Today marks the 40th anniversary of the iconic charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas?, originally recorded by Band Aid in London in 1984. The newly released “ultimate mix” commemorates the milestone by blending performances from different versions over the decades, creating unexpected pairings: George Michael singing with Harry Styles, and Chris Martin with the Sugababes.

Still, the refurbished song hasn’t been spared the controversy. Ed Sheeran, whose voice was simply borrowed from a prior version, protested that he would have denied permission if he had ever been asked. Sheeran argued the “narrative” around the song has shifted in such ways that made him uncomfortable.

Addressing the criticism, Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley, who was one of the original voices to take part in the recording, described the project as “great” in an interview with BBC Radio 2. “Honestly, I think critics like Sheeran should just shut up,” Hadley said. “If you start tearing things down like this, you end up discouraging people from trying to make a difference.”. Then again, we were just trying to assist with what was happening in Ethiopia. We did it with the best of intentions. Should we have done nothing instead? “

Sheeran’s concerns partly arose due to British-Ghanaian rapper Fuse ODG’s social media post against the song for perpetuating stereotypes about Africa as a continent experiencing and being beset by famine and poverty. The rapper argued that the way of presenting these stereotypes overshadows the beautiful stories of diversity, resilience, and achievements found in Africa.

Midge Ure, who co-wrote the song with Sir Bob Geldof, acknowledged these criticisms in an interview. “The white savior argument is something we’ve been hearing for 40 years,” he said. “It’s valid to a degree, but the purpose of the song wasn’t to insult or generalize. It was about highlighting the consequences of famine, war, and poverty—realities that demand action.”

Producer Trevor Horn, who oversaw the remix, said he would have taken out Sheeran’s vocals if he’d been informed of the objection. Live Aid promoter Harvey Goldsmith, less diplomatically, quipped, “Stuff him.”

The idea for the original recording was inspired by BBC journalist Michael Buerk’s harrowing report on Ethiopia’s famine in 1984 that focused the world’s attention on the crisis. Within the first year, the single raised £8 million, and the Band Aid Charitable Trust has now raised nearly £150 million. Horn created the remix using technology very similar to what was used on The Beatles’ Now and Then, which allowed vocals from different eras to blend together with greatest of ease. Thus, Sinead O’Connor and Boy George are floating in the same musical ether as more recent recruits such as Rita Ora and Liam Payne.

Geldof singled out Payne’s performance, which was originally recorded for Band Aid 30 in 2014, during the premiere on BBC Radio 2. Commenting on Payne’s inclusion, Geldof said, “He’s here with his mates, alive with us—it’s poignant.”

A New Sound

This remix puts a different spin into a fresh string arrangement, foregoing the stark bells and pounding drums of the original. Instead, Paul Young, Bono, and Sheeran deliver vocals to open up the song, underlined by ethereal orchestration. Harp embellishments and festive motifs amplify the emotionality, with key phrases like “Feed the world” echoing hauntingly.

Despite its updates, the song retains controversial lyrics, including the infamous line, “Tonight thank God it’s them instead of you,” immediately followed by the softer 2014 rewrite, “Tonight we’re reaching out and touching you.”

Others are more nuanced, like Dizzee Rascal’s 2004 rap. But the message in the chorus still resonates with hope. As Geldof said, “Every sale or stream of this song represents tangible help—whether it’s a meal, medicine, or education for those in need.”

Criticism and Reflection

The critics of Band Aid claim that it has an outdated and reductive view of Africa. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed acknowledged the good intent but bemoaned the framing when speaking to The Times, saying: “While the humanitarian effort is admirable, reducing our rich history and culture to despair is frustrating.”

Geldof, however, remains unwavering about the mission of the song. “This little pop song has saved millions of lives. Why would we stop feeding children who depend on us for a meal because of a theoretical debate? It’s not perfect, but it’s real, and it works.” Because of this, even if the Band Aid project is no longer nurtured as it once was-indeed, even if it is criticized for its flaws -its impact on humanitarian efforts globally speaks for itself.