Recording of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” - November 25, 1984

On November 25, 1984, a remarkable gathering of 36 top musicians took place at SARM West Studios in Notting Hill, London. This assembly was orchestrated to record the charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” The initiative was spearheaded by Bob Geldof, lead singer of the Boomtown Rats, and Midge Ure of Ultravox, in response to the devastating famine in Ethiopia that had captured global attention.

Background

The early 1980s saw Ethiopia gripped by a severe famine, exacerbated by drought and political instability. The crisis resulted in widespread starvation and suffering, prompting international concern and calls for aid. Bob Geldof, moved by a BBC news report on the famine, decided to leverage his influence in the music industry to raise funds and awareness.

The Recording

The recording session was a landmark event, bringing together some of the biggest names in British and Irish music at the time. The artists involved included:

• Bono (U2)
• George Michael (Wham!)
• Sting (The Police)
• Boy George (Culture Club)
• Phil Collins (Genesis)
• Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran)
• Paul Young
• Bananarama
• Status Quo
• David Bowie (who contributed a spoken message)

The song was written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, with Ure also handling production duties. The recording was completed in a single day, a testament to the commitment and urgency felt by all involved.

Impact and Legacy

“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” was released on December 3, 1984, and became an instant success. It topped the UK Singles Chart for five weeks and sold over three million copies in the UK alone, becoming the fastest-selling single in UK chart history at the time. The song raised millions of pounds for famine relief efforts in Ethiopia.

The success of the single also inspired the creation of Live Aid, a dual-venue benefit concert held in July 1985, which further amplified the global response to the Ethiopian famine. The event was watched by an estimated 1.9 billion people worldwide and raised additional funds for the cause.

Broader Significance

The recording of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” marked a pivotal moment in the history of charity music. It demonstrated the power of popular culture to mobilize resources and attention for humanitarian causes. The initiative set a precedent for future charity singles and concerts, such as “We Are the World” in the United States.

The song has been re-recorded several times, with new versions released in 1989, 2004, and 2014, each time to address contemporary humanitarian issues. Despite some criticism over its lyrics and portrayal of Africa, the original 1984 recording remains a significant cultural and philanthropic milestone.