The track re-tweaked lyrics to reflect the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa, and all proceeds went towards battling what Geldof described as a "particularly pernicious illness because it renders humans untouchable and that is sickening".
[1][2] The song was recorded by some of the biggest-selling current British and Irish pop acts, including One Direction, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sandé, Ellie Goulding and Rita Ora.
Due to her filming commitments on The Voice UK, Rita Ora recorded her lines first thing in the morning, and was not present for the whole group chorus (although the video cuts to her singing alone along with them).
The physical version of the song will be released three weeks later on 8 December, and will feature cover artwork designed by artist Tracey Emin.
[18] Finally, Digital Spy were heavily critical of the single stating that they wouldn't "be bullied into buying a mediocre record when there are plenty of other ways to donate and do your bit to help".
[19] The Independent criticised the song for retaining what was described as perpetuating the patronising and condescending perspective of the original, with rapper Fuse ODG citing this as the reason he dropped out of the project.
[20] On 18 November, Liberian Robtel Neajai Pailey, a researcher at the School of Oriental and African Studies, argued on BBC Radio 4's Today that the question "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
Arguing against Pailey, producer Harvey Goldsmith said her concerns were "ridiculous", adding "I think it's disingenuous for people to turn round and say we shouldn't do anything or sit back and watch it all happen or wait for all those countries that pledged aid and refused to give it so far.
"[22] On 23 November, singer Lily Allen revealed that she had refused to appear on the record because she considered it "smug" and preferred to donate "actual money".
[28] Involved artists and bands sorted by their appearance in the German Band Aid 30 song "Do They Know It's Christmas":[29] Campino of Die Toten Hosen, Philipp Poisel, Clueso, Seeed, Andreas Bourani, Ina Müller, Jan Delay, Marteria, Michi Beck of Die Fantastischen Vier, Max Herre, Cro, Sportfreunde Stiller, Silbermond, Milky Chance, Max Raabe, Wolfgang Niedecken, Udo Lindenberg, Sammy Amara of Broilers, Anna Loos, Peter Maffay, Thees Uhlmann, Joy Denalane, Gentleman, Patrice, Jan Josef Liefers, Adel Tawil, 2raumwohnung, Donots, Jennifer Rostock The French version of the song, titled "Noël est là" ("Christmas is here"), features words by Carla Bruni and was released on 1 December 2014.
Artists featured in the recording include Renaud, Nicola Sirkis, Benjamin Biolay, Vanessa Paradis, Joey Starr, Yannick Noah, Thomas Dutronc, Amandine Bourgeois, Louis Bertignac, Tété and Christophe Willem.