Second video I have seen today when Americans do that. They were talking about The Office (Uk) being the English ‘version’. No mate it was the original (and vastly superior) and the American VERSION was the copy.
The song was wriiten, rehearsed and recorded in 48 hours. They contacted all the artists in 24 hours to come perform. Quite an accomplishment which couldn't be done today. It a staple part of Xmas in the UK.
this song was in fact done in a hurry to get it released during the christmas season back then. this was done in 48hrs. there is a documentary on the making of the song that will give a better understanding how this was put together in 2 days. I think you can find it on youtube.
Guys, this was recorded in November '84 and was the inspiration for We Are The World, which came out in March '85. Band Aid and the song was conceptualised in only 48 hours and the song hit the charts only week after the recording, raising $$$millions for Africa. Band Aid was also the catalyst for the Live Aid concerts in the summer 1985. Both Band Aid and Live Aid were created by Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats) and Midge Ure (Ultravox). Everyone involved that you see in the video was only contacted the day before, and nobody had any idea who was going to turn up the next day for recording.
Nobody who reacts to these songs seems to really understand the context of it. I advised they watch the Drive video and also they should read about the famine.
@@dcanmore Absolutely agree! They referenced no color in the group. Well like you mentioned this was thrown together so fast and Kool and the Gang and Jody Watley were touring in England at this time so they answered the call. Plus some of these major artists that did show up were still on tour and had very tight schedules. This is by far the best song out of the two.
Its NOT the European version. Its the ORIGINAL. USA was a year later and was a copy of Band Aid (aid for Ethiopa). Bob Geldoff had hoped it would raise a million. It raised 150 million !!!! // All the others were copies of this great tribute
We Are the World is about the worst song I've ever heard. Do they know it's Christmas is a great song, it rocks, it has great harmonies. We Are The World Is a dragging slop. Unfortunately for me, I was working at CBS records at the time both came out. I loved working on do they know it's christmas, and I thought I'd need an ear transfusion after listening to We Are the World 15,000 times. Everyone in the office absolutely hated it and found it embarrassing. Especially given some of the stupid acts that took part. That had to do with a very powerful manager who insisted that some of his has been clients be part of it.
This was before 'We are the world', Ethiopia wasn't even in the American news!!!!!!! Back story, the BBC were running a year long news piece on Ethiopia that was facing famine on a biblical scale (think about 1.2 million people who starved to death in 2 years). Sir Bob Geldof watched on the tv a nurse deciding between which children she would try and help and which children she would leave to die and said he had to do something. In 48 hours he wrote (with Midge Ure) the song, got a venue, got as many artists to drop what they were doing and come to the studio that day, produced it, got it recorded to vinyl, did the video and out into the record shops within 48 HOURS! This was to get the best opportunity of being Christmas number one (as Christmas number one gets a lot of revenue and gets into the consciousness of the British public)- there was no time for layers and finesse. As for Jodie Watley and Kool and The Gang they happened to be in England and heard about it so turned up at the studio. Only when the Americans saw and heard about Band Aid and finally realised what was happening in Ethiopia they came up with 'We Are The World' which I think is not a great sentiment because when once did that song mention AFRICA, NO WATER FLOWING BUT TEARS, THE BURNING SUN, WHERE NOTHING GROWS, NO RAIN.
As one of many Canadian OXFAM volunteers at the time, we were certainly very aware of the famine in the Horn of Africa and actively campaigned to both raise money and awareness in the public and the media about the issues that led to this specific famine. For example, advocacy led to this coverage from the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation): th-cam.com/video/tFPr-zAXNuc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=S26pCqwvv_PABvK6 While somewhat successful on both fronts, not many people these days pay much attention to the current ongoing famine in the Horn of Africa or it's causes. No geopolitical points to be gained, I guess...sadly.
One man, Bob Geldof, started a worldwide movement of care and compassion for Africa. He was Knighted by the Queen of England for his humanitarian efforts, which led to the worldwide event known as Live Aid and Inspired We are the world!
The first face you see is Bob Geldoff ... the creator of Live Aid but it all started with Band Aid's charity single.... and yes this was before the U.S ' self indulgent "We are the World"
Bob Geldof was at the taping of We Are the World, to give the group pointers since he was the one that came up with the idea with Band Aid. He is also the creator of Live Aid.
I think this is a beautiful song done by the Brits in 84. For me it was the meaning behind it. To help bring awareness to the famine in Ethiopia. This song immediately shot up to #1. It was this that brought the attention to We Are The World so many years ago.❤
At least this song gets played alot once a year, every year…When was the last time you heard We Are The World on the radio? Both songs are amazing, but this holds a little bigger piece of my heart…Cheers!
We are the world better than this? Please. Horrible, crass, ego driven, over produced and rarely played - and with good reason. Band Aid Christmas has become a Holiday staple for generations and will continue to do so because its a great song, great melody and a holiday Classic.
I always thought we are the world was a bad attempt of copying the original. Because the song do they know is Christmas is the original. A song that I love to listen every year around Christmas for the last decades.
It would have to be very ignorant or very unfamiliar with the era not to realise that these were the absolute greatest artists of their time. It starts with Paul Young, Boy George, Phil Collins (Genesis), George Michael (Wham!), Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran), Sting (The Police), Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet), Bono (U2), Paul Weller (The Jam/Style Council), Midge Ure (Ultravoax) and so on and so forth. It was an absolute sensation and got ‘USA for Africa’ off the ground in the first place.
USA for Africa had 6 months to prepare this was a 48 hour job to write, record and sell it. All those on the record volunteered their time for free, The appearance of Jodie and the Kool and the Gang speaks volumes unlike when the live shows took place in 1985 and some of the American acts were prevented from taking part as management teams were demanding normal appearance fees of their clients, it seems that the word charity was alien to them. This is why both Wembley and Philidelphia shows were loaded with British acts 🇬🇧
No you had to be a generation x child to understand the impact of this song. The song was about the famine in Ethiopia. Bob Geldof help to create Live-Aid.
