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Date Posted: 07:53:39 12/20/02 Fri
Author: Jumbo
Subject: What's meant by the line 'tonight thank god it's them instead of you'?

Hi:

Well it's December which means Christmas which means Christmas music which means 'Do They Know It's Christmas'.

It's by far and away my favorite Christmas song, because it forces me to steer clear of the commercialization issues and focus on the true spirit of Christmas. I literally tear up (as in cry, not rip) each time I hear the song, trying to imagine the anguish felt by so many in a land so far away. That we are so obsessed with giving kids and others gift after gift after gift when so many others have such an empty life is heart-wrenching.

My reason for writing, however, is I've always been bothered (I'm not sure that's the right word) by the line in the song that says "tonight thank God it's them, instead of you."

Can anyone help me understand and digest what is meant by that line? Is the point trying to say 'better them than you?' for if it is, I find that troubling. The song is so beautiful yet that part of it is so un-caring, so 'status quo'-ish. It's as if 'well, I've got mine - too bad about you' which to me runs contrary to everything else the song is saying and trying to do; namely to inspire people to do whatever they can to help those poor souls who are so alone and without family, food, shelter, and faith.

Does anyone have any insight into this? Or is my take on this lyric way off base? It seems to be a very self-centered line within an otherwise beautiful piece of music. Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.

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Replies:

[> Re: What's meant by the line 'tonight thank god it's them instead of you'? -- Jules Koretz, 01:58:24 12/21/02 Sat

>Hi:
>
>Well it's December which means Christmas which means
>Christmas music which means 'Do They Know It's
>Christmas'.
>
>It's by far and away my favorite Christmas song,
>because it forces me to steer clear of the
>commercialization issues and focus on the true spirit
>of Christmas. I literally tear up (as in cry, not rip)
>each time I hear the song, trying to imagine the
>anguish felt by so many in a land so far away. That we
>are so obsessed with giving kids and others gift after
>gift after gift when so many others have such an empty
>life is heart-wrenching.
>
>My reason for writing, however, is I've always been
>bothered (I'm not sure that's the right word) by the
>line in the song that says "tonight thank God it's
>them, instead of you."
>
>Can anyone help me understand and digest what is meant
>by that line? Is the point trying to say 'better them
>than you?' for if it is, I find that troubling. The
>song is so beautiful yet that part of it is so
>un-caring, so 'status quo'-ish. It's as if 'well, I've
>got mine - too bad about you' which to me runs
>contrary to everything else the song is saying and
>trying to do; namely to inspire people to do whatever
>they can to help those poor souls who are so alone and
>without family, food, shelter, and faith.
>
>Does anyone have any insight into this? Or is my take
>on this lyric way off base? It seems to be a very
>self-centered line within an otherwise beautiful piece
>of music. Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.
I have to say I completely agree with you about the song, it is incredibly emotive and a huge reminder. When I hear it being played in shops I wonder if it still means anything to others as it does to me, or is it just another Christmas song? I wonder if it does this year even, no-one seems to be worried about what's going on in Ethiopia and surrounding countries, they are just preparing for war - waiting to kill others unnecessarily. Anyway enough ranting, you asked a question.

My thoughts are that it was a bit of anger on Bob's part, perhaps a bitter of sarcasm? I may be wrong and one of the organisers of this site might be able to shed some more light. I have picked up on that line in the past and wondered myself...


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[> [> Re: What's meant by the line 'tonight thank god it's them instead of you'? -- Jules Koretz, 01:39:11 12/22/02 Sun

>>Hi:

>My thoughts are that it was a bit of anger on Bob's
>part, perhaps a bitter of sarcasm? I may be wrong and
>one of the organisers of this site might be able to
>shed some more light. I have picked up on that line in
>the past and wondered myself...
Hearng it again, it doesn't sound bitter or sarcastic. It could be just saying how lucky we are here.


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[> [> Re: What's meant by the line 'tonight thank god it's them instead of you'? -- Shaz, 07:10:57 12/22/02 Sun

I take that line as a sharp jab to the conscience but so is "here's to you, raise a glass for everyone; here's to them underneath that burning sun". They seem to be telling us to count our blessings, for it is by the grace of God that many of us enjoy the comforts on this side of the equator. The gift of priveledge is not our God given right (though we work hard for what we have), it is a gift to be grateful for. I am often reminded by this song to not take life for granted for none of us really know what tomorrow will bring.
Wishing all a safe and charitable Christmas.


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[> Re: What's meant by the line 'tonight thank god it's them instead of you'? -- Sha'uri, 22:29:03 12/30/02 Mon

I agree with Shaz, It's kind of like seeing a child with severe behavioural problems for example, and looking down at your own child and being so grateful that your child isn't having to deal with those challenges. To be honest, in my opinion, many people complain like mad about their own lives, and forget that others are worse off. That line is quite honest in that it is what most people think about bad things, if they don't have to deal with it they 'thank God it's not me' and walk away. Like most things you have to take what is being said (or written or sung) in context, the whole idea of the album was to actually do something practical to help 'them' so by including that line it is more a comment on the social attitudes in the west (in my humble opinion) rather than an expression of the authors viewpoint literally (in my spare time I am a mind reader, you might be able to tell. hehe!)


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[> Re: What's meant by the line 'tonight thank god it's them instead of you'? -- ericalper, 12:52:04 01/07/03 Tue

I took it as a typical NIMBY response - thank God WE don't have those racial problems, thank God WE don't live like our neighbours. It's a use in songwriting to change the perspective without letting the listener know you've done that, from a third party, to Bono taking the role of the person talking. tt's an amazing line, and one of the best in the song, putting it back in our faces for us to dwell on people (maybe even us) who have said that very same thing while watching the news of famine.


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