Please settle an argument.

[HOGFAN]

Michael Jackson
second person: Dan Ackroyd. as in "WTH was he doing there?"

 

[ReallyGoofy]

Stevie Wonder

 

[taylor1293]

Michael Jackson

 

[Off2Nvrlnd]

Dionne Warwick. I just keep getting visions of her hair.

 

[Beth76]

Michael Jackson

 

[Beth76]

He wasn't in it, but I cannot get Joe Cocker out of my head.

It's CROCKER isn't it?!?!?! Please tell me his name is not Cocker.


OK, so my sister and BIL brought up the "Do They Know It's Christmas" song on xmas Eve. They were listening to the radio and talking about the line that Bono sings that says "Thank God it's them instead of you" or something along those lines. I had never heard of that before and I guess never paid attention to the lyrics. But it's true. He really does say that. That's really kind of awful.

 

[chisnpeke]

Michael Jackson.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

It's CROCKER isn't it?!?!?! Please tell me his name is not Cocker.


OK, so my sister and BIL brought up the "Do They Know It's Christmas" song on xmas Eve. They were listening to the radio and talking about the line that Bono sings that says "Thank God it's them instead of you" or something along those lines. I had never heard of that before and I guess never paid attention to the lyrics. But it's true. He really does say that. That's really kind of awful.

Yeah, it's Cocker

And that line does sound pretty bad. It's not as bad when taken in context though - more or less telling people to count their blessings.

At Christmas time it's hard
But when you're having fun
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

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

I immediately thought of both Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, but when I hear the song in my head, it's Stevie's voice that is singing it.

We sang that song at my 5th grade graduation, and I still know most of the words.

 

[Kathi OD]

Stevie Wonder

 

[disneyfreakk]

Michael Jackson

 

[Cool-Beans]

It's CROCKER isn't it?!?!?! Please tell me his name is not Cocker.


OK, so my sister and BIL brought up the "Do They Know It's Christmas" song on xmas Eve. They were listening to the radio and talking about the line that Bono sings that says "Thank God it's them instead of you" or something along those lines. I had never heard of that before and I guess never paid attention to the lyrics. But it's true. He really does say that. That's really kind of awful.

ITA. But there are two schools of thought on that.

A LOT of people think it is fine to say, "There but for the Grace of God go I" because they are thanking God for his goodness and the blessings he has bestowed upon them. It is sort of like a prayer to thank God that it is they who are suffering instead of you.

Then there are folks (and I'm one) who think that God didn't select you because he thinks you're special and should be fed (or healthy or rich or whatever) and that he decided to let other people starve (or be sick or broke, etc.) because He doesn't like them so much.

I know the people who say stuff like that really believe it is for a blessing God has bestowed upon them. They mean well. In general, anyway. Bono I don't know about.

- - - - - -
​

I think the "We Are The World" thing (Hands Across America, all that jazz) came before the "Do They Know It's Christmas" business. I remember being ticked that my Dad made us go to Chicago for Thanksgiving, so I couldn't participate in Hands Across America. And I got the tape for "Do They Know It's Christmas" and it was still relatively new when I played it on the new boom box I got for Christmas. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my memory.​

 

[va32h]

Nothing says "Christmas" like "The clanging chimes of doom" I tell ya.

I have to admit - I'm sure the intentions were noble and the money raised went to good purpose, but the song is sooooo gloom and doom that it's like a parody of itself.

There won't be snow in Africa this Christmas
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life (insert George Michael: Oh, woah)
Where nothing can ever grow
No rain or rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?

I think the "We Are The World" thing (Hands Across America, all that jazz) came before the "Do They Know It's Christmas" business. I remember being ticked that my Dad made us go to Chicago for Thanksgiving, so I couldn't participate in Hands Across America. And I got the tape for "Do They Know It's Christmas" and it was still relatively new when I played it on the new boom box I got for Christmas. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my memory.

Nope. We are the World was 1985, Do They Know It's Christmas was 1984. Harry Belafonte was inspired by the Bob Geldof song and started the whole ball rolling.

 

[nannerbadnanner]

Lionel Ritchie

 

[mommasita]

I don't think the OP thought it would be this widespread


I say Stevey Wonder.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Nope. We are the World was 1985, Do They Know It's Christmas was 1984. Harry Belafonte was inspired by the Bob Geldof song and started the whole ball rolling.

OK, I believe you. I must have my Christmases mixed up. It's been a while, you know. And that makes sense since I know I got a CD player for Christmas, 1985. So I'd have bought a "Do They Know It's Christmas" CD. And I didn't. I had a tape. But, again, not everything was on CD.

But I do believe you. Some memories are crystal-clear and others are bits-and-pieces. This is a bitty memory.

 

[Beth76]

Yeah, it's Cocker

I guess I've been mishearing that one all this time. Though, admittedly, I don't really talk about him too much.

OK, so what's up with the OP? What's the "right" answer? I guess it's pretty obvious there are several. There were so many people involved, to say that only one was the most involved would really be futile.

 

[Andy B]

He wasn't in it, but I cannot get Joe Cocker out of my head. I think it's b/c my mind can't seem to get his singing style separated from Bruce Springsteen's style.

I know. Heresy. One of my best friends is from New Jersey and I shouldn't admit it aloud, but I just have never been a big fan of Bruce's.

[runs and hides]

As for Do They Know It's Christmas...I loved that song but it drove me INSANE b/c most of "they" aren't even Christian, so why on EARTH would they care if it's xmas or not? Bonkers, I tell you. Made my mom bonkers too, and she WAS Christian (though I didn't know it at the time...she was a closet Christian, LOL), and still felt like the song was silly and disrespectful to the religions of the people it was meant to help. Sure made "us" feel good, though, didn't it?

Because it was released at Christmas and was focused at maximising sales, also there are large parts of africa which are Christian

 

[Andy B]

So from the Video it was Lional Richie.

 

[SadieDog]

Great.. I clicked on this and it woke up DW Lauri. She started watching it and got all fan-girly over John Taylor and Simon LeBon.

Now I have to watch it, just to see them.