Charity singles are not so charitable

Music and charity are two words that have become almost synonymous with one another. For every natural disaster, humanitarian cause or charitable organisation there seems to be a fundraising song or music based event behind it. In the last decade for instance we’ve seen a reboot of REM’s Everybody Hurts for ‘Helping Haiti’, countless comic relief releases and the annual X Factor single in support of various causes. As Madonna famously sang “music makes the people come together”, and when it’s for a good cause, why not? Right? But with over 50 charity single releases in the last decade one has to ask: can music really help or is it just a way to alleviate our consciences without getting our hands dirty?

Whilst the concept of charity is undoubtedly benevolent, virtuous and something that, if you participate, can make you feel all warm and gooey inside, unfortunately our capitalistic society and its ever avaricious ways are able to turn even the most honourable of notions into something a bit shady. The bosses of the music industry have successfully corrupted and perverted something that set out to be moral and genuine.

This is a considerably cynical approach I know, but my problem lies with the fact that the music industry is churning out indescribably generic and sentimental ‘hits’ with the aim of making consumers dig into their pockets and perhaps for the mere length of a song feel bad about the state of the world. It’s labelled a ‘charity single’ but it’s become more of a means for self-promotion for a wannabe pop star or boy band, and yes I’m looking at you, ‘The Wanted’, latest band to champion comic relief.

Band Aid, accredited with revolutionising the charity single, made it solely about the cause. Although most of us associate it with Bob Geldof, one egotistical artist is not at the helm and it suitably raised awareness about the persistent famine in Africa. The X Factor Christmas single on the other hand is on the more commercial end of the market. The songs are more often than not saccharine cover versions designed to inspire and perhaps bring a tear to the eye, all the while underhandedly showcasing the questionable talent amongst the latest contestants grappling for their 15 minutes of fame. As a Guardian article recently pointed out “the awareness that is raised is ultimately for the X-Factor brand as much for the recipients of the donation”. Shame on you, Simon Cowell. It’s a sad state of affairs that we’re now exploiting charity for monetary means.

Of course it’s not all bad. As you dry your tear-stained pages of The _Boar_ whilst contemplating the Machiavellian and materialistic society that we live in, you might be condemned to buying parodies of decent music in the hope of allaying our own guilt about not doing enough for others, but remember also that the concept of charity is not dead, it just needs reviving.

Whack on Band Aid and pretend it’s Christmas again: a time for giving. Reminisce about the good old days when we were going to change the world and quite simply get out there and do something. University is the perfect opportunity to be an active participant in a charity, with plenty of sponsored runs, bike rides and sit-ups that you can support or join. Just for goodness sake don’t buy a charity single and think you’ve ‘done your bit’. The people behind them certainly haven’t.