DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS?
by BAND AID
Inspired after watching a BBC News report on the famine in Ethiopia, Boomtown Rat Bob Geldof contacted Ultravox’s Midge Ure with a view to writing a song in order to raise some money, and assembled some of 1984’s top hitmakers into SARM Studios to record it.
Called Band Aid, the 37 performers at that point claimed 23 Number 1 singles between them, including Sting (with The Police), George Michael (both solo and with Wham!), Paul Weller (with The Jam), Paul Young, Phil Collins, Culture Club, Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, Boomtown Rats and Status Quo. Also present were members of U2, Ultravox, Kool & The Gang, Bananarama, Heaven 17 and singers Marilyn and Jody Watley.
Do They Know It’s Christmas was rush-released on December 3, 1984 and entered the UK Official Singles Chart at Number 1 for five weeks selling over a million copies in its first week. The legacy of Band Aid has continued, with three subsequent sequels; Band Aid II in 1989, Band Aid 20 in 2004 and Band Aid 30 in 2014 each with a new group of pop stars, all three of which also claimed Number 1 in the UK.
Music video
Official Singles Chart
Chart facts
- Peak position1
- LabelMERCURY
- Catalogue numberFEED1
- First Chart Date
Weeks on chart
- 5No. 1
- 18Top. 10
- 40Top. 20
- 58Top. 40
- 94Top. 75
- 105Top. 100
Chart run
1 week - 08/02/1986
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Official Singles Chart Update
Chart facts
- Peak position7
- LabelMERCURY
- Catalogue numberGBF088400001
- First Chart Date
Weeks on chart
- 0No. 1
- 5Top. 10
- 24Top. 20
- 31Top. 40
- 44Top. 75
- 48Top. 100
Chart run
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Official Singles Sales Chart
Chart facts
- Peak position36
- LabelMERCURY
- Catalogue numberGBF088400001
- First Chart Date
Weeks on chart
- 0No. 1
- 0Top. 10
- 0Top. 20
- 7Top. 40
- 38Top. 75
- 46Top. 100
Chart run
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Official Singles Downloads Chart
Chart facts
- Peak position6
- LabelMERCURY
- Catalogue numberGBF088400001
- First Chart Date
Weeks on chart
- 0No. 1
- 4Top. 10
- 6Top. 20
- 23Top. 40
- 72Top. 75
- 83Top. 100
Chart run
Buy
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