InParty of One : A Memoir in 21 Songs(available now wherever books are sell ! ) , writer and former MTV VJ Dave Holmes chronicles the ups and downs of his life through the radio bang that provided a soundtrack . To celebrate the book ’s waiver , the day of remembrance of Bob Geldof ’s resilient economic aid concert , and to indulge in our favorite fictitious holiday , Christmas in July , Holmes indue us an court to a tune he ca n’t help but making love : " Do They recognise It ’s Christmas ? "
The massive achiever of the 1984 UK Jacob’s ladder bingle " Do They have it off It ’s Christmas ? " at once inspired Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie to collaborate on the 1985 mega - hit " We Are the worldly concern . " It also inspired me to become obsessed with the champion - stud track and its three subsequent star - studded recordings : the 1989Stock Aitken Waterman remake ; 2004 ’s Darfur - relatedBand Aid 20 offering ; and 2014 ’s Ebola - themedBand assist 30 interlingual rendition . Because the holiday - season earworm has infect my brain and is commanding me to do so , I ’ve put together the definitive ranking of every vocalist from every version of the birdcall . Tonight , give thanks God it ’s them or else of you .
78. Joe & Zoe Sugg, Alfie Deyes (2014)
You keep your YouTube hotshot out of my Band assistance .
77. Dido (2004)
I liked Dido the first metre she came around , when she was scream " a nap . "
76. Those three guys from Kool & the Gang (1984)
Seen , not heard . But still quite a coup .
75. Lemar (2004)
Finalist fromFame Academy . At the Band Aid 20 session at the behest of Beverley Knight , who seemingly had that form of clout in 2004 . Not a clue where he is in the vocal or telecasting .
74. Cliff Richard (1989)
The UK ’s result to Elvis , it is often said . Except with the peril or sex charm swapped out for a couple of Transitions lens . physiognomy to the photographic camera more than the office warrants . Not my cup of tea , thank you . ( ButRik fromThe Young Onessure love him . )
73. Joss Stone (2004)
In 2004 , we heard Joss Stone , comment her age and natural endowment , and said , " Well , I ’ll be darned . " That was pretty much that .
72. Big Fun (1989)
Neither the St. Louis promenade - electric circuit band of the late 1980s , nor the fictional bit behind " Teenage Suicide ( Do n’t Do It ) " fromHeathers , this is a Stock Aitken Waterman boy band that made a tiny scratch in the charts in the moment just before New Kids on the Block made the world safe for such things . They detest Take That , this much I cognize . While Band Aid II and its video lack the overall togetherness of the 1984 original , Big Fun come out especially determine - out ; it seems like they taped their act from a shopping center kiosk and hoped for the honorable .
71. Adam Clayton (1984)
Also at the session , apparently .
70. Katie Melua (2004)
The UK ’s answer to Norah Jones .
69. Technotronic (1989)
Technotronic gets invited to the party and does n’t bring Ya Kid K ? Unforgivable .
68. Jamelia (2004)
The UK ’s resolution to Ashanti .
67. Bono (2014)
Reprising his big course from the original , but here the lyric poem has morphed into " Tonight we ’re reaching out and match you , " which even he is not buying .
66. Olly Murs (2014)
The guy you ’re looking at when you ’re thinking " Jonathan Groffwas in Band Aid ? "
65. Busted (2004)
The UK ’s attempt at a boy dance band in the Blink-182 , mall - punk style . There was another one called McFly at around the same time . They finally coalesce into one : McBusted . No , really .
64. Jimmy Somerville (1989)
I ’m conflicted here . Somerville is one of the all - sentence great voices ( get yourself through " Smalltown Boy " without shivering ) but his performance in Band Aid II is meandering and soulless . It ’s like he was testify the lyrics one word at a time .
63. Róisín Murphy (2014)
The vocalizer from Moloko , purveyor ofweird disco music euphony . Too edgy for this production .
62. Chris Rea (1989)
One line and he ’s out . He ’s better on his strain " On the Beach , " which you have learn on a smooth - jazz radio station in the back of a taxi at least once in your life .
61. Paul Weller (1984)
Does n’t do much here . Is still a caption . Leave oeuvre early and go down a Jam rabbit jam . Here , I’ll start you off .
60. Beverley Knight (2004)
Just played Grizabella inthe West End production ofCats . I ’m into it .
59. Clean Bandit (2014)
I do n’t jazz if this mean Clean Bandit ’s vocal collaborator Jess Glynne was involved in Band Aid 30 because I do n’t jazz what Jess Glynne or Clean Bandit search or sounds like .
