before or hadn't slept at all? I my be misremembering, but that was my impression. :-)
Version of the original? LMAO! This IS the original! Bob Geldof was so disturbed by the Ethiopian hunger crisis at that time and was so bothered that no one was doing a damn thing about it, he co-wrote this song with another artist and reached out to the top artists at that time to lend their talents for this cause. This song reached number one and Last Christmas (by Wham! - written, sung and produced by George Michael) was number 2 that year in 1984 with all proceeds from both songs going to the cause. Quincy Jones and Lionel Ritchie was inspired by THIS song and Mr Bob Geldof that they reached out to Geldof to contribute as well. They wrote and produced (with Michael Jackson) We Are The World in 1985. That inspired Canadian artists to release Tears Are Not Enough - with all proceeds going the the hunger relief. Then Mr Bob Geldof organized Live Aid concerts in 1985 (which took place in London and Philadelphia simultaneously) which aired live all over the world. All proceeds going to Ethiopian famine.
I don't know how much hype there was around this in the UK when it was being made, but here in the US it seemed to come out of nowhere. It was almost mythical. It still tugs at the old heart strings after all these years.
This started the Ethiopian Famine Relief months before USA for Africa. This is the original Band Aid -Do They Know it’s Christmas Time with original lyrics nothing has changed at all. This was for Africa. They are no others,There is only one Band-Aid and There is only one USA for Africa.
One man changed the world!!! Sir Bob geldof started it all, from Band Aid, piggybacked by "We are the World", culminating with a WORLDWIDE event called Live Aid, which he organized and directed with concerts across several continents. For one day the entire world shared hope and love!!! Nothing like it ever, before or after!
Sir Bob Geldof read about/saw on the news about the horrible famine in Ethipoia in 1984 and felt something had to be done. So he reached out to some of the biggest artists in UK/Ireland at that time and the this was the resullt. In Europe at least it has become a Christmas standard so to speak. The whole thing was done in like 2 days or so and they did it live and as one can imagine with a project like this the logistics can be tricky! To manage to gather everyone at the same place and this was before everyone had a cell phone 😅 This inspired America to do something similar so the following year they did U.S.A. for Africa and We Are the World. This is the original version.
This is the original, there is a mini documentary on youtube on the creation of this, and how it was created.. the only had 24 hours to record it, they didn't know who was gonna show up to record it.. i recommend watching it.. its called band aid the song that rocked the world
There is also a song from a Canadian group of artists called Tears are not enough the group called themselves Northern lights for the Africa fundraiser.
News reports on British tv of the devasting famine in Ethiopia led to a flash of brillance : write an original song, for charity, urgently raced to be produced so it can raise as much money as possible and have as much impact as possible. It was a legendary record and idea and led months later to the USA doing their own version with another original song We Are The World. Band Aid interestly has also been revived several times over the decades in the UK with brand new recordings with the lastest stars involved.
This is the original and was specially written by Midge Are (Ultravox) and Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats) who organised the whole Live Aid thing. You mentioned that Phil Collins (Genesis) was on drums but Paul McCartney is also behind that driving rhythm playing bass (but he couldn't make the shoot for the promo video). You also failed to pick out Bono of U2. Not all from the UK, by the way, Bono and Bob are Irish, Kool and the Gang are US, etc.
First singer is Paul Young, then Boy George of Culture Club. Then you see Phil Collins on drums. Next is George Michael. Simon LeBon singer of Duran Duran. Simon and Sting. Tony of Spandau Ballet. Sting, Bono of U2 and Simon. The rest are band members from various bands. The three girls you keep seeing is Bananarama.
Don't know why you think there are different versions. This song didn't exist until they wrote it for this video to raise money for children in Africa. That was the whole idea. It was Bob Geldoff's idea, who then would go on to organize the massive Live Aid worldwide concert in 1985 after the success of this video (and later the We Are the World video). So, this is the original song and original video. These are all British singers, mostly pretty young at this time. The biggies Sting w Police, Bono of U2, George Micheal, Paul Young is the singer who begins. And as you said, the ever present Phil Collins of Genesis on drums. Phil was probably the oldest guy there in his mid 30s. Bananarama were the 3 young girls with "I just woke up hair". Boy George you didn't know. Paul Weller from The Jam was in there, Midge Ure from Ultravox. Simon Lebon of Duran Duran, the lead singer of Spandau Ballet, and a few others, mostly from New Wave English bands. No old legends were really in this, ie The Stones, The Who, etc. Most of these musicians were in their 20s. Bob Geldoff was the organizer, from the Boomtown Rats.
Lets not forget BANARAMA in the front row, just got out of bed look.!!! Can do their hit "CRUEL SUMMER" or their massive version of "VENUS" - which you most definitely heard.
