This will probably only impress a few people born between 1975-1980, but I realised a new skill today ......

[MattDillonsEyebrows]

I have a secret Christmas tradition that only I (in my family) do, of finding and singing along to Band Aid II. The Stock, Aiken & Waterman one from 1989. It's my second favourite version after the original and it's literally only available on You Tube.

Anyway, this year I realised that:

I can do ALL the voices! Honestly, I nailed them all, from Kylie at the start, to Chris Rea, to Cliff, to Marti Pellow's beautiful croon (where you can almost hear his grin)to the iconic (and I think way better than any of Bono's attempts) Matt Goss & Jason Donovan's "tonight thank god its them instead of you" line! Then there's Sonia, and Lisa Stansfield.

It takes me back to when I was 13, the reason I put the years in the title is because I think anyone outside those years would probably have been too old and laughed at it (as I remember my older siblings doing) or too young as it wasn't around for long.

Also, if you've not heard it, check it out, Matt Goss really had an amazing voice.

When I was little - I thought the line ‘feed the world’ was ‘heaaathrow’ as in ‘airport’. I heard it all the time on the radio and in shops and I was about 15 when I learn the real lyrics! After The Waitresses- Christmas Wrapping…. Band Aid my fave Christmas song even though it not longer has airport associations for me

I was born in those years - I'm afraid I am one of those who found (and still do) the lyrics exceptionally obnoxious and condescending.

Maybe because I lived for a long time in developing countries and had to put up with the really ignorant views of them from people in the first world, but lines like 'where nothing ever grows' applied generally to a whole continent that happens to be a major agricultural exporter are not only ignorant, but lead well meaning people to underrate the importance of armed conflict in causing famines.

Sorry, didn't mean to piss on your chips (or your family tradition), but I think it's fair to warn those who haven't heard it before!

Bob Geldof and Midge Ure have said countless times that they cringe about the lyrics. This song raised and continues to raise millions of pounds to support those in need, so I’ll forgive them for words written in haste in response to harrowing images on TV of people being starved to death. When nothing was being done to help, this song did what needed to be done.

I agree @CatherinedeBourgh, belting out the line 'tonight thank God it's them instead of you' like its something to be proud of!

But on a lighter note- well done OP !!!

You do realise it’s not just on YouTube it’s on Spotify too

I remember a piss-take of the first Band Aid, it might have been Matt Lucas and David Walliams on Rock Profiles 🤔

There we go 😂

No!!!! No way that is anything like as good as the original. And Bono’s line is my favourite.

Nobody is congratulating you on that skill 😬

Totally thought this was going to be an Etch-A-Sketch thread with everyone showing off their creations…

😂 I noticed that! I clearly only impress myself! I expected the usual posts about the song being ‘’sooooo patronising’ 🤦🏽‍♀️ (we KNOW!!) and how dreadful Bono’s line is🙄 but truly wasn’t expecting to be told that the song should come with a warning! 😂 That’s deffo a new one!

I was born in '75 and as a child I thought the Band Aid record was weird. I knew there was a famine in Ethiopia, but surely it couldn't be true that nothing ever grew there? Also, did they know it was Christmas? Should they? Perhaps they followed some other religion? I didn't know.

Also, other than Mel & Kim and Happenin' All Over Again by Lonnie Gordon, I couldn't stand SAW.

Sorry, OP!
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I agree. I’ve been out many a December night and seen drunk people singing along and just thought wtf??? But yea it did something when there was nothing

My little niece used to sing "feed the birds it's kissmas time" 😂

Fabulous skills 👌

I used to try that all the time as a child because my family bought me the single I literally liked rock music my sister was the pop music fan why buy it for me??

I loved it then and sing along like a looney now as it stirs a feeling of wonderful nostalgia in me xxx

I hear ya!!!!

I was born in 77 and I loved that song.

As I grew older I started to think about the words more and think Yikes!
I've talked to my kids about why it's problematic.

I still find it hard to resist singing along to when I hear it though.

What a trip down memory lane! I had completely forgotten this version despite being a massive Brosette!

Thank god we've got worthy MNers to tell us how wrong the song is though, as I'm sure none of us have ever heard the controversy before.

How much did that raise to help people?

Controversially. I think this is the best band aid. It’s MY band aid. Now, nothing will ever take away from George in BA1 as he is a god. But, kylie and Jason starting… some Sonia… and I agree about Matt Goss.

Born 78

I do this too and I whole heartedly agree that it’s a great version and that Matt Goss is the best thing about it! (I was born in 1975)

I was born earlier than 1975 and I’m still alive and don’t have any memory issues.