Band Aid ( Band ) - wikipedia Band Aid ( Band ) For the 2004 incarnation of the band, see Band Aid 20. For the 2014 incarnation of the band, see Band Aid 30. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( December 2016 ) Band Aid Origin London, United Kingdom Genres Christmas Years active 1984 ( 1984 ) Associated acts Band Aid 20 Band Aid 30 USA for Africa Hear ' n Aid Northern Lights Disco Aid Band Aid is a charity supergroup featuring mainly British and Irish musicians and recording artists. It was founded in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for anti-famine efforts in Ethiopia by releasing the song `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' for the Christmas market that year. On 25 November 1984, the song was recorded at Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill, London, and was released in the UK four days later. The single surpassed the hopes of the producers to become the Christmas number one on that release. Three subsequent re-recordings of the song to raise further money for charity also topped the charts, first the Band Aid II version in 1989 and the Band Aid 20 version in 2004 and finally the Band Aid 30 version in 2014. The original was produced by Midge Ure. The 12 '' version was mixed by Trevor Horn. Contents 1 Background 2 Original Band Aid 2.1 Chronology ( 1984 ) 2.2 1984 performers 2.3 Effectiveness 3 Band Aid II 3.1 Production 3.2 1989 performers 4 Band Aid 20 4.1 2004 performers 5 Band Aid 30 5.1 2014 performers 6 Musicians and instrumentation 7 Related projects 8 Criticism and controversies 8.1 Claims of self - righteousness 9 References 10 External links Background The supergroup was formed by Bob Geldof, who was then lead singer of the Irish band The Boomtown Rats. The BBC played a major role in capturing the poverty affecting Ethiopian citizens and thereby influenced Geldof to take action. Paula Yates, Bob Geldof 's partner, is considered to have been the brains behind the original Band Aid. It was she who became the driving force that inspired ( and helped ) Geldof to rally the most famous pop stars of the 1980s to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. The group was composed of forty artists to raise awareness and funds for the Ethiopian famine in 1983 -- 1985. The group 's name stemmed from the idea that the musicians were providing aid to the less fortunate and suggested that their project was likened to putting a band - aid on a wound. Geldof was looking for support from all nations for Africa beginning in the United Kingdom. To do so, the artists recorded a hit single titled `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' depicting the poverty stricken African scenery of the time. Lyrics of the song included description of the country saying, `` where nothing ever grows, no rain or rivers flow, do they know it 's Christmas time at all ? '' Ethiopia follows the Orthodox calendar where Christmas is celebrated on the seventh of January, however, when the song was recorded ( during the 1983 -- 1985 famine in Ethiopia ), the country had a Communist government and as such religious festivals were not celebrated. Original Band Aid Chronology ( 1984 ) Geldof was so moved by the plight of starving children in Ethiopia, that he decided to try to raise money using his contacts in pop music. Geldof enlisted the help of Midge Ure, from the group Ultravox, to produce a charity record. Ure took Geldof 's lyrics, and created the melody and backing track for the record. Geldof called many of the most popular British and Irish performers of the time, persuading them to give their time free. His one criterion for selection was how famous they were, to maximise sales of the record. He then kept an appointment to appear on a show on BBC Radio 1, with Richard Skinner, but instead of promoting the new Boomtown Rats material as planned, he announced the plan for Band Aid. The recording studio gave Band Aid no more than 24 free hours to record and mix the record, on 25 November 1984. The recording took place at SARM Studios in Notting Hill between 11 am and 7 pm, and was filmed by director Nigel Dick to be released as the pop video though some basic tracks had been recorded the day before at Midge Ure 's home studio. The first tracks to be recorded were the group / choir choruses which were filmed by the international press. The footage was rushed to newsrooms where it aired while the remainder of the recording process continued. Later, drums by Phil Collins were recorded. The introduction of the song features a slowed down sample from a Tears for Fears ' track called `` The Hurting '', released in 1983. Tony Hadley, of Spandau Ballet, was the first to record his vocal, while a section sung by Status Quo was deemed unusable, and replaced with section comprising Paul Weller, Sting, and Glenn Gregory, from Heaven 17. Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran sang between contributions from George Michael and Sting. Paul Young has since admitted, in a documentary, that he knew his opening lines were written for David Bowie, who was not able to make the recording but made a contribution to the B - side ( Bowie performed his lines at the Live Aid concert the following year ). Boy George arrived last at 6 pm, after Geldof woke him up by phone to have him flown over from New York City on Concorde to record his solo part. ( At the time, Culture Club were in the middle of a US tour. ) Feed The World logo designed by Markus Newman The following morning, Geldof appeared on the Radio 1 breakfast show with Mike Read, to promote the record further and promise that every penny would go to the cause. This led to a stand - off with the British Government, who refused to waive the VAT on the sales of the single. Geldof made the headlines by publicly standing up to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and, sensing the strength of public feeling, the government backed down and donated the tax back to the charity. The record was released on 3 December 1984, and went straight to No. 1 in the UK singles chart, outselling all the other records in the chart put together. It became the fastest - selling single of all time in the UK, selling a million copies in the first week alone. It stayed at No. 1 for five weeks, selling over three million copies and becoming easily the biggest - selling single of all time in the UK, thus beating the seven - year record held by Mull of Kintyre. It has since been surpassed by Elton John 's `` Candle in the Wind 1997 '' ( his tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales ) but it is likely to keep selling in different versions for many years to come. In 1986 the original music video from `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' received Band Aid a Grammy Award nomination for Best Music Video, Short Form. After Live Aid, `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' was re-released in late 1985 in a set that included a special - edition ' picture disc ' version, modelled after the Live Aid logo with ' Band ' in place of ' Live '. An added bonus, `` One Year On '' ( a statement from Geldof and Ure on the telephone ) was available as a b - side. `` One Year On '' can also be found in transcript form in a booklet which was included in the DVD set of Live Aid, the first disc of which features the BBC news report, as well as the Band Aid video. Live Aid inspired a number of charity events, such as Media Aid that raised money for Save the Children. 1984 performers Vocalists : Robert `` Kool '' Bell ( Kool & the Gang ) Bono ( U2 ) Pete Briquette ( The Boomtown Rats ) Adam Clayton ( U2 ) Phil Collins ( Genesis and solo artist ) Chris Cross ( Ultravox ) Simon Crowe ( The Boomtown Rats ) Sarah Dallin ( Bananarama ) Siobhan Fahey ( Bananarama ) Johnny Fingers ( The Boomtown Rats ) Bob Geldof ( The Boomtown Rats ) Boy George ( Culture Club ) Glenn Gregory ( Heaven 17 ) Tony Hadley ( Spandau Ballet ) John Keeble ( Spandau Ballet ) Gary Kemp ( Spandau Ballet ) Martin Kemp ( Spandau Ballet ) Simon Le Bon ( Duran Duran ) Marilyn George Michael ( Wham ! ) Jon Moss ( Culture Club ) Steve Norman ( Spandau Ballet ) Rick Parfitt ( Status Quo ) Nick Rhodes ( Duran Duran ) Francis Rossi ( Status Quo ) Sting ( The Police ) Andy Taylor ( Duran Duran ) James `` J.T. '' Taylor ( Kool & the Gang ) John Taylor ( Duran Duran ) Roger Taylor ( Duran Duran ) Dennis Thomas ( Kool & the Gang ) Midge Ure ( Ultravox ) Martyn Ware ( Heaven 17 ) Jody Watley Paul Weller ( The Style Council ) Keren Woodward ( Bananarama ) Paul Young Additional spoken messages on B - side : Stuart Adamson, Mark Brzezicki, Tony Butler, Bruce Watson ( Big Country ) David Bowie Holly Johnson ( Frankie Goes to Hollywood ) Paul McCartney Musicians : Phil Collins -- drums John Taylor -- bass Andy Taylor -- guitar Midge Ure -- keyboards and