Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ Fronts Race For U.K. No. 1

Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” is leading the way for No. 1 on the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart midweek update (Dec. 2), following the release of its 2024 Ultimate Mix.

Released to mark Band Aid’s 40th anniversary, the new version was produced by Trevor Horn [Spandau Ballet, Pet Shop Boys] and features vocalists from the 1984 original, 2004’s Band Aid 20, and 2014’s Band Aid 30. All three versions have topped the charts in the U.K., as did 1989’s Band Aid II.

Over the past few decades, the charity single has raised over £140 million ($178 million) for the Band Aid Charitable Trust, which seeks to benefit causes such as poverty in Africa. It was written by Bob Geldof and Ultravox’s Midge Ure following a BBC report into famine in Ethiopia, and has since become one of the U.K.’s best-selling singles of all-time.

All three previous incarnations of the song contribute to the Ultimate Mix, which features a wealth of artists including ​​George Michael, Sting, Chris Martin, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, One Direction, Bono and Sinead O’Connor, among others.

The push for the top spot follows the release of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” on physical formats this past Friday (Nov. 29), with proceeds benefitting the Band Aid Charitable Trust. The CD and vinyl variants also feature the original, 20th and 30th anniversary editions and 1985’s Live Aid version from Wembley Stadium.

The song and music video’s depiction of Africa, however, has drawn criticism over the years. 

Following his decision to turn down featuring on the 2014 version of Band Aid, earlier today (Dec. 3), British-Ghanian Afrobeats artist Fuse ODG further clarified his stance via The Guardian. “While the British public’s generosity in 1984 was genuine, and the aim of Band Aid was to address a specific humanitarian crisis, the way it depicted Africa did more long-term harm than good,” he wrote. “It inadvertently contributed to a broader identity crisis for Africans, portraying the entire continent as one monolithic, war-torn, starving place.” Ed Sheeran previously said that Band Aid were using his vocals without permission and that he otherwise would have declined to be involved again.

Elsewhere, Gracie Abrams’ “That’s So True” – which has remained at the summit for the past four weeks – stands at No.2, followed closely by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ “APT” at No. 3. “Defying Gravity” by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the emotional centerpiece of the recent Wicked soundtrack, comes in at No. 6.

A festive theme continues throughout the Top 10, with three more Yuletide hits heading towards the top of the chart. Wham!’s “Last Christmas” is on track for its first Top 5 appearance of 2024 at No. 5, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas” appears at No. 7, and Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” is currently at No. 9.