Thirty years after "Do They Know It's Christmas" was first recorded, U.K. singers have once again banded together to record the hit single, in an effort to raise funds to address the Ebola epidemic in Africa. U2's Bono and boy band One Direction are among those who have lent their voices and time for the new version of the song, along with Ellie Goulding, Bastille, Foals, and a number of popular names in music.
According to BBC, the song will debut on Sunday, Nov. 16, in ITV's "The X Factor." It will then be available for digital download on Monday, Nov. 17, and the CD will be available after three weeks.
The original version was the brainchild of musician and philanthropist Sir Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats) and Midge Ure. In an effort to help the people in famine-stricken Ethiopia, they came up with the charity group Band Aid in 1984, and singers volunteered to take part in the project. Among those who joined Geldolf in the 80s were Boy George of Culture Club, Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet, Simon LeBon of Duran Duran, Sara and Siobhan of Bananarama, along with musical legends Phil Collins, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, U2, Boomtown Rats, among many others. After four days of recording, the single was released, topped the charts, sold more than 2 million copies, and reportedly raised 8 million pounds.
The Band Aid II version followed in 1989, while the Band Aid 20 reincarnation took place in 2004. Geldof announced the latest one this month, and dubbed it Band Aid 30.
Since the goal of the latest campaign is to help raise funds to fight against Ebola in Africa, some of the original lyrics were changed to express the current need and situation. For instance, the line "Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears" was revised to "Where a kiss of love can kill you, and there's death in every tear."
Here's a trailer released by the charity group last Nov. 12:
