Last week, on Nov. 17, the latest version of Band Aid's classic charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" was released online to raise money for the Ebola crisis in West Africa, and though it went straight to the top of the U.K. charts and is supporting an undoubtedly good cause, the song has been the subject of plenty of criticism, particularly for its lyrics.
According to two British newspapers, Emeli Sandé, who actually appears on the latest version, said the lyrics need "changing," while Lily Allen called the song "a bit smug" and said she would prefer "donating actual money."
One artist who is vigorously defending the song, however, is the famously outspoken Sinead O'Connor, who also appears on the song.
"I think everyone should shut the f--k up," O'Connor told Broadsheet, via Billboard. "If you didn't like the lyrics you shouldn't have agreed to sing the song. I think it's smug of Lily Allen to say it's smug."
"The assumption that anyone performing on the record has not privately given money is exactly that," O'Connor went on to say, "an assumption."
Sandé and Allen were not the only critics O'Connor called out, however. When asked about Damon Albarn's comments that there "are problems with our ideas of charity," according to the Independent, O'Connor responded, "Who gives a f--k what Damon f--king Albarn thinks?"
Along with O'Connor and Sandé, other singers who appear on the 2014 version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" include Bono, One Direction, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, Rita Ora, Chris Martin, Queen's Roger Taylor, Jessie Ware, Olly Murs, Bastille, Elbow, Clean Bandit, Seal, Paloma Faith and Angelique Kidjo. It is the fourth version of the song that has been recorded, following versions in 2004, 1989 and 1984.
You can check out the Band Aid 30 version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" here:
What do you think of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" Let us know down in the comments section.
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