一轉眼, 一年又即將飛過, 此時突然驟冷的天氣讓我剛自亞熱帶的台灣回來感受到了耶誕節的來到.
每年自感恩節結束後, 家家戶戶開始裝飾自家好迎接這個節日的到來, 商店也佈置的美侖美奐, 加上相關的聖誕音樂, 讓人充滿了喜樂的心情, 也盼望這天與家人相聚的日子.
說到聖誕音樂, 其實我一直有最喜愛的聖誕歌曲” Do they know it’s Christmas”. 這首歌的由來是在1984年英國知名樂團「Boomtown Rats」的靈魂人物歌手Bob Geldof親自造訪了非洲乾旱肆虐的伊索匹亞, 他目睹饑民困苦的生活, 回到英國之後他便於12月份發起英國歌手援助災民的義唱活動. 他們將團名取為「Band Aid」. 這個字的原意就是受傷時急救所用的「OK蹦」, 而這些眾多英國歌手的愛心組合「Band Aid」在1984年的聖誕節前夕齊聚於錄音室共同錄製了"Do They Know It's Christmas"這首經典名曲. 歌曲是由Bob Geldof與Midge Ure共同譜寫, 集合了當紅的歌壇巨星包括Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Paul Young, Country Club 的Boy George, Phil Collins, Wham! 的George Michael, Bananarama, Spandau Ballet, Queens 等40多位藝人灌錄該曲, 並於1985年7月13日在倫敦及費城兩地同時進行「Band Aid」援非演唱會, 他們的義舉也讓國際社會開始重視非洲嚴重的飢荒問題. 也因為「Live Aid」出現才引發隔年美國歌手的大團結, 由Michael Jackson領軍的「USA For Africa」因而誕生, 一曲「We Are the World」讓為非洲饑民的募款活動達到最高潮.
"Do They Know It's Christmas" Band Aid Version (1984)
"Do They Know It’s Christmas”曾於1989年首度被翻唱, 是由一批新進當紅的藝人組合而成的Band Aid II來詮釋同一首歌, 大家可自以下的MV看到當時由近年自黑翻紅的Kylie Mingue 及我高中時的偶像Jason Donovan 青澀的樣子(他們當年可是金童玉女的組合),還有才篡紅的 Lisa Stansfiled及以演唱電影”妳是我今生的新娘” (Four Weddings and a Funeral)主題曲走紅的Wet Wet Wet中的 Marti等共同演唱.
"Do They Know It's Christmas" Band Aid II Version (1989)
這首經典義唱「Do They Know It's Christmas」在事隔20年後的2004年又推出了新的紀念版本, 由一些新生代歌手像是我喜愛的英國創作樂團”Coldplay” 主唱 Chris Martin, 加上才女歌手Dido及討厭的壞小子Robbie Williams, 當然還是少不了搖滾樂界重要人物U2主唱Bono等藝人重新組合「Band Aid 20」演唱重新灌錄讓流行音樂界的愛心薪火相傳.
"Do They Know It's Chrismtas" Band Aid 20 Version (2004)
不論是那個版本, 都有它原來不變的意義 – 讓我們給予這世界更多的溫暖與關懷. 也藉由這首歌祝福我的家人與朋友們聖誕快樂!
Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid
Paul Young)
It's Christmas time
There's no need to be afraid
At Christmas time
We let in light and we banish shade
(Boy George)
And in our world of plenty
We can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
At Christmas time
(George Michael)
But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmas time it's hard
(Simon LeBon)
But when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
(Sting) And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is
(Bono joins in)
The bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that are ringing
Are clanging chimes of doom
(Bono only) Well, tonight thank God it's them instead of you.
(Everyone)
And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time.
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
Where nothing ever grows
No rain or rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time
Feed the world
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
(Paul Young)
Here's to you
raise a glass for everyone
Here's to them
underneath that burning sun
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
Chorus (Everyone)
Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
Repeat
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