Band Aid 40th anniversary compilation of 'Do They Know It’s Christmas?' to be released
Combining three previous versions of the song
Last updated 13th Nov 2024
Unbelievably it's been a massive 40 years since the original version of Band Aid's 'Do They Know It’s Christmas?', featuring iconic artists such as Bob Geldolf, Midge Ure, Bono and Boy George, amongst many other legendary artists.
Over the years, the song was re-sung featuring different artists such as, Chris Martin from Coldplay, along with members from Sugababes, Busted and Travis in 2004, and One Direction, Clean Bandit, and Olly Murs in 2014.
Now, 40 years on and the ultimate version of the iconic Christmas song is to be released mixing the previous versions of the song together. 'Do They Know It’s Christmas? – 2024 Ultimate Mix’ is available to buy digitally and physically, being released on 29th November. It will also be played on Northsound 1 on 25th November 2024.
In this new Ultimate Mix fans will get the chance to see a young Sting sing alongside a young Ed Sheeran, while a young Boy George joins a young Sam Smith and a young Bono is joined by his older self.
When is 'Do They Know It’s Christmas? – 2024 Ultimate Mix’ released?
It will be released on 29th November, you can pre-order it now.
When will 'Do They Know It’s Christmas? – 2024 Ultimate Mix’ be played on Northsound 1?
The first play of 'Do They Know It’s Christmas? – 2024 Ultimate Mix’ on Northsound 1 will be on 25th November 2024 during the breakfast show.
Artists you didn't know had Christmas songs:
Destiny's Child - '8 Days of Christmas'
Way back in 2001, not only did Destiny's Child release an amazing Christmas song called '8 Days of Christmas', Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams went one step further and released a whole Christmas album!
The album contained 12 tracks featuring traditional Christmas songs and three original songs.
Ariana Grande - 'Santa Tell Me'
As well as taking over the charts with her amazing pop songs, the lovely Ariana Grande released Christmas song 'Santa Tell Me' in 2014, quickly become a big hit around the world.
Girls Aloud - 'Not Tonight Santa'
Girls Aloud are mostly known for pop songs like 'Sound of the Underground', 'The Promise', and 'Love Machine', but in 2005, Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and the late Sarah Harding released Christmas song 'Not Tonight Santa'.
We have to say, the track is massively under appreciated in our opinion!
Little Mix - 'The One I've Been Missing'
In 2019, Little Mix girls Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jesy Nelson released their first ever Christmas song 'The One I've Been Missing'.
Jonas Brothers - 'Girl Of My Dreams'
In 2007, the Jonas Brothers released amazing Christmas song 'Girls Of My Dreams', which featured on the 'Disney Channel Holiday' album!
Justin Bieber - 'Mistletoe'
Just as Bieber Fever was in full swing back in 2011, Justin Bieber delighted his fans by releasing the amazing 'Mistletoe'.
Beyoncé - 'Silent Night'
She has a voice of an angel, so it's no surprise that when Beyoncé covered 'Silent Night' in 2001 fans fell in love with the track.
Chris Brown - 'This Christmas'
Back in 2007, Chris Brown recorded a version of Donny Hathaway's 1970 song 'This Christmas' for a film of the same name.
Coldplay - 'Christmas Lights'
Coldplay turned their hands to Christmas music in 2010, releasing the beautiful single 'Christmas Lights'.
Britney Spears - 'My Only Wish (This Year)'
In 2000, Britney Spears asked Santa Claus to find her a lover during the holidays in her classic Christmas track 'My Only Wish (This Year)'.
John Legend and Kelly Clarkson - 'Baby, It's Cold Outside'
Another more recent Christmas collab! John Legend and Kelly Clarkson teamed up in 2019 to recreate iconic Christmas track 'Baby, It's Cold Outside'... and it even has some new lyrics!
Mark Ronson, Miley Cyrus and Sean Ono Lennon - 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)'
As well as teaming up for the amazing 'Nothing Breaks Like A Heart', Miley Cyrus and Mark Ronson also released their own version of Christmas classic 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)', with help from Sean Ono Lennon.
Kanye West - 'Christmas in Harlem'
Rap artist Kanye West released his very own Christmas track 'Christmas in Harlem' back in 2010, and we have to admit, the lyrics are slightly inappropriate. 🙈
Carly Rae Jepsen - 'Last Christmas'
Carly Rae Jepsen covered Wham! song 'Last Christmas' back in 2015, saying at the time, "I had a hard time picking out my cover for Christmas, because you dig into them and so many of them are done in so many ways. But Wham! felt really fitting after EMOTION came out, just because of the whole '80s pairing; it just felt right."
Mimi Webb - 'Back Home For Christmas'
In 2023, Mimi Webb unveiled a brand new Christmas single 'Back Home For Christmas'. The song is Mimi's first Christmas original.
Taylor Swift - 'Christmas Tree Farm'
In 2019, Taylor Swift released her ever-popular seasonal single 'Christmas Tree Farm', along with a festive music video showing old family footage from the Christmas season.
Taylor is no stranger to a festive track, with her even having an entire Christmas album under her belt - aptly named 'The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection' - which she released in 2007.
Sam Ryder - 'You're Christmas To Me'
'You're Christmas To Me' by Sam Ryder was the singer's Christmas offering for 2023, the song is featured on the Prime Video film Your Christmas Or Mine 2.
Jorja Smith - 'Stay Another Day'
'Stay Another Day' was originally released by East 17 in 1994, but Jorja Smith has now released her take on it for 2023.
Cian Ducrot and Ella Henderson - 'Rest Of Our Days'
In 2023, Cian Ducrot and Ella Henderson teamed up for their new Christmas song called 'Rest Of Our Days'. Ella said of the song: "This single is for bringing people together around the holidays, reminding us to appreciate where we are right now and raising a glass to that!
Cian and I became good mates when he joined me on tour and it's exciting to be working together again."
No Guidnce x Leigh-Anne - 'Let It Snow'
Covering the Boyz II Men version of 'Let It Snow', Leigh-Anne and No Guidnce released their song to fans on 19th December 2023.
Perrie Edwards - 'Christmas Magic'
After releasing her debut solo music earlier in 2024, Perrie dropped her first ever Christmas song in November 2024, called 'Christmas Magic'.