Getting so fed up of Americans thinking they were first with everything maybe google info first before showing ignorance …Without Bob and Midge organising Band Aid and then LiveAid there would NOT have been the Crappy American single We are the world
Another American here. And Trust me, not all of us are like this at all. I worked at the record company that put out both songs. Everyone in the office absolutely love do they know it's christmas, we were very moved by the song and the video. Then a bunch of egomaniac managers insisted that there be an American version mainly so they could stick their stupid has been artists in there. It was embarrassing. We were embarrassed at the office. And you have to listen to that song even once let alone the 10,000 times we had to hear it was akin to torture.
@@catserver8577 Same here. As an American the second British invasion was the absolute BEST. Me and my high school friends were naming every last artist when the video came out. We also saw the making of Do They Know Its Christmas. Boy George was a trip! He had us rolling.
The British song was done last minute it wasn't planned months in advance, the Christmas theme helped it to sell , it become the Christmas number one, it was also less pretentious
You can see that the performers turned up at a moment’s notice,looking like sh&t (many of them), some of them straight off a plane to do their bit. Contrast this with We Are the World, where everyone is ‘in costume’ ready to perform. The Americans turned up late and take the credit… much like WW11! 😂
The song, Do They Know It’s Christmas raised approximately $150 million for humanitarian aid to Africa, while We Are The World raised approximately $80 million. If you do a little research, you will discover that without Do They Know It’s Christmas, there absolutely would not be a We Are The World. So “flavor” aside, Do They Know It’s Christmas was the catalyst for the massive humanitarian aid to Africa, in ‘84-‘85, and not the other way around.
STOP!! It doesn't even matter what you think of the song. Bob Geldoff kicked off the idea of feeding starving Africans and raised millions of dollars! Quincy Jones jumped on the bandwagon and kept it going to raise millions more. Then Bob organized the epic, multi-continent concert Live Aid. Doesn't matter what song you like more, it was for a beautiful cause. THANK YOU BOB GELDOF!!! For the song & the historic Live Aid concerts.
USA for Africa had 6 months to prepare this was a 48 hour job to write, record and sell it. All those on the record volunteered their time for free, The appearance of Jodie and the Kool and the Gang speaks volumes unlike when the live shows took place in 1985 and some of the American acts were prevented from taking part as management teams were demanding normal appearance fees of their clients, it seems that the word charity was alien to them. This is why both Wembley and Philadelphia were overloaded with British acts. By the way Band Aid is the perfect name for a famine relief group as the band aid product is not common in the UK, its not unknown but Elastoplast is our brand and we call them plasters short for sticking plaster 🇬🇧
I'm an American and I don't think we're always first. But we don't always follow either. Just because these guys are ignorant, don't pin everything on the rest of us please thank you.
This was for the famine in Ethiopia. Bob Geldof and Midge Ure put Live Aid together and made that happen, then they did the song "Do the know it's Christmas time at all" with a group of people from popular bands at that time. Without Bob Geldof and Midge Ure there wouldn't have been Live Aid or the single "We are the World "
This song made more money than 'We Are The World' did for Africa and is still raising money today. America copied the UK again. You are not the greatest country in the world far from it.
kool and the gang just happened to be recording in the same place at the same time so they invited them to participate, and the beginning part Paul Young... he sang in place of David Bowie due to prior commitments
Obviously it was prominent everywhere, it was played in 62 countries compared to We Are the World's 25 countries. Americans have historically copied the Brits and its never as good
Sorry but totally wrong. I don't know anyone personally who ever listened to We Are the World more than once. But my friends and I all play do they know it's Christmas lie every Christmas time.
Band Aid was all British NOT European we did it first in 48 hours from that Bob and Midge arranged Live Aid … America as always was late to the party !!!!!!
Hey, not all of us! I'm very proud to have worked on this records marketing campaign. On the other hand, I was ashamed to have to work on the We Are the World marketing campaign. The record company I worked for put out both of these songs. This one rocks, the other one sucks. And that's the end of that story!
There was a definite time pressure between Bob Geldof seeing the BBC documentary on the Ethiopian famine, and getting the finished record out in time to get the Christmas No. 1. They were limited to artists who the organisers knew and who could be in London on recording day. Being dramatic about it, they could have spent time getting a better song and a more representative cast, but the extra time would been spent in dead Ethiopians.
Bear in mind we don’t use the word “band aid” in the UK; we call them “plasters”, and in the early 80s, most Brits wouldn’t have even known this was a pun.
Wow! There’s no way these guys won’t mention the comments section blowing up for this in the next video. lol Yeah, on a critical level this one is much more well regarded than the later We Are The World and has been revived several times, each with newer artists singing (the dance version with Rick Astley, Kylie Minogue and others was the followup and is practically forgotten now).
Corey you are not well informed. You need to understand the motivation, the urgency, the humility. It may have been underproduced, but it was written quickly and the artists were called up and turned up and made the record with almost NO NOTICE. No egos, no big fanfare. Just to raise as much money as possible to get food to starving humans. It took the arrogantly titled USA for Africa 4 months to do their thing. 4 months versus 48 hours. Not great optics. No wonder their product sounded better. As for your analogy about McDonald's - what a dreadful irony. You were so off the pace with this reaction. Thank God that the youngest of you got the point. Kudos young man. You are the reason that I didn't unsubscribe.
Totally missing the point entirely. Never have I seen a more uninformed reaction to a record and video that totally led the way, and, in a damned hurry. People were dying of hunger by the thousand monthly. This was thrown together, very quickly by Bob Geldof ( Boomtown Rats singer,) and Midge Ure ( Ultravox singer ) in order to get as much money together, in as quick a time as possible, to get it out there. This was produced for that, and that alone. You're We are the world was a highly produced plagiarised version of this, entirely. No argument on this can be had. You should do your research guys before slating what was, with the full context of the times, an incredible achievement. These two guys were heroes here in Britain. That said, Wokism has thrown its twisted thoughts into the arena recently, and now, its got words in it that actually offend. Yes, offend. This is the value of the totally woke mind leading the blind by an invisible ring through their stuck up noses. How's that for a rant!? Merry Christmas guys😊
“Wokism” isn’t twisted it’s the people who use it as a means to defend not accepting people’s right to be ‘different’ and don’t know what it means. The word itself has been twisted into something it’s not. I was in agreement with you until just then.
