Yahoo Lifestyle Ed Sheeran Has Said That He Did Not Approve His Vocals Being Used On A New Charity Single — And Explained Why He Would Have “Respectfully Declined” If He’d Been Asked
Ed Sheeran has revealed that he did not approve his vocals being used on an upcoming charity single, and admitted that he would have “respectfully declined” had permission been sought.
It was recently announced that Bob Geldof, Midge Ure, and Trevor Horn are releasing a brand new version of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” to mark 40 years of Band Aid, the charity supergroup that was first created in 1984.
For context, Geldof and Ure founded the band to raise money for anti-famine efforts in Ethiopia, with Paul McCartney, Sting, George Michael, and U2’s Bono among the big-name stars to join the group and record the very first rendition of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”
The initiative was hugely successful, with the song selling more than 2 million copies around the world, and raising $24 million for Africa. In 1989, the same song was recorded again with some brand new artists joining the band — including Bananarama and Wet Wet Wet.
In 2004, Band Aid was revived for its 20th anniversary, with Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Snow Patrol’s Jonny Quinn among the musicians to take part in a new iteration of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” and in 2014, it returned for its 30th anniversary.
This is when Ed entered the fold, with the star taking part in the recording alongside the likes of One Direction, Sam Smith, and Rita Ora.
And rather than bring in new stars for 2024’s version of the song, music producer Trevor Horn has blended together the 1984, 2004, and 2014 recordings for the “ultimate mix.”
According to the official press release, this means that listeners will hear “a young Sting sing alongside a young Ed Sheeran. A young Boy George with a young Sam Smith. A young George Michael beside a young Harry Styles.”
Bono, who has featured on every version of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” over the last 40 years, will also be heard singing with the younger version of himself.
But not everybody is happy to be a part of this charity initiative again, with Ed taking to his Instagram story on Sunday to explain why he wouldn’t have agreed to the idea if he’d been asked — due to the way it perpetuates negative stereotypes of Africa.
The original lyrics to “Do They Know It’s Christmas” include the lines: “There's a world outside your window / And it's a world of dread and fear / Where the only water flowing / Is the bitter sting of tears / And the Christmas bells that ring there / Are the clanging chimes of doom / Well, tonight, thank God it's them instead of you.”
As well as: “And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time / The greatest gift they'll get this year is life / Where nothing ever grows / No rain, no rivers flow / Do they know it's Christmas time at all?”
Ed shared a screenshot of British rapper Fuse ODG’s post, which read: “Ten years ago, I refused to participate in Band Aid because I recognized the harm initiatives like it inflict on Africa.”
“While they may generate sympathy and donations, they perpetuate damaging stereotypes that stifle Africa’s economic growth, tourism, and investment, ultimately costing the continent trillions and destroying its dignity, pride and identity,” Fuse went on.
“By showcasing dehumanizing imagery, these initiatives fuel pity rather than partnership, discouraging meaningful engagement,” he explained. “My mission has been to reclaim the narrative, empowering Africans to tell their own stories, redefine their identity, and position Africa as a thriving hub for investment and tourism.”
Fuse’s post concluded: “Today, the diaspora drives the largest flow of funds back into the continent, not Band Aid or foreign aid proving that Africa’s solutions and progress lies in its own hands.”
Writing alongside the screenshot, Ed told his 48 million followers: “My approval wasn’t sought on this new Band Aid 40 release and had I had the choice I would have respectfully declined the use of my vocals. A decade on and my understanding of the narrative associated with this has changed, eloquently explained by @fuseodg.”
He added: “This is just my personal stance, I’m hoping it’s a forward looking one. Love to all.”
Ed’s comments come after he was criticized in 2017 for reinforcing white savior stereotypes with “poverty tourism” videos made for the charities Comic Relief and the Disasters Emergencies Committee (DEC).
Ed was the latest in a long line of stars to visit Africa in videos made to raise awareness for the charities, with the singer shown breaking down in tears and offering to pay hotel costs for street children in Liberia.
Meanwhile, actor Tom Hardy was shown in videos containing graphic images of starving and sick children, with critics branding the footage “devoid of dignity.”
Ed did not publicly respond to the criticism at the time, but in 2020, Comic Relief announced that it would stop sending celebrities to Africa as part of their fundraising appeals, and will instead use videos created by local filmmakers with a “more authentic perspective.”
What do you make of Ed's statement? Let me know in the comments!
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