Band aid came out before we are the world... It was for the famine in Africa that killed I believe over 1 million people.mmit was a horrible and serious crisis. I cried when. I first heard this over the radio...and I cried as well when I heard We are the world. It was a beautiful event all over and so needed. I believe bandaid 30 was the 30 year anniversary of this song. Bout time for a bandaid 40...let's keep the heart and good vibes goin!!

I can't tell you how much I miss the 80s. Everyone had so much love for each other.

Yes! This came out BEFORE USA for Africa! Then the u.s. singers wanted to do the same! ALL proceeds went to feed the starving African people! What a wonderful thing. I STILL have my 45 vinyl record!

USA for africa's "we are the world" was in reaction to this band-aid's "feed the world". in november of 1984 this song was written, recorded, produced, and released as a single for purchase within about ONE WEEK to take advantage of the christmas holiday buying season to raise as much money as possible for the devastating famine that was happening in ethiopia at the time. it raised MILLIONS of pounds and dollars. in order of appearance in the song: paul young ("everytime you go away", "oh girl", "come back and stay") boy george of culture club ("karma chameleon", "do you really want to hurt me") george michael of wham! ("careless whisper", "wake me up before you go go") simon le bon of duran duran ("rio", "hungry like the wolf", "girls on film", and soooo many more) sting of the police ("roxanne", "message in a bottle", "every little thing she does is magic", also too many more) tony hadley of spandau ballet ("true") bono of U2 (sooooo sooo many i can't begin to list but "pride" & "one" are my favs) paul weller of the jam & style council (also too many to list) also featured are phil collins of genesis on drums and miscellaneous UK pop stars of the day coming in to sing the group chorus and backing vocals. this is one of my top 10 christmas song MUST LISTENS every year and it still brings tears when i hear it ❤.

I was 14 when this was released in 1984 and remember the shocking images of the famine in Ethiopia, we had never seen anything like it! the Live Aid concert was in July the following year and raised even more money. This song is always played at Christmas time in the UK.

This came before and was the inspiration for we are the world in the US

Nothing made me cry in a song as much as the line "Tonight, thank God it's them instead of you". I was 11 years old when these songs came out, this and we are the world, and I spent all my allowance buying those little cassette singles just so I would be able to send whatever little money I had

Bananarama was there ("Venus"), as well as Kool and the Gang. Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet) was in there, as well as Sting, Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran), Boy George (Culture Club), George Michael...several members in these bands were also shown on screen at various points.

Sir Bob Geldof was involved in both Band Aid & USA for Africa

This is the song that started it all...this song by Band-Aid then led to "We Are the Word," Live Aid, Farm Aid, etc.

Band Aid was basically the British (or world version) contingent that spearheaded this (Bob Geldorf led it) the year before USA for Africa came out with their version in 1985. Spandau Ballet, Paul Young, U2, Banarama, Sade, Jodi Watley, Phil Collins, Sting, George Michael (was in Wham at the time), Boy George/Culture Club, Duran Duran, etc.

The chimes just bring me back to the first time hearing this song as a teenager-chills then and same now! I don’t think they can do this today with the same wholesomeness- no egos, just all of the major stars of the time working together!

This song gets me every time. 😢I'm an 80s kid so love the lineup for the song that Sir Bob Geldolf was able to assemble . He raised many millions of dollars to help those starving in Ethiopia

I play this song every year during the holidays.

Guys, the heavy metal genre finally joined in, in raising money for world hunger. Dio ran it. They were Hear N Aid the song is We're Stars.

This was recorded in 1984 to raise awareness and money for the famine in Africa. The Live Aid concerts that followed raised $127m ($350m today). The Queen set from that concert is legendary.

