do they know it's christmas - band aid 1984 (with lyrics)

[Nomolos77]

@bunkerbeagle03 And as you point out accurately, we're not all Christians. And perhaps my biggest problem with this song is... 7) Are the artists suggesting that foreign aid should only be given at Christmas to remind people that it's Christmas, or perhaps it should be a year round thing... I guess those starving could set their calendars by when they got fed. I get that their heart was in the right place, but you can be compassionate without being patronizing

[Nomolos77]

@bunkerbeagle03 3) All other gifts seem pretty pointless if one is dead so life is a pretty great gift. 4) "Nothing ever grows" and somehow we've managed to survive for millenia without foreign aid... by that logic the famine in Ethiopia should not have been an issue. 5) Longest River in the world is in Africa, so I suppose at least one river flows...6) Would it be such a tragedy if people forgot it was Christmas because they were starving, or is the starving the problem?

[Nomolos77]

@bunkerbeagle03 I am with you on this. This was well intentioned, I will grant that, but it perpetuates an image of my home continent that ends up doing more harm than good. Problem #1) This song generalizes about the second most populous continent in the world. It would be one thing if they kept their remarks centered on Ethiopia, they don't. 2) We Africans have been doing fine without snow. I lost no sleep over the fact that I didn't have snow for the first 14 christmases in my life.

[loudmxr]

I have sung this song in Kareoke all over the world. It is my favorite Christmas song. And as to Bob's objection to "Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you."

I make reference to my friend Brad Aaron.. Kansas engineer. He said to me once on a racial controversial issue.. "Don't you kneel down every morning and thank God you are a white male in this country? That is why I am against this issue!!" I thought wow!! He agrees with me!!?? It was wrong and the conservative and me agreed.

[Meierfamily13]

Is taht jerry seinfeild at 3:19? :D

[bunkerbeagle03]

This song is exactly what's wrong with the world. A) There is probably snow on Mount Kilimanjaro among other places this Christmas B) Not everyone in Africa is starving on unprofitable land... there are plenty of people working hard, making a living. And most importantly they are people living there, not objectified starving creatures. C) Some of them may not care whether or not it's Christmas cause they're not all Christian D) The greatest gift everyone gets is life so that's an IDIOTIC line.

[Eminiousp95]

@bunkerbeagle03 I think you missed the point.

[redredreds100]

@bunkerbeagle03 Congtatulations, you have the most boring, insignificant comment on YT, get over your self, it's a song, and a something that did good. you moron

[WarriorOfXen]

@bunkerbeagle03 Stop taking this song so literally. Do some research. This song was inspired to help the starving in Ethiopia in 1984 from a famine. Remember, this is 1984, not 2011. Technology was not as advanced. They aren't saying they're Christian more as do the starving know that this is the season of joy and giving in between all their hardships? And while you say that the greatest gift they have is life, they barely had any life left since they were starving to death.

[AnimaSeverem]

@WarriorOfXen

The song itself didn't specify Ethiopia. It sounded like it covered *all* of Africa, which anyone with any cursory knowledge of the continent knows is not entirely a sun-baked, barren wasteland

[WarriorOfXen]

@AnimaSeverem The song was /created/ because of what they saw in Ethiopia. I guess they just generalized it. You just have to research that. I know all of Africa isn't just a huge continent of wasteland, but there is enough poverty and starvation in Africa that it's a big deal for the overall percentage.

[Meierfamily13]

is that jerry seinfeild at 3:19?

[MsLatigra]

does bono look like Bob Goldwait or what?

[Commentary1984]

@jediguardian1 im a she, jediguardian. you avert to the male norm too quickly.

[jediguardian1]

@Commentary1984 It doesn't matter, this song is a great one. Why would you even think this is bad? you probably know more about the economy then I do but all they were trying to do is help, and clearly you do not see it.

[Commentary1984]

@jediguardian1 good intentions do not good deeds make.

[lolly1234561]

@Commentary1984 I don't ever remember specifying your gender but thanks for that :P

[dgf1992]

the majority in Africa arnt christian so they dont celebrate it haha, and why should they care? we dont care about them?

[AnimaSeverem]

Of course it's not gonna snow in Africa on Christmas. Africa's in the Southern Hemisphere. It's summer there.

[hwright2100]

@AnimaSeverem its not about that its about how there sarving there

[fairy0tale0lover]

@AnimaSeverem your missing the point.

