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Band Aid 30 releases ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’

Almost thirty years to the day since ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ was first recorded, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure have convinced another ensemble of music royalty (and a few YouTube celebrities) to sing for Africa.

This time, the super-group is attempting raise money to combat the West African Ebola crisis, which has killed more than 5000 people.

Bob Geldof back with Ebola Christmas track
• Ebola doctor dies in US
• See videos of both the 2014 and 1984 versions below

“It’s not just about what’s happening in west Africa, it could happen here tomorrow,” Geldof told fans outside the recording studio on November 15.

Andrew Cowie/AFP/Getty

Liam Payne from One Direction. PhotoGetty

“We can stop this thing, we can allow mothers, no matter where they are, to be able to touch their dying children,” he said.

“I hate that aspect of it that lovers can’t hold each other in their last moments, that husbands can’t comfort their wives, that parents can’t comfort their children.”

The lineup includes vocals from U2 frontman Bono, teen heartthrobs One Direction, Emeli Sande from the London Olympics Closing Ceremony, Rita Ora and Irish singer Sinead O’Connor.

It also features instrumentals from Queen’s Roger Taylor and Clean Bandit, and was produced by Paul Epworth.

Led Zepplelin’s Robert Plant was reportedly in the studio helping out too.

One Direction’s Niall Horan was hopeful that the song will do well in the lead up to Christmas.

“Hopefully we’ll get to number one and raise a lot of money for a really good cause,” he said.

John Phillips/Getty Images

Bono outside the recording studio in Notting Hill. Photo: Getty 

Geldof said he and Ure had to change some lyrics to avoid a faux pas. The line where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears”  has been replaced with where a kiss of love can kill you and there’s death in every tear.

The song was released for digital download on Sunday evening, the CD will be released on December 8.

The stars:

Bob Geldof, Midge Ure, Bastille, Bono (U2), Clean Bandit, Disclosure, Elbow, Paloma Faith, Fuse ODG, Nick Grimshaw, Ellie Goulding, Angelique Kidjo, Chris Martin (Coldplay), Olly Murs, Sinead O’Connor, One Direction, Rita Ora, Emeli Sande, Seal, Ed Sheeran, Roger Taylor (Queen), Sam Smith, Underworld, Jessie Ware.

Donations to the cause can be made at the Band Aid 30 website.

Band Aid 30 – Do They Know It’s Christmas (2014)

Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas (1984)

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