This is the original masterminded by Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure from Ultravox. The cream of UK musical talent gave up their time to raise millions for the cause. .
Bob Geldof of the Boomtown Rats was the motive force behind all this. He organized the worldwide concert, too. There is a longer version where the different performers introduce themselves and the groups they are in. Canadian artists formed a group called Northern Lights and they recorded a song and video , too.
Don't know why Bob Geldof gets all the credit, it was a joint effort with Midge Are to pull it all together - probably because the BBC and their political masters were very anti-Scottish at the time (what's new?) and didn't want any kudos going in that direction, who knows?
Ohh, well done! You got the biggest of them. I was surprised when you said Bono. I mean, the voice gives him away, but this was before he discovered shades and seeing his eyes is different. Well done, catching that. Boy George was the guy with long hair and makeup. I always liked him a lot.
This is the original song (and the best!) We Are the World wasn't recorded until the next year. In Australia we also had a huge Ethiopia fund-raising concert called Oz for Africa with some of our biggest bands including INXS, but they didn't record a track as such.
John Taylor from Duran Duran is there playing bass with Phil Collins on drums. John is the one with the orange shirt. He had a hit single I Do What I Do. He had also had a handful of albums out in the 90s. You should react to that. It is very bossanova!
Wonderful reaction video! Just in case it wasn't mentioned, I haven't read the other comments. Band Aid released the song "Do They Know it's Christmas" in the U.S. on December 18, 1984 then a few months later, March 7, 1985 USA for Africa came out with "We are the world" no worries you just didn't have the opportunity to watch the videos in the order of their release date, that's okay. Now you know. Since then, there have been other released versions of the "Do they know it's Christmas as well as We are the World songs but this one IS THE ORIGINAL "Do They Know it's Christmas?' song I think paved the way for other super groups and 'Benefit concerts as well. Live-Aid, Farm-Aid, Self-Aid, just to name a few that I remember. Well done! Peace! Ps. Not a weird name at all, a lot of bands that formed one band and they are aiding those in need. Not the literal Band-Aid tape thing.
This is the original 100%. It was written for this occasion, it was written by Mira of Ultravox that you see throughout the video in the production booth and then coordinating the vocals at the end. This and Band-Aid, was the Direct reaction to him, watching a heartbreaking article on the BBC News during the midweek and phoning Bob Geldof saying we have to do something
Bob Geldof co-wrote the song. This is the original written specifically to fund raise for africa. Later the US artists followed suit with USA for Africa. This also led to the famous live aid concert, which was one of the first live events broadcast all over the world from Wembly stadium in the uk and a stadium in Philly. Maybe there was another, i can't recall. Queens performance at band aid is great. U2s performance also is very famous and helped the band gain popularity at the time. Also Bob Geldof played Pink the main character in the movie version of pink Floyds the wall.
As said by others, Live Aid was kicked off by Band Aid. I believe I’m right saying it was all started by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. The lyrics have not changed, these were the original and should always be these.
This UK Bandaid version was the original version.. and it was the States that then did We Are The World... and then lastly Canada did Tears Are Not Enough.. of all Canadian talent coming together calling themselves Northern Lights.... so here's a link for you all to do this one next please!!! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-x59AMdYqdRc.html 🍁🍁🍁🥰
Wrong. Most of them were relatively little known outside of Britian New Wave bands. Hardly any "Superstars" which would have been The Who, the Stones etc.
@ollythorp5428 Uhhh, you're wrong. The Who had several big hits in the 80s, along with Townshend solo. But regardless of that, The Who and the Stones were already LEGENDS AND SUPERSTARS BY 1984. Thats indisputable. I threw 2 obvious bands out, but you could add Elton John, Robert Plant, Clapton, QUEEN, Steve Winwood, Dire Straits/Knopfler, etc etc. The POINT was that except for Sting, Bono, Phil Collins and a few others, these were largely young New Wave bands that had 1 or 2 hits and were mostly relatively little known outside the UK. They were NOT ALL "MASSIVE STARS " at that TIME. Got it?
@@kbrewski1 in England they were massive,never said worldwide,Being an English all star group they were as big as it got at that exact time.And before you tell someone they are wrong again,you are wrong about that.Newsflash,the world exists outside of America.plus I made my comment because they didn’t recognise them,and neither did I say that they should recognise them,and while a lot of the groups didn’t have tons of hits,they were among the most famous faces at that time in England.You are coming off as a massive Twat.
Bob Geldof (the first guy you see in the video, comes walking) had this happening. Got all artists together. And the big famous concert. Later the american artists did their song. This song was done for the fundraising. And a single. I bought it. (Bought We are the world too). You dont see artists do this nowdays...