(Saturday, December 22, 1984) — “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid, a supergroup assembled by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure consisting of popular British and Irish musical acts in order to raise money for relief of the 1983–85 famine in Ethiopia, debuted at #65 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

Video: 'Band Aid, Do They Know Its Christmas, Extended Version'

The single, which included recorded messages of support on the B-side by those artists unable to appear, including former Beatle Paul McCartney and David Bowie, would eventually peak on the Hot 100 chart at #13 on Jan. 26, 1985.

Video: 'Band Aid - The Making Of The Original 'Do They Know It's Christmas?’ (New Documentary, 2024) [4K]'

“Do They Know It’s Christmas” raised £8 million for Ethiopia within a year, far exceeding Geldof’s hopes.

Some critics, however, have viewed the song as condescending and offensive for its depiction of Ethiopians, who comprise one of the world’s oldest Christian communities, as well as for its description of Africa as barren.