Can't believe I was 16 when this came out. 😮🎅🏻🌲

I think I made comments on the USA for Africa video about this band. THIS CAME FIRST. THIS IS WHAT INSPIRED USA for Africa. Band Aid did this song to raise money. The Boomtown Rats lead singer Sir Bob Geldof and Ultra Vox's Midget Ure created this to raise money for the starving children of Africa. Most importantly this is the same people who created Live Aid. Because of this song every one else followed. Because of these two men, they literally changed the world. The money that other organizations were collecting, barley any of the funds were actually reaching the starving children. So Band Aid made sure that all the money raised would reach the right people. They are true heroes. This group is made up of British pop and rock stars of the 80's so you may not recognize them. Duran, Duran, Boy George, Paul Young, Sting, Phil Collins, Bono, Wham (George Michaels) etc. Props to this band

I tear up everytime I hear this song when they get to the lyric, “feed the world.” 😢😢😢

HEY ASIA - Our George Michael is one of this year's nominees being considered for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Fans can vote daily for up to 5 artists until end of April on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website. So please, all you George Michael fans out there, please go vote for our boy! Others being up for consideration, Cyndi Lauper, Willie Nelson, Missy Elliott, The Spinners, Soundgarden, Iron Maiden and others.

to help you guys out, some of the bands/singers on the song: George Michael,. Boy George of Culture Club, Simon Lebon of Duran Duran, Sting , Paul Young, Jodie Whatley, Phil Collins, Bono, Tony Hadley from Spandau Ballet, Paul Weller of the Style Council, Marilyn, Status Quo, Heaven 17, Bananarama, Bob Geldolf, Midge Ure of Ultravox ( to name a few)..this was sort of the original UK version of the USA Africa idea...Band Aid 30 is sort of the 30th anniversary of that event and song with modern artists etc

I wish they would do more stuff like this but my faith in humanity is gone.

Wife here.., My Husband and I often talk about how this Christmas album is often overlooked by local stations ( Our Generation's Childhood Christmas songs)..We don't know why it's a little ignored..We Looooove it!!!..Sooooo THANK YOU!!!❤

Band Aid was driven by Bob Geldof of Boomtown Rats fame and was behind the Live Aid concerts in Wembley and Philadelphia in July 1985. It was to give aid to Ethiopia's well-documented famine at that time.

I love this song. I think I had recommended it before.🤔 Glad you got to experience it. I believe there were people from Duran Duran, Paul Young, bananarama, George Michael, bono, boy George, Jodie watley, Phil Collins, Sting, maybe Spandau ballet, and others. I think almost everyone was from the UK area. I loved watching it on MTV when MTV was a real video channel. I always love hearing it around Christmas. An awesome song. Thanks guys😊🤗

The first gentlemen singing is my namesake,Paul Young

Yes, Asia. George Michael is about 21 during the making of this video. Not long removed from your favorite song and video, WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GO-GO conquered the country and the MTV airwaves. You should react to the first singer in the video as well. His name is Paul Young. I'M GONNA TEAR YOUR PLAYHOUSE DOWN, EVERYTIME YOU GO AWAY, and CONE BACK AND STAY are some of his best-known music. His voice is worth a listen. Enjoy

OMG. I just laughed out loud at BJ’s look after George Michael sang. 😂😂😂

You had all 5 member of Duran Duran, their bass player played bass on this one. He’s in the red and black sweatshirt playing bass. Boy George there with his flaming hair. The main man, my favorite, Sting! Bananarama, Spandau Ballet and Phil Collins on drums. I have “the making of” video that shows behind the scenes and interviews. This came before USA for Africa or Band Aid. Bob Geldof, of Irish band Boomtown Rats, organized this as well as Live Aid.

You recognized most of the singers 👏👏👏 Paul Young, Boy George, George Michael, Simon LeBon (from Duran Duran), and Bono (U2) Phil Collins on the drums. David Bowie in the chorus. I busted out laughing when Asia mentioned Jody Watley exercise video... blast from the past! I forgot about that.

There are a lot of stars on there Boy George, Sting, Phil Collins, George Micheal's, Duran Duran, Bono and the list goes on and on

if your're interested in learning more about this song i recommend the documentary on the making of the video. The 30 mention is most likely a reference to the number of bands that were involved. The documentary lets you know what bands and singers so it may enertain you. The making of documentary is less than an hour long so you it won't take too much time to watch. have a great day

FYI Bob Geldof of The Boomtown Rats organized this. You see him at the beginning and elsewhere. He played Pink in Pink Floyd's The Wall movie.

Ha ha ha , I was waiting for George just to see Asia's face, it didn't disappoint, and BJ's look when he saw it, just pure magic 😍🤣🤣Asia says it's the youngest she's seen him, watch wham rap video or young guns.

He never gets the credit he deserves but Midge Ure, founder and lead singer of Ultravox was also a co-creator and co-producer of the Band Aid and Live Aid projects and the recording engineer of “Do the know it’s Christmas?”.

