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The problem with this song is that although other songs may make points like you mention, crass and self-serving, at least they aren't the whole song. The entire song is saying "oh yeh Haiti, everybody hurts". Everybody has an earthquake completely tear thei... no wait.

I know whatever song is chosen, there will be objections. But this one is just awful.

Im not making the point that the music is being badly treated, but the people are Haiti are. Now I know that they don't care what some pop stars are up to and have much more important things to focus on, but it doesn't make it any better.

but the people of Haiti are*

Um... it's a bit of a faux pas as a choice of song in terms of the lyrics, but really, it matters not a jot. If an all-star version of "All Shook Up" or something equally inappropriate was guaranteed to raise even more money to help, I'd release it. The ends matter more than the means here.

Remind me why they don't just use their collective wealth to donate some money themselves? Or is this just a claim that they've helped? 'i don't have to donate any money, I spent 10 seconds singing two lines if a patronising song for the situation, but hey, the people of the world are so heartless and ignorant that if I didn't sing a bit like this Haiti would get no donations, not one...'.


I don't like celebrities much.

Just donate.

Someone´s not happy any longer to be called 'the most despised man in universe' and sees his chance to have a bit of a reputation make-over...

Cynical? Me? No, not really. I think it´s great that he´s made the thing happen. But it´s a bad choice of song, and I don´t want to hear it one more time. But I know, THAT´S NOT THE POINT.

I´ll just keep donating directly to organizations that DO make a difference without making a song and dance about it.

Simon Cowell picked it - the man who thought Hallelujah was an appropriate winners' song. I rest my case.

Ok, me gets you.

I agree it's the wrong song but mainly, I think it's the thought that counts.

I will be buying this song, for the cause and because I like the compilation.

Also, I know we all tend to hate celebrities, but it's difficult to dismiss their help on this track. Don't get me wrong, I know that singing 30 seconds of a song is not helpful at all. But to be honest, we don't know how much they have also donated. I mean, they probably have donated. Haven't they?

Actually, I think singing 30 seconds of song IS helpful, if you have a following of thousands who will pay to hear your 30 seconds of song, and that money goes to help the victims. But Dan's right, none of us know what these people have done privately.

I think this would work better if Simon Cowell offered NOT to make a charity record for Haiti if donations reach a certain level. I have no desire to hear any of the acts on it doing anything, ever, really.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ feels the same way, this is from Newsbeat:

"Cheryl Cole, Alexandra Burke, Mika, James Morrison and Susan Boyle have all passed through the doors of Trevor Horn's Sarm Studios this week, headed for Studio 1.

It's the same studio that hosted Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure's gang in 1984 for the recording of Do They Know It's Christmas.

SADLY (my emphasis) this time there's no Bono, Sting and Simon Le Bon huddled together round the mic."

i only really approve of this song because it's for a good cause otherwise it's just a load of rubbish really the voice don't fit together well and it seems partly like a marketing campaign for X-Factor (JLS, Joe McElderry, Cheryl Cole, Alexandra Burke and Leona Lewis singing the first line). In my opinion what will be interesting is seeing who we still remember in twenty years time, I had to google the two from Westlife to see who they were.

Surely the point of a charity song is to increase givings to charity by encouraging people to give. The encouragement to give is that they are getting some music in return. If this music is rubbish then what is the point of the record? They would be better giving without buying.

The only reason that I could see for buying the record is so that you could be part of history...

The quality of the record is irrelevant as to whether or not it's an effective fundraiser (and quality's a subjective judgement anyway). What matters is whether or not it's POPULAR. And with singers like Leona Lewis, Cheryl Cole, Miley Cyrus and JLS taking part, who have very devoted (often young) followings, there's a good chance that their fans will pay to have the song that their idol(s) took part in, even if it's just a line or two. Add that to the people who might buy it just cos it's a good cause, regardless of liking the song (as I did with Band Aid 20), and you've got money being raised.

I really don't see the beef here. The effect on music is irrelevant in light of the Haitians' plight, agreed? So the very worst case scenario for the record is that it's ineffective, ie doesn't help the victims at all. It certainly can't make things worse for them, and it might help a great deal.

Look, as a young guy I can promise you that the age group interested in the sort of artists involved like you mention curtains are not fully aware of the horrific situation in Haiti, and will download this sing for free just so they can have about 3 of their favourite artists on one song in their iTunes library, it will not make over 25% of this age group donate.


The truth is a very sad thing...

jonesy has a good point but at least it's making 25% donate as opposed to 0%.

Great post! Hope to be better. Better means more features.
good post,I think so"[Unsuitable/Broken URL removed by Moderator]

I love kakijing!

