Do They Know It's Christmas [Single, Import]

Band Aid 20 | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 14, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single, Import
• Label: Universal Int'l
• ASIN: B0006I0S6C
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,263 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid 20

2. Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid

3. Do They Know It's Christmas? (Performed At Live Aid, 1985) - Band Aid

Editorial Reviews

BAND AID 20 DO THEY KNOW IT S CHRISTMAS

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars New one stinks!, March 16, 2005

By 

Bookd (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Do They Know It's Christmas (Audio CD)

This new version is garbage compared to the old version with Phil Collins, Bono & many others. it would have been cool if they'd reunited the original group instead!!! I bought this CD soley for the old version!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Every time I put on this cd..., January 6, 2005

By 

Pĺl Amundsen (Třnsberg, Vestfold Norway) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Do They Know It's Christmas (Audio CD)

...I skip the new version of that beautiful song. Was Paul MacCartney too old to sing on the remake??? Well, in that case I totally agree with the complaints one of the reviewers has written down below. But Paul is not the only one missing! Could they not have gathered up the original artists who performed the song in 85, artists still "young" in sence of their contribution to music today - artists like Sting, Phil Collins, Duran Duran, George Michael (and why not Elton John too?) - they are the ones who "made" this song, and that really does sound when you compare the two versions. 3 stars because of the original that also appeares on the single (A 5 stars-song of course) - the release is pulled down because of the "Idol"-version. What is rap doing in the song, it does not fit in! And the chorus is so pale compared to how it originally goes.

This review is based, of course, on a musical standard. I am glad that the song is still saving lives.

14 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bland-Aid., December 4, 2005

By 

The Curmudgeon "Your life lacks purpose - my ... (Latveria) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Do They Know It's Christmas (Audio CD)

Well, you know what they say about sequels, don't you? And that rings true here - whilst I'm sure they were aiming for a Terminator 2 kind of sequel (glossier, more expensive, self-aware but ultimately lacking the class and originality of the first part) they instead created a Matrix: Reloaded sequel - bloated, over-produced and downright awful.

Fun fact - do you know they had Paul McCartney in here and didn't want him to sing, because he was too old? True story - they wanted to appeal to the young audience out there, so they just had him play guitar and mug to the camera for the video. Perhaps the idiots that decided NOT to have one of the biggest influences in music EVER sing forgot about the "Perfect Day" charity single from a few years back (that years biggest selling single, no less), which had the likes of Tom Jones, David Bowie, Suzanne Vega, Elton John, Tammy Waynette and other older artists (as well as new talent) perform on there, and "the kids" didn't seem to mind then. They sure as hell wouldn't care if Paul McCartney (who they would've least have HEARD of) sang.

But I digress. Let them get the likes of McCartney, Tom Yorke and Damon Albarn in and NOT sing. Who needs them, when you've got the likes of, nnnnnng, Will Young, Dido, Joss Stone and Justin Hawkins singing? It's like some music executive somewhere compiled a Super-Suck list and managed to get them all to sing. The likes of Bono and Robbie Williams aside, I doubt that, in twenty years time, we'll still be talking about Busted, Sugababes and Rachel Stevens.

And special mention MUST go to the rap (because, hey, rap music is what ALL young people like and listen to, so let's have a completely out of place, un-neccasary and laughable rap in the middle). Dizzy Rascal - my hat goes off to you - you turned a bad song into a TERRIBLE one with your pathetic nasal squawking.

The worst thing about Band Aid 20 is the self-important, "THIS IS A CLASSIC" attitude that engulfs the whole project. When Bono sings His Famous Line it sounds like he's either trying to make it last as long as possible, or possibly trying to squeeze a wardrobe from between his buttocks. Either way - not a good listen.

You want to give to charity? Fine - be my guess. Put money in the tin of some guy on the street. Donate on the internet. Just don't give this sorry mess any of your attention.

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