40th Anniversary “Ultimate Mix” of the All-Star Charity Single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Sets Release Date

December 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?,” the star-studded benefit single credited collectively to Band Aid. The song was co-written by Boomtown Rats singer Bob Geldof and Ultravox frontman Midge Ure, while Buggles/ex-Yes frontman Trevor Horn heled produced the track.

Now, in honor of the milestone anniversary, Geldof, Ure, and Horn have announced plans to release a new “Ultimate Mix” of the song that combines performances from the original track and from updated versions of the tune released in 2004 and 2014.

[RELATED: Remember When Band Aid, Not USA for Africa, Kickstarted the ’80s Push to Fight Famine with “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”]

The new mix of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?,” which Horn produced, will premiere on U.K. radio on November 25. That coincides with the 40th anniversary of the recording of the original tune. In addition, a new music video for the song will debut at the same time.

The “Ultimate Mix” of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” will made available via streaming services on November 25. The song also will be featured on a Band Aid compilation that will be released on November 29 on CD and vinyl. You can pre-order the track now.

The “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” compilation also will feature the original 1984 version; the Band Aid 20 and Band Aid 30 versions, released in 2004 and 2014; and a live rendition performed at the Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium in London in 1985.

More About the Ultimate Mix of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”

According to uDiscoverMusic, the new “Ultimate Mix” of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” will feature newly created pairings using vocals from the various versions of the song.

For example, the track will feature a young Sting singing with a young Ed Sheeran, a young Boy George with a young Sam Smith, and a young George Michael with a young Harry Styles. U2 frontman Bono, who appeared on multiple versions the song, will be featured singing with himself at different ages.

Among the musicians who lent their talents to the song were Paul McCartney, Sting, Phil Collins, Queen’s Roger Taylor, Duran Duran’s John Taylor, Paul Weller, Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood, Blur’s Damon Albarn, Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp, and Ure.

You can check out a trailer for the “Ultimate Mix” at Band Aid’s official YouTube channel.

More About “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”

Geldof and Ure organized the recording of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Sales of the single raised money for people affected by famine in Ethiopia.

Among the many vocalists who contributed to the track were the aforementioned Bono, Michael, Boy George, Weller, and Sting, as well as members of Duran Duran, Bananarama, Heaven 17, and Kool & the Gang.

The song topped the U.K. charts for five weeks, and became the fastest-selling single in the country at the time.

The Band Aid 20 version of the song included vocals by Bono, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Natasha Bedingfield, Dido, The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins, Keane’s Tom Chaplin, Joss Stone, Sugababes, and Robbie Williams.

Featured on the Band Aid 30 version were Ellie Goulding, Angélique Kidjo, Chris Martin, Sinéad O’Connor, One Direction, Rita Ora, Seal, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, and, once again, Bono.