With the 40th anniversary remix featuring nothing from 1989’s version, let’s take a deep dive into the big-selling charity single that no one remembers

But the chorus of disapproval about the track, its stereotypical representation of an entire continent - describing it as a place "where nothing ever grows; no rain nor rivers flow" - and the way that recipients of the aid have been viewed as emaciated, helpless figures, has become louder over time.

In 1984, the Boomtown Rats’ Bob Geldof and Ultravox’s Midge Ure wrote a catchy, well-intentioned, deeply problematic Christmas song about the need to help other people during the holiday season. A massive group of primarily young British stars — including Bono,

The special new '2024 Ultimate Mix' of Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' has been officially unveiled today, marking the 40th anniversary of the recording of the original song.