[Commentary1984]

most racist and imperial song i've ever heard. oh my lord. heard this in a restaurant tonight.

[lolly1234561]

@Commentary1984 how is it racist is it not to promote charity?

[Commentary1984]

Respond to this video...  (continued...) Basically this puts Ethiopia in a state of dependency on foreign aid and foreign trade for food. Their starvation is not just "a pity," it is a deep structural problem, and one that the US has a part in, because of how we have supported the rule in Egypt and the hold they have over the Nile, by investing in Egyptian agriculture. That's just the political side. Lets check some of the lyrics.

[Commentary1984]

Respond to this video... "where the only flow of water is the bitter sting of tears." Yes, ALL people in Africa are just sad and helpless. Pity them. *sarcasm*. "When nothing ever grows, no rain or rivers flow." Yes, there r some parts of some countries in Africa that don't have rain, & experience severe drought. Others are agricultural hot-spots. Don't pigeon hole a whole continent like this. "Tonight thank god it's them instead of you." De-politicizes the issue, and is just weird.

[lolly1234561]

@Commentary1984 "where the only flow of water is the bitter sting of tears'' people still suffer no matter what time of year it is and a lot are too self absorbed to realise the poorer people among us. "When nothing ever grows, no rain or rivers flow." Famine still effects a large part of this earth. "Tonight thank god it's them instead of you." People that have everything should feel greatful for being so fortunate as many people are not as fortunate.

[lolly1234561]

We should take time to reflect on those people and pray for them. The whole world is a community and many don't see it this way.

[karengrace93]

@lolly1234561 Well said. :)

[jediguardian1]

@lolly1234561 You have some weird points of view, This song actually raise alot of money and almost all of it was sent to Donations. Listen at the end "Feed the World, Let them know its Christmas Time." Christmas time is supposed to be about happiness, Sadly there are those unfortunate people that can't have happiness, Be happy you could use the internet,T.V and such while in some places people are killing each other just for a piece of bread or glass of water.

[lolly1234561]

@jediguardian1 exactly that is the point im trying to get across to @commentry1984

[Commentary1984]

@lolly1234561 These are not the words we use to build a world where poverty does not exist. These are the words we use to excuse OUR ROLE in the making of their poverty. There are many people too apathetic to understand - people who think "charity" and giving money is the answer are these same lazy and self-absorbed people. "Nothing ever grows" is a line that generalizes about a whole continent in a way that africana scholars are trying to reverse, because it is racist.

[lolly1234561]

@Commentary1984 if half of my country was in poverty I would be very grateful knowing there were people out there who care, even if i did not live in the poor parts myself. I would not find it insulting but generous that complete strangers would take time to think of others. You say charity isn't the answer, well a lot of people would be lost without that help.

[karengrace93]

@Commentary1984 I completely agree with @lolly1234561. Maybe there are some parts of Africa who are not suffering as severe poverty as others, but the main message of this song is to remember those who will not experience the joy of Christmas this year or ever. Get over yourself and count yourself as lucky.

[lolly1234561]

@karengrace93 I totally agree with you. This is exactly why this song was written, for people like commentary1984 who do not count themselves lucky.

[karengrace93]

@lolly1234561 Definitely. @commentary1984 needs to take their head out of their ass.

[Commentary1984]

@karengrace93 just watch RSA animate's "first as tragedy, then as farce." and understand why "giving money" is a degrading act, not one that actually changes their life situations in a dignified, long-term, and just way. i dedicate my life to eradicating poverty, and songs like this make me sad. there is so little understanding in the world. le sigh.

[jediguardian1]

@Commentary1984 What is wrong with you, This song isn't bad at all. Listen to it more carefully. This song gave a lot of Donations to the poor, My family has worked with many poverty related stuff and such. In Most African they aren't able to Celebrate Christmas because all they could afford is to live, it saddens me to see such, But your pretty blind about the song.

[Commentary1984]

@lolly1234561 oh lolly i do count myself as incredibly lucky. that is why i do the work i do, and have traveled to some countries in Africa, India, Nepal, etc to understand. I think I understand this far better than you do.

[lolly1234561]

@Commentary1984 Oh commentary, I have myself travelled to many countries to help the less fortunate and raised thousands so I know exactly what is involved. But, without these donations to charity from the generous people I would have not been able to afford to travel and help these innocent people. It is not pity, only a community of people helping one another.

