Song Overview

The song was inspired by the success of the UK charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid. Upon its release, "We Are the World" quickly became a global phenomenon, selling over 20 million copies and raising more than $63 million for charity, which is equivalent to approximately $147 million today. It was the first single to be certified multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time.

Performance and Structure

• The recording took place on January 28, 1985, and featured a diverse lineup of artists, including:Soloists: Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, and many more.
• Chorus Contributors: Notable figures such as Dan Aykroyd, Harry Belafonte, Bette Midler, and Smokey Robinson also participated, creating a rich and powerful vocal arrangement.

The song is structured to build emotional intensity, with each artist contributing to different verses and choruses, culminating in a powerful finale featuring Bob Dylan and Ray Charles. This arrangement was designed to evoke a sense of unity and urgency, encouraging listeners to take action.

Notable Live Performances

"We Are the World" has been performed live on several occasions, including:

• Live Aid (1985): One of the earliest live renditions featured over 100 musicians on stage, although Michael Jackson could not attend due to prior commitments.
• Inaugural Celebration for Bill Clinton (1993): The song was performed at the Lincoln Memorial, where President Clinton and his family joined artists like Kenny Rogers and Diana Ross.
• Michael Jackson's Tours: Jackson included the song as an interlude during his Dangerous and HIStory World Tours, further solidifying its place in pop culture.
• 2006 World Music Awards: Michael Jackson's brief performance of the song marked his last live public appearance.

Legacy

The impact of "We Are the World" extends beyond its commercial success. It set a precedent for future charity singles and remains a significant cultural touchstone, symbolizing the power of music to unite people for a common cause. Its enduring message of compassion and collective responsibility continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

The song "We Are the World," recorded in 1985 by USA for Africa, featured an impressive lineup of artists. Here is a list of notable performers who contributed to the song:

Soloists (in order of appearance)

1. Lionel Richie
2. Stevie Wonder
3. Paul Simon
4. Kenny Rogers
5. James Ingram
6. Tina Turner
7. Billy Joel
8. Michael Jackson
9. Diana Ross
10. Dionne Warwick
11. Willie Nelson
12. Al Jarreau
13. Bruce Springsteen
14. Kenny Loggins
15. Steve Perry
16. Daryl Hall
17. Huey Lewis
18. Cyndi Lauper
19. Kim Carnes
20. Bob Dylan
21. Ray Charles

Chorus Contributors (alphabetically)

• Dan Aykroyd
• Harry Belafonte
• Lindsey Buckingham
• Mario Cipollina
• Johnny Colla
• Sheila E.
• Bob Geldof
• Bill Gibson
• Chris Hayes
• Sean Hopper
• Jackie Jackson
• La Toya Jackson
• Marlon Jackson
• Randy Jackson
• Tito Jackson
• Waylon Jennings
• Bette Midler
• John Oates
• Jeffrey Osborne
• The Pointer Sisters
• Smokey Robinson

This collaboration aimed to raise funds for humanitarian aid, and the song became one of the best-selling singles of all time, raising over $63 million for charity efforts in Africa and the U.S.

Lyrics to the song, we are the world

There comes a time

When we heed a certain call

When the world must come together as one

There are people dying

Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life

The greatest gift of all

We can't go on

Pretending day-by-day

That someone, somewhere soon make a change

We're all a part of God's great big family

And the truth, you know, love is all we need

We are the world

We are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving

There's a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me

Oh, send them your heart

So they know that someone cares

And their lives will be stronger and free

As God has shown us by turning stones to bread

And so we all must lend a helping hand

We are the world

We are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving

Oh, there's a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me

When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all

But if you just believe there's no way we can fall

Well, well, well, well let us realize

Oh, that a change can only come

When we stand together as one, yeah, yeah, yeah

We are the world

We are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving

There's a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me

We are the world

We are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving

There's a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day, just you and mee

We are the world (are the world)

We are the children (are the children)

We are the ones who'll make a brighter day

So let's start giving (so let's start giving)

There is a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me

Oh, let me hear you!

We are the world (we are the world)

We are the children (said we are the children)

We are the ones who'll make a brighter day

So let start giving (so let's start giving)

There's a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a brighter day

Just you and me, come on now, let me hear you

We are the world (we are the world)

We are the children (we are the children)

We are the ones who'll make a brighter day

So let's start giving (so let's start giving)

There's a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me, yeah

We are the world (we are the world)

We are the children (we are the children)

We are the ones who'll make a brighter day

So let's start giving (so let's start giving)

There's a choice we're making

And we're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me

We are the world (one world)

We are the children (our children)

We are the ones who'll make a brighter day

So let's start giving (so let's start giving)

There's a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me

We are the world, we are the world (one world)

We are the children, yes sir (our children)

We are the ones that make a brighter day (one world)

So let's start giving (so let's start giving)

There's a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me, ooh-hoo!

We are the world (dear God) (one world)

We are the children (our children)

We are the ones that make a brighter day so let's start giving

All right, can you hear what I said? (So let's start giving)

There's a choice we're making, we're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day

The song "We Are the World" was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and recorded by a group of popular American musicians under the name USA for Africa. The song was released in 1985 with the aim of raising funds to alleviate famine in Africa.

Some of the notable artists who participated in the recording include Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson, Al Jarreau, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry, Daryl Hall, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Stevie Nicks, Harry Belafonte, Lindsay Buckingham, Donna Summer, LaToya Jackson, Bob Geldof, and Quincy Jones (who served as the conductor).

Each artist brought their unique style and voice to the song, resulting in a powerful and memorable collaboration. The song became a massive hit and raised millions of dollars for humanitarian aid.

References:

1. "We Are the World" - USA for Africa - Wikipedia. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Are_the_World

2. "USA for Africa - We Are the World (Official Video)". [Online]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9BNoNFKCBI