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Massive success for new Band Aid single

This news post is over 9 years old
 

100% of proceeds from Band Aid 30 will go to Ebola fight

Band Aid supremo Bob Geldof has said sales of the new charity single have been “manic” since it was launched.

Sales of the new version of Do They Know It’s Christmas, recorded specially to aid in the fight against Ebola, have been “extraordinary” since it went on sale at 8am on Monday.

Geldof said: “From what we've seen from iTunes it's gone bonkers. Within four or five minutes we had a million quid."

One Direction, Ellie Goulding, Ed Sheeran and Emeli Sande are among the stars who have re-recorded the song – 30 years after the groundbreaking original raised cash for and awareness of the famine in Ethipoia.

Money raised from the new version – which features changed lyrics – will go towards projects battling Ebola in west Africa.

The UK government has said it will waive VAT on sales, meaning 100% of proceeds will go to charity.

A video for the song was shown on ITV's The X Factor on Sunday.

The track is now available to download at a cost of 99p. A CD version, costing £4, will be released in three weeks.

Bookies have made it odds-on favourite to be Christmas number one.

Geldof added: "We really can stop this foul little plague.”

Band Aid 30 lyrics

It's Christmas time, and there's no need to be afraid

At Christmas time, we let in light and banish shade

And in our world of plenty, we can spread a smile of joy

Throw your arms around the world

At Christmas time

But say a prayer, pray for the other ones

At Christmas time, it's hard but while you're having fun

There's a world outside your window, and it's a world of dread and fear

Where a kiss of love can kill you, and there's death in every tear

And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom

Well tonight we're reaching out and touching you

No peace and joy this Christmas in West Africa

The only hope they'll have is being alive

Where to comfort is to fear

Where to touch is to be scared

How can they know it's Christmas time at all

Here's to you

Raise a glass to everyone

And here's to them

And all their years to come

Let them know it's Christmas time after all

Feed the world, let them know it's Christmas time again

Feel the world, let them know it's Christmas time again

Heal the world, let them know it's Christmas time again