[Commentary1984]

@karengrace93 I think anyone who likes this song and doesn't see it as demeaning to people who experience poverty needs to get over themselves. Charity is demoralizing and degrading. We need to work everyday towards a world in which poverty does not exist, not just throw money at people so we can feel better about ourselves, an our way of life which PROFITS off of their poverty. Can you see what I am trying to say, from up there on your high horse?

[lolly1234561]

@Commentary1984 You really need to relax you're the only one thinking this way.

[Commentary1984]

@lolly1234561 Nope I am not. I shared it with people in my field, people FROM various countries in Africa, and they are appalled. Other people on this thread have commented about it. My partner who is a CHEMIST even realizes how cruel the thinking in this song is. Can we not hold different opinions, you and I?

[lolly1234561]

@Commentary1984 Look I'm not trying to be offensive but Americans are just so over exaggerative towards the Irish and I just find it hard to believe you hold such a strong negative opinion over a simple song (and I say this with no intention to 'pigeon-hole' your whole country). You say you go to Africa to help these people, how do you afford to get there to help them build houses and all? Because I fund-raise and its a great help.

[Commentary1984]

@lolly1234561 I didn't even know this was a Brit/Irish based group only. I am really ignorant about pop music that way. I don't go anywhere and "build houses.". I go over there to learn from the justice movements that already exist there, and learn how to get US/Euro/Western interests to stop taking advantage of the people and the resources of african countires. This song embodies a bigger issue. You are putting as much energy into defending it as I am saying it is wrong. There is much to learn

[lolly1234561]

@Commentary1984 haha ye ok whatever you say your views are over the top and far beyond the point of the song but just leave your opinion at your opinion. I only started commenting back for the craic but I don't have the energy anymore :P

[Commentary1984]

Respond to this video... and trust me, americans hold this appaling approach to what we call "third world" peoples more than anywhere, perhaps. it's disgusting here. no worries, i think we are all victims of the same imperialism, and being native americanism, i am always the first to judge the united states.

[lolly1234561]

@Commentary1984 You say you go to Africa to help these people, how do you afford to get there to help them build houses and all? Because I fund-raise and its a great help. People who have donated are only trying to help and I think looking at this song in a negative way, is insulting people who really believe in helping the less fortunate by donating money which they rightly earned and to the people who sang this song in order to raise awareness.

[lolly1234561]

@Commentary1984 I really am convinced you went onto 5 different pages just to dislike this song because I'm yet to cross a person who has these negative views.

[karengrace93]

@Commentary1984 You say it's demeaning, so would you rather that nobody helped them at all and just left them there to die while we enjoy an abundance of food and amenities they could only dream of? To help them, we first need finance. We can teach them skills to sow crops, rear animals and build shelters, but how will the necessary tools be provided to them without money? I have travelled to Haiti and Sudan and I couldn't have helped the people without kind donations.

[Commentary1984]

@karengrace93 Karen why do you assume they don't know how to sow crops, rear animals, and build shelters WITHOUT your help? Yes, the donations are useful. I donate myself. But I would scoff at the idea that they need our help because they are poor uneducated unskilled helpless people, which is the approach I see you taking. Donations are a band-aid on a problem that is more like cancer. We cannot keep patching on band-aids, we have to eradicate poverty altogether, which means getting political

[karengrace93]

@Commentary1984 I'm not assuming anything, so yes they may be able to do it, but how do they acquire seeds to sow, animals to rear and materials to build houses without finance? It's one thing having the necessary skills. But if someone was a skillful bread-maker, for instance, what use is it if they have no flour or milk to exercise their skill? So, seeing as you think you're so clever, how are you expecting the problem to be eradicated? And that's Karen Grace to you, thank you.

[redredreds100]

@karengrace93 we should reweite this song and dedicate it to you and call it "fill his face" you boring moron,

[jennil629]

Thumb up if you are going to sing this in Christmas.

[gindalf0492]

BONO sucks

[DOUBLEAROCKS11]

if anyone dislikes the video i will personally come to your house and beat your ass..... :)

[Commentary1984]

@DOUBLEAROCKS11 dislike.

[AssassinsDuty]

@DOUBLEAROCKS11 You know by typing that comment your tempting people to dislike..

[redredreds100]

@DOUBLEAROCKS11 Just what the world needs, another violent moron.

[buddythecow]

the one dislike was Ringo Starr... he wasn't invited

[Atlantalover17]

I always listen to this starting the Saturday before Thanksgiving~ (Today)

Songs like this are truly better then ones now-a-days to me~

[TheGreenThumbLady]

Who the hell disliked this video?

