Do They Know It's Christmas vs. We are the World

M

MirrOlure

500+ Posts
Don't ask me why this popped into my head, but the Brits absolutely dominated the Yanks in the category of Ensemble Production in Attempt to Feed Hungry People in Africa.

Not only was the American effort a "copy-cat", musically, it pales in comparison to Geldoff's work. Ray Charles did his best to carry it, but even he couldn't pull it off, due to what I am sure was music industry politics of the day, which demanded that Michael Jackson and Diana Ross get way more than their fair share of mic time.
 
Do They Know It's Christmas?" is a great song that could stand on it's own, without all the charity hype behind it.

"We are the World" is a terrible song. Trite lyrically, banal musically.
 
Back in December, I heard "Do They Know It's Christmas" on the radio, and I remember having the exact same thought. So much better than "We Are the World."

I bought the single of DTKIC, but I never even considered buying WATW.
 
I think the American far outsold the Brit, but I agree that the American song sucks.

"There comes a time when we heed a certain call..."

The eloquence of Lionel Ritchie, ladies and gentlemen.
 
our version would have been SO much better had they let stevie wonder and ray charles trade off at the end... instead of stevie and bruce freakin springsteen
pukey.gif
 
How big a deal was Hands Across America? I was five at the time, so I figure I was old enough to remember it and it would be the type of thing they'd make a kindergarten kid do, but I have no memory of it whatsoever.

btw, GREATNESS exists at the 1:18 mark of the video.
smile.gif
 
The 1980's Authority Bells/Chimes are what make the British version better, not the celebrity voices. Now maybe if the Americans had used the 1970's Authority violins with a touch of Jazz Flute in a remix version.
 
Actually, the phrase that somebody's musical work pales in comparison to Bob Geldof's has been seldom used in history.

While the other may have written the song (I have no reason to doubt you), Geldof was the prime force behind the movement. He does deserve credit for that.
 
Alright, I'll go ahead and say it. I love We Are The World. Maybe it's because I was like seven when it came out, but I still prefer it to Do They Know...
It's awesome fun to sing along doing the different voice impressions.
 
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