programming Effectiveness The hit single `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' was highly successful worldwide. It sold over two million copies around the globe and raised more than $24 million ( USD ). The super group 's success was seen as a large increase in Celebrity Diplomacy and inspired similar actions of support from countries such as Canada, France, Spain and the United States. The success influenced two organisations of live Benefit Concerts run by Celebrity Charity. The concerts were USA for Africa and Live Aid and were broadcast in over 165 countries across the globe. Band Aid and Live Aid combined raised about $150 million ( USD ) for the famine relief effort in Ethiopia. The first hit was so popular that several of the artists got together again to do a cover version of the original song `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? ''. These artists include Dido, Robbie Williams and Chris Martin. The group has come together on a total of four occasions composed of popular British and Irish musicians. Band Aid II This version, released in 1989 was produced by British songwriting and production team formed of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman known as Stock Aitken Waterman. The only artists from the original Band Aid to be featured again on this version were Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward of Bananarama. This version topped the UK Singles Chart for three weeks, but ultimately achieved far less historical significance and status than its predecessor. Production On Friday 1 December 1989, Bob Geldof called Pete Waterman to ask if he would consider producing a new version of the song featuring the big stars from that time. Waterman immediately cancelled his wedding ( planned for the same day ) and began calling up the artists. With just two days ' notice, on Sunday 3 December, recording took place at PWL Studios in South London. Present in the studio was Bob Geldof, wife Paula Yates and six - year - old daughter, Fifi Trixiebelle, who was eager to meet Jason Donovan. Production continued through the Monday, and by Tuesday 5 December the song was broadcast for the first time on London 's Capital Radio. Advance sales of the record reached 500,000. The song was released the following week on 11 December and spent three weeks at number one, becoming the 9th biggest selling song of the year, outselling Madonna 's `` Like a Prayer ''. 1989 performers Vocalists : Bananarama Big Fun Bros Cathy Dennis D Mob Jason Donovan Kevin Godley Glen Goldsmith Kylie Minogue The Pasadenas Chris Rea Cliff Richard Jimmy Somerville Sonia Lisa Stansfield Technotronic Wet Wet Wet Musicians : Matt Aitken -- keyboards & guitar Luke Goss ( Bros ) -- drums Chris Rea -- guitar Mike Stock -- keyboards Band Aid 20 Main article : Band Aid 20 Band Aid 20 was the 2004 incarnation of the charity group Band Aid. The group, which included Daniel Bedingfield, Justin Hawkins of The Darkness, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Bono of U2, and Paul McCartney, re-recorded the 1984 song `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '', written by Band Aid organisers Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. 2004 performers Vocalists : Anthony McPartlin ( Ant & Dec ) Declan Donnelly ( Ant & Dec ) Tim Wheeler ( Ash ) Daniel Bedingfield Natasha Bedingfield Bono ( U2 ) Busted Cat Deeley Chris Martin ( Coldplay ) Dido -- performed separately from a studio in Melbourne Dizzee Rascal -- the only artist to add lyrics to the song Ms Dynamite Skye Edwards ( Morcheeba ) Estelle Feeder Neil Hannon ( The Divine Comedy ) Justin Hawkins ( The Darkness ) Jamelia Tom Chaplin ( Keane ) Tim Rice - Oxley ( Keane ) Beverley Knight Lemar Shaznay Lewis ( All Saints ) Katie Melua Róisín Murphy ( Moloko ) Snow Patrol Rachel Stevens Joss Stone Sugababes The Thrills Turin Brakes Robbie Williams -- performed separately from a studio in Los Angeles Will Young Russell Mael ( Sparks ) Fran Healy ( Travis ) Musicians : Danny Goffey ( Supergrass ) -- drums Jonny Greenwood ( Radiohead ) -- guitar Dan Hawkins ( The Darkness ) -- guitar Justin Hawkins ( The Darkness ) -- guitar Paul McCartney -- bass guitar Thom Yorke ( Radiohead ) -- piano Additional personnel : Damon Albarn -- tea boy Bob Geldof -- organiser Nigel Godrich -- producer Midge Ure -- executive producer Band Aid 30 Main article : Band Aid 30 Band Aid 30 is the 2014 