Paul Young was absolutely huge in the UK at the time and his appearance in this video helped Propel his album to number one in the United states. A lot of people haven't heard of him these days but in the mid-80s he sold out Wembley six nights in a row. He was iconic.
I didn't listen to their commentary after the video ended, but it sounds like they were ripping on this song. Which is just bull. And nobody has to make excuses for how short a time. It was that they put the song in the video together. The song is Amazing no matter what the circumstances. The video is awesome no matter what the circumstances. I mean for god sakes you've got Paul young, sting, Paul weller, Phil collins, bananarama, boy george, Duran duran, and on and on . Not only that all of these artists were absolutely at the top of their game in popularity when they did this. Its iconic, it's legendary, it's still giving me goosebumps 40 years on❤. Meanwhile absolutely nobody ever puts on We are the world and I can't even remember who was in it except Bruce Springsteen and that has been Kim carnes.
It would have helped your review if you were aware that it was composed, rehearsed, recorded and released in a matter of days, in a rush to catch the Christmas market of 1984.
This song/recording (the only version of the song, although a few years ago they held it back with more current artists) predated USA for Africa, by moths/half year. BTW, it was a precursor to the Live Aid concert held in London and Philadelphia in 1985, organized and promoted also by Bob Geldorf. The great absentee was Queen, apparently due to scheduling incompatibility they couldn’t be at the recording/song, but they were at the “Live Aid” concert… So it is not “the European/British version” of the American song/recording, if anything it would be completely the other way around, the inspiration back of “we are the world”, and not the other way around, or being the copy, or version of the American one. That one has personal evidence of one before the other does not condition the real order of both, one only has to look at the respective dates of production/recording, etc.
The first singer is Paul Young, who had a string of early eighties hits, but who I didn’t really know of until later in the decade when he did a cover of 1974’s Rufus/Chaka Khan’s, “Stop on By,” which featured Ms. Khan helping out on vocals beside him. He had an amazing voice back then and, while no one touches Chaka, he did (according to Chaka herself) do the song proud. He did quite a few covers, The Four Preps’, “Love of the Common People,” Anne Peebles’, “I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down,” and Marvin Gaye’s, “Wherever I Lay My Hat” all three of which I’ve always loved his versions of as well. 🫶
Paul Young sold out six nights in Wembley in the mid-80s. His album secret of Association went to number one. He appeared on every major American television show performing his big head every time you go away. I worked for the record company that put out do they know it's Christmas and all of Paul's albums. He's a fantastic person and absolutely gorgeous. I used to take him around to publicity stops and we literally had cars full of women chasing us to try and get to him.
This song was done in 48 hours and getting them together...learn your history...we are the world had a whole year to come up....america needs to be more spontaneous than manufactured shop ready music...
This was better and had more genuine meaning than We are the world. We are the world was a oneupsmanship effort. The saddest part was that so much of the aid that was sent to Africa from these efforts was stolen and never got to those who needed it most.
Oh no! This song is much better than We Are the World. This was artist from the United Kingdom. Jody Watley and Kool and the Gang were touring in the UK at that time. This song was a tremendous hit all over the world back in late 1984 and 1985. THEN USA for Africa decided to do something similar. The United Kingdom was able to assemble major superstars who were hot at that time. Did you notice who was missing from USA for Africa? Prince and Modanna.
Band Aid was Europeans. Kool and Jody got in because they were performing nearby and of course added color. Kool was past their prime and Jody was c level. Sadly back then there was no big time black singers available from Europe.
This song still gets played everywhere. When was the last time you heard we are the world? Most of the people there didn't get solos. Get over yourselves
Ew... less than a minute in and these guys are being ignorant & disrespectful. This started the -aid fundraising movement in the 80s. This was before We are the World & Band Aid was an apt title for some that could give a little relief by raising money through music. Ugh Nevermind that this was literally accomplished in 2 days. Just people pitching in. Word of mouth. It was amazing & still makes me cry.
Hello, You all are knocking a song that was done for a good cause? FYI, this song was done before "We Are the World ( do your at least some time-line research, first). Fenom202, what's in a name? You come off as an intelligent man so why is the play on words with the group lost on you? The banded together to aid famine victims in Africa and other parts of the globe -hence, Band Aid plus they are musicians. Corey Roy why should it have sounded more like "We Are the World"? Why isn't ok for this song to be it's own thing? I think "We are the World was more focused on the artists their hype and ego than on the cause for making the song. Adding a verse from Big Daddy Kane's "Ain't No Half Stepping: to emphasize the point: A school of emceein' for those who wanna be in My field and court, then again, on second thought To have MCs comin' out soundin' so similar It's quite confusin' for you to remember the Originator. ( is it really a good thing for songs to similar you think it is an inferior song because the artists weren't doing vocal gymnastics. There was a reason why Jody Watley and Kool and the Gang came at the end and did not do major vocal-DO YOU RESEARCH it was an impromptu recording and video. OllywoodDDA, why do you think the song is "pigeon-holed" because it was made as a Christmas song? ( it was done around Christmas time, so there is that) Aren't Christmas songs perennial? WHAT WAS/IS IMPORTANT IS THE CAUSE BEHINFD THE SONG! J Also listen to the lyica and what is is trying to convey. Just as you should noy substitute someone else's values as your own, viewers of this reaction please do not substitute these gentlemen opinion regarding this song as your own. This was/is a very good song as is "We are the World" why does there need to be a comparison/competition both songs shared/share the same goal. Fenom202, it is perfectly fine to agree to disagree, especially respectfully. However, the cynicism that you all expressed was uncalled for. I have watched you all gushed over and praised song that were dry and lackluster.
Agree with a lot of commentators here; Do They know It's Christmas is far superior to the US contribution. However, I am British, Sir Bob was my teenage crush (40-odd years ago 😱), and the way Bob and Midge got the song and the recording artists together....nothing short of fan-bloody-tastic. These guys, on the other hand, are 'Murcan, and We Are The World was produced for an American, mainstream audience, whose musical aesthetics are somewhat different to the UK. I mean, they had The Osmonds, we had The Sex Pistols, (for example). Can't imagine Anarchy in the US, or, God Save The Prez... We do 'rough and ready' THEY do 'corporate gloss' Each to their own 😁
I'm an american. I worked at CVS records on both of these records. We Are The World is a piece of garbage. It's one of the worst songs ever recorded and if it wasn't for the publicity campaign and the big managers involved, if it had just been a regular song instead of some charity thing, it would have been thrown in the garbage as a failure. I was embarrassed that we even put it out it was so bad.
