BS: Band Aid 20

Subject: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Stu
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 04:41 PM

It seems such a shame that 20 years after the first Band Aid send a shock up the arse of the world, they are making another one because we still have millions starving across the world while in rich countries food mountains rot and our 'leaders' still spend billions killing people.

*sigh*

Will we ever learn?

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Once Famous
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 04:49 PM

It's a shame but I wonder if there has always been millions starving around the world.

What ultimately do you suggest be done about it?

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 04:51 PM

not as long as people rate petty differences, religion, 'honor' and power over basic humanity. Band Aid, even then didn't reach very many....

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Once Famous
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 04:54 PM

Perhaps Michael Jackson is needed to save the world.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 05:10 PM

depends on which Michael Jackson you choose.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 05:19 PM

I don't think the new version will be a 'patch' on the original... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: C-flat
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 05:59 PM

The original did much to ignite the social conscience of a generation that, until then, was too wrapped up in the "boom" economics of the day. By using pop icons it made giving "cool".
I see no reason why it won't work again with this new crop of stars appealing to a new audience, and with Geldorf hovering behind the scenes we can rest assured that no-one will be lining their pockets with money meant for a good cause.
I don't care for "Christmas No 1 Hits" but I hope this one goes straight in and stays there for a while.
It won't cure third world poverty but it will at least help to keep these issues in focus and do some good.

C-flat.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 03:50 AM

Sorry about my cynicicsm, but having heard the original participants boast how they were all off their head with dodgy pharmaceuticals, I felt if they'd all given the equivalent of their drugs budget to the casue it would have raised more money and wasted fewer resources than have the public buy a record that they probably didn't want and would hardly play and would have to dispose of.

RtS
(Yes, dear, one record I WON'T be buying!)

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: C-flat
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 01:23 PM

Roger I'm sure you're a charitable soul at heart and there are plenty of opportunities to contribute without having to buy a crappy record that you'll never listen to. My point is that it isn't aimed at you and me but to the young up-and-coming generation who may not have a fully developed sense of social responsibility.
To that end I'm in favour but I certainly don't need the record either!

C-flat.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: MBSLynne
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 01:32 PM

Well I just heard it for the first time.....it ISN'T a patch on the original. But I expect I'll buy it anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 07:35 PM

Well, I now know that my joke was wasted on MSBLynne... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Amos
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 07:42 PM

Funny enough anyway, Robin! :D


A

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: MBSLynne
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 03:13 AM

Well I got it...but it's true in the unfunny sense too!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 03:39 AM

...and in my post I've added an extra syllable to cynicism and garbled "cause" so perhaps I need some help! I'll be seeing one of the participants of BandAid 20 at a family party this weekend so I may yet be convinced!

RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: MBSLynne
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 06:40 AM

Oh go on Roger...who???

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Skipper Jack
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 08:01 AM

Two local radio stations in my part of the world have pulled the plug on the current recording because their listeners phoned in to say that it was rubbish!
I am inclined to agree. But I will probably buy it anyway if only to use it as a coaster for my coffee!

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 07:38 AM

At least bloody Bono isn't on the new version!

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: s6k
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 07:57 AM

yes he is

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Firecat
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 11:48 AM

GUEST, Bono has been chosen to sing the line "And tonight thank God it's them instead of you."

UK Catters, the video of Band Aid 20's version gets its first broadcast on all terrestrial channels, Sky One and various digital channels tonight (Thursday) at 5.50pm.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: GUEST,Mingulay
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 11:51 AM

This is Band Aid 20. Hahahahahaha!

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 01:01 PM

I'm not sure what the figures are in the U/S but in U/K about a decade ago...it was estimated that around 5% of the population owned over 85% of the wealth...They are the people who need to do something significant. I give what I can afford!!! what if they gave what they could afford?
Best wishes.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 01:16 PM

I've just seen the Band Aid 20 video, as introduced by that Madonna bint, on Channel 5. It sucks. No matter what the intention, it sucks, and everyone participating looks vaguely smug. I would start feeding the world by mincing the people responsible for it and distributing them as part of a nice spaghetti bolognese, but then, I'm irritable and have PMT, so you can disregard anything I'v typed today.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 01:21 PM

Well I heard it tonight on the way home in the car and again on Tv when I got in. Sad to say it doesn't come close to the original but that to me sums up modern pop music anyway. The cause is still just as good though so I'll donate some money their way just as long as they don't make me take the record home with me.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 01:26 PM

Perhaps they'll let us pay NOT to take the record home?

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 01:31 PM

I just saw it on Richard and Judy on channel 4. No it isn't as good as the first one, but then most things aren't, it still brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye. I hope it does well purely for the help that it will provide and to raise awareness I just wish
I knew who half of them were, I must be getting old LOL.

~Debs~

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: grumpy al
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 01:49 PM

still a very good cause but why oh why couldn't anyone think of something more original?

