Customer Reviews

Do They Know It's Christmas

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

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!

...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.

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.

The_Curmudgeon_Hates_You@yahoo.co.uk

This song starts out well enough, but as usual nobody leaves well enough alone. About two-thirds of the way in, it breaks into guitar work reminiscent of Boston (YUCK), then gets into a bit of rap (DOUBLE YUCK), and finally concludes with a horrible grunge-style guitar jam that would make the dead man proud (TRIPLE YUCK)! It's as if they are trying to include three styles of music into one song. It fails miserably. Fortunately, the original 1984 version is included on the cd so the "young'ens" could see the differece between an original master-piece and this master piece of cr*p.

The updated version totaly sucks. The orginal is still the best.

Honestly, the original version sounded much better than the new update of the same song because it was very New Wave-y and apt for its time. Though the new version comprised of today's rising artists, it is beyond comparison to which is which. But... should Bob Geldoff decides to re-issue the original track... adding the remixed, "Feed The World" and instrumental version", I wouldn't let that pass. I'm a new wave music fanatic so I can well understand where everyone here is coming from. Still, it may be worth to those who aren't exactly too partial.

"Its knowledge is beyond intellect
And its actions are driven by compassion
Hope is wisdom"
(Excerpt from author Kirby Thibeault's poem Hope in his book titled Wealth)

Do They Know It's Christmas is an act of love and hope directed toward the betterment of all of humanity. The song was motivated by a compassion, a love for humanity, and a generosity of spirit that resonates and inspires like no other form of communication. This is the meaning of existence, and of human integrity in an active condition.

There exists on this planet individuals who have achieved what Maslow terms a state of self-actualization. These individuals exist in every nationality, in every faith, and in every walk of life.

Like a silent calling, a greater social conscience is directing itself toward the goal of the betterment of all of humanity. In essence, the seeking of higher states of spiritual awareness helps to nurture the flowering of love, hope, sincerity of thought, and understanding that otherwise would be amiss. It is a social universal conscience, a letting go of self -- a letting go of the illusion of ego in favor of a greater love... a global love... a self love... an integral identification with the feelings, hopes, and concerns of others.

We all feel it. We all know the feeling that arises when we perform acts of love, sincerity, kindness, and integrity. We all know the feeling that arises when we inspire another, when we encourage another's positive self-development, when we affirm another's self-worth and -value. Such actions contribute to the betterment of all of humanity.

"Life is about helping and caring
Not rejecting and criticizing
Learn how to accept and you will learn how to love"
(excerpt from author Kirby Thibeault's poem Awakening in his book titled Wealth)

This is the true meaning of Wealth. We all feel it in each and every moment -- with every action, deed, thought, dream, hope, reason, and word: "Accordingly, it is our responsibility as individuals and as a species to always attempt to help bring out the best in each and every one of us which is accomplished by seeing, or realizing the inherent 'wealth' that all of humankind possesses" --passage taken from Kirby Thibeault's acknowledgement section of his book titled Wealth --

These are the spiritual and inspirational views taught to me by Kirby Thibeault, author of the book "Wealth."

Do They Know It's Christmas is a song of celebration, felt within the social conscience and beyond the finite nature of existence. It is a universal act of love and caring, performed through a wisdom beyond knowledge:

"It unites humanity through its desire for good
Hope is love"
(excerpt from Kirby Thibeault's poem titled Hope from his book Wealth)

Twenty years after making history with the charity smash hit "Do They Know It's Christmas?", Band Aid is back with Band Aid 20 and a newer version of the holiday classic. Some of the same artists (Bono, Paul McCartney) are back, but for the most part young talent (Joss Stone, Chris Martin) have come together to once again raise awareness of hunger in the world.

The new version has been surrounded by controversy; some feel that the remake is not as good as the original. Others argue that, since all profits from the record to directly to charity, it doesn't matter what the song sounds like so long as people buy it. My opinion? While the original is better, the remake isn't bad at all. It's refreshing to hear a new take on an old classic, and, as some point out, it's all for charity anyways.

There are three tracks on the record, so everyone will be satisfied: the first is the remake by Band Aid 20, the second the original (1984) version, and the third the live version performed at Live Aid in 1985. Everyone is bound to find something they like. And with all proceeds going to charity, purchasing this single goes to a great cause. Truly, this is what the holidays are all about.

THE NEW VERSION IS REALLY BAD, BUT THE ORIGINAL IS AMAZING

Do They Know It's Christmas? really is more of a novelty song than a Christmas tune. It was always intended to raise awareness of the famine that had swept Ethiopia in 1984. Bob Geldoff and Midge Ure and the whole Band Aid had their hearts in the right places, but in retrospect AND in foreward thinking, it's sadly a waste of time. Any money that is ever sent to the various oppressed countries in Africa never reaches those for whom it is intended. The governments are so corrupt that they steal the money for the politicians and continue to let their people suffer.

As for the 1984 song...I love it but not because of its message or because it's a lovely Christmas tune (which it is not). I love it because it is a miracle that all of the really BIG performers out of Britain (and some of them were HUGE folks!) came together and sang on this one song. You have groups of such diametrically opposed style coming together to sing for one song! How cool is that?!

Now the remake in 1984 and the one in 2004, well, they're just....not good. They're slick and empty attempts at cashing in on the fame of the first version.

In the U.S. many of these performers were not known at all, but in Britain, these groups were big stuff.

Get this for the original song and forget about the vapid remakes. Fortunately, not only do we get the original but we get the live version of the original.