Guys this was done in 48 hours we are the world had to many egos and and it took a couple of weeks to complete it. It was all to do with selling records and making money.
This was a BRITISH and IRISH collaboration Guys and I only think Jody and Kool And The Gang were there for appearance and diversity's sake because, as you know, they are American (The Band was touring The UK at the time). It was all done in 48 hours which was a factor, as well., but, please, REMEMBER, one thing. This was made in 1984 and there were no successful or prominent Artists of Colour then in Britain and Ireland. When I grew up next to the most Multi-Cultural area of Britain just 2 miles from Brixton,I never saw any Black person until around 1965 and I still recall the occasion as it was so rare so THAT is why there are a sea of White faces representing this era..Things are different 40 years on.my friends.
We don’t need to explain ourselves. America is a country literally built of immigrants. The UK/Ireland are far older and Northern European. The native population is white. Non-whites still only make up about 14%, blacks about 7% or thereabouts. I’m proud of our heritage.
Bob Geldoff had to force many of the artists to show up to sing for Do They Know It's Christmas. Many of the artists had prior plans they had to cancel for this event, I had read that one of the band members from Tears For Fears had a Hawaiian vacation planned, Bob Geldoff made the singer feel guilty and change his vacation plans to take part in this.
Obviously they don't know that the song composition, the organization of the meeting of the bands in the studio and the recording of the song and video editing was all done in less than one week. They didn't have the time that the US americans had for We are the world.
With this song, people (musicians) started hearing about it and ended up showing up at the studio, after the process had begun ... This was more organic .. With We Are the World, Q, MJ and Lionel called everyone they knew, and had them work out their schedules ... Completely contrived ...
Yes, and who they got was the cream of the crop of pop music. For god sakes it was Duran duran, Phil collins, bono, steve, and you don't get any better than that. You honestly think that we are the world was better? Kenny Rogers? Kim Carnes? Dionne Warwick?😅😅😅 Yeah, so hip it hurts!
We Are the World is so dated. It was pushed so much because of the cause and those who were involved, but as a song, meh. After a few years, it faded and it hasn't been missed. With this song, it was clever to tie it to Christmas, and 40 years later, I hear this song during Christmas season. It's not a great song, but it fits fine with the Christmas carols.
Band-Aid came first and was done in 48hrs.
Co-written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. Bob was also instrumental in We Are The World and also organized Live Aid.
It's not 'the European version' of We Are The World. It is the original inspiration for it.
Indeed, without Band Aid....there would have been no We are The World.
I didn't know that.
Exactly uneducated
Second video I have seen today when Americans do that. They were talking about The Office (Uk) being the English ‘version’. No mate it was the original (and vastly superior) and the American VERSION was the copy.
And it's better
Band Aid Started it .. USA For Africa followed
"USA For Africa", what an imaginative title for a Band that's helping to provide Aid, lol
We Are The World followed Band-Aid's lead with this charity single.
Fpr the same charity ... The American music scene following the British music scene ...
The song was wriiten, rehearsed and recorded in 48 hours. They contacted all the artists in 24 hours to come perform. Quite an accomplishment which couldn't be done today. It a staple part of Xmas in the UK.
And keep in mind this was before the golden age of the internet, email and mobile phones.
this song was in fact done in a hurry to get it released during the christmas season back then. this was done in 48hrs. there is a documentary on the making of the song that will give a better understanding how this was put together in 2 days. I think you can find it on youtube.
This one paved the way for all the others, and is my favorite of the benefit songs.
I may be mistaken, but I think George Harrison "Bangladesh" from 1971 was the first charity song ever made.
th-cam.com/video/L5Liaf8hUmU/w-d-xo.html
Guys, this was recorded in November '84 and was the inspiration for We Are The World, which came out in March '85. Band Aid and the song was conceptualised in only 48 hours and the song hit the charts only week after the recording, raising $$$millions for Africa. Band Aid was also the catalyst for the Live Aid concerts in the summer 1985. Both Band Aid and Live Aid were created by Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats) and Midge Ure (Ultravox). Everyone involved that you see in the video was only contacted the day before, and nobody had any idea who was going to turn up the next day for recording.
Nobody who reacts to these songs seems to really understand the context of it. I advised they watch the Drive video and also they should read about the famine.
Totally Agree. It would be good if they had done some research
@@dcanmore Absolutely agree! They referenced no color in the group. Well like you mentioned this was thrown together so fast and Kool and the Gang and Jody Watley were touring in England at this time so they answered the call. Plus some of these major artists that did show up were still on tour and had very tight schedules. This is by far the best song out of the two.
George Michael donated all proceeds from Last Christmas to the same cause.
We Are The World was nothing compared to this, this is the OG
Its NOT the European version. Its the ORIGINAL. USA was a year later and was a copy of Band Aid (aid for Ethiopa). Bob Geldoff had hoped it would raise a million. It raised 150 million !!!! // All the others were copies of this great tribute
Before, and way better, than We Are The World...
We Are The World is so saccharine, much like Michael Jackson's output. Phony sentiment.
I prefer this over We Are The World.
Me too!
As I
Same
We Are the World is about the worst song I've ever heard. Do they know it's Christmas is a great song, it rocks, it has great harmonies. We Are The World Is a dragging slop. Unfortunately for me, I was working at CBS records at the time both came out. I loved working on do they know it's christmas, and I thought I'd need an ear transfusion after listening to We Are the World 15,000 times. Everyone in the office absolutely hated it and found it embarrassing. Especially given some of the stupid acts that took part. That had to do with a very powerful manager who insisted that some of his has been clients be part of it.
