• Released as the A side of “Do They Know It's Christmas?” 12" single (7 December 1984)
• Written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure
• Producer by Midge Ure and Trevor Horn
• Remixed by Trevor Horn
• Engineered by Steve Lipsom
• Recorded in a single day on 25 November 1984 at Sarm West Studios, London
• Sleeve design - Peter Blake
• Published by Chappell Music Ltd.
• Label: Phonogram - FEED 112
• ℗ & © 1984 Phonogram Ltd. (London)
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The record became the fastest selling single in UK chart history, selling a million copies in the first week alone and passing 3 million on the last day of 1984.
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LYRICS
It’s Christmastime
And there’s no need to be afraid
At Christmastime
We let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty
We can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
At Christmastime
But say a prayer
To pray for the other ones
At Christmastime
It’s hard, but when you’re having fun
There’s a world outside your window
And it’s a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is
The bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there
Are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it’s them instead of you
And there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmastime
The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life
Where nothing ever grows
No rain nor rivers flow
Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?
Here’s to you - Raise a glass for everyone
Here’s to them - Underneath that burning sun
Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?
Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmastime again
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmastime again
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Below is a transcript of all the spoken parts
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This is Bono here, the singer with U2 wishing you a happy Christmas and a Merry New Year - Is that Right?
Hello this is Paul McCartney, sorry I can’t be with you.
Hi this is Simon from Duran Duran.
I’d like to say, I’d like to wish you a happy Christmas.
I’m Paul Weller from the Style Council.
Wishing you all a happy Christmas.
Hello this is Midge Ure from Ultravox, I’ve kind of forgotten theres so many groups here today.
Just have a good Chrismas and enjoy yourself.
Hello … hello, this is Paul McCartney.
Feed the world, have a Merry Christmas.
Hello, this is Paul McCartney.
Hello, this is Paul McCartney.
Feed the world, have a Merry Christmas.
Sorry, I can’t be there …
This is Jon Moss from Culture Club saying feed the world.
There are eleven million people starving in one country.
Doesn’t it make you think?
This is Holly Johnson from Frankie Goes To Hollywood.
Feed the world, ha ha ha … I can’t get the laugh right Bob.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Hello this is Gary Kemp from Spandau Ballet.
Happy Christmas everyone.
This is John Taylor from Duran Duran.
Happy Christmas everybody too.
Hello I’m Siobhan, Happy Christmas.
Hello I’m Sarah from Bananarama, Happy Christmas.
And from me too, Keren.
Hello this is Glenn Gregory from Heaven 17 wishing everybody
a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Hello there, this is Stu Adamson.
This is Tony Butler, this is Mark Brzezicki.
This is Bruce Watson from Big Country.
Feed the people stay alive.
This is Johnny Fingers from Boomtown Rats.
And I’d like to wish everybody a Happy Chrismas.
This is David Bowie, it’s Christmas 1984 and there are more starving folk on the planet
than ever before. Please give a thought for them this season and do whatever you can,
however small, to help them live. Have a peaceful New Year.
This record was recorded on the 25th of November 1984.
It’s now 8 a. m. on the morning of the 26th. We’ve been here 24 hours and I think it’s time we went home. So from me, Bob Geldof, and Midge we’d say good morning to you all. And a million thanks to everyone on the record. Have a lovely Christmas, bye.