58. Bananarama (1989)
In ' 89 , Jacquie accept Siobhan ’s place , plus the striation let on Stock Aitken Waterman and hair conditioner . It ’s a healthier , much less fun Bananarama . ( But the side - optic Sara dish up whichever Bros bro isdancing at 3:16is epic . )
57. Sugababes (2004)
Already in their second , post - Siobhan iteration by 2004 . ( Siobhans tend to depart girl groups first ; discuss . ) Literally nothing has ever been cool than their video for " Overload . "
56. Midge Ure (1984)
His contributions were more in the songwriting / yield areas , but his representative is in there , too . I ’m told Ultravox ’s " Oh Vienna " was the UK reading of " staircase to Heaven , " in that it was always played last at high school dancing . Whatever float your boat , teenagers of Great Britain .
55. The Pasadenas (1989)
Do n’t really make an impact here , but " Tribute ( Right On ) " deserve a place alongside Londonbeat ’s " I ’ve Been call up About You " on a list of number - of - the-’90s , post - Fine Young Cannibals press .
54. Rachel Stevens (2004)
Fresh out of S Club 7 ! Fresh off the succeeder of " Sweet Dreams My L.A. Ex " ! completely indistinguishable from Joss Stone and the new Sugababe !
53. Angelique Kidjo (2014)
A name I am familiar with from brainy euphony author ' year - end top-10 lists . So this is what she sounds like ! I look forward to continuing to intend to heed to her .
52. Bono (2004)
Sounds ill . Is in a separate studio apartment . Need not have chafe .
51. Sonia (1989)
One UK hitting , then four years later she ’s representing the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest . Also she does n’t seem to cognise that " Do They acknowledge It ’s Christmas ? " is n’t a happy song .
50. Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi of Status Quo (1984)
Toward the end of the video , Paul Young angle over to talk to someone , the photographic camera pan over , and every teenager in America goes , " Yikes . " That rock and roll dinosaur ( who at the sentence was 36 ) is Rick Parfitt of Status Quo , who I imagine was the 20th - century Nickelback of the UK .
49. Jessie Ware (2014)
I am rootle for Jessie Ware , but in this daddy landscape ( as in Band Aid 30 ) she keeps getting lost .
48. Turin Brakes/Feeder/Snow Patrol/The Thrills [tie] (2004)
2004 should have been a new morning for Britpop . A whole new wave of bands slay the scene , and their music was supposed to set the world on fire , but it mostly just end up on sequence ofGrey ’s Anatomy .
47. Duran Duran (1984)
I must dock the banding points here for Simon Le Bon ’s first note , which I can only call a honk . Since the band is all here together , I will rank them in ascending order : 5 ) Andy Taylor , 4 ) Simon Le Bon , 3 ) Roger Taylor , 2 ) Nick Rhodes , 1 ) John Taylor ( who gets the top stain for his song from the9 1/2 Weekssoundtrack , which aims forAvalon - era Roxy Music andmisses delightfully ) .
46. Ed Sheeran/Dan Smith (from Bastille) [tie] (2014)
Is Ed Sheeran the new Paul Young , or is Dan Smith ?
45. Glen Goldsmith (1989)
Does n’t make much of an impression here , but check out the performance ofhis hit " Dreaming"onTop of the Pops , where he also does n’t make much of an impression .
44. Ms. Dynamite (2004)
Went on to be confused with Lady Sovereign inside my head ever since . She deserves better .
43. Marilyn (1984)
The groundless card of the first Band Aid . Marilyn was the ultimate frenemy to Boy George ; Boy kept him at his side , bought him a recording career , almost for sure pulled the string that got him into this seance , and in getting even Marilyn introduced him to drug , stole boyfriends and money , and see Gavin Rossdale . A tangible pot - stirrer , this one . guide well clear .
42. Jason Donovan (1989)
The Andrew Shue to Kylie Minogue ’s Courtney Thorne - Smith . They were the mid-’80s super - couple on Australian soapNeighbours , and achieved monumental worldwide celebrity . Then he had a cocaine - induced capture at Kate Moss ' 21st birthday party at the Viper Room .
41. Emeli Sandé (2014)
A classifiable vox who comes off like anX Factorcontestant here .
40. Kylie Minogue (1989)
Together with Jason Donovan , she sings Bono ’s " give thanks God , it ’s them " line . And Kylie , I love you , but you miss gravitas .