And no comments on Phil Collins on drums?

If you wish to see the reason for Band Aid, USA For Africa, and the finale Live Aid concert of 85 you have to unfortunately watch the BBC News 10/23/84 Michael Buerk news footage concerning the starvation of 7M Ethiopians. I so remember at 15 being reduced to absolute tears. I have never witnessed hell on Earth like it. Arise Sir Bob Geldof. You’re the man.

A classic song. It has received criticism but the participants had good intentions.

The same guy who organised this, later organised the Live Aid concerts. Bob Geldof from the Boomtown Rats.

They were all so young then. So were all of us.

I have to listen to this every year it's one of my favorites

It’s mad that nothing has changed in forty years. Loads of big names came together at the time from the UK. Duran Duran, Wham, Culture Club, Bananarama, Paul Young, The Poilce, Phil Collins, Status Quo, U2, it was mad.

This preceded "We Are The World". Quincy Jones said he was ashamed that these white English guys were more concerned about Africans that the brothers in the USA, By the way, some members of Kool and the Gang were in London and can be seen in this video. Still played every year at Christmas.

Artists from all over the world gathered together to record songs in 1984-1985 to raise funds and awareness for famine relief in Africa. Its amazing to see these artists come together for such an important cause. There are three songs/videos that were recorded during that time that I know of: 1. Quincy Jones produced this one with American Artists (Michael and Lionel wrote it). 2. Bob Geldof and Midge Ure wrote and produced one with UK Artists (Band Aid) called "Do They Know It's Christmas" 3. David Foster produced one with Canadian Artists (Northern Lights) called "Tears Are Not Enough" (written by Bryan Adams & Jim Vallance). All three are amazing and the lyrics of each one will touch your heart. You have now reacted to 2 of the 3. I think there might have been other countries that did this as well but these are the three that I am familiar with.

My uncle used to live in village just across the river from Gerorge Michael and I remember as a very little girl standing on a park bench to see into his garden. 😂

Asia, your face when George started singing did exactly the same as mine 🥰

Great seeing Sting, Boy George (from Culture Club), Paul Young, Phil Collins, George Michael, Simon LeBon (from Duran Duran), Tony Hadley (from Spandau Ballet), Steve Bono, Paul Weller (from The Jam), and I think We Are The World still has the best collab of artists ever. Nice reaction guys. Feed the World! Oh, hey Jody Watley! She's still looking for a new love to this day haha shoot. Oh, also that's the female band Bananarama in the front. I'm your Venus! Few other members of Duran Duran were there too. I think Kool from Kool & The Gang was there as well in the back next to Phil Collins. Jody did "Real Love" "Looking For A New Love" "Don't You Want Me" "Some Kind Of Lover" "Still A Thrill" "Most Of All" "You Are My Everything."

The OG of this type of collaboration to help others

I guess George would have loved doing We Are The World however, they were both recording at the same time so he couldn't he obviously couldn't & George is from the UK. 😎🎤🎶🎶🎶💖

This is the 1984 British version of "u.s.a. for Africa", that was released in 1986!!

All thanks to an Irishman and Scotsman and everything that came afterwards!

Every year on the radio…❤

There will never be a better decade than the 80s ❤

80s was so great...really was...I remember hearing this as a 10 year old in 84 ...you just knew it was an instant classic

I was 8yrs old when this came out and i went and brought the record with my pocket money.. I still have it

Band Aid 1984 ‘Do they Know it’s Christmas?’ Lyrics: [Paul Young] It’s Christmas time There’s no need to be afraid At Christmas time We let in light and we banish shade [Boy George] And in our world of plenty We can spread a smile of joy Throw your arms around the world At Christmas time [George Michael] But say a prayer Pray for the other ones At Christmas time it’s hard [Simon LeBon (Duran Duran)] But when you’re having fun There’s a world outside your window And it’s a world of dread and fear [Sting] Where the only water flowing Is the bitter sting of tears [Bono & Sting] And the Christmas bells that ring there Are the clanging chimes of doom [Bono] Well tonight thank God it’s them Instead of you [Boy George & Others] And there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmas time The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life(Oooh) Where nothing ever grows No rain or rivers flow Do they know it’s Christmas time at all? [Marilyn & Glenn Gregory] Here’s to you [Paul Young] Raise a glass for everyone [Marilyn & Glenn Gregory] Here’s to them [Paul Young, Marilyn & Glenn Gregory] Underneath that burning sun Do they know it’s Christmas time at all? [Chorus: All] Feed the world Feed the world Feed the world Let them know it’s Christmas time again Feed the world Let them know it’s Christmas time again

I’ll take it!✌️😊🧿

In another 10 years they'll be making charity records and doing concerts for us in the UK/USA !

