One of the reasons why I love this song is that it was a big part of my teen-hood. Oh. My. Goodness. A Christmas song in 1984 with some of the biggest British musicians at the time behind it? For charity? Sign me up! Once I bought the 45 single, I was listening to it night and day!

This song, forty years old this year (just celebrated the recording anniversary on November 25), was written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. Being a teen at the time and not being British, I did not know who Bob Geldof or Midge Ure were. But with the many music books I had at the time, I soon found out they were from Boomtown Rats (hey I actually like “I Don’t Like Mondays”) and Ultravox.

The inspiration for the song came after Geldof saw a BBC report regarding the famine in Ethiopia. He then contacted Ure and between the two, used their British musical powers to round up the talent that would put this song on the map.

The six main singers were probably the biggest names in British music at the time:

Paul Young – would go on to win a Brit Award for Best British Male in 1985

Boy George – lead singer of Culture Club, one of the hottest musical acts at the time

George Michael – lead singer/songwriter of the musical duo Wham!, one of the hottest musical acts at the time and would go on to become a phenomenal solo artist as well. George forever.

Simon LeBon – lead singer of the musical group Duran Duran, one of the hottest musical acts at the time and my favorite group at that time

Sting – lead singer of the musical group The Police, one of the hottest musical acts at the time

Bono – lead singer of U2, one of the hottest musical acts at the time

Combined with other top British acts at the time (Bananarama, Status Quo, Spandau Ballet, Genesis/Phil Collins, etc), you had a who’s-who of British music going on.

Phil Collins played drums. John Taylor from Duran Duran played bass. Even members from the U.S. group Kool and the Gang were there.

At the time the song sold over 2 million copies around the world and raised more than $24 million to support the people of Ethiopia.  

Although there may be some controversy over funds raised and money used, you’d be missing the point of the song if that was all you took into consideration. It is one of my favorites and I do believe they should stop re-recording different versions for different reasons and anniversaries. Leave it right where it should be—in 1984.

Some fun facts about the song: on Christmas Eve 1984 at 3:00 p.m., at least in my area, the song was simultaneously played on all radio stations.

Another fun fact: Boy George almost missed out on recording his part because Geldof couldn’t reach him in New York. He finally did reach him and was ordered to get his ass on the next Concorde to London. He was the last vocal recorded that day.