Band Aid 40 listeners brand revamped charity single a ‘hot mess’ and claim track is ‘absolutely ruined’ – as creator Bob Geldof breaks down in tears over the ‘work of art’ song

Listeners tuning in to hear the revamped Band Aid 40 charity single have branded it a ‘hot mess’ and claimed the song has been ‘absolutely ruined’. 

To celebrate the iconic charity track’s 40th Anniversary, a brand new version – Do They Know It’s Christmas? 2024 Ultimate Mix – alongside a special video, has been released on Monday.

Do They Know It’s Christmas? has been recorded on three separate occasions, Band Aid (1984), Band Aid 20 (2004) and Band Aid 30 (2014), offering snapshots at some of music’s biggest stars, and how they’ve changed throughout the decades. 

To mark the occasion, producer Trevor Horn has taken the three recordings and, through extraordinary music production techniques, blended all the voices of those separate generations into one seamless track. 

However, the latest offering hasn’t gone down well with listeners hearing the first glimpse of the track on BBC Radio 2, with many taking to X to slam the song.

Meanwhile, the song’s creator Bob Geldof broke down in tears as he joined presenter Zoe Ball on her morning show to listen to the track, as he hailed it a ‘work of art’.

Band Aid has returned with a brand new version to mark the iconic charity track’s 40th Anniversary (the stars of the original 1984 track are pictured)

Sharing their thoughts on the platform, formerly known as Twitter, listeners made their thoughts very clear about the revamped single. 

They penned: ‘What the f**king f**k have they done to #BandAid?’

‘Oh god. It’s just so bad’; ‘Well this is a load of sh*te. Absolutely ruined it’

‘Just heard the new version…Utterly crap; ‘I’m sorry but that’s a hot mess’

‘Not feeling the new Band Aid single’; ‘What fresh hell is this’

‘#BandAid40 have set back famine relief forty one years.’

However, some listeners had a differing view and instead praised the song, with one admitting they were left in ‘tears’ at the track.

They penned: ‘Sir Bob has done the song proud, I was worried about another version but it was good and had me sat in the car in tears doing the sch run! Such an iconic song for such a good cause.’

Sharing their thoughts on the platform, formerly known as Twitter, listeners made their thoughts very clear about the revamped single

‘Wasn’t expecting much but it was a lot better than I thought it would be’; ‘heart full listening to it’

‘Hearing @PaulYoungParlez and that opening line bought a tear to my eye, very good! #BandAid40’

Meanwhile, ahead of the mixed response from listeners, Bob Geldof, 73, became emotional and choked back as he listened to the song on the radio for the first time.

After listening to the song, Zoe, 54, remarked: ‘that’s made me all kinds of emotional. What an extraordinary record’

To which Bob replied: ‘It is…’, with the artist then taking an emotional intake of breathe. 

Listening to all the voices featuring on the track, he said: ‘I think it’s a work of art. 

‘Aren’t the voices incredible! I think it’s one of the greatest production art that has ever been done in British rock and roll. Genuinely.’

As the Boomtown Rats rockers became emotional once again, Zoe added: ‘We’ve both had a cry and it’s that thing, there’s so many people involved in that, that perhaps aren’t with us anymore, and this time of year, we think of those…’

Bob then went on to mention the late Liam Payne, who featured on the Band Aid 30 version after recording it with One Direction back in 2014.

Bob said: ‘Liam, I was thinking about this with the funeral. I mean, he’s here, he’s here with his mates, he’s alive with us..

Zoe commented: ‘His voice lives on in his music’,  with Bob adding: ‘And he’s doing it for others.’ 

However, some listeners had a differing view and instead praised the song, with one admitting they were left in ‘tears’ at the track

Unveiled on 25th November, on Band Aid – 2024 Ultimate Mix sees a young Sting sing alongside a young Ed Sheeran, a young Boy George with a young Sam Smith, a young George Michael beside a young Harry Styles. 

The young Bono with an older Bono, Chris Martin with Guy Garvey, the Sugababes and Bananarama, Seal and Sinead O’Connor, Rita Ora and Robbie Williams, Kool and the Gang and Underworld. 

