"'Do They Know It's Christmas?' is so much catchier than 'Are Starving Africans Adequately Aware Of Our Seasonal Customs?' - ThreadSky

johnfugelsang.bsky.social • 61 days ago

"'Do They Know It's Christmas?'
is so much catchier than
'Are Starving Africans Adequately Aware Of Our Seasonal Customs?'

Comments

josiekat.bsky.social•61 days ago

I’ve always been especially baffled by the line “there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmastime”

steadymoon.bsky.social•59 days ago

lots of cringey bits like that in it. yeah. Africa has seasons. it can get very cold in some parts and maybe even snow. I'm guessing within the northern and southern parts.

rdablo.bsky.social•61 days ago

It's embedded in UK and US culture that a white (snowy) Christmas = happiness. Based on that, and the song context, the lyric is an appeal to those who believe a white Christmas = happiness, reminding them that people in Africa are starving and unhappy, i.e. give so they can share in Christmas joy.

dingleclaus.bsky.social•61 days ago

This made me both chuckle ... and realize I can never watch that video again or listen to the song without thinking of your alternate title 😆

This will be my new "Every time you go away, you take a piece of meat with you" from Paul Young

unclesusan.bsky.social•61 days ago

Well, tonight thank god it's them instead of you, John.

pochohetman.bsky.social•61 days ago

"Do they know it's Christmas" directed at a nation that celebrated Christmas centuries before the ancestors of the people singing the song.

daroob.bsky.social•61 days ago

unless it’s in a production of my fair lady

only2be.bsky.social•61 days ago

Omg, now I have to watch Daddy’s Home 2 for final scene. 😂

margaretforsyth.bsky.social•61 days ago

So you don't get irony, John. That's ok. Many people do not. They didn't have the /s sign back then.

oldhippie420.bsky.social•61 days ago

When I was a child there was a famine in China. I hated eating the crusts of the bread. Mum would remind me that children were starving and would be happy to have them.
So I saved them in my sock drawer so I could send them a package.
The solution of a child!
We need to do better.

jhfhockey.bsky.social•61 days ago

🎵No rains or rivers flow...🎵

"Siri, what's the longest river in the world?"

The River Nile, which runs through several countries in East and North Africa, is regarded as the longest river on Earth, running nearly 6,700 kilometers from its source in Lake Victoria to its mouth in the Mediterranean.

nebro.bsky.social•61 days ago

The reason given at the time for the 83-85 famine was drought. While we now know that that was only part of reason, we understood symbolism back then. Apparently, that’s a lost skill today.

russellbarth.bsky.social•61 days ago

great song if you dont think about it at all

cheekypuff.bsky.social•61 days ago

I don’t know how I feel about Sting’s hairstyle in this tho :)

cheekypuff.bsky.social•61 days ago

This was a great song and time. And that is definitely a good question.

kevmo3.bsky.social•61 days ago

Musician wrote a song in the 80s in order raise money for Ethiopia. Raised 8 million dollars. People today are now “Sorry Bob that’s just not woke enough by today’s standards.”

julietacamp.bsky.social•61 days ago

....can't help it..songs just come to me as this one did....

https://youtu.be/00OeznNG4hM?si=rfCWHI44tXUohNsW

julietacamp.bsky.social•61 days ago

I remember watching LIVE AID.

ewh3000.bsky.social•61 days ago

Love that song. And it's not about making people in Africa aware of our seasonal customs. It's about making Westerns more aware that people are starving in Africa & need help.

libraryanna.bsky.social•61 days ago

Then why mention knowing Christmas?

daroob.bsky.social•61 days ago

I think you have discovered the point of the song.

hulkling-she-her.bsky.social•61 days ago

hate that song

stevethefirst.bsky.social•61 days ago

Next thing you’re gonna tell us is that they’re not even aware of Festivus.

stevethefirst.bsky.social•61 days ago

Happy Festivus today to all that celebrate.

librarysheri.bsky.social•61 days ago

I can't stand that song!

williamstaab.bsky.social•61 days ago

I think they should stop knocking the song, update it, and do another benefit since people are still starving in Africa.

lamegandalf.bsky.social•61 days ago

The best part is that Ethiopia is largely orthodox Christian, so yes, they did know it was Christmas.

moriavulcanus.bsky.social•61 days ago

It's "best" that they're Christian???

lamegandalf.bsky.social•61 days ago

The best is that they knew it was Christmas time already

haemaker.hae.com•61 days ago

Yeah, I was never a big fan of that song. It reminds me too much of "Merry F*kn Christmas" from South Park (which is a great song, but clearly parody).

annarompage.bsky.social•61 days ago

I remember overhearing some 18-22 year olds making fun of someone because they were Hindu and didnt celebrate Xmas -

I jumped in and gave the kids some shit

What a bunch of assholes

vslacks.bsky.social•61 days ago

While I understand they’re trying for a there but for the grace of God vibe, the line “tonight thank God it’s them instead of you” makes me cringe.

fberens.bsky.social•61 days ago

Trying to make a point. Make you face up to that is what (subconsciously, involuntarily?) you are probably thinking and USE that righteous guilt to get you to donate. It was calculated, and IT WORKED! Raised millions.

moriavulcanus.bsky.social•61 days ago

Raised millions for the producers. Very little actually got to starving people. And most that was sent rotted on runways because their corrupt government wouldn't allow it to be given out.

jamo65.bsky.social•58 days ago

Thank you!~ That line has made me crazy for 40 years! I get what they were trying to say, too, but so tone-deaf....

laurenlth.bsky.social•61 days ago

I was given a small grant by them for a tropical medical conference I helped organize ~ 1990! I love that song.

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