USA for Africa - We Are The World

"We Are the World" is a song and charity single originally recorded by the supergroup USA for Africa in 1985. It was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and co-produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian for the album We Are the World. Following Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" project in the UK, an idea for the creation of an American benefit single for African famine relief came from activist Harry Belafonte, who, along with fundraiser Ken Kragen, was instrumental in bringing the vision to reality. Several musicians were contacted by the pair, before Jackson and Richie were assigned the task of writing the song. Following several months of working together, the duo completed the writing of "We Are the World" one night before the song's first recording session, in early 1985. The last recording session for the song was held on January 28, 1985. The historic event brought together some of the most famous artists in the music industry at the time.

The song was released on March 7, 1985, as the only single from the album. A worldwide commercial success, it topped music charts throughout the world and became the fastest-selling American pop single in history. The first ever single to be certified multi-platinum, "We Are the World" received a 4× certification by the Recording Industry Association of America. However, the song garnered mixed reviews from journalists, music critics and the public. Fans enjoyed hearing racially and musically diverse recording artists singing together on one track, and felt satisfied in buying "We Are the World", knowing that the money was going to charity. Other individuals, including many commentators in the rock press, were disappointed that the song did not challenge listeners as to why famines occur in the first place, and felt that the lyrics were self-aggrandizing.

Honored numerous times — including three Grammy Awards, one American Music Award and a People's Choice Award — the song was promoted with a critically well-received music video, a home video, a special edition magazine, a simulcast, and several books, posters and shirts. The promotion and merchandise aided the success of "We Are the World", which was eventually named the biggest-selling single of all time. As of 2009, it has sold more than 20 million units and raised over $63 million for humanitarian aid in Africa and the US. "We Are the World" has demonstrated that diverse musicians can productively work together, and has further influenced the movement within pop music to create songs that address humane concerns.

Following the devastation caused by the magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010, a remake of the song by another all-star cast of singers was recorded on February 1, 2010 in Hollywood, California, and will be released to benefit the impoverished country.

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[RICMAC12]

Who is that girl with the red and yellow hair? 

[70AlexRo]

@RICMAC12 Cindy Lauper. I cant believe you havent heard of her.

[Letsbombbritain]

way better than the one for haiti god these people actually sound

[70AlexRo]

i agree with you

[Munkyluver353]

Nice Video

First Comment :)

[70AlexRo]

thank you

[TheOttercontrol]

wow this is amazing.

so much better then the one for haiti , there are actually real artists.

[jazz60spop70s80s]

i like this better than the remake.

miss you guys!

[Zolbat]

what a great song!

but why did they use those low quality keyboard background beats?

[hillybilly1212]

who is the one w/ yellow and red hair



[KamilegosTeam]

Simple but Beautiful :D

[Bornes96]

2:12 - 2:17 messi? :P

[krafzipolo]

@LeeAnnGlenn just read it yesterday - but better late than never ;) Hope you still wanted to know :)

[LeeAnnGlenn]

@krafzipolo

Thanks! :D lol, after 7 months I get answer^^

[krafzipolo]

@LeeAnnGlenn it's from Beauty and the Beast: The Opening score (the disney production or the musical is the same!)

[ovalie38]

Don't you think that it's really time Nous sommes dans une merde. A force de spéculer, on va finir par se tuer. L'argent n'a jamais nourri son homme.

That's real. Think about it. What I say is true. Never one can't eat money.

Je ne suis pas un messager de qui que ce soit. Juste un Homme comme tout le monde.

Ciao

[Slad24081996]

mickel jackson 2:23

[yza627]

both are amazing for me./.