Special Sub-Topic: Band Aid - 1, 2 and 20 Click Here To Play: Band Aid - 1, 2 and 20

"Do They Know It's Christmas?" first topped the UK charts in December 1984. Whose was the first voice heard on that original version?

Paul Young. The Band Aid story began back in October 1984. Michael Buerk of the BBC presented a harrowing news report of people gradually starving to death in Ethiopia, which so deeply moved Boomtown Rats singer Bob Geldof that he vowed to try and do something to help. Together with Ultravox vocalist Midge Ure, Bob set about writing the song that would be the start of something very big - a song that would both touch and help millions of people. Bob and Midge galvanized the top recording artists of the day to sing on "Do They Know It's Christmas?" and the Band Aid legend was on its way with that first recording on 25th November 1984. The single's picture sleeve was designed by artist Peter Blake, the man responsible for the cover of The Beatles album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".

U2 vocalist Bono memorably sang the lines "Well, tonight thank God it's them instead of you" on the 1984 "Do They Know It's Christmas?", but who sang those lines on the Band Aid 2 1989 version?

Matt Goss. Matt Goss, of Bros fame, sang the line with a little help from Jason Donovan at the beginning. Bono was the only artist to sing on both the original version and the Band Aid 20 version in 2004, reprising the exact same line from the song. The B-side of the original hit had spoken messages of support from artists such as David Bowie, Paul McCartney and Frankie Goes To Hollywood, who were unable to be there for that first recording. Paul McCartney made it 20 years later in 2004 when he played bass on the new version.

Which artist(s) sang on both the Band Aid and Band Aid 2 version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?"

Bananarama. Band Aid 2 took their version to #1 in December 1989, where it remained for three weeks. As well as Bananarama, Band Aid 2 also featured popular late 80s acts such as Bros, Big Fun, Jason Donovan, Kylie Minogue, Jimmy Somerville, Wet Wet Wet, Chris Rea, The Pasadenas, D Mob, Cathy Dennis, Technotronic, Sonia and Lisa Stansfield.

The original "Do They Know It's Christmas?" was released by Mercury Records in 1984, but what was the catalogue number allocated to this record?

FEED1. The Band Aid 2 version, issued by PWL/Polydor, was released with the catalogue number FEED2, and the somewhat ordinary number of 9869413 was issued by Mercury Records to Band Aid 20.

Phil Collins played the drums on both the Band Aid and Band Aid 2 versions of "Do They Know It's Christmas?".

f. Although Phil played on the original version, it was actually Luke Goss of teen sensations Bros who drummed for Band Aid 2. Luke and his twin brother Matt, together with bassist Craig Logan, had a string of hits in the late 80s, including a UK #1 with "I Owe You Nothing". The drums on the Band Aid 20 version were played by Danny Goffey of Supergrass.

Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt of Status Quo appeared on which version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?"

The original Band Aid. Whilst researching this quiz I watched the videos of the artists recording all the versions of "Do They Know It's Christmas?", and there is an amusing bit in the first Band Aid video in which Francis Rossi is caught by the camera admiring a certain part of the anatomy of a female singer! A satellite TV channel called "Magic" usually airs Christmas videos in December, and all three versions of the song can be seen.

On the Band Aid 20 version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" who sings the lines "Raise a glass for everyone" and "Underneath that burning sun"?

Justin Hawkins. Justin Hawkins, and his brother Dan who plays guitar on the 2004 version, are both from UK rock band The Darkness. Coldplay singer Chris Martin sings the opening lines "It's Christmas time, there's no need to be afraid".

The video for Band Aid 20 was premiered on UK television on 18th November 2004. Which singer introduced the new video?

Madonna. The video for Band Aid 20's re-make was shown simultaneously on BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, Channel Four, Five, Sky One and a few other satellite digital channels at 17-55 pm on the 18th November 2004. Before its airing, Madonna gave a short introduction mentioning the events of twenty years earlier and why it was necessary to once again record that historic song for famine relief. Madonna herself does not appear on the 2004 version, but of course performed at the Live Aid concert in 1985.

Who supplies the rap in the middle of the Band Aid 20 version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?"

Dizzee Rascal. The Band Aid 20 version has certainly come in for some criticism since its first broadcast, and Dizzee's rap has proved unpopular with those who prefer the original version. Dizzee Rascal (born Dylan Mills in 1985) has had UK chart entries with hits such as "I Luv U" and "Fix Up Look Sharp".

Which artist did not sing on the Band Aid 20 version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" but was there at the recording serving tea to the artists and crew?

Damon Albarn of Blur. Well, that was very nice of Damon to serve tea to the artists! Some of those artists involved in Band Aid 20 (so named as it was 20 years since the first version) include The Darkness, Robbie Williams, Dido, Thom Yorke, Daniel Bedingfield, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Busted, Rachel Stevens, Will Young, Jamelia, Joss Stone and Fran Healy of Travis. Oasis and the Cheeky Girls were not involved! The 1984 Band Aid single sold 3.5 million copies in the UK, and topped the UK charts for five weeks. Band Aid 20 sold 75,000 copies on its first day of sales, so it has some way to go to match the original. There has been much debate in the media and on the internet over which is the best version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" but, in the end, all that really matters is that it helps raise both money and awareness of those in greater need then ourselves.