The new Band Aid 30 charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” debuted during The X Factor in the United Kingdom on Sunday (Nov. 16).
One Direction, Chris Martin and Ed Sheeran Among Stars Recording Ebola-Fighting Charity Single
As previously reported, a host of U.K. music stars assembled at London’s Sarm Studio on Saturday to record a new version of the song, including One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay‘s Chris Martin, Rita Ora, Ellie Goulding and Sam Smith.
The fourth edition of the Band Aid charity single was recently announced Bob Geldof with an aim of combating the Ebola epidemic in Africa.
Whereas the original 1984 single, still the second biggest single of all time in the U.K., was aimed at tackling hunger in Africa, the latest edition will focus on fighting the Ebola epidemic and helping medical workers in Africa dealing with this “particularly pernicious illness that renders humans untouchable.” Geldof confirmed that several of the lyrics have been changed to reflect the new angle, although the main “feed the world” chorus line will remain.
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Other artists featuring in Band Aid 30 include Elbow, Seal, Sinead O’Connor, Queen drummer Roger Taylor and Bastille, who canceled two U.S. arena gigs to attend. Dance acts Disclosure and Underworld are making remixes of the song.
“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” is being released for download on Monday (Nov. 17). A CD edition, featuring a cover designed U.K. artist Tracey Emin, will come out three week later.