The special new '2024 Ultimate Mix' of Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' has been officially unveiled today, marking the 40th anniversary of the recording of the original song.

‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’, the brainchild of Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, was recorded on three separate occasions including Band Aid (1984), Band Aid 20 (2004) and Band Aid 30 (2014).

Producer Trevor Horn has taken these recordings and blended all the voices of those generations into a new track.

 

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Band Aid's new release has faced criticism from the likes of Ed Sheeran, who previously claimed that his voice was included on the latest version of the song without permission.

Sheeran also shared a post by British-Ghanaian vocalist Fuse ODG, explaining he believes initiatives like Band Aid, “perpetuate damaging stereotypes that stifle Africa’s economic growth, tourism and investment, ultimately costing the continent trillions and destroying its dignity, pride and identity."

Band Aid creator Geldof responded to these claims by saying: “This little pop song has kept millions of people alive, Why would Band Aid scrap feeding thousands of children dependent on us for a meal?"

“No abstract theory regardless of how sincerely held should impede or distract from that hideous, concrete real-world reality," he continued, as part of an interview with The Sunday Times. "There are 600 million hungry people in the world — 300 million are in Africa. We wish it were other but it is not. We can help some of them. That’s what we will continue to do.”

To coincide with the release, director Oliver Murray – the mastermind behind the short film that accompanied The Beatles' 'last song', 'Now & Then' – has created a special video, set to be released later today.

‘Do They Know It’s Christmas? - 2024 Ultimate Mix’ is available to stream here: