The original version of the hugely successful charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas?, written by Bob Geldof & Midge Ure in reaction Michael Buerk’s BBC reports of famine in Ethiopia, was performed by Band Aid, a group comprising of the biggest names in British music at the time. It even led to the enormous Live Aid benefit concert the following summer.
In addition to various reissues, the song was re-recorded in 1989 by Band Aid II and 2004 by Band Aid 20, giving three different versions of the same song the top slot in their respective years.
Here’s an excellent collaborative cover version produced by Ronin Wong, who gathered 43 performers around the world – mainly uke players – into this video collage (full credits & back story). See how many faces you recognise!
It was written by the band’s lead songwriter, Tony Mortimer, and is about his brother Ollie, who took his own life. For 2019 Mortimer has recorded another version with the Waltham Forest Youth Choir to raise money for the charity CALM.
The UK’s biggest-selling singles artist of the 1980s, Shakin’ Stevens took Merry Christmas Everyone to the top in 1985. Its original planned release was put back by a year to avoid clashing with the runaway success of Band Aid’s charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas?
Merry Xmas Everybody, written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea at the height of Slade‘s popularity, is by far their biggest hit. A perennial favourite, it’s been released every decade since 1973 & covered numerous times, ensuring them a comfortable pension from the royalties!
As today is the Royal Mail’s last recommended posting date for Second Class items (and Fri 20 Dec is the last for First Class), it seems appropriate to mention 1962’s Xmas number one, Return To Sender, from Elvis Presley.
Two for the price of one today, with The Beatles’ double A-sided single Day Tripper and We Can Work It Out, released on 3 Dec 1965, the same day as their Rubber Soul album.
People of Lewisham's Ukulele Club 