Among those billed to appear will be Coldplay, Dido, Robbie Williams, Oasis songwriter Noel Gallagher and The Darkness.

Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, who wrote the song, had approached a series of current star musicians to do a re-recording.

The original Band Aid record shot to the top of charts around the world in 1984, raising eight million pounds.

Should "big names" get involved in projects like this? Do charity songs really raise awareness on problems like famine? Do you remember the original Band Aid? Are you looking forward to the new version of the song? Send us your views using the post form.

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received:

Excellent! It's about time. Something like this has mass appeal, but it would have been nice if they had penned new lyrics.
Carmen, Espoo, Finland

The opening bars of the first song still takes me back to my teenage years James, Ringwood, UK

The opening bars of the first song still takes me back to my teenage years. I await the new one with a completely open mind. I hope it does well.
James, Ringwood, UK

I feel so frustrated that, yet again, our and other governments have failed to solve the worldwide issue of famine. When will they act for the people they represent? 20 years later and still famine in a world where we can produce more food than we can eat.
M Dignan, UK

I hope that this song will help awareness to the world's problems, not only Africa's, but everywhere, especially as the world is getting smaller.
Aimee, Manila, Philippines

How original! These are supposed to be some of the best musicians this country has to offer and they can't even write an original thought provoking song between them. Been there, seen the show, bought the t-shirt and watched the film!
Lou , Brighton, England

Band-Aid did raise awareness, but it didn't really kick in, until the concert happened, so in that regard, no the songs don't really bring about the awareness unless you have something to follow it up with to keep the momentum going. Personally I don't think the remake will be as good as the original, do they ever? That song came from that period because of what was going on. Let them do a new song to promote whatever cause they might currently want to promote. On the other side of the coin though the song still has a universal common ground that could still be used for the ongoing situation in Africa and just as importantly a number of other places throughout our planet. Either way it turns out it'll still bring some awareness & that is still better than none. Best of Luck to all involved
Phil, Burlington, Canada

When my sister returned from famine struck Africa in the 80's she criticised Band/Live Aid for a short term solution that would not last. 20 years later it would appear that she was correct, which means that the Christmas number one in 2024 will be another Band Aid release!
Anonymous, UK

Why why do we have to have cover versions of everything now? Akkers, Enfield, UK

Why why do we have to have cover versions of everything now? Whilst I agree with the sentiment, write something new for god sake, stop re-releasing song after song
Akkers, Enfield, UK

Can't stand the song! My parents brought it for me in 84 for Christmas when I was 12, hated it then. Great idea though all for charity records but please write something different!
Nadina, Brighton UK

Of course they should do it. Famine hasn't gone away. Band Aid, then Live Aid, was a defining moment for a generation, but we all tend to forget, and there is a new generation out there to reach. I don't begrudge any of the names listed their fame, but it is good to see them offering something back. Here's to Live Aid II, with perhaps the Darkness first on.
JonG, HUddersfield UK

As long as the song doesn't sound like everything else currently in the charts. I can imagine it'll sound like a dance or r'n'b remix of the old song.
Dan, Reading, England

I know the Media have a power. And the fact that so many people equate Ethiopia with famine shows you the power of the media, I am not suggesting you beg using modern media(songs) and I am not so naive as to think aid will be the solution to everything.
Amy, Addis Ababa,Ethiopia

I think it's a great song. It will sell the most copies at Christmas and therefore make more money for the good causes. Why record a totally different song when the original is still good enough. Any other song will be slated for not being as good as the original anyway!
Amanda, Leeds

Can Midge not right a new song? Judging by his interview in a newspaper recently, it sounds as though he is a bitter man now cashing in on an old song. Donating to charity is a good thing, so is writing new and original material not caught in the 80's to support new charities is a necessity.
Neil Warden, Edinburgh

When I first heard the song on 1984 it made me weep. Richard I Stone, Suffolk, UK

When I first heard the song on 1984 it made me weep. It was so heartfelt. Bono's verse still moves me today. This new version will be poorer because (Dido apart) the people involved couldn't hold a candle to the stars of yesteryear.
Richard I Stone, Suffolk, UK

The whole charm of the original song was the fact that Midge and Bob wrote it in just a couple of days. The words and music express a genuine feeling which would be lost if it's simply covered today. Surely if they gather together the artists of today, a few of them can meet up a couple of days before recording and put together a new song. The famine problem today is the same, but the message that needs to be sent out to the world in a song is different from 20 years ago - the song needs a different tilt.
Ian, Edinburgh

I love Bob Geldof, I think he is a fundamentally honest and decent person so I support him. I remember the 1st Band Aid very well as I was a keen Durannie. The bands who did it 1st time round were ruthlessly badgered by their mate Bob - they had no idea it would be so successful, whereas now to be associated with something like that is like wearing a badge of 'worthiness'. I would prefer it if they wrote a new song, the old one has its own unique place in time. Maybe Bob, Midge and Chris Martin could come up with something for the 21st century?
Cheryl D, Wokingham, UK

Absolutely! I remember the original, and the effect it had on people, like me, who were in their teens at the time. It really helped put things into perspective. If a re-release could re-awaken anyone about the plight of Africa, but also highlight the good that has been done since then, (Oxfam seems to have changed their approach from food quickfix, to seeds and tools etc and a lot has been achieved, but there is always more that can still be done.
Izzy, Cupar, Fife

The original Band-Aid was such a massive success because the artists were really talented musicians who really meant what they said. Bob Geldof was so angry at the conditions in Ethiopia he was practically foaming at the mouth. By contrast Band-Aid 2 was a nice bit of free publicity for Stock Aitken & Waterman...Bros & Kylie and Jason barely knew where Africa was- they certainly hadn't visited the refugee camps. Because of that the song had none of the power of the original. I fear band-Aid 3 may be more of the same... The Darkness missed out on last year's Xmas no 1. Is this an attempt to rectify that?
Peter, Nottingham (U.K)

It was a great song first time round and I hope it will be this time as well/ I'm not sure it will raise awareness like it did 20 years ago, but at least the money is going to people that need it, rather than some prima Donna's swimming pool fund
Ed, London UK

Write something new for goodness sake. Better still I'll send you the money if you promise *not* to write one.` It may well raise some awareness but I doubt the real reasons will be covered - war, greed and apathy by governments.
Alan Montague, Aylesbury, UK

The original Band Aid and Live Aid were probably as much about raising awareness as raising funds - it was a real eye opener for the original rock stars to show they cared about others. I'm not convinced that the new bunch of stars care as much about Africa as they do about being seen to do the right thing. At the end of the day, however, if it raises money to relieve suffering and poverty, who cares if the motives may not be perfect?
Chris, Berkshire, UK

No. The 'big names' have far too much money themselves, why don't they give their own money to charity, instead of fleecing us with a cynical record?
Graham, Essex.

It's a nice idea, but at the same time disappointing they don't simply write a great new song. A lot of stuff in the charts is producers 'playing safe' and recycling old songs, and this is no different. But I guess recycling is the way to guarantee the biggest profit for charity, so, OK, they have my blessing and I might even buy it.
Mick, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Although I support the cause behind Band Aid, I despair at a new version of the song being produced. These multi-celebrity charity records are amongst the most dire musical recordings ever made. I'd gladly donate double the price of a CD if it would prevent having this ego boosting trash inflicted on me.
John, London UK

Still the same problems 20 years later! What will the proceeds be spent on this time? It's not enough to dole out aid: I sympathise with victims of corruption and war, but would like to see a charity that enables education and self-sufficiency, and encourages people to use birth control.
J. Lewsey, London, UK