There are so many iconic Christmas songs that really mark the start of the Christmas season.
Mariah Carey. George Michael. But there is one that just rises above them all.
And that is of course, Band Aid.
This year marks 40 years of Band Aid and with that, there is a brand new 2024 Ultimate Mix & accompanying video release, commemorating the anniversary.
Do They Know It’s Christmas? was recorded on three separate occasions, over three separate generations, Band Aid (1984), Band Aid 20 (2004) and Band Aid 30 (2014).
The song went on to launch the greatest series of events in pop history. In celebration of this monumental “instrument of change”, producer Trevor Horn has taken these recordings and, through extraordinary music production techniques, blended all the voices of those separate generations into one seamless whole.
Band Aid – 2024 Ultimate Mix is out now and showcases vocals from artists who appeared on the song over the last four decades.
You can hear a young Sting sing alongside a young Ed Sheeran. A young Boy George with a young Sam Smith. A young George Michael beside a young Harry Styles. The young Bono with an older Bono, Chris Martin with Guy Garvey, the Sugababes and Bananarama.
Sinéad O’Connor’s vocals will also appear on the track after her passing.
The voices sing on against the Band Aid house band of Paul McCartney, Sting, John Taylor (bass), Phil Collins, Roger Taylor, Danny Goffey (drums), Thom Yorke (piano), Paul Weller, Damon Albarn, Midge Ure, Johnny Greenwood, Gary Kemp and Justin Hawkins (guitar).
Do They Know It’s Christmas? – 2024 Ultimate Mix is available to buy now digitally and physically on the Band Aid Compilation 1CD and 12” Vinyl is out now.