One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Bono will revisit 'Do They Know It's Christmas'

Geldof is once again commandeering the mission 30 years after the original. The song has since been re-recorded in 1989 by Band Aid II and in 2004, when Band Aid 20 released a modified version of the tune featuring Martin, Paul McCartney and Dizzee Rascal.

At a press conference in England on Monday, Geldof said he was inspired to re-record the song with modified lyrics because of the “phenomenal bravery of the National Health doctors and nurses who volunteered to go out there.”

The original “Christmas” was released in response to the famine that was causing a significant death toll in Ethiopia. The song sold 3.7 million copies in the UK and raised more than 8 million pounds. Worldwide sales hit nearly 12 million by the end of the ‘80s.

The single will be released Nov. 17 – 11 days shy of the anniversary of the original’s release – but Geldof, saying he’s a “Taylor Swiftian,” will withhold the song from streaming services until after the new year.

Since it is a charity song, Geldof is hoping people will purchase the song. European prices are 99p per download and 4 pounds for the CD – there is no word on U.S. prices or availability yet.

For nostalgia’s sake, here’s a look at that iconic original video.

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