Christmas song tops chart

National Catholic Reporter, Dec 24, 2004 by Dennis Coday

LONDON -- The all-star remake of "Do They Know It's Christmas" debuted at No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart Dec. 5. It did not, however, sell as many copies as the Bob Geldof original which led to Live Aid, a global fundraising event raising money for African relief and development aid.

The 1984 version sold 800,000 copies in the United Kingdom its first week. This year's single, which features Patti McCartney, Chris Martin, Fran Healy, the Darkness Keane, Robbie Williams and Dido, sold 292,000 copies its first week.