incarnation of the charity supergroup Band Aid. Announced by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, the aim was to aid 2014 Ebola outbreak victims in Western Africa and preventing its spread. As in previous incarnations, the group covered the track `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '', written in 1984 by Geldof and Ure. The song was recorded by some of the biggest - selling current British and Irish pop acts, including One Direction, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sandé, Ellie Goulding and Rita Ora. Bastille and Take That also took part, along with Chris Martin ( Coldplay ) and Bono ( U2 ) -- the third time he has contributed to a Band Aid recording. Their version of the song debuted at the chart 's summit during the week of its release, then dropped down a place in each of the following two weeks before dropping out of the Top 10 in its fourth week. It also received a polarised reception from many music critics due to its new lyric directed towards Africa. Also, for the first time, a German version was produced and reached the top position of the German single charts at the beginning of December 2014. The project is led by Geldof 's close friend Campino, lead vocalist of the punk rock band Die Toten Hosen. A French version of the song is led by Carla Bruni. 2014 performers Vocalists : Bono ( U2 ) Clean Bandit Alfie Deyes ( PointlessBlog ) Paloma Faith Guy Garvey ( Elbow ) Ellie Goulding Niall Horan ( One Direction ) Angélique Kidjo Zayn Malik ( One Direction ) Chris Martin ( Coldplay ) Olly Murs Sinéad O'Connor Rita Ora Liam Payne ( One Direction ) Emeli Sandé Seal Ed Sheeran Dan Smith ( Bastille ) Sam Smith Harry Styles ( One Direction ) Joe Sugg Louis Tomlinson ( One Direction ) Underworld Jessie Ware Zoe Sugg ( Zoella ) Musicians : Milan Neil Amin - Smith ( Clean Bandit ) -- violin Grace Chatto ( Clean Bandit ) -- cello Roger Taylor ( Queen ) -- drums, keyboards Ed Sheeran -- guitar Sinéad O'Connor -- bass, guitar Remixes : Underworld Additional personnel : Paul Epworth -- producer Musicians and instrumentation Many of the people involved in the original Band Aid single appeared on the 1984 Christmas edition of Top of the Pops, along with Slade, The Thompson Twins, Bronski Beat, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Jim Diamond to mime to the record. This was the only time the original Band Aid single was performed live on television. However Bono could not attend, and Paul Weller mimed Bono 's line. According to the film made by The Tube on the days of the recording 24 -- 25 November 1984, Bob Geldof says The Edge from U2 was to have played guitar on the track but was unable to as he was in hospital at the time with a kidney infection. Related projects The Band Aid project inspired other charity records around the world, including We Are the World by USA for Africa ( in the United States ), Cantaré Cantarás by Project Hermanos ( in Latin America ), Nackt im Wind by Band für Afrika ( in Germany ), Ethiopie by Chanteurs Sans Frontiere ' ( in France ), Tears Are Not Enough by Northern Lights ( in Canada ), Show some Concern by The Concerned in Ireland, Sammen for Livet by Forente Artister ( in Norway ), Maksamme Velkaa by Apua - Orkesteri ( in Finland ), Chega de Mágoa by Nordeste Já ( in Brazil ), Za milion godina by YU Rock Misija ( in Yugoslavia ), Stars by Hear ' n Aid ( international heavy metal artists ), Afrika written by Nanna with various Danish artists, Volare by Musicaitalia per l'Etiopia in Italy and many others. A compilation of computer games for the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum was published under the name Soft Aid. Each platform had its own selection of games from ten different publishers ; Elite Systems, Ocean Software, Quicksilva, and Virgin were represented on both. The cassette also featured a recording of the `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' single. Criticism and controversies Claims of self - righteousness In 1986, the anarchist band Chumbawamba released the album Pictures of Starving Children Sell Records, as well as an EP entitled `` We Are the World '', jointly recorded with US band A State of Mind, both of which were intended as anti-capitalist critiques of the Band Aid / Live Aid phenomenon. They argued that the record was primarily a cosmetic spectacle, designed to draw attention away from the real political causes of