Other stars featuring include Paul McCartney, Sting, John Taylor, Phil Collins, Roger Taylor, Paul Weller, Damon Albarn, Midge Ure, Johnny Greenwood, Gary Kemp and Justin Hawkins. 

The song was unveiled on Monday November 25 with plays across UK breakfast time radio, with the video being unveiled later in the evening.

Meanwhile, the song’s creator Bob Geldof broke down in tears as he joined presenter Zoe Ball on her morning show to listen to the track, as he hailed it a ‘work of art’ 

Band Aid’s first version offered a snapshot of some of the 1980s’ biggest stars, with names including George Michael, Boy George, Spandau Ballet and Banarama all featuring.

A second recording of the track was released in 2004, and featured Noughties favourites such as Busted, Robbie Williams, Daniel Bedingfield, Snow Patrol and The Sugababes.

In 2014, the last version of Band Aid was released, and despite featuring names such as One Direction, Olly Murs, Paloma Faith and Rita Ora, though lyrics were changed to reflect its effort to raise funds for the Ebola outbreak in Africa.

This move came under fire from some critics, with some saying the lyrics are outdated and perpetuate negative stereotypes of African countries which could harm their world image. 

It comes after Ed Sheeran has claimed he wasn’t asked permission from Band Aid 40 organisers to use his vocals on the a new version of the charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas?

The musician, 33, originally featured on the 2014 version of the track – spearheaded by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure – alongside the likes of Sting and Harry Styles which aimed to raise money for the Ebola relief efforts.

However amid the upcoming release of the 2024 Ultimate Mix of the song to celebrate its 40th anniversary, Ed has told how he would have denied permission to add his voice to the song had he’d been asked.

Taking to his Instagram stories on Sunday, the Shape Of You hitmaker re-shared a message from Ghanaian-British musician Fuse ODG, who has been vocal in his criticism of the charity single claiming it ‘dehumanises Africans and destroys our pride and identity in the name of ‘charity’.’

Ed wrote: ‘My approval wasn’t sought on this new Band Aid 40 release and had I had the choice I would have respectfully declined the use of my vocals.

Ed Sheeran has claimed he wasn’t asked permission from Band Aid 40 organisers to use his vocals on the a new version of the charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas?

Ed has told how he would have denied permission to add his voice to the song had he’d been asked [Ed pictured heading to record Band Aid 30 in 2014]

Taking to his Instagram stories last bSunday, Ed re-shared a message from Ghanaian-British musician Fuse ODG, who has been vocal in his criticism of the charity single claiming it ‘dehumanises Africans and destroys our pride and identity in the name of ‘charity’’

Fuse ODG, who worked with Ed on the track Boa Me, posted a statement claiming the famous song ‘perpetuates damaging stereotypes’.

‘A decade on and my understanding of the narrative associated with this has changed, eloquently explained by @fuseodg. This is just my personal stance, I’m hoping it’s a forward-looking one. Love to all x.’

Ed’s words are in support of rapper Fuse ODG’s strong stance on the charity song – fronted by Bob Geldof – which comes a decade after he ‘refused’ to be part of the Band Aid 30 song. 

Fuse ODG, who worked with Ed on the track Boa Me, posted a statement claiming the famous song ‘perpetuates damaging stereotypes’.

The artist, who is releasing his own track We Know It’s Christmas, penned: ‘Ten years ago, I refused to participate in Band Aid because I recognised the harm initiatives like it inflict on Africa.

The song was originally created by Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in a bid to raise funds for anti-famine efforts in Ethiopia, and went onto top the charts and raise millions

‘While they may generate sympathy and donations, they perpetuate damaging stereotypes that stifle Africa’s economic growth, tourism and investment, ultimately costing the continent trillions and destroying its dignity, pride and identity.

‘By showcasing dehumanising imagery, these initiatives fuel pity rather than partnership discouraging meaningful engagement.’

The artist went on to say that he’s making it his mission to ‘to reclaim the narrative, empowering Africans to tell their own stories, redefine their identity, and position Africa as a thriving hub for investment and tourism.’

He continued: ‘Today, the diaspora drives the largest flow of funds back into the continent, not Band Aid or foreign aid proving that Africa’s solutions and progress lies in its own hands.’ 

MailOnline contacted Band Aid representatives for comment at the time.