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Do They Know It's Christmas? And do you know who's singing?
I remember when I first heard this as a kid and got all upset by the idea of other kids in Africa not knowing it's Christmas and not having food and how the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears.
These days, when I hear the song I listen to pick out the voices of British pop/rock stars.
When I heard the song Friday, I figured it was time to track down the video. Which helps with the matching voices to singers bit, but only somewhat -- turns out I can't identify these guys by sight.
This is what I could make out from the first couple of minutes of the video: First there's the guy that I don't remember but for some reason I think he's the other dude from Wham!, then Boy George, then there's Phil Collins playing drums, then the guy that I think is from Duran Duran, then there's Duran Duran Guy singing with Sting, then someone I don't recognize at all, then there's Sting and Duran Duran Guy and Bono, then it goes into a montage... etc.
If any charitable WTNers can help me fill in the blanks, I'd be most appreciative. Just don't judge me for failing to remember this whole cast of characters, I think I was like 7 when this song came out.
JON BURSTEIN
KATHY BUSHOUSE
BRIAN HAAS
JUSTIN L. ABROTSKY
Comments
Download the free application from iTunes app store called "Shazam". Hold it out and press tag song, let it listen for a few seconds. You will get everything you want to know in seconds.
Posted by: bob | December 20, 2008 7:39 PM
The order is as follows (after they start singing):
1. Paul Young (wrote "Everytime you go away" which was a hit for Daryl Hall. A great British Blue eyed soul singer who died early. Check out his video of Paul Young and the Q-Tips to see the Motown revival aspect of New Wave. Also, a good songwriter, pick up any CD and check it out. It is kind of deep (for new wave) so it takes a few listens to figure out what he is singing about.
2. Boy George (good voice, underrated song writer - started out making weird cool and then went overboard on the weird. Especially lately.
3. That is George Michael, not Andrew Ridgley, the other guy in Wham who went on to become a race car driver.
4. Simon Le Bon, is the lead singer for Duran Duran.
5. Simon Le Bon and Sting.
6. I think that is the lead singer for Spandau Ballet. They are the guys that sang "True" right? I am pretty sure that is the guy who sang that song.
7. Sting, Simon Le Bon and Sting. singing about the "bitter sting" how prophetic.
8. Bono
9. Phil Collins.
10. Don't know this guy. Let's figure him out before we move on.
Posted by: Truth | December 20, 2008 10:52 PM
@bob: I don't yet have an iPhone but I may have to get one just to get this app. It sounds excellent.
@Truth: This is awesome! I'm aghast that I left George Michael off my list, of course I know him by sight. And I shall have to do penance for not remembering that was Simon Le Bon.
You're right about Spandau Ballet. They did indeed sing "True." If we both had iPhones with that Shazam app, we could probably get their other songs, too (if there are any).
Posted by: Kathy Bushouse | December 21, 2008 9:23 PM
*cultural education regardless of age is a grand thing...*
Posted by: Cindy | December 22, 2008 2:06 PM
Paul Young didn't die early. he's very much alive.
The guy after Phil Collins is Paul Weller who used to be in a band called The Jam.
Posted by: sal | December 25, 2008 8:49 AM