world hunger. In a 1985 Time Out interview, Morrissey gave his views about the song : ' I 'm not afraid to say that I think Band Aid was diabolical. Or to say that I think Bob Geldof is a nauseating character. Many people find that very unsettling, but I 'll say it as loud as anyone wants me to. In the first instance the record itself was absolutely tuneless. One can have great concern for the people of Ethiopia, but it 's another thing to inflict daily torture on the people of Great Britain. It was an awful record considering the mass of talent involved. And it was n't done shyly. It was the most self - righteous platform ever in the history of popular music. ' References Jump up ^ Sir Bob Geldof on tour ITV.com. Retrieved 15 September 2011 Jump up ^ Looking Back At Live Aid, 25 Years Later MTV. Retrieved 15 December 2011 Jump up ^ Bob Geldof The Guardian. Retrieved 15 September 2011 Jump up ^ The 20th anniversary of Band Aid BBC. Retrieved 15 December 2011 Jump up ^ Billboard 8 Dec 1984 Billboard. Retrieved 15 December 2011 Jump up ^ `` Bob Geldof to record Band Aid 30 ''. BBC News. 9 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014. Jump up ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/11235803/Band-Aid-30-Paula-Yates-the-woman-who-inspired-Bob-Geldof.html Jump up ^ Ure, Midge ( 2013 ). If I Was... An Enhanced Updated Autobiography. Acorn Digital Press. Jump up ^ Presenter : Midge Ure ( 21 October 2004 ). Band Aid : The Song That Rocked the World ( Documentary ) format = requires url = ( help ) ( TV Production ). Jump up ^ `` Band - Aid Rocks the Shops ''. The Sun. London, England. 4 December 1984. p. 1. Jump up ^ `` Band Aid 30 : One Direction among celebrity line - up ''. The Daily Telegraph. 10 November 2014. Jump up ^ `` Carla Bruni to do French Band Aid song ''. The Daily Telegraph. 17 November 2014. Jump up ^ `` Soft Aid ''. World of Spectrum. Retrieved 2 May 2012. Jump up ^ `` Archive -- Magazine viewer ''. World of Spectrum. Retrieved 2 May 2012. Jump up ^ Garfield, Simon ( 13 March 1985 ). `` This Charming Man : No SEX No DRUGS No ROCK ' N ' ROLL and Definitely No ROYALTY ! ''. Time Out. Archived from the original on 26 May 2013. Westley, Frances ( October 1991 ). `` Bob Geldof and Live Aid : The Affective Side of Global and Social Innovation. '' Human Relations, volume 44, number 10, pp. 1011 -- 36. doi : 10.1177 / 001872679104401001 External links Charity Commission. Band Aid Charitable Trust, registered charity no. 292199. Documentary : Making of Band Aid Part I Documentary : Making of Band Aid Part II Band Aid at WorldMusicDatabase Preceded by Flying Pickets -- Only You UK Christmas Number One single 1984 Succeeded by Shakin ' Stevens -- Merry Christmas Everyone Preceded by Cliff Richard -- Mistletoe and Wine UK Christmas Number One single Succeeded by Cliff Richard -- Saviour 's Day Preceded by Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules -- Mad World UK Christmas Number One single Succeeded by Shayne Ward -- That 's My Goal Best - selling singles by year in the United Kingdom 1952 -- 1969 1952 : `` Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart '' -- Vera Lynn ( UK ) 1953 : `` I Believe '' -- Frankie Laine 1954 : `` Secret Love '' -- Doris Day 1955 : `` Rose Marie '' -- Slim Whitman 1956 : `` I 'll Be Home '' -- Pat Boone 1957 : `` Diana '' -- Paul Anka 1958 : `` Jailhouse Rock '' -- Elvis Presley 1959 : `` Living Doll '' -- Cliff Richard ( UK ) 1960 : `` It 's Now or Never '' -- Elvis Presley 1961 : `` Wooden Heart '' -- Elvis Presley 1962 : `` I Remember You '' -- Frank Ifield ( UK ) 1963 : `` She Loves You '' -- The Beatles ( UK ) 1964 : `` Ca n't Buy Me Love '' -- The Beatles ( UK ) 1965 : `` Tears '' -- Ken Dodd ( UK ) 1966 : `` Green, Green Grass of Home '' -- Tom Jones ( UK ) 1967 : `` Release Me '' -- Engelbert Humperdinck ( UK ) 1968 : `` Hey Jude '' -- The Beatles ( UK ) 1969 : `` Sugar, Sugar '' -- The Archies 1970 -- 1989 1970 : `` The Wonder of You '' -- Elvis Presley 1971 : `` My Sweet Lord '' -- George Harrison ( UK ) 1972 : `` Amazing Grace '' -- The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Band ( UK ) 1973 : `` Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree '' -- Tony Orlando and Dawn 1974 : `` Tiger Feet '' -- Mud ( UK ) 1975 : `` Bye Bye Baby '' -- Bay City Rollers ( UK ) 1976 : `` Save Your Kisses for Me '' -- Brotherhood of Man ( UK ) 1977 : `` Mull of Kintyre '' / `` Girls ' School '' -- Wings ( UK ) 1978 : `` Rivers of Babylon '' / `` Brown Girl in the Ring '' -- Boney M. 1979 : `` Bright Eyes '' -- Art Garfunkel 1980 : `` Do n't Stand So Close to Me '' -- The Police ( UK ) 1981 : `` Do n't You Want Me '' -- The Human League ( UK ) 1982 : `` Come On Eileen '' -- Dexys Midnight Runners ( UK ) 1983 : `` Karma Chameleon '' -- Culture Club ( UK ) 1984 : `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' -- Band Aid ( UK ) 1985 : `` The Power of Love '' -- Jennifer Rush 1986 : `` Do n't Leave Me This Way '' -- The Communards ( UK ) 1987 : `` Never Gonna Give You Up '' -- Rick Astley ( UK ) 1988 : `` Mistletoe and Wine '' -- Cliff Richard ( UK ) 1989 : `` Ride on Time '' -- Black Box 1990 -- 2009 1990 : `` Unchained Melody '' -- The Righteous Brothers 1991 : `` ( Everything I Do ) I Do It for You '' -- Bryan Adams 1992 : `` I Will Always Love You '' -- Whitney Houston 1993 : `` I 'd Do Anything for Love ( But I Wo n't Do That ) '' -- Meat Loaf 1994 : `` Love Is All Around '' -- Wet Wet Wet ( UK ) 1995 : `` Unchained Melody '' -- Robson & Jerome ( UK ) 1996 : `` Killing Me Softly '' -- Fugees 1997 : `` Something About the Way You Look Tonight '' / `` Candle in the Wind 1997 '' -- Elton John ( UK ) 1998 : `` Believe '' -- Cher 1999 : ``... Baby One More Time '' -- Britney Spears 2000 : `` Can We Fix It ? '' -- Bob the Builder ( UK ) 2001 : `` It Was n't Me '' -- Shaggy featuring Rikrok ( UK ) 2002 : `` Anything Is Possible '' / `` Evergreen '' -- Will Young ( UK ) 2003 : `` Where Is the Love ? '' -- The Black Eyed Peas 2004 : `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' -- Band Aid 20 ( UK ) 2005 : `` Is This the Way to Amarillo '' -- Tony Christie featuring Peter Kay ( UK ) 2006 : `` Crazy '' -- Gnarls Barkley 2007 : `` Bleeding Love '' -- Leona Lewis ( UK ) 2008 : `` Hallelujah '' -- Alexandra Burke ( UK ) 2009 : `` Poker Face '' -- Lady Gaga 2010 -- present 2010 : `` Love the Way You Lie '' -- Eminem featuring Rihanna 2011 : `` Someone Like You '' -- Adele ( UK ) 2012 : `` Somebody That I Used to Know '' -- Gotye featuring Kimbra 2013 : `` Blurred Lines '' -- Robin Thicke featuring T.I. & Pharrell Williams 2014 : `` Happy '' -- Pharrell Williams 2015 : `` Uptown Funk '' -- Mark Ronson ( UK ) featuring Bruno Mars 2016 : `` One Dance '' -- Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla ( UK ) 2017 : `` Shape of You '' - Ed Sheeran ( UK ) UK best - selling singles ( by decade ) 1950s : `` Rock Around the Clock '' - Bill Haley & His Comets 1960s : `` She Loves You '' - The Beatles 1970s : `` Mull of Kintyre '' - Wings 1980s : `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' - Band Aid 1990s : `` Candle in the Wind 1997 '' - Elton John 2000s : `` Anything Is Possible '' / `` Evergreen '' - Will Young VIAF : 138459749 LCCN : no98023987 ISNI : 0000 0001 1497 9174 GND : 10284727 - 7 SUDOC : 052588181 BNF : cb13964629q ( data ) MusicBrainz : 0ecaa896 - 58fa - 4dca - b53d - 8da7bc5f59c5 NLA : 35793358 BNE : XX268484 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Band_Aid_(band)&oldid=824381058 '' Categories : Musical advocacy groups Charities based in London Development charities based in the United Kingdom British pop music groups Musical groups established in 1984 1984 establishments in the United Kingdom Hidden categories : Pages using citations with format and no URL EngvarB from December 2017 Use dmy dates from December 2017 Articles needing additional references from December 2016 All articles needing additional references Articles with hCards All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from December 2009 Articles with unsourced statements from November 2014 Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Wikipedia articles with LCCN identifiers Wikipedia articles with ISNI identifiers Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Wikipedia articles with BNF identifiers Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers Wikipedia articles with NLA identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Afrikaans Dansk Deutsch Español Français Hrvatski Bahasa Indonesia Italiano Magyar Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Português Русский Simple English Slovenčina Suomi Svenska Edit links This page was last edited on 7 February 2018, at 00 : 28. 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Question: when was the first band aid song released
Answer: 1984