We Are the World

We Are the World is a charity single recorded by the supergroup USA for Africa in 1985. The song was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian. It brought together some of the most popular artists of the time, including Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner, and Billy Joel, to raise funds for the victims of the 1983-1985 Ethiopian famine. The project was inspired by the success of the Band Aid single Do They Know It's Christmas?, which was recorded by a supergroup of British and Irish artists, including Bob Geldof, Bono, and Phil Collins.

Background

The idea for the song was conceived by Harry Belafonte, Kenny Rogers, and Lionel Richie, who were inspired by the Live Aid dual-venue benefit concert, which was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. The song was written in just one night by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, with input from Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon. The recording process brought together a diverse range of artists, including Diana Ross, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, and Kim Carnes, who all gathered at A&M Recording Studios in Los Angeles to record the song. The project was supported by Columbia Records, RCA Records, and Warner Bros. Records, and was promoted by MTV, NBC, and CBS.

Composition and Recording

The song was composed by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, with a melody that was inspired by African music and gospel music. The recording process was produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian, who worked with a team of engineers, including Bruce Swedien and John Barnes. The song features a chorus sung by Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner, and Billy Joel, with additional vocals from Diana Ross, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, and Kim Carnes. The song also features a instrumental solo by Al Jarreau and a percussion section led by Randy Jackson and Tito Jackson of The Jacksons.

Release and Reception

The song was released on March 7, 1985, and became a huge commercial success, selling over 45 million copies worldwide and raising over $63 million for USA for Africa. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed there for four weeks, and also reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and the Australian Singles Chart. The song was praised by critics, including Rolling Stone and The New York Times, and won several awards, including four Grammy Awards and an American Music Award. The song was also performed live at the Live Aid concert, which was held at Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia.

Impact and Legacy

The song had a significant impact on the music industry and on the world, raising awareness and funds for the victims of the 1983-1985 Ethiopian famine and inspiring a new generation of musicians to get involved in charity work. The song was covered by several artists, including Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Al Green, and was featured in several films and television shows, including The Cosby Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show. The song was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and was named one of the greatest songs of all time by Rolling Stone and NME. The song's success also inspired the creation of several other charity singles, including Hands Across America and That's What Friends Are For, which were recorded by Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder.

Track Listing

The song was released as a single with several different track listings, including a 7-inch single and a 12-inch single. The song was also included on the USA for Africa album, which featured several other charity singles, including Tears Are Not Enough by Northern Lights and 4 the Tears in Your Eyes by Prince. The track listing for the 7-inch single is: * We Are the World (7-inch version) * If You Leave by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark The track listing for the 12-inch single is: * We Are the World (12-inch version) * We Are the World (instrumental version) The song was also released on several compilation albums, including Now That's What I Call Music! and The Greatest Hits of the 80s. Category:Charity singles