Bob Geldof says he’ll ‘chat’ to Ed Sheeran as listeners call Band Aid 40 song ‘awful’

Sign up to Roisin O’Connor’s free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The new version of “Do They Know It’s Christmas Time?” by Band Aid has been branded “horrific” as controversy surrounds the re-release of the song for its 40th anniversary. “You’ve got to find different ways of combating these issues and different ways of talking about them and what we’re celebrating here is – none of these arguments would get any oxygen if Band Aid didn’t come out.” open image in gallery Chris Martin, Emeli Sande, Bob Geldof, Angelique Kidjo and Bono during the recording of Band Aid 2014 Pivoting to Sheeran, he said: “Ed says, ‘This is what I feel now’. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial Sign up “The debate must be made and it means we can argue our point of view even more strongly – so that’s where I’m at with this.” However, aside from the uproar surrounding the new song, which was released on 25 November, those who have listened to it can’t help but think that song isn’t very good. !” open image in gallery Sir Bob Geldof along with other artists recording the first ever Band Aid single Contributors to the new version of the song include Robbie Williams, Sheeran, Guy Garvey, One Direction, Simon Le Bon, Boy George, Sting, Chris Martin, Seal and the late George Michael and Sinead O’Connor.