This was before 'We are the world', Ethiopia wasn't even in the American news!!!!!!! Back story, the BBC were running a year long news piece on Ethiopia that was facing famine on a biblical scale (think about 1.2 million people who starved to death in 2 years). Sir Bob Geldof watched on the tv a nurse deciding between which children she would try and help and which children she would leave to die and said he had to do something. In 48 hours he wrote (with Midge Ure) the song, got a venue, got as many artists to drop what they were doing and come to the studio that day, produced it, got it recorded to vinyl, did the video and out into the record shops within 48 HOURS! This was to get the best opportunity of being Christmas number one (as Christmas number one gets a lot of revenue and gets into the consciousness of the British public)- there was no time for layers and finesse. As for Jodie Watley and Kool and The Gang they happened to be in England and heard about it so turned up at the studio. Only when the Americans saw and heard about Band Aid and finally realised what was happening in Ethiopia they came up with 'We Are The World' which I think is not a great sentiment because when once did that song mention AFRICA, NO WATER FLOWING BUT TEARS, THE BURNING SUN, WHERE NOTHING GROWS, NO RAIN.
As one of many Canadian OXFAM volunteers at the time, we were certainly very aware of the famine in the Horn of Africa and actively campaigned to both raise money and awareness in the public and the media about the issues that led to this specific famine. For example, advocacy led to this coverage from the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation):
th-cam.com/video/tFPr-zAXNuc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=S26pCqwvv_PABvK6
While somewhat successful on both fronts, not many people these days pay much attention to the current ongoing famine in the Horn of Africa or it's causes. No geopolitical points to be gained, I guess...sadly.
Without Band Aid there is no We are the World or Live Aide.
One man, Bob Geldof, started a worldwide movement of care and compassion for Africa.
He was Knighted by the Queen of England for his humanitarian efforts, which led to the worldwide event known as Live Aid and Inspired
We are the world!
This was the FIRST to start the Africa charity. The USA and CDN songs came out the year after. 40 years later and this song still is amazing.
Band-Aid is what inspired we are the world. Band-Aid came first.
The first face you see is Bob Geldoff ... the creator of Live Aid but it all started with Band Aid's charity single.... and yes this was before the U.S ' self indulgent "We are the World"
Bob Geldof was at the taping of We Are the World, to give the group pointers since he was the one that came up with the idea with Band Aid. He is also the creator of Live Aid.
I think this is a beautiful song done by the Brits in 84. For me it was the meaning behind it. To help bring awareness to the famine in Ethiopia. This song immediately shot up to #1. It was this that brought the attention to We Are The World so many years ago.❤
At least this song gets played alot once a year, every year…When was the last time you heard We Are The World on the radio? Both songs are amazing, but this holds a little bigger piece of my heart…Cheers!
soon we will be able to play the dead or alive game watching it on christmas day
@@saintdon4461 …Sadly, this is true…
I agree
Corey Roy, Band Aid only had 48 hours to write and get the performers to make this song in order to get it's entry into the Christmas charts.
We are the world better than this? Please. Horrible, crass, ego driven, over produced and rarely played - and with good reason. Band Aid Christmas has become a Holiday staple for generations and will continue to do so because its a great song, great melody and a holiday Classic.
True. This is still being played on radio stations every December every year. We Are The World is never being played on the radio.
We Are The World is bad enough to make me heave.
I always thought we are the world was a bad attempt of copying the original. Because the song do they know is Christmas is the original. A song that I love to listen every year around Christmas for the last decades.
This song gives me goosebumps EVERY TIME without fail because it’s authentic and you can feel it. We Are The World doesn’t because it isn’t.
It would have to be very ignorant or very unfamiliar with the era not to realise that these were the absolute greatest artists of their time. It starts with Paul Young, Boy George, Phil Collins (Genesis), George Michael (Wham!), Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran), Sting (The Police), Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet), Bono (U2), Paul Weller (The Jam/Style Council), Midge Ure (Ultravoax) and so on and so forth. It was an absolute sensation and got ‘USA for Africa’ off the ground in the first place.
USA for Africa had 6 months to prepare this was a 48 hour job to write, record and sell it. All those on the record volunteered their time for free, The appearance of Jodie and the Kool and the Gang speaks volumes unlike when the live shows took place in 1985 and some of the American acts were prevented from taking part as management teams were demanding normal appearance fees of their clients, it seems that the word charity was alien to them. This is why both Wembley and Philidelphia shows were loaded with British acts 🇬🇧
I do hope you read the comments, y’all wouldn’t be as hard on this if you knew the backstory, it was literally thrown together, and it shows
Check out how long after USA for Africa came after. May give a clue to the difference
No you had to be a generation x child to understand the impact of this song. The song was about the famine in Ethiopia. Bob Geldof help to create Live-Aid.
Getting so fed up of Americans thinking they were first with everything maybe google info first before showing ignorance …Without Bob and Midge organising Band Aid and then LiveAid there would NOT have been the Crappy American single We are the world
@@Reba-123 American here. Not all of us are like that. Those of use who grew up in the 80's know this song was the song that started it all.
Another American here. And Trust me, not all of us are like this at all. I worked at the record company that put out both songs. Everyone in the office absolutely love do they know it's christmas, we were very moved by the song and the video. Then a bunch of egomaniac managers insisted that there be an American version mainly so they could stick their stupid has been artists in there. It was embarrassing. We were embarrassed at the office. And you have to listen to that song even once let alone the 10,000 times we had to hear it was akin to torture.
Came out when I was in HS, even though I was in the US, knew who everyone was. Very exciting at school the next day after it was broadcast.
@@catserver8577 Same here. As an American the second British invasion was the absolute BEST. Me and my high school friends were naming every last artist when the video came out. We also saw the making of Do They Know Its Christmas. Boy George was a trip! He had us rolling.
This was the first... we are the world is the copy.
The British song was done last minute it wasn't planned months in advance, the Christmas theme helped it to sell , it become the Christmas number one, it was also less pretentious
You can see that the performers turned up at a moment’s notice,looking like sh&t (many of them), some of them straight off a plane to do their bit. Contrast this with We Are the World, where everyone is ‘in costume’ ready to perform. The Americans turned up late and take the credit… much like WW11! 😂
Bob Geldolf and Midge Ure organized this record and LIVE AID, which followed this ...
