it’s time to rethink a holiday staple. Let’s be honest – Do They Know It’s Christmas? has gone from “charity classic” to “holiday earworm you wish you could sue.” Every December, it blasts across radio stations and supermarket playlists like some kind of festive punishment. It’s time for a change.
This year, we’re calling it: ban this song from the radio and donate to UNICEF instead.
Why Ban “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” it’s for charity!
And before anyone cries “But it’s for charity!” – relax. UNICEF, the charity that benefits from this song, will still get your donation—our goal is to raise £50,000 by December 25, 2025, to match or exceed its potential £50,000 airplay revenue. We just want to spare our ears in the process. Released on December 3, 1984, by Band Aid, the track has raised over £100 million for famine relief, but its dated production and lyrics feel out of touch, making it ripe for a rock-fueled ban.
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Top 5 Most Ridiculous Lyrics in “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”
“There won’t be snow in Africa this Christmas.” Wow, really? No snow in Africa? Thank you, Captain Obvious. What’s next, “The sun might shine in Australia this summer”?
“Well tonight thank God it’s them instead of you!” Nothing says holiday spirit like Bono aggressively telling you to be grateful you’re not suffering. Truly a line for the ages.
“Where nothing ever grows, no rain or rivers flow.” Someone needs to tell the Nile River that it doesn’t exist. And maybe check in on the Congo too while we’re at it.
“Feed the world, let them know it’s Christmas time.” Newsflash: not everyone celebrates Christmas. In fact, some people might be more focused on, you know, basic survival than decking the halls.
“And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom.” Because nothing screams festive joy like DOOM BELLS. Mariah Carey could never.
The Case Against Its Christmas Spirit
Critics like The Guardian have long pointed out its colonial undertones, while fans on socials call it “cringe with a side of guilt”. With 2025 marking its 41st year, the song’s synth-pop vibe clashes with modern rock sensibilities, fueling our ban campaign.
The Alternative: Terrorvision’s “Our Christmas Song” – Let’s Make It Number One
If we’re going to banish the doom bells, we need a hero to save Christmas – and that hero comes in the form of Terrorvision’s “Our Christmas Song.” This track isn’t about guilt trips, geography lessons, or outdated pity parties; it’s about what Christmas actually feels like. Joy. Positivity. Family chaos. A proper sing-along anthem that smells of mince pies, spilled sherry, and wrapping paper carnage. It’s a slice of real British Christmas life wrapped in riffs and cheer, and honestly, it deserves to be sitting at Number One instead of that synth-laden guilt hymn. Let’s make it happen – because if Mariah gets a yearly pass, so should Terrorvision.
Rock Christmas Songs That Deserve More Airplay
Instead of enduring this outdated guilt-trip, why not rock out to some actually good Christmas songs?
Slade – Merry Xmas Everybody – A stone cold classic and Noddy Holder’s Pension.
Greg Lake – I Believe In Father Christmas – It would not be Christmas with out this masterpiece.
The Darkness – Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End). A falsetto piece of Christmas joy.
Make a Real Difference This Year
Rather than blasting Do They Know It’s Christmas? on repeat, why not donate that £1 to UNICEF and do something meaningful? The song’s heart was in the right place back in 1984, but after 40 years, we don’t need doom bells and outdated lyrics to remind us to care. Our target is £50,000 donated to UNICEF by December 25, 2025, to match or exceed the song’s potential airplay revenue.
Join Our 2025 Ban Campaign
Rock News launches the BAN DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS? campaign from December 1st to December 25th, 2025. Here’s how to get involved:
- Donate: Support our crowdfunding effort at GoFundMe Link to raise our £50,000 target for UNICEF.
- Spread the Word: Use #BanDoTheyKnow and #RockForCharity to rally rock fans globally.
- Pressure Radio: Tag BBC Radio 1, Capital FM, and indie stations like Planet Rock to join the ban.
- Stream the hell out of “Terrorvision’s “Our Christmas Song”
How the Ban Benefits UNICEF in 2025
By redirecting funds through our crowdfunding page, every donation bypasses airplay royalties and goes straight to UNICEF’s 2025 famine relief efforts. This ensures the charity thrives without the song’s annual rotation.
The Takeaway
Let’s make 2025 the year rock reclaims Christmas. “Ditch the 1984 flop and boost charity your way!” says Rock News. Ban it, donate it—let’s rock for a cause.
BAN “DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS” – A Rock ’n’ Roll Campaign for Real Change @RockNews
