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. Awarded numerous honors—including three Grammy Awards, one American Music Award and a People's Choice Award—the song was promoted with a critically 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. Soloists (in order of appearance): "We Are the World" opens with Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner and Billy Joel singing the first verse.Michael Jackson and Diana Ross follow, completing the first chorus together.Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson and Al Jarreau sing the second verse, before Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry and Daryl Hall go through the second chorus. Co-writer Jackson, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper and Kim Carnes follow with the song's bridge. This structuring of the song is said to "create a sense of continuous surprise and emotional buildup". "We Are the World" concludes with Bob Dylan and Ray Charles singing a full chorus, Wonder and Springsteen duetting, and ad libs from Charles and Ingram. * Lionel Richie * Stevie Wonder * Paul Simon * Kenny Rogers * James Ingram * Tina Turner * Billy Joel * Michael Jackson * Diana Ross *Dionne Warwick * Willie Nelson ‎* Al Jarreau * Bruce Springsteen * Kenny Loggins * Steve Perry (Journey) * Daryl Hall (Hall & Oates) * Huey Lewis * Cyndi Lauper * Kim Carnes * Bob Dylan * Ray Charles Chorus: Artists who participated in singing the chorus but did not have solos were: * 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 * Anita Pointer * Ruth Pointer * Smokey Robinson

[Verse 1: Lionel Richie, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Kenny Rogers] 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 [Verse 2: Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner, Billy Joel] We can't go on pretending day by day That someone, somewhere will soon make a change We are all a part of God's great big family And the truth, you know Love is all we need [Chorus: Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Both] 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 [Verse 3: Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson, Al Jarreau, Dionne Warwick & Willie Nelson] Well, send them your heart so they'll know that someone cares And their lives will be stronger and free As God has shown us by turning stone to bread And so we all must lend a helping hand [Chorus: Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry, Daryl Hall] 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 [Bridge: Michael Jackson, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes] When you're down and out, and there seems no hope at all But if you just believe, there's no way we can fall Well, well, well Let us realize, oh, that a change can only come