The song, Do They Know It’s Christmas raised approximately $150 million for humanitarian aid to Africa, while We Are The World raised approximately $80 million. If you do a little research, you will discover that without Do They Know It’s Christmas, there absolutely would not be a We Are The World. So “flavor” aside, Do They Know It’s Christmas was the catalyst for the massive humanitarian aid to Africa, in ‘84-‘85, and not the other way around.
STOP!! It doesn't even matter what you think of the song. Bob Geldoff kicked off the idea of feeding starving Africans and raised millions of dollars! Quincy Jones jumped on the bandwagon and kept it going to raise millions more.
Then Bob organized the epic, multi-continent concert Live Aid.
Doesn't matter what song you like more, it was for a beautiful cause.
THANK YOU BOB GELDOF!!! For the song & the historic Live Aid concerts.
Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. LEGENDS.
Midge yes. Bob mishandled the finances sadly
@@dranderson6071 STILL a legend
@@CjJohns1776 A crook yes
The Canadians also did a song to fund raise for the famine relief. They called themselves "Northern Lights" and the song is Tears Are Not Enough.
USA for Africa had 6 months to prepare this was a 48 hour job to write, record and sell it. All those on the record volunteered their time for free, The appearance of Jodie and the Kool and the Gang speaks volumes unlike when the live shows took place in 1985 and some of the American acts were prevented from taking part as management teams were demanding normal appearance fees of their clients, it seems that the word charity was alien to them. This is why both Wembley and Philadelphia were overloaded with British acts. By the way Band Aid is the perfect name for a famine relief group as the band aid product is not common in the UK, its not unknown but Elastoplast is our brand and we call them plasters short for sticking plaster 🇬🇧
Omg where have you been, Corey, under a rock??!!
I've never thought about which is better,, it is for charity after all. That was the point.
I suggest to these reactors watch documentaries regarding how this music/video was created.
Not being rude but why do Americans think they do everything first when they invariably follow 🤷♂️
As an American I have to agree with you! lol! I have to listen to this song every year at Christmas and much prefer it to We Are The World!
WE didn't - 40 years ago, WHEN THE SONG CAME OUT! We were there, we knew which came 1st
I'm an American and I don't think we're always first. But we don't always follow either. Just because these guys are ignorant, don't pin everything on the rest of us please thank you.
@clarkmacgowan5114 ...when you see a guy like Trump can become President then it's not hard not to...just sayin...
This was for the famine in Ethiopia. Bob Geldof and Midge Ure put Live Aid together and made that happen, then they did the song "Do the know it's Christmas time at all" with a group of people from popular bands at that time. Without Bob Geldof and Midge Ure there wouldn't have been Live Aid or the single "We are the World "
This song made more money than 'We Are The World' did for Africa and is still raising money today. America copied the UK again. You are not the greatest country in the world far from it.
O c'mon the American healthcare system is a model for the world 😂
I see someone is still butt hurt about the revolutionary war😂😂😂
Not as flashy as some might like, and it may be a bit dated, but the fact remains that the fund has raised over 178 million since 1984
I don't think it's flashy, and I don't think it's at all dated. I love listening to this song every year.
kool and the gang just happened to be recording in the same place at the same time so they invited them to participate, and the beginning part Paul Young... he sang in place of David Bowie due to prior commitments
I think people prefer what they've been brought up on. Do they know its christmas is more prominement in the UK hence why it's more popular
Obviously it was prominent everywhere, it was played in 62 countries compared to We Are the World's 25 countries. Americans have historically copied the Brits and its never as good
Sorry but totally wrong. I don't know anyone personally who ever listened to We Are the World more than once. But my friends and I all play do they know it's Christmas lie every Christmas time.
Really? It's the perfect name. Bands joined to provide aide. It's plain and simple. Plus, it sounds better than USA FOR AFRICA.
Band Aid was all British NOT European we did it first in 48 hours from that Bob and Midge arranged Live Aid … America as always was late to the party !!!!!!
No taste and plenty of ignorance. That's Americans for you!
Spot on! 👍
Hey, not all of us! I'm very proud to have worked on this records marketing campaign. On the other hand, I was ashamed to have to work on the We Are the World marketing campaign. The record company I worked for put out both of these songs. This one rocks, the other one sucks. And that's the end of that story!
There was a definite time pressure between Bob Geldof seeing the BBC documentary on the Ethiopian famine, and getting the finished record out in time to get the Christmas No. 1.
They were limited to artists who the organisers knew and who could be in London on recording day.
Being dramatic about it, they could have spent time getting a better song and a more representative cast, but the extra time would been spent in dead Ethiopians.
American artists were shamed into bringing out we are the world as all there black artists were all talk and no action.
Bear in mind we don’t use the word “band aid” in the UK; we call them “plasters”, and in the early 80s, most Brits wouldn’t have even known this was a pun.
Wow! There’s no way these guys won’t mention the comments section blowing up for this in the next video. lol
Yeah, on a critical level this one is much more well regarded than the later We Are The World and has been revived several times, each with newer artists singing (the dance version with Rick Astley, Kylie Minogue and others was the followup and is practically forgotten now).
It's the original version before the Americans! And it's English not European!
British. 😁
@@briankilpatrick6014 British AND Irish:)
@Isleofskye I stand corrected.
British but still European by extension.
@@penname5766 No Europeans in that line up and as an English man I'm not European by any measure. 🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴
We are the World was artificial, not natural like this done in 48 hours.
Corey you are not well informed. You need to understand the motivation, the urgency, the humility. It may have been underproduced, but it was written quickly and the artists were called up and turned up and made the record with almost NO NOTICE. No egos, no big fanfare. Just to raise as much money as possible to get food to starving humans. It took the arrogantly titled USA for Africa 4 months to do their thing. 4 months versus 48 hours. Not great optics. No wonder their product sounded better. As for your analogy about McDonald's - what a dreadful irony. You were so off the pace with this reaction. Thank God that the youngest of you got the point. Kudos young man. You are the reason that I didn't unsubscribe.
