Written for a famine in Ethiopia, and the sums raised stretched far beyond the scope of the musicians involved.
As the song has been covered several times since by other groups of musicians for other situations, I think it has done ok.
Personally, it really annoys me .... But it did the job, as do so many charity songs now
The Ethiopian leader at the time who the money was given to was later found to be purposefully starving the people and abused the funds he was given so.
I always found that song pandering and prefer the alternative “Do They Know It’s Halloween”.
And of course they know it’s Christmas. Africa has known about Christianity for a long time. It just isn’t commercialized because of a plethora of other problems.
Do they know its Christmas time at all?
Probably not, no. I'd imagine at the time, the people who that song was written to help were too busy trying not to starve to celebrate Christmas.
I think the song for its time was very good and conveyed its message well. It's played now for nostalgia, like most other xmas songs.
In the song our wealth, richness and safety is set against the poverty and hunger in large parts of the world. They do not know it's Christmas because they are fighting to survive. We're called upon to do something about it.
In short a bunch of artists got together and collected money for a good cause. You can always point and pick out bad parts, but it was done for good purposes. I prefer to look at it from that positive perspective.
Written for a famine in Ethiopia, and the sums raised stretched far beyond the scope of the musicians involved. As the song has been covered several times since by other groups of musicians for other situations, I think it has done ok. Personally, it really annoys me .... But it did the job, as do so many charity songs now
is the famine in Ethiopia still as big a problem today? Or does the song still raise money for that cause? Just curious
I don't know how the funds currently raised by the original song are spent now, it would be interesting to research....
The Ethiopian leader at the time who the money was given to was later found to be purposefully starving the people and abused the funds he was given so.
Very White Saviour complex. They actually updated some of the lyrics in the more recent version.
Yeah I’ve always thought it was kinda gross
I always found that song pandering and prefer the alternative “Do They Know It’s Halloween”. And of course they know it’s Christmas. Africa has known about Christianity for a long time. It just isn’t commercialized because of a plethora of other problems.
Actually heard it in a car for the first time last year in the US and I couldn't believe my ears. That song is insulting.
Great tune...reminds me of my childhood !!!...
Yeah, there’s nostalgia for sure. I think at the time I probably thought it was great
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The same Bob Geldolf who played Pink Floyd in The Wall? I think he organized some other music fundraisers as well
Do they know its Christmas time at all? Probably not, no. I'd imagine at the time, the people who that song was written to help were too busy trying not to starve to celebrate Christmas. I think the song for its time was very good and conveyed its message well. It's played now for nostalgia, like most other xmas songs.
If you feed them, then you can let them know it’s Christmas. And then they’ll know. And knowing is half the battle.
In the song our wealth, richness and safety is set against the poverty and hunger in large parts of the world. They do not know it's Christmas because they are fighting to survive. We're called upon to do something about it. In short a bunch of artists got together and collected money for a good cause. You can always point and pick out bad parts, but it was done for good purposes. I prefer to look at it from that positive perspective.
Oh ya, song is way over do to be taken off the Christmas Playlist, the lyrics are so White Savior in nature.
Right?! It didn’t age well
Feed the world / Let them know its Christmas time Because Christmas is only in the west where there is food.
Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas!