Do They Know It’s Christmas?

song by Geldof and Ure

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July 22, 2026

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"Do They Know It's Christmas?" is a charity single released in 1984 by the British group Band Aid. The song was written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. It featured a supergroup of popular British and Irish artists, including Bono, Boy George, Phil Collins, George Michael, and Sting.123

The song's success inspired similar fundraising efforts, most notably the American single "We Are the World" and the global benefit concert Live Aid, both held in 1985. Live Aid, also organized by Geldof and Ure, was a massive concert event held simultaneously in London and Philadelphia, raising millions for famine relief.32

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Bob Geldof
Band Aid
…Geldof wrote the track “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” with his writing partner Midge Ure, front man of the band Ultravox. Geldof then recruited some of the biggest names in the British pop scene—Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran, George Michael, Sting, Bono of U2, Phil Collins, Boy George
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…Geldof wrote the track “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” with his writing partner Midge Ure, front man of the band Ultravox. Geldof then recruited some of the biggest names in the British pop scene—Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran, George Michael, Sting, Bono of U2, Phil Collins, Boy George
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Live Aid
From Band Aid to Live Aid
…wrote the lyrics for “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Ure crafted the melody of the song, and Geldof recruited some of the biggest names in the British new wave scene to contribute vocals. The single, recorded in November 1984 and marketed under the name Band Aid, sold more than…
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…wrote the lyrics for “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Ure crafted the melody of the song, and Geldof recruited some of the biggest names in the British new wave scene to contribute vocals. The single, recorded in November 1984 and marketed under the name Band Aid, sold more than…
Read More

George Michael
Career with Wham!
…famine relief in Ethiopia, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” (1984). In the summer of 1985, he performed a stirring duet with Elton John, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” at the Live Aid benefit concert for famine relief. Also that year, Michael won the prestigious Ivor Novello…
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…famine relief in Ethiopia, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” (1984). In the summer of 1985, he performed a stirring duet with Elton John, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” at the Live Aid benefit concert for famine relief. Also that year, Michael won the prestigious Ivor Novello…
Read More