Totally missing the point entirely. Never have I seen a more uninformed reaction to a record and video that totally led the way, and, in a damned hurry. People were dying of hunger by the thousand monthly. This was thrown together, very quickly by Bob Geldof ( Boomtown Rats singer,) and Midge Ure ( Ultravox singer ) in order to get as much money together, in as quick a time as possible, to get it out there. This was produced for that, and that alone. You're We are the world was a highly produced plagiarised version of this, entirely. No argument on this can be had.
You should do your research guys before slating what was, with the full context of the times, an incredible achievement. These two guys were heroes here in Britain. That said, Wokism has thrown its twisted thoughts into the arena recently, and now, its got words in it that actually offend.
Yes, offend.
This is the value of the totally woke mind leading the blind by an invisible ring through their stuck up noses.
How's that for a rant!?
Merry Christmas guys😊
“Wokism” isn’t twisted it’s the people who use it as a means to defend not accepting people’s right to be ‘different’ and don’t know what it means. The word itself has been twisted into something it’s not. I was in agreement with you until just then.
@Justyna_N Thank you. I completely disagree with you entirely, but merry Xmas.
Paul Young who started the song does a great version of Marvin Gaye's " wherever I lay my hat ". Very different but great vocals.....
Paul Young was absolutely huge in the UK at the time and his appearance in this video helped Propel his album to number one in the United states. A lot of people haven't heard of him these days but in the mid-80s he sold out Wembley six nights in a row. He was iconic.
This was the first!
The record was produced in a hurry to raise money for the famine in Ethiopia.
I didn't listen to their commentary after the video ended, but it sounds like they were ripping on this song. Which is just bull. And nobody has to make excuses for how short a time. It was that they put the song in the video together. The song is Amazing no matter what the circumstances. The video is awesome no matter what the circumstances. I mean for god sakes you've got Paul young, sting, Paul weller, Phil collins, bananarama, boy george, Duran duran, and on and on . Not only that all of these artists were absolutely at the top of their game in popularity when they did this. Its iconic, it's legendary, it's still giving me goosebumps 40 years on❤. Meanwhile absolutely nobody ever puts on We are the world and I can't even remember who was in it except Bruce Springsteen and that has been Kim carnes.
It would have helped your review if you were aware that it was composed, rehearsed, recorded and released in a matter of days, in a rush to catch the Christmas market of 1984.
It was the first to come out and it was all British bands of the 80s apart from bono who is Irish
This inspired Live Aid. Geldof spearheaded both. The song was played a lot on MTV and the radio during the Christmas season that year.
Band Aid is only corny to Americans-it's not a brand in the UK.
Should check out the documentary on TH-cam on the Live Aid channel. Shows how quickly this all came together from recording to print to release.
Of course they won't check that out they are ignorant and lazy!
They are British. Soul is in us ❤and we are aware and help
British and Irish with a sprinkling of American.
This song/recording (the only version of the song, although a few years ago they held it back with more current artists) predated USA for Africa, by moths/half year.
BTW, it was a precursor to the Live Aid concert held in London and Philadelphia in 1985, organized and promoted also by Bob Geldorf.
The great absentee was Queen, apparently due to scheduling incompatibility they couldn’t be at the recording/song, but they were at the “Live Aid” concert…
So it is not “the European/British version” of the American song/recording, if anything it would be completely the other way around, the inspiration back of “we are the world”, and not the other way around, or being the copy, or version of the American one. That one has personal evidence of one before the other does not condition the real order of both, one only has to look at the respective dates of production/recording, etc.
The first singer is Paul Young, who had a string of early eighties hits, but who I didn’t really know of until later in the decade when he did a cover of 1974’s Rufus/Chaka Khan’s, “Stop on By,” which featured Ms. Khan helping out on vocals beside him. He had an amazing voice back then and, while no one touches Chaka, he did (according to Chaka herself) do the song proud. He did quite a few covers, The Four Preps’, “Love of the Common People,” Anne Peebles’, “I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down,” and Marvin Gaye’s, “Wherever I Lay My Hat” all three of which I’ve always loved his versions of as well. 🫶
Paul Young sold out six nights in Wembley in the mid-80s. His album secret of Association went to number one. He appeared on every major American television show performing his big head every time you go away. I worked for the record company that put out do they know it's Christmas and all of Paul's albums. He's a fantastic person and absolutely gorgeous. I used to take him around to publicity stops and we literally had cars full of women chasing us to try and get to him.
To Say That This Song & Event Changed My Life Is Putting It Mildly!! I Watch My DVD Boxset Every Holiday Season!! Thank You Bob!!
200 million poundsis euqual to 252,299,966.00 in U.S. dollars.
This song was done in 48 hours and getting them together...learn your history...we are the world had a whole year to come up....america needs to be more spontaneous than manufactured shop ready music...
This was better and had more genuine meaning than We are the world. We are the world was a oneupsmanship effort. The saddest part was that so much of the aid that was sent to Africa from these efforts was stolen and never got to those who needed it most.
Oh no! This song is much better than We Are the World. This was artist from the United Kingdom. Jody Watley and Kool and the Gang were touring in the UK at that time. This song was a tremendous hit all over the world back in late 1984 and 1985. THEN USA for Africa decided to do something similar. The United Kingdom was able to assemble major superstars who were hot at that time. Did you notice who was missing from USA for Africa? Prince and Modanna.
Band Aid was Europeans. Kool and Jody got in because they were performing nearby and of course added color. Kool was past their prime and Jody was c level. Sadly back then there was no big time black singers available from Europe.
UK comes up with feed the world, US replies with we are the world 😉
Ha! I’d never even thought about it like that, but you’re so right! It sums up the differences between the cultures and mindsets so perfectly!
This song still gets played everywhere. When was the last time you heard we are the world?
Most of the people there didn't get solos. Get over yourselves
Ew... less than a minute in and these guys are being ignorant & disrespectful.
This started the -aid fundraising movement in the 80s. This was before We are the World & Band Aid was an apt title for some that could give a little relief by raising money through music.
Ugh
Nevermind that this was literally accomplished in 2 days. Just people pitching in. Word of mouth.
It was amazing & still makes me cry.
Hello,
You all are knocking a song that was done for a good cause? FYI, this song was done before "We Are the World ( do your at least some time-line research, first).
