Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas? (Live Aid 1985)

Band Aid performing at Live Aid in front of 72,000 people in Wembley Stadium, London on the 13th July, 1985. The event was organised by Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for the Ethiopian famine disaster. Broadcast across the world via one of the largest satellite link-ups of all time, the concerts were seen by around 40% of the global population. Remember to subscribe to stay up to date with all new releases in the channel.

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Do They Know It's Christmas? (Performed At Live Aid, Wembley Stadium 1985)

Band Aid

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"The First Noel," 550 BYU Musicians Celebrate Christmas

19,693 views Dec 17, 2023

Singing “praises to our heavenly Lord,” more than 550 Brigham Young University musicians filled the concert hall with strains of “The First Noel,” as the finale number from the Celebration of Christmas concert. Held for the first time in the new BYU Music Building, the annual School of Music Christmas concert featured BYU Concert Choir, the BYU Singers, Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus, and the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra.

8 modern Pinoy Christmas songs to add to your holiday playlists

 

By: Andrei Yuvallos - @inquirerdotnet

While many of the most popular Filipino Christmas songs we listen to today were made in the 20th century and the early ’00s, that doesn’t mean Pinoy artists aren’t coming out with new holiday tunes every year.

The local Filipino music scene is alive and thriving, and the holiday season is another source of inspiration for these artists. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with listening to the same nostalgic Christmas music as our parents, but if you’re looking for something new (both to you and in general), here are a few newer Christmas tracks that can help you expand your OPM listening horizons.

“Bibingka” by Ben&Ben

If you really want to feel the Filipino Christmas spirit, this love song by Ben&Ben will do just the trick. What could be more romantic and Filipino at the same time than offering your crush some bibingka after Simbang Gabi? Probably next to nothing.

“Ligaya” by SB19

P-pop group SB19 is on their way to world domination, but they’re stopping by the holiday music genre on their way there with a heartfelt song about the true joy of Christmas.

“No Snow” by Reese Lansangan

Reese Lansangan’s “No Snow” perfectly encapsulates the hurdles of being in a tropical country (while being very in love) during Christmas time. It’s sometimes too warm to cuddle, but you’ll still want to anyway.

“Baby, Merry Christmas” by Keiko Necesario

“Baby, Merry Christmas” is another addition to the cozy, romantic song genre. Necesario’s jazzy vocals fill the room with warm and fuzzy feelings that’ll make you want to cuddle up to someone (even if that someone is your family pet) this Christmas.

“Xmas Lights” by Ang Bandang Shirley

Longing is another common theme in Pinoy Christmas music, and “Xmas Lights” by Ang Bandang Shirley has the capability to make you miss someone who’s right next to you. It’s a light and nostalgic Filipino rock song that’s perfect if you’re a bit of a grinch because of a long distance relationship.

“Tayong Dalawa sa Pasko” by NOBITA

In another entry to the nostalgic, longing category, “Tayong Dalawa sa Pasko” by NOBITA is a grand, Christmassy love letter to someone you wish was in your arms instead of somewhere else this Christmas. Someone please get me some tissues and a cup of hot chocolate.

“Christmas Party” by Eraserheads

Local rock legends Eraserheads’ entry to the Christmas song genre is a funky, uplifting, celebratory song that talks about making a change, uniting, and enjoying Christmas as a community. It’s a good change-up if you’re getting too bummed by all the longing.

“Wish Ko sa Pasko” by The Sexbomb Girls

What would a modern Christmas song list be without a song from the Philippines’ original national girl group, The Sexbomb Girls? It’s a light, cheery track filled with all our favorite Sexbomb Girl sighs and adlibs. There’s some longing, but it’s still a fun track.

Ryan Cayabyab’s one-man 1991 Christmas album now streaming

By: Allan Policarpio - Reporter

After years of physical and digital unavailability, “One Christmas,” the landmark a cappella holiday album by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, is now officially up for streaming on various music-streaming platforms.

The 10-track collection was produced by Telesis Records in 1991 and stayed in the market for years, before curiously disappearing from the shelves. But with Viva Music’s recent acquisition of Ivory Records—the original distributor of the said album—“One Christmas” can now be enjoyed by everyone and provide some much-needed variety to Filipino revelers’ Christmas playlists.

“This year, the album resurfaced through Viva. And although I only know vaguely how it meandered its sway to an online release, it gives me great joy to see it in the market again,” Cayabyab told the Inquirer.

In 1981, Cayabyab put out “One,” a groundbreaking album of original songs and Filipino classics that had the eminent composer weaving together more than a dozen variations of his voice to simulate the sound of a vocal ensemble or a choir singing a cappella. He also served as the arranger and producer.

Ten years later, Cayabyab — together with Telesis’ Margot Gallardo and sound engineer Monching Payumo — used that very same concept for what would have been his first Christmas album.

32-year-old project

“‘One Christmas’ was recorded in 1991, 10 years after ‘One’ was recorded and released… This makes ‘One Christmas’ a 32-year-old project done in analog format without the help of a pitch editor, like Melodyne,” he said.

True to form, the one-man multitrack a cappella album is a colorful mix of well-loved carols and new compositions, which vacillated from joyous and festive anthems to more haunting, sentimental pieces.

“Like ‘One,’ I went for traditional Filipino songs — this time, with Christmas as the theme, and added a couple of original songs such as: ‘Heto Na Naman,’ ‘Ano’ng Gagawin Mo Ngayong Pasko?’ and ‘Kumukutikutitap’ (written with Jose Javier Reyes),” Cayabyab said.

National Artist Felipe de Leon’s “Pasko Na Naman” was used as a binder music for the album, which also includes “Ang Aking Pamasko” by Antonio Velarde and National Artist Levi Celerio; “Maligayang Pasko at Masaganang Bagong Taon” (Vicente Rubi and Celerio); “Himig Pasko” by Serapio Ramos; and “Payapang Daigdig” (De Leon).

Sprinkling of pop

There’s also a sprinkling of contemporary pop tunes like “Miss Kita Kung Christmas” (Hermie Uy and Fe Ayala) and “Pasko Na Sinta Ko” (Francis Dandan and Aurelio Estanislao).

Some of the recordings of the traditional tracks in the said album, Cayabyab pointed out, would later serve as the basis of orchestrations and arrangements of his subsequent Christmas albums, “Pasko 1” and “Pasko 2” (San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts) in the mid-2000s.

Unfortunately, these two albums aren’t officially available on digital platforms. “I’m still praying that they get released in the market, too, in observance of the unique Filipino Christmas celebrations during this season of love!” Cayabyab said.