What’s up, dudes? They say the sequels are never as good as the first. I think The Empire Strikes Back proves them wrong…but Band Aid II doesn’t. I have music journalist Alex Rawls from The Twelve Songs of Christmas and My Spilt Milk with me to talk all about the second version of the charity song done in 1989! Spoilers: it’s not as good as the first, but it’s still fun!

On Friday, December 1, 1989, Bob Geldof called Pete Waterman to ask if he would consider producing a new version of “Do They Know It’s Christmas.” Waterman was part of The Hit Factory, a production team made up of himself, Mike Stock, and Matt Aiken. They were known for hi-NRG or Eurobeat style, with tempos usually somewhere between 102-140bpm, four-to-the-floor kick drums, staccato hi-hat, and bass lines frequently looped with fast eighth or sixteenth notes doubled at the octave. In fact, they produced 13 UK #1 singles and 3 US #1s. Waterman even postponed his wedding and rallied several artists together.

Subsequently, on Sunday, December 3rd, the assembled artists recorded at PWL Studios in South London. Bob Geldof and family were present. On Tuesday, December 5th, the updated version was played for the first time on London’s Capital Radio, 95.8 Capital FM. Advanced sales reached 500,000 copies, and the single was officially released on December 11th. It spent 3 weeks at #1, though Band Aid’s original hit spent 5 weeks at #1 and sold over 2 million copies (which was approximately $24million in sales).

Kylie Minogue? Check. Bros? Yep. Cliff Richard? A little out of place, but he was definitely there! So grab your denim jacket, put on an uptempo kick drum backing track, and jam out to this episode all about Band Aid II!

The 12 Songs of Christmas
FB: @TwelveSongsofChristmas
Twitter: @MySpiltMilk
IG: @myspiltmilk

Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com! Later, dudes!

What’s up, dudes? It’s a “Family Matters” Christmas with Matt Eurich from the TGI Podcast !” Yes, the show focuses on Harriette Winslow, elevator operator and head of security for Larry and Balki’s newspaper, and her family. Of course, it came to be known for breakout character and über-nerd Steve Urkel!

In the season 2 episode Have Yourself A Merry Winslow Christmas, the Winslows are thrilled to learn the Urkels will be away for Christmas. Unfortunately, Steve ends up staying and annoying the Winslows, especially Laura, whom he fancies. When he accidentally breaks her grandmother’s ornament, she berates him and throws him out of the house.

Meanwhile, Rachel enlists Carl’s aid in finding Freddie Teddy for little Richie. He subsequently gets trampled Cabbage Patch Kids-style and is unable to find the doll for her. Afterward, Laura of course changes her mind, and reconciles with Steve, inviting him to spend Christmas with her family. On Christmas Day, Richie finds the Freddie Teddy that Santa delivered, and this “Family Matters” Christmas ends happily ever after.

Funky Franky? Not quite. Fuddy Duddy? That’s not it either. Freddy Teddy? Yep, under the tree. So grab your genuine canvas wallet, tape it to your heart, and Have Yourself A Merry Winslow Christmas!

TGI Podcast
FB: @TGIPodcast
IG:  @tgipodcast

Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com! Later, dudes!