[lolly1234561]

@TheGreenThumbLady @commentary1984

[bigmike7379]

all this started with Pink Himself lol Bob Geldof who played Pink in the Wall he put that together then a couple years later was the organizer of Live Aid and later on he was part of the Live Aid just a few years ago

[kelcormom]

I can't get into Christmas until I hear this song.....I saw it the first time it aired on MTV and cried.....nearly 30 years later it STILL brings on the tears.....THANK YOU BOB GELDOF!

[FilmmakersAnonymous]

It's amazing that this videos has 0 dislikes...that is awesome!

[danstickman1]

@FilmmakersAnonymous Yes it is amazing, but who in their right mind could dislike this song?

[insertcoolname]

@danstickman1 Someone with the song stuck in their head?

[craigandjolene]

@danstickman1 apparently since you guys posted this, 5 douches decided to be pricks.

[danstickman1]

@craigandjolene yeah, I'm not surprised! It was bound to happen at some point.

[Blueseas81]

@FilmmakersAnonymous I'm glad it doesnt. it's an amazing song :)

[FilmmakersAnonymous]

@Blueseas81 Oh absolutely! Love this song! So I was really glad to see it had no dislikes!

[chenzo313]

@FilmmakersAnonymous i sholl hope it stay that way. Great song love it!!

[OldMusicSoul]

@FilmmakersAnonymous lol some asshole must have put one on there in the last 2 weeks

[lexvill]

@FilmmakersAnonymous

You just jinxed it. Some nuts disliked. Lol!

[aviadmei]

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL THE CHRISTIANS WORLDWIDE! AVIAD, ISRAEL!

[FrenchAr]

Geldorf is in the video. Look closer:)

[Bellella411]

This song is SO FUCKING POLITICALLY INCORRECT. When did Africa become a wasteland? Apparently in the 80s.

[Birdie284]

@Bellella411 First of all, do your history homework.. In the mid 80's , Ethiopia had a long horrible drought and the Famine began. Millions suffered and died. Do you remember Live Aid???? Or are you too young? Band Aid and Live Aid both raised money to help those affected by the Famine. There are atrocities happening today in Africa -starvation, raping, pillaging, MURDER!! It's not an easy life over there, I don't know what you heard. Also, Watch Hotel Rwanda dumbass. Learn some history.

[Birdie284]

@Bellella411 Hey, watch We are the World while you're at it.

[julia4080]

siete grandi ma non troppo

[katrastrophy]

I could likely count on an amputees mutilated hand (devoid of all digits) how many of these folks (that are even identifiable or presently applicable) who participates regularly in charity events-Bono and Bob and Sting's lady, he obviously is too busy being Sting......SLAP FIGHT......yyyyeeeeeeeaaaa weeee-WHAM!!! Remember when George Micheal was not gay? I don't.

[danstickman1]

@katrastrophy I must say that I do agree with you in some aspects as not many of them do much charity work but that's probably what makes this song so special.

[katrastrophy]

@danstickman1 fair enough. Imho too many important issues become 'fads/trends' . Cheapening the urgency of us to 'work together' and make change that lasts instead of some flash in the pan.

[katrastrophy]

@danstickman1 ALSO I am not picking on George for being gay......just that is the only thing we here about him....drugs and getting caught in the john with men and that -do something with your celebrity that is useful instead of self-service and excess.

[katrastrophy]

@katrastrophy here=hear :)

[superukkie2]

best song ever....

[danstickman1]

@superukkie2 i'd say it's the best christmas song... :D

[Colin2k41]

@danstickman1 where the fucks geldof?

[danstickman1]

@Colin2k41 i'm not sure, you would think he'd be in it as he was the one who wrote it.

[sonnorge74]

@Colin2k41 you se geldof in the bigining at 0.06

[richiemax1]

@Colin2k41 0:07

[jrenae75]

Christmas doesn't start for me until I hear this and U2's version of "Baby Please Come Home"

[danstickman1]

@jrenae75 same, this song really gives out christmas spirit and i love the other one too.

[charly9927]

absolutely awesome! one of my all time faves!

[danstickman1]

@charly9927 glad you like it. It's my fav too

[charly9927]

@danstickman1 thanks and best regards

[AmiAme95]

Best christmas song ever!!!!! :D

[danstickman1]

@AmiAme95 it sure is!

[marlos1]

Merry Christmas from the =(LBC)= Klan.