Awesome!! You should checkout the Canadian artists one. They called themselves Northern Lights and their song was called Tears Are Not Enough.

Another thing that is really cool about this, is that they did it in 24 hrs, from recording to release. Somebody check me, but I think that is right.

This collab is what brought us Live Aid, Farm Aid, and even the copycat USA For Africa. I still have the original vinyl from when it was released.

I really enjoy this song when it comes on the radio every Christmas

The Extended version with DAVID BOWIE is really awesome… this was before USA for AFRICA…. All singers and Bands were from England UK 80s popular artist… you can Google The Information 💙♥️💙♥️💙♥️

You guys make me Laugh and I really needed that this morning !! Bj's so funny with the whole George Michaels thing 😂 ....

this is what started Live Aid, Bob Geldof saw the famine that was happening in Ethiopia & started the Band Aid/Live Aid movement. The rest of the world joined in

There is THE MAKING OF this video… All was made Christmas Eve all day and night 1984…. Awesome commitment ❤

Bob Geldof was also at the recording of We Are The World

The Canadians also have their own version called " Tears are Not Enough" You should check if out .I'm sure you will recognize some faces.

Guys! You gotta react to all of those great artists separately! They are all great!!! 💕

Same was done for the ocean earthquake and tsunami on boxingday 2004 victums. "GRIEF NEVER GROWS OLD" - ONE WORLD PROJECT a supergroep of British singers (Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Boy George, Russel Watson and many others)

The British version or response to “We are the World”. This was absolutely HUGE ☝️😁👍

This was the one that started it all, with Band Aid leading to Live Aid (both organized and planned by Bob Geldof) followed by USA for Africa in the US, and The Northern Lights in Canada.

You mentioned Band Aid 30, which was another rendition of this song 30 years later in 2014 for Ebola. It was mostly more recent artists, but Bono did reprise his refrain with different words. Worth checking out. Sinead O'Connor's part gives me goosebumps.

Theirs an extended version where they wish people Happy Christmas (England). Then David Bowie pleads for people to help feed all the hungry people in the world. Btw, it's pronounced Bon-Know not Bo-Know.

Phil Collins on drums, Sting (The Police), Simon LeBon of Duran Duran, Paul Young, Boy George

Always on the Xmas playlist... Oct/Nov 1984. BBC News reported severe famine in Ethiopia. Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats - I don't like Monday's...his wife (blond with baby in video) who later had an affair with frontman of INXS) and Midge Ure (Ultravox - Vienna), wanted to raise awareness and provide famine relief. Tune composed, phone calls made overnight and their fellow musicians (in the UK at the time) gathered to get this wondrous song produced and raise money before Christmas 1984...hence the tone of the lyrics. We Are the World - USA for Africa later followed the UK lead. Summer 1985, Live Aid - the global concert was devised after Geldof realised that more awareness/money was needed for the cause...the eponymous Queen (Live Aid) set still revered today as being the greatest live band performance. Vid: opens with Paul Young (every time you go away, wherever I lay my hat etc), Boy George (flew overnight via Concorde to make recording), Phil Collins on drums, George Michael, Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet - True, Gold), Simon Le Bon (of Duran Duran), Sting and Bono are main vocalists. Artists also seen in the vid: Bananarama (Venus, Cruel Summer), Jody Whatley (Friends, Real Love, Looking for a New Love), Kool & the Gang, Style Council, Heaven 17, and Status Quo

Jodi Watley and George Michael did a song together it's called Learn to say no.

Jody watley used to be in Shalamar and she became a solo star in the late 80's.

Band Aid 30 was the 30th anniversary of Band Aid but with current artists

People here in the U.K. at a certain age have this imprinted on the brain as the best thing at the time. Nothing at all has come close to this since. Happier days, more care free and less stress.