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 03:11 PM

Yes like all the pop stars involved giving 10% of their savings.....
Probably make more than all last times donations!
Best wishes.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: GUEST,Vic
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 10:02 AM

Ashamed to admit to watching Richard & Judy, but I saw/heard it there for the first time last night and I think it's pants.

Worst of all is the stupid line,
"So tonight thank God it's them instead of you"
So it's God that's making them starve; it's God that's terrorising them with their own so-called police, and it's obviously God's will that we live in such comfort. (I suppose crippling third world debt must be God's will as well.) Almost as bad as Glen Hoddle's 'bad karma' take on Africa.

Given that they've had 20 years to think about it, you'd think they'd have come up with better, harder-hitting lyrics. They should have asked Steve Earle to re-write it.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Chris Green
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 10:55 AM

I have to admit I have problems with that particular line as it could be construed "Isn't it preferable for people far away to starve rather than us?" However, mawkish and obvious though the song is, if it raises large quantities of cash for Sudan surely that's a good thing! And unfortunately given the state of the current state of the Top 10 I can't see a well-written thought-provoking song making Christmas No.1!

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Splott Man
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 10:56 AM

Frank Skinner on TV last night said we should go into the record shop, hand over £4 (it costs £3.99),

say "Keep the change...



Oh, and keep the CD, too!"

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: C-flat
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 01:22 PM

Worst of all is the stupid line,
"So tonight thank God it's them instead of you"


Apparently there was much debate over that line at the time of the original recording. It was given to Bono from U2 to sing and he was unhappy about it and wanted to alter it. Geldorf explained that he was expressing the sentiment as a father looking at his own children and thanking God for their good fortune. It makes everyone uncomfortable because it's an honest reaction to tragedy or disaster, something we all instinctively feel and then suffer guilt for feeling it.
I think it's a really clever line.

C-flat.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: C-flat
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 01:28 PM

The new version also has Bono singing the same line this time around and he fought to make sure he got that line! His first recording was regarded as weak and another singer was given the job of covering it (I think it was the guy from "The Darkness"). When Bono found out he was furious and flew back to re-record it to their satisfaction.

C-flat.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: GUEST,Vic
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 06:03 AM

"So tonight thank God it's them instead of you"

Yes, I can see C-flat's point there, but there's a possibility that the line is a bit too clever.
One problem I have with that line, and indeed the whole song, is that it reinforces the widely-held notion that starvation in Africa is the result of natural disasters. In most cases it isn't. In Africa, starvation is a weapon of mass destruction, used by evil men for their own political ends.

Of course we should contribute to famine relief, but let's not kid ourselves about the causes of the famine.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Firecat
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 12:12 PM

Yeah it was Justin Hawkins from the Darkness who rerecorded Bono's line, but apparently he made a right pig's ear of it!

I liked Will Young and Jamelia's bits, and Dido's, but I thought Dizzee Rascal ruined it with the stupid rap.

I'll still buy it, purely cos it's for a great cause, but I won't listen to it much!

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 02:19 PM

Well I stand by what I said about it not being much cop but Maddie (10) thinks it's 'doody' which I think means good. I suspect that she likes some if not all the unknowns who seem to be performing so we'll probably get a copy for her.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 02:31 PM

I heard it on the wireless today, its rubbish.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: PoppaGator
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 07:41 PM

Bob Geldof (along with others) tells the story of that first Band Aid efffort in some detail on the "Out or Ireland" DVD I recently rented and watched several times:

U2's manager was skeptical of the effort at first and discouraged his guys from participating. When it became evident that everyone else was participating, U2 got on board at the last minute. Bono supposedly read through the entire lyric and told Geldof, "I'll be glad to sing any line except THAT one."

Bob responded: "No one else wanted it, either, and it's the only line left -- you have to take it." (I'm paraphrasing of course.)

Geldof says that the line was intended to be ironic or whatever, and that in the end he was delighted by Bono's reading. Whether he fully understood what was required, or was just angry at having to sing it, his delivery gave the line an appropriate "edge."

No mention in that documentary about Bono doing it poorly at fist, and leaving, and then coming back to re-record rather than allow another singer to replace him. Of course, I can see now how that could have been the case -- omitting that wrinkle doesn't contradict the rest of the story.

With all that background, Bono's appearance on the new version takes on a bit more significance.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: C-flat
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 04:52 AM

PoppaGator, the story about Bonos' retake was from this years version, not the original.

Subject: RE: BS: Band Aid 20
From: PoppaGator
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 10:42 PM

Ahhhh -- "I see, said the blind man." I misread the meaning where you said "His *first* [emphasis mine] recording was regarded as weak and another singer was given the job of covering it."

Now I realize that you meant first go-round of the current recording effort. And you were clear enough, I simply misunderstood.

Maybe if they do it a third time in 2040-something, Bono will avoid all this drama and sing his bit in one clean take! ;)