39. Sam Smith (2014)
Looks shockingly like Boy George , down to the wardrobe , though a son George who vocalise like he ’s underwater .
38. Dizzee Rascal (2004)
This is the one thing I ’ve learned from listening to a lot of BBC1 on SiriusXM , and now listening to Beats1 : there will always be a Dizzee Rascal . It ’s like the Dalai Lama . I call back Skepta is this twelvemonth ’s Dizzee Rascal .
37. Kevin Godley (1989)
Not indisputable where he is or what he does in Band Aid II , but he ’s a legend . Here ’s why he ’s so low-toned : if you have a partner named Lol Creme , you institute Lol Creme with you wherever you go . People require an chance to say " Lol Creme . " Shame on you .
36. Shaznay (2004)
Not much to do here , but she gain points for 1 ) being the best one in All Saints , and 2 ) having a rock - solid stage name . ( Real name : Trish Lewis . )
35. Martyn Ware and Glenn Gregory of Heaven 17 (1984)
We only catch a here and now of Glenn in a radical shot with Paul Young , George Michael , and Bono , in which he successfully pulls focal point with some unruffled arm dancing . Heaven 17 did n’t stick around much longer , but they gave us"We Live So Fast,“so they will be remembered lovingly .
34. Fran Healy (of Travis) (2004)
Kicks off the Band economic aid 20 video by " bigging up " the project , which I guess was still a affair citizenry said in 2004 . Has to be furious at Chris Martin for eat his luncheon .
33. Spandau Ballet (1984)
As ever , Tony Hadley do up some cruise - ship pop - vocaliser realness in his few lines ; you find out yourself hunger runt cocktail ( which people in Africa do n’t even have ) . Spandau Ballet is individually rank so : 5 ) Martin Kemp , 4 ) Tony Hadley , 3 ) John Keeble , 2 ) Gary Kemp , 1 ) Steve Norman ( see the Spandau documentarySoul Boys of the Western Worldif you have n’t , as you ’ll just need to hang out with Steve Norman ; Tony Hadley would have ranked high if he had n’t turned into k.d . lang seven years ago ) .
32. Estelle (2004)
Yes , " American Boy " was a swell song , but"1980"is a stone classic . Recognize .
31. One Direction (2014)
They kick Band Aid 30 off in good order . No harmonies , no single standout moments . Zayn wait gamey as nookie . For the record , the right 1D ranking , in ascend order , is : 5 ) Louis , 4 ) Zayn , 3 ) Liam , 2 ) Harry , 1 ) Niall .
30. Skye Edwards (of Morcheeba) (2004)
Morcheeba was what you listened to in lounges in the ' 90s . In 2004 , they tried for a pop discovery . A spot on a Band economic aid intend you made it , I guess .
29. Lisa Stansfield (1989)
One of our most underrated Isaac Bashevis Singer of person music , sporters of savagely lacquered spittle curls , and wearer of unfortunate headgear .
28. Rita Ora (2014)
Rita Ora is our new Jessie J. Like , we acknowledge that she is talented , yet we refuse to swallow her into our hearts . I do n’t know why . She deal herself well here . She was also inFifty Shades of Greyfor some reason .
27. Daniel & Natasha Bedingfield (2004)
" Got ta Get Through This " is arguably a good song than anything Natasha managed , but she hold on longer than he did , and right smart longer than I expect . Last I visualise her , she was present an award at one of the monthly land music awards shows . I get the feeling Natasha just kind of goes where you order her .
26. Wet Wet Wet (1989)
Blue - eyed soul dreamboats who never quite caught on in the States . Singer Marti Pellow has a face as adorable has his name is creepy . ( Very . )
25. Will Young (2004)
The first winner ofPop Idol , who swiftly come out of the closet , which was not a matter hoi polloi were doing much back then . ripe on you , Will Young .
24. Jody Watley (1984)
A real surprisal , given that her solo career would n’t start for a couple more year . Who is her publicizer ? I would like to charter her publiciser . Also : great whisker , great earring , great jounce . Jody was laying groundwork here , and I respect it .
23. Tim Wheeler of Ash (2004)
Young , talented , CW bighearted . Better in"Girl From Mars"than here .
22. The non-Bob Geldof members of Boomtown Rats (1984)
Along for the ride . Ca n’t find fault them .
21. Cathy Dennis & D-Mob (1989)
Barely makes an appearance in the video , but the radical ’s spot in the pop welkin is secure . If nothing else , Dennis made a bundle off theAmerican Idoltheme vocal .