There's a song called Voices That Care which follows a similar format with celebrities getting together for a common cause. The intention was to support the troops in Desert Storm. Jody Watley was a part of the group Shalamar and she broke away and had a successful solo career.

Bob Geldof started the whole thing & the US followed. First with songs & then concerts.

I watched the Live Aid concert in I think it was 85. A HUGE movement across the world the send aud to Ethiopia and surrounding areas.

Sting’s voice is really noticeable through the track. A voice like no other!

Bono's line said so much

I love it!! Thats what Christmas is about!! My favorite holiday song👍👍

This had noting to do with Ebola. It was a famine in Ethiopia for which they were trying to raise funds.

UK version of USA for Africa...legends coming together...Sting, Bono, George Michael, Boy George, Phil Collins, Bananarama, Spandau Ballet, Jody Watley, Paul Young, Duran Duran, and more

Jodi Watley is better known for featuring in the group Shalamar. She also has a solo career for a brief period of time. I had no idea she had done exercise videos 😂😂😂😂

Band aid was the thing that kicked off a whole slew of other things. We are the World was done because of Band Aid. American Singers wanted to contribute. Live Aid was a Thing that came afterwards with everybodys help

I was 7 and remember everyone going to the shops buying 2 or 3 copies and only keeping 1. Donating as much as we could. All the schools did as much as possible to send food, clothes and anything they could.

I love Georgie. His sound is something special

This brought about Live Aid, your very own Kool and the Gang were touring the UK at the time and they joined in.

I'm glad you reacted to this as it's a favorite song and for the fact that they simply did this for helping to relieve the famine.

Because of these few folks, a lot of people got fed, but we need to keep going.....

The good thing as Bob Geldof said was all the stars left their egos at the door….

Great reaction guys. This was such an inspirational song growing up. There is also a metal version to the same concept. 'Hear N' Aid' is a gathering of heavy metal artists from the 80's, who wrote the song 'We're Stars' . It features many vocalists, and the guitar solo is very lengthy, played by multiple lead guitarists. Each showcasing there unique style. Another great creation and awesome video. Hope you guys check it out. If you read the artists who participated, I'm sure that you will be surprised that you recognize so many. Continue with the great reactions ❤️

Cool,I definitely remember this when it was released but I never knew how much they raised

Here's a little backstory on the song. The year was 1984 and Irish punk rocker Bob Geldof's life was in a rut. - His band the Boomtown rats was dropped by their label - His long time girlfriend Paula Yates was a bigger celebrity than he. People mockingly would call him “Mrs. Yates” - And for all purposes, his career was over. But his problems were put in perspective when he saw a report on war torn and famine struck Ethiopia. He went, “This is a scandal, how is it possible that something like this still exists in the 20'Th century?” So, with that, he started to make some phone calls, setting up a trust fund called "Band aid” to bring in money to help those people in desperate need. One way to get it all working was to have every single A-list celebrity at the time participating, but also to make it the number one Christmas single. Which is also what gave the song its title. Those people in famine struck Ethiopia had nothing to celebrate, Christmas was the furthest thing on their minds. That line that Bono delivers “Tonight thank god it's THEM instead of you.” being the most jarring and the most truthful. But as this music video shows, everybody was on the same page, the stars were making it a fun day out, stories of “We toured Germany last week.” There were no egos and after a while when the stars got hungry, a crew member went out to buy some Fish and Chips, nobody complained. Fast forward a few months, with the single a big success, Geldof gets a phone call from Lionel Ritchie, telling him that he and Michael Jackson wanted to do a similar song called “We are the world”. Geldof flew to LA to attend the sessions but was met by a sheer culture shock. Because the American stars were complaining, some of them were going “This is bad publicity, I'm too famous for this!” But what broke the camel's back for Geldof was when a luxurious banquet was brought in. Lionel Ritchie, trying to save face, went “No you gotto understand, that's the way we do things in America.” I won't quote what Geldof said in reply to that statement. In the months following all of that, Geldof started leading the relief effort himself and went to Ethiopia. There's a rather famous picture of him arriving at the camp site and at seeing the misery in person, he turns away. That picture showed him, not as a messiah figure, but as a human being wanting to make a difference and being reminded why making that difference was desperately needed. During that time in Ethiopia, people would come up and sing “we are the world” to him, and he'd say “Sorry, that's the wrong song.”

One of my favorite Christmas songs ever