Emeli Sande has shared her unhappiness with the lyrics to Band Aid 30 single ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’, suggesting that the charity effort would benefit from a whole new song.
Sandé, pictured right alongside Naughty Boy, is one of the many artists who recorded vocals for the song, which looks certain to be Number One when the Official Singles Chart is revealed later today (November 23). However, much like Fuse ODG earlier this week, Sandé has criticised the lyrics to the song, which was first written in 1984.
Although the lyrics were changed for the 2014 version, taking out three-decade old references to the Africa of the 1980s, the singer, who is of Zambian origin, has gone on record as saying that she does not necessarily approve of the new lyrics and suggested that an alternate version she recorded with Angelique Kidjo, a Grammy award-winning singer from Benin, was dropped.
Sandé posted a lengthy explanation of her feelings on Twitter, saving praise for Band Aid organiser Sir Bob Geldof and stating that she understands that the single comes from a “place of pure and respectful intent.”
However, in reference to the song’s lyrics, she continued: “Angelique Kidjo and I made and sang our own edits. Unfortunately, none of these made the final cut. Aside from my feelings regarding the lyric, there was no doubt in my mind or heart that this project came from a place of pure and respectful intent.
“I am so proud of my Zambian heritage. No offence or disrespect to the beautiful and prosperous continent was ever intended. I apologise if the lyrics of the song have caused offence. I wish the changes had been kept but that is out of my control.”
I’ve been having so many discussions about this all week. Here are my thoughts on the band aid single… pic.twitter.com/djeYgT9elF
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— Emeli Sandé (@emelisande) November 22, 2014
The charity single, which features vocals from Bono, Chris Martin, One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Jessie Ware and Paloma Faith among others, was established as the fastest-selling single of 2014 so far on its first day on sale this week.
The new version of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ has been recorded to raise money to help combat the spread of Ebola. It raised £1 million in one day after going on sale Monday (November 17), according to Geldof.