Band Aid 40 slammed by listeners as Bob Geldof left in tears over 'work of art' song

The revamped Band Aid 40 charity single has received a variety of reactions from fans, with some labeling it a "hot mess" and claiming it falls short of the original.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the iconic song, a fresh rendition called Do They Know It’s Christmas? 2024 Ultimate Mix came out on Monday, along with a unique video.

Band Aid's new song brings together vocals from their 1984, 2004, and 2014 versions, featuring contributions from artists across decades. Produced by Trevor Horn, the track utilizes innovative production methods to seamlessly combine these three recordings, uniting the voices of various generations into one harmonious piece.

The album features contributions from the Band Aid house band, which includes Sir Paul McCartney, Sting, John Taylor on bass, Phil Collins, Roger Taylor, Danny Goffey on drums, Thom Yorke on piano, as well as Paul Weller, Damon Albarn, Midge Ure, Johnny Greenwood, Gary Kemp, and Justin Hawkins on guitar.

Bob Geldof, the songwriter, got choked up while talking on Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 Breakfast show. He referred to the revamped song as a "masterpiece" after hearing it performed live on the air.

Feeling emotional, he shared with Zoe, 54: “I consider it a masterpiece. The vocals are just amazing, aren’t they? I believe it’s one of the finest pieces of production ever created in rock and roll music.”

Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure were the creative forces behind the very first Band Aid single, "Do They Know It’s Christmas," almost four decades ago.

Even with the significant effort put into it, the latest version has received backlash from fans, who took to X to express their dissatisfaction after the song premiered.

"I have to say, that new Band Aid 40 song is really dreadful," wrote one listener on X/Twitter. "Honestly, I’m not looking forward to hearing it in November either."

"There's simply no comparison to the original, regardless of how much Bob Geldof tries to present it in a different light. I'm also uncertain about how it generates funds in today's streaming era."

“To be honest, Band Aid 40 isn't great,” one person commented. Another chimed in, “I hate to say it, but it's a total disaster.”

One commenter mentioned, "Band Aid 40 is decent, but it doesn't compare to the original."

"What on earth have they done to the Band Aid 40 song? It's just terrible!" another listener expressed.

On the other hand, some listeners had a different perspective and expressed their admiration for the song, with one revealing that it brought them to tears.

One commenter wrote: “Sir Bob truly honored the song. I was concerned about a new version, but it was fantastic and had me in tears in the car while I was driving the kids to school! It's such a legendary song for an important cause.”

"One person mentioned that they didn't have high expectations, but it turned out to be much better than they anticipated." A third person shared that their "heart felt full while listening to it."

One listener shared, "Hearing @PaulYoungParlez and those first words brought a tear to my eye. Absolutely amazing! #BandAid40."

To celebrate the song's achievement, a new remix has been made that combines the vocals of artists who appeared in earlier versions, such as Harry Styles, George Michael, and Bono.

The singer-songwriter shared on social media that "after ten years, my perspective on this story has evolved." This came after he referenced a message from British-Ghanaian rapper Fuse ODG, who criticized foreign aid in Africa.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Geldof remarked, “This modest pop song has saved the lives of countless individuals.”

"Why would Band Aid stop providing meals to thousands of children who rely on us for food?"

He continued, “So why stop? Just because of a vague argument from the wealthy world, no matter how valid it might be?”

No matter how deeply we believe in a theoretical concept, it shouldn't prevent us from acknowledging the harsh truths of the real world. Right now, there are 600 million people facing hunger globally, with 300 million of them located in Africa. We wish the situation were different, but unfortunately, it isn't.

"We're able to assist a portion of them, and that’s what we plan to keep doing."

Fuse ODG mentioned in an Instagram Story that he had declined the opportunity to join Band Aid 30 with Ed Sheeran ten years ago.

"I chose not to take part in Band Aid because I understood the negative impact that projects like it have on Africa," he stated.

"Although these portrayals may evoke compassion and financial support, they reinforce harmful stereotypes that hinder Africa's economic progress, tourism, and investment. This ultimately results in significant financial losses for the continent and undermines its dignity, pride, and sense of identity."

He stated: "By presenting degrading images, these efforts promote sympathy instead of collaboration, hindering genuine interaction."

My goal has been to take back the narrative, giving Africans the chance to share their own stories, reshape their identity, and establish Africa as a vibrant center for investment and tourism.

"Nowadays, the contributions from the diaspora represent the biggest source of money coming into the continent, surpassing both Band Aid and foreign assistance. This shows that Africa's ability to solve its challenges and advance is firmly within its own control."

In a separate article, he expressed that they invite anyone who is truly interested in helping the continent. However, this assistance should come from a place of working together rather than looking down on others, and it should be based on unity instead of handouts.

The original Band Aid song brought musicians together in 1984, spearheaded by Bob Geldof of the Boomtown Rats and Midge Ure from Ultravox, in an effort to support organizations aiding children suffering from hunger in Ethiopia.

"Do They Know It’s Christmas?" quickly climbed to the top spot that year and set a record as the fastest-selling single ever in the UK, with a remarkable million copies sold in just the first week.

It held the top spot for five weeks and went on to sell over three million copies.