Sir Bob Geldof on Band Aid 30 lyrics criticism: "It's a pop song, not a doctoral thesis"

Sir Bob Geldof has hit back at criticism of the lyrics in the Band Aid 30 track, saying: "It's a pop song not a doctoral thesis". 

Sir Bob made the remarks following claims the song is patronising and detrimental to Africa. The lead lyric 'Do they Know it's Christmas' has causes particular controversy, with many Africans Christian, and so aware of the birth of Christ.

Sir Bob was speaking to the BBC's Newsbeat.
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Speaking to the BBC's Newsbeat, Geldof said Band Aid "creates an argument, it creates this debate", adding that he "loves" the criticism he has faced over the track.

The track is raising money to fight Ebola in West Africa, the latest outbreak of which has killed thousands of people. Sir Bob said of the charities sales of the single will be supporting: "Obviously, we can't fund everyone, so we select the ones that seem to have the furthest impact or the biggest reach", adding that Band Aid try to help smaller, locally based charities where they can.

And what about the public's opinion on the track? "People are probably fed up with the song", he said. "It's been 30 years. It's been sung at every Nativity play at school".