Revision as of 08:33, 6 April 2020

Do They Know It's Christmas?
German 12" single
Recorded by Sting
Released:	1984-12-03
Recorded:	1984-11-25
Length:	3:55 (remix 6:16)
Album(s):	ALBUM(S)
Label(s):	Mercury
Writer(s):	Bob Geldof, Midge Ure
Producer(s):	Midge Ure, Trevor Horn (12" version)
Studio(s):	Sarm West Studios
Released as single?	YES

"Do They Know It's Christmas?" is a song written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure and recorded by Band Aid (including Sting) mostly on 1984-11-25.

About the song

The demo was recorded by Midge Ure. John Taylor played his bass part on 1984-11-21. Sting recorded his vocals on 1984-11-24. Then - on 1984-11-25 - a lot of celebrities came to Sarm West Studios to do their part.

On that day the studio was blocked off with the Police (the guys in uniform!) being present. Seven camera crews were setting up their gear inside the studio, five from the UK and two from the USA. At 9:15AM Bob Geldof arrived. He had seen a TV report about Ethiopia and then contacted everybody he knew to suggest today's special charity project. Everybody involved worked for free: musicians, technicians, press factory people...

The next one to arrive was Midge Ure, who produced the 7" version of the song (the 12" version would be done by Trevor Horn). Another early birds in the studio was Culture Club's Jon Moss, who confirmed that Boy George will appear later in the day. Sting arrived in his black Range Rover. Paul Weller turned up on foot and mostly kept to himself. Spandau Ballet arrived in two limousines. They had flown over from Germany with Duran Duran at 6:30AM.

Trevor Horn arrived and his offer to mix a 12" version of the song is accepted. Around noon everybody except for Boy George was in the studio where they did a photo session with Brian Aris upstairs. They started to record after the photo session - it was choir singing first for about two hours. Then Paul Young, Bono, George Michael did their solo parts upstairs, followed by female singers.

Trudie Styler arrived with her baby daughter and two small dogs. Phil Collins would record his drum parts with additional percussion done by Jon Moss. Paul Weller, Bob Geldof and Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp record their acoustic guitars in two takes. The latest recording would be done by Boy George who needed some brandy before doing half a dozen takes.

The song was mixed by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in the night and mastered the following day. Singles would be pressed the next Wednesday to be sold on the following Saturday.

Personnel

Phil Collins - drums
Jon Moss - percussion
John Taylor - bass
Sting - vocals
Midge Ure - keyboards
Paul Weller, Bob Geldof, Gary Kemp - acoustic guitars
Bono, George Michael, Boy George, lots of others ... - vocals

Release History

Albums

Do They Know It's Christmas? appears on the following album releases:

Cover art	Album title	Release date	Release country
	Album date	YYYY-MM-DD	Country

Singles

CD Singles

Cover art	Catalog no.	Songs	Release date	Release country
	Catalog no.	"Song"(s)	YYYY-MM-DD	Country

7" Singles

Cover art	Catalog no.	A-side song/B-side song	Release date	Release country
	Catalog no.	"A-side song"/"B-side song"	YYYY-MM-DD	Country

12" Singles

Cover art	Catalog no.	A-side song(s)/B-side song(s)	Release date	Release country
40px	FEED 112	"Do They Know It's Christmas? (remix)"/"Do They Know It's Christmas? (standard mix)"/"Feed The World"	1984-12-03	Germany
	880 502-1	"Do They Know It's Christmas? (remix)"/"Do They Know It's Christmas? (standard mix)"/"Feed The World"	1984-12-DD	Germany

Video

"Do They Know It's Christmas?" appears on the following video and dvd releases:

Cover art	Video title	Release date	Release country
	Do They Know It's Christmas? - The Story Of The Official Band Aid Video	1984-MM-DD	England, UK