Band Aid 2014.....Really?

[DuchessofNorks]

Ok, I get that its a good cause but seriously?? ANOTHER rehash of that same song? Plus, Geldof has recruited One Direction for the new version

AIBU to think its time to "rip off the band aid" so to speak? The least they could do is write a new song...

"The only gift they'll get this year is life" wow insensitive much

The only gift they will get this year are experimental drugs that might not work

Have just seen the lineup, too. It's doomed, isn't it?

My bets are on "Heal the world" as the lyrical change, too

Erm... Geldof doesn't get the royalties, Band Aid Trust does...

Boomtown Rats are touring again... he had a solo career, so some money would trickle inf from that.

He made his money selling his TV production company and public speaking... for which he made his name campaigning and being generally obnoxious to 'the establishment'...

Band Aid single doesn't directly feather his nest as far as I can tell! Google was my friend!

Has the official line-up been released?

They've changed most of it, it's pretty desperate.

Osbourne has waived the VAT on sales.

Doesn't make me like him, nor do I want to buy it.

So "Tonight thank God it's them instead of you" is now "Well tonight we're reaching out and touching you."

John Taylor was HOT in the original. That was the only thing I took from the original version and remain drooling all these years later.

As a child I never understood why I should be upset that "there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time" because it hardly ever snowed here either

I could never understand the whole 'do they know it's Christmas' because I didn't think most of the parts of Africa they were singing about celebrated it anyway.

The snow line has gone need, its now

"No peace and joy this Christmas in West Africa - the only hope they'll have is being alive"

Oh yuck. That's a vile line imo.

You have to write a new song - you can't just change bits to suit the bloody cause you are using it for this time!!

My vote is for Barlow.

I had lots more to write but am now thinking about John Taylor........

See this is the thing, all thoughts just disappear with John Taylor in that black and red jumper.

The snow thing always annoyed me. Kilimanjaro is in Africa, there's snow on that.

Sorry, still off on my tangent...

Beautiful sisters

does this work???

There was a high school about 10 miles from me called John Taylor High. I begged, I pleaded, alas I never got there. Quite why I thought that going there would result in me marrying the lovely Mr T I don't know

I would have loved that jumper JT is wearing.

Oh it works. That jumper, those leather trousers.....

Oh god, not bloody tax dodger Geldof telling us how we should be feeling bad and giving him all our fucking money. Perhaps if he wasn't a non-dom taxpayer there might be a bit more money in the pot for international aid.

Yeah! That's right. Fuck him the rich bastard. No-one who wants to do good should own a single fucking thing - hypocritical feckers!

He could save the fucking world himself if he just sold up and paid. Bastard!

Here we go again , another lets keep despot African Dictators in S Class Mercs concert FFS... did they not learn the last time

Did you not read the earlier part of the thread, sharon?

What do you suggest we do instead? How should we get aid to the 3rd world? Or should we just stop because some self serving bastard will cream some money off the top?

Yeah! Let's do that! Send nothing... that'll teach them!

The words of the song are very disparaging to people living in Africa (parts of which I know well) 'Do they know it's Christmas time at all?' There are many, many devout Christians living in poverty worldwide and of course they know it's bloody Christmas. They're poor, not daft. In any case, those that are not Christians don't need to think about Christmas as they have their own special days. Also 'the only water flowing is their tears' etc. Drought is a problem in places (Ethiopia in the case of the first Band Aid), but it gives the idea that Africa is one giant dust bowl. It also implies that Africa is a country, not that there are 54 nations within the continent. They should find a better song!

I also know the terrible corruption in Africa, it's a scourge in nearly every nation. The money raised in the last two Band Aid efforts most likely lined the pockets of many corrupt politicians and rendered dependent any recipients of those it did reach.

The idea was kind and concerned, but not terribly informed. I hope this latest effort will be guided by more enlightened minds who will see that any money raised is used wisely under the aegis of a trustworthy organisation aimed at producing self-sufficiency and independence for the poor.

My support is for one extended family of 60 people (my husband's) and between us my sister and myself have set up six members in small businesses and rebuilt their shanty homes with sanitation and waterproof roofing etc. We also paid for cataract ops for two elderly members, who are now no longer blind. If everyone could adopt one family and give them the dignity of earning their own living, things would be a lot better for the so-called Third World.

Sorry this is long, but it's very dear to my heart!

I'm not saying he should give away his fortune. I'm simply stating that if you're trying to claim some moral superiority and expecting people to give to a cause, then you yourself shouldn't exploit dubious tax loopholes. A percentage of everyone's taxes goes to international aid, so by declaring himself a non-dom he's taking money out of the national contribution.

Is he claiming moral superiority? Or is that just his irritating 'wake the fuck up' rhetoric?

Being non dom isn't illegal and equating his taking advantage of it with him being morally bankrupt is daft. Also I don't believe there is a requirement for him to have to live up to the stupid Saint Bob name he got lumbered with.

That and, as he is by far a nett contributor, I doubt he has any qualms about saving what he can for his family.