20. Bob Geldof (1984)
The reasonableness for the season , a legend , a saint , a knight . He has deal with too much personal grief in the years since . And he should have hada bigger solo life history .
19. Sinead O’Connor (2014)
Why she was not placed in protective tutelage instantly following her nervous breakdown , I will never know . Let ’s remember the happy time , in particular her cover first appearance in the video for World Party’s"Private Revolution . “Look how well-chosen ! Hang on to this moment , Sinead !
18. Bananarama (1984)
mussy , empty-headed , tousle from a long Nox out , as the legend goes . I do n’t roll in the hay whether I ’d belt down Baby Hitler , but I ’m somewhat sure I ’d use a time simple machine to go drinking with 1984 Bananarama .
17. Paloma Faith (2014)
Band Aid 30 was a much fancy amour than the cozy original academic session , and nobody drives that point home like Paloma Faith , hair and rim all done up like the fancy barista in your local steampunk coffee shop . What a vocalism , though !
16. Bros (1989)
Brothers Matt and Luke Goss , two Gaultier aroma nursing bottle come to life . " When Will I Be Famous " is a press and a one-half , and now Luke have martial art / television game films and Matt has a residence singing banner at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas . You never know where life history will take you .
15. Justin Hawkins (from The Darkness) (2004)
Come back , The Darkness . We need you more than ever . hold back – youreturnedand no one narrate me ! ?
14. Seal (2014)
Seal does what Seal does . Either you jazz it or you do n’t . ( I do . ) by the bye , he ’s just reunited with his quondam manufacturer Trevor Horn for his late album7 , if you want to sense like you ’re in the elevator of a loungey hotel .
13. Sting (1984)
It ’s not his fault that they cut to him for the " bitter stinging of tears " blood line . Plus , this is the best his hair ever look . " Do They Know It ’s Christmas ? " is Sting in his prime , and I would hit it , if he could promise to keep it to three 60 minutes or less .
12. Neil Hannon (of The Divine Comedy) (2004)
There should be a welfare single to raise knowingness for The Divine Comedy .
11. Bono (1984)
10. Ellie Goulding (2014)
Ellie ’s voice has never voice more like a series of suction stop and beeps , but no group of 2014 UK chart - toppers would be concluded without her . The most recent album is great , too .
9. Chris Martin (2014)
you could see in his eye that he has climbed the mountaintop and also spent long periods of metre in an enclosed space with Gwyneth Paltrow . Whatever humility might have existed in 2004 is long gone .
8. Chris Martin (2004)
The Paul Young of Band Aid 20 . I will not jump on the Coldplay hatred train , andneither should you . We need earnestness now , and they ’re the only ones giving it to us .
7. Boy George and Jon Moss (of Culture Club) (1984)
Culture Club is wise off " The War Song " here . ( War is dazed , kinsfolk : how many times must he say it ? ) Boy George ’s fulgent crimson fuzz is a bit quiet and there ’s just a hint of a smoky centre ; he have in mind business . Bonus points for contribute drummer / fan Jon Moss along and allowing us to imagine how many screaming quarrel they had throughout the day . ( Read Boy ’s memoirTake It Like a Manif you have n’t . )
6. Phil Collins (1984)
for certain the hardest - working man in the Polemonium caeruleum - performance business ; by the next summer , he ’d be on the Concorde to spiel both stages in Live Aid . I ’m grateful Phil is coming out of retirement , I ’m glad I revisited his catalogue because of it , and I think I hear the seeds of LCD Soundsystem in"Take Me Home . "
5. Guy Garvey (2014)
The Elbow lead singer has my favorite voice in modern British medicine . An uneven selection , but a double-dyed one .
4. Robbie Williams (2004)
One of the superlative live acts I ’ve ever see . It kills me that he did n’t make it in the US .
3. George Michael (1984)
A stubble - gratuitous , poufy - hairy George Michael is startling , so thorough was his " Faith”-era image transmutation . accidentally , where ’s the thinkpiece on Wham ! ’s " Choose Life " T - shirts in the " arouse Me Up Before You Go - Go " video ?
2. Keane (2004)
The plaintive " fee the earthly concern " that kicks in two and a half minute into the ' 04 rendition could only come from wee Tom Chaplin of Keane . Nobody else but him could vocalise as barren , as plead , or as hungry .
1. Paul Young (1984)
Gets credit for receive the first billet in the first big song of the Age of the Benefit Single . get extra credit for await hungover ; the soberness of the situation hits you right by when a Paul Young does n’t comb his hair .
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