Band Aid rebooted for 30th anniversary

Bob Geldof has rebooted his seminal 1984 charity song “Do They Know It’s Christmas” with a new version to celebrate 30 years.

The new version features Ed Sheeran, Sinead O’Connor, Nick Grimshaw, Pixie Geldof, One Direction, Rita Ora, Olly Murs, Ellie Goulding, Elbow’s Guy Garvey, Bastille, Paloma Faith, Chris Martin, Seal and more.

The reboot includes new lyrics, including mention of the ebola outbreak in West Africa.

The changes include Bono’s famous line “Well tonight thank God it’s them instead of you”, which has now been changed to “Well tonight we’re reaching out and touching you”.

In support of the charity aspect of the song, the UK government has agreed to waive value added tax on the single.

Bono told the BBC “We’ve been trying to make this event a thing of the past. We want to make Band Aid history.”

“If every country had the values of Great Britain and kept the promises they’d made at these big G8 meetings, we wouldn’t have to be standing here.

“I just wish we didn’t have to do this. There will come a time when we won’t. And it will be great not to see the same old faces.”

The release of the single, along with the video, is due for release today (16/11) UK time.

The full new lyrics are:

It’s Christmas time, and there’s no need to be afraid
At Christmas time, we let in light and banish shade
And in our world of plenty, we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
At Christmas time
But say a prayer, pray for the other ones
At Christmas time, it’s hard but while you’re having fun
There’s a world outside your window, and it’s a world of dread and fear
Where a kiss of love can kill you, and there’s death in every tear
And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight we’re reaching out and touching you
No peace and joy this Christmas in West Africa
The only hope they’ll have is being alive
Where to comfort is to fear
Where to touch is to be scared
How can they know it’s Christmas time at all
Here’s to you
Raise a glass to everyone
And here’s to them
And all their years to come
Let them know it’s Christmas time after all
Feed the world, let them know it’s Christmas time again
Feel the world, let them know it’s Christmas time again
Heal the world, let them know it’s Christmas time again