Yeah, he makes so much sense! ;)

when i grow up, i'd quite like to be a kakijing...

"I hope to be better,
Better means more features:
Good Post, I think so."

Haiku has found its apex of magnificence. (not the right number of syllables I know, let's call it Freeform Haiku.)

EVERYBODY HURTS will be number 1 on Sunday February 14th 2010 .

Good post ?

I think so !

Perhaps I am missing the point of this blog. I mean to critize the quality of this song is fine--but, the people who say it's the thought that counts are right. As stated in the blog, there is not a song that will convey what needs to be said so who cares? However, I strongly disagree with the line in the hypothetical song that states:

"I just want you to know that we're trying."

This strongly insinuates these artists aren't actually trying at all but want the public to THINK they are trying. This questions the motives of those involved. Some may be in it for publicity only, some may just want to do something. I am not sure how anyone can really say for sure what stars fall into which category. In order to rasie money by selling a cheesy version of a song, there IS a secondary benefit of getting free publicity (Which the blogger admitted)--there is no way around that, but that does not instantly make the singers or producer guilty of cashing in on a tragedy by raising their profile or PR status.

And to state the obvious I can tell you that Rod Stewart (or any other rich star on this record) is not singing TO any Haitians at all but rather people who can give help to the cause. (And while on the subject of Rod the Mod, it's highly doubtful at this stage of his career, he really needs any more publicity....and it somehows seems a little high and mighty to accuse a singer of insulting the very people he was hoping to help, simply because he is wealthy--by Haitian standards, we are ALL wealthy.)

As someone already stated, we have no idea how much cash these stars doled out of their own pockets--could be none, could be millions. What we do know is what we, ourselves, have given. Perhaps it would be better to ask ourselves what we have done rather than question the motives of those who MIGHT be doing something just because they think it will add to what they have already done.......

That article by Jude Rogers , in your link is so un informed and prejudiced and aimed in a certain way it made by blood boil !!

I cannot begin to state my anger at her lack of knowledge of the original Band Aid Song and the meaning of it's lyrics .

When Bono sang :

"Well tonight , thank God it's them.... instead of you ! "

This was arguably the most controversial line in the entire song.
In fact , back in 84 , Bono questioned Bob about the meaning of this line , as he felt uncomfortable initially singing it , but Bob told him that this was the most poignant and most important line in the entire song . And it is !
It HAD to be sung !

Her saying that the people who sang on the Help For Haiti , will record their vocals and then go home and close the door , and carry on their extravagant lives without blinking , is insulting .

How does she know ?

So none of those celebrities can feel physical or emotional pain ?
None of them are going through relationship difficulties ?
None of them have health issues ?
None of them have family issues ?

Sheeeesh !

( Good piece Fraser . )

Like so many have said, what do we REALLY know about people´s motivations?

I poked fun at Cowell in an earlier post, but I´m sure he can take it, should he read the ChartBlog ;)

But people seem to confuse issues here:

1. There IS a point in talking about if you like a track or not, that´s the whole idea with this blog, isn´t it? Why should this one be off limits? And in an ideal world someone would have chosen a better song. (Because I think there are better songs, and songs that would come across less patronizing...)

2. But on the other hand most of us seem to agree that it´s perfectly fine to release a charity single, even if it´s crap. JUST GET THE MONEY IN, AND PUT IT WHERE IT SHOULD BE!!!

Can´t we just get Kakijing in to sort everything out?

I have to confess I have spent some time thinking about what would in fact be the least suitable song to record for this occasion.

Spirit: I guess (I don't know) that Bob wanted us to face up to our feelings, however uncomfortable, about the situation in Ethiopia. He wanted to say, there but for the grace of God go I, but that wouldn't fit in the song, and the line Bono sang instead has the same sentiment.

I can see the problem when people first heard it though, after all, just listening to a song you don't know the background behind it, how the writer may have agonised over a line. Overall though, Fraser's piece here is the best.

If you are starving to death and someone gives you some food, does it really matter what their motivations are? Should we take the food away because the motivation of the giver may not be wholly unselfish? Of course not.

Simon Cowell may well be doing this in order to appear altruistic and generous and to improve his public image. So what? Who cares? The money raised doesn't have a conscience or motivation.

Yeah a big up for Fraser's piece !

The most important thing is food , help and support getting to the people of Haiti.
If you can afford to do it in some way , please do it .

Cowell does read ChartBlog mangsy. You want to know who kakijing really is?


Good argument Fraser.

'Shiney Happy People' was probably discussed as a single.