Fenom202, what's in a name? You come off as an intelligent man so why is the play on words with the group lost on you? The banded together to aid famine victims in Africa and other parts of the globe -hence, Band Aid plus they are musicians.
Corey Roy why should it have sounded more like "We Are the World"? Why isn't ok for this song to be it's own thing? I think "We are the World was more focused on the artists their hype and ego than on the cause for making the song. Adding a verse from Big Daddy Kane's "Ain't No Half Stepping: to emphasize the point:
A school of emceein' for those who wanna be in My field and court, then again, on second thought To have MCs comin' out soundin' so similar It's quite confusin' for you to remember the Originator. ( is it really a good thing for songs to similar you think it is an inferior song because the artists weren't doing vocal gymnastics. There was a reason why Jody Watley and Kool and the Gang came at the end and did not do major vocal-DO YOU RESEARCH it was an impromptu recording and video.
OllywoodDDA, why do you think the song is "pigeon-holed" because it was made as a Christmas song? ( it was done around Christmas time, so there is that) Aren't Christmas songs perennial? WHAT WAS/IS IMPORTANT IS THE CAUSE BEHINFD THE SONG! J Also listen to the lyica and what is is trying to convey. Just as you should noy substitute someone else's values as your own, viewers of this reaction please do not substitute these gentlemen opinion regarding this song as your own. This was/is a very good song as is "We are the World" why does there need to be a comparison/competition both songs shared/share the same goal.
Fenom202, it is perfectly fine to agree to disagree, especially respectfully. However, the cynicism that you all expressed was uncalled for. I have watched you all gushed over and praised song that were dry and lackluster.
Will these guys think we are the world was a better song so they don't have any taste at all. That song sucked so hard it's still fighting gravity.
Agree with a lot of commentators here; Do They know It's Christmas is far superior to the US contribution. However, I am British, Sir Bob was my teenage crush (40-odd years ago 😱), and the way Bob and Midge got the song and the recording artists together....nothing short of fan-bloody-tastic.
These guys, on the other hand, are 'Murcan, and We Are The World was produced for an American, mainstream audience, whose musical aesthetics are somewhat different to the UK. I mean, they had The Osmonds, we had The Sex Pistols, (for example). Can't imagine Anarchy in the US, or, God Save The Prez... We do 'rough and ready' THEY do 'corporate gloss'
Each to their own 😁
I'm an american. I worked at CVS records on both of these records. We Are The World is a piece of garbage. It's one of the worst songs ever recorded and if it wasn't for the publicity campaign and the big managers involved, if it had just been a regular song instead of some charity thing, it would have been thrown in the garbage as a failure. I was embarrassed that we even put it out it was so bad.
Guys this was done in 48 hours we are the world had to many egos and and it took a couple of weeks to complete it. It was all to do with selling records and making money.
My problem with " We are the world" is the title. The USA is not the world although they would like to think they are. Too pretentious.
This was a BRITISH and IRISH collaboration Guys and I only think Jody and Kool And The Gang were there for appearance and diversity's sake because, as you know, they are American (The Band was touring The UK at the time). It was all done in 48 hours which was a factor, as well., but, please, REMEMBER, one thing. This was made in 1984 and there were no successful or prominent Artists of Colour then in Britain and Ireland. When I grew up next to the most Multi-Cultural area of Britain just 2 miles from Brixton,I never saw any Black person until around 1965 and I still recall the occasion as it was so rare so THAT is why there are a sea of White faces representing this era..Things are different 40 years on.my friends.
We don’t need to explain ourselves. America is a country literally built of immigrants. The UK/Ireland are far older and Northern European. The native population is white. Non-whites still only make up about 14%, blacks about 7% or thereabouts. I’m proud of our heritage.
Yep !! I think they seem to forget that not all countries are America. We are white people and these are our ancient islands and Lands.@@penname5766
I'm sorry but we are the world was cheesy- this was the best 👌 much more authentic sounding and I love the christmassy bit
Bob Geldoff had to force many of the artists to show up to sing for Do They Know It's Christmas. Many of the artists had prior plans they had to cancel for this event, I had read that one of the band members from Tears For Fears had a Hawaiian vacation planned, Bob Geldoff made the singer feel guilty and change his vacation plans to take part in this.
Nobody from TFF was there. Cheers
Band Aid inspired We are the World.
Obviously they don't know that the song composition, the organization of the meeting of the bands in the studio and the recording of the song and video editing was all done in less than one week. They didn't have the time that the US americans had for We are the world.
I think it was two days from recording to release
Finally! I had been requesting to do this right after you had reacted to USA for Africa.
With this song, people (musicians) started hearing about it and ended up showing up at the studio, after the process had begun ... This was more organic ..
With We Are the World, Q, MJ and Lionel called everyone they knew, and had them work out their schedules ... Completely contrived ...
This is one time when it would have helped if they had done some research about a song before listening to it
It would have helped if they would have had some taste. To actually call We Are the World Superior is mind-numbingly insane.
They got who they could get at the last minute.
Yes, and who they got was the cream of the crop of pop music. For god sakes it was Duran duran, Phil collins, bono, steve, and you don't get any better than that. You honestly think that we are the world was better? Kenny Rogers? Kim Carnes? Dionne Warwick?😅😅😅 Yeah, so hip it hurts!
@@clarkmacgowan5114 Seriously, I'd take Paul Weller over Billy Joel any day of the week.
@@clarkmacgowan5114 I was responding to the slag that Jody Watley and Kool and the Gang were somehow snubbed, which is just bullshit.
Wow, blind reactions are great, but without proper context it kinda feels like you’re cheating yourselves and your audience
We Are the World is so dated. It was pushed so much because of the cause and those who were involved, but as a song, meh.
After a few years, it faded and it hasn't been missed.
With this song, it was clever to tie it to Christmas, and 40 years later, I hear this song during Christmas season. It's not a great song, but it fits fine with the Christmas carols.
This took 48 hours and the USA version took 6 months,I read:)
I LOVE this song so much. I think it’s great.
This begat "We are the World" & Live Aid.
I like this one.🎄🩷
Thanks for a great year of entertainment my friends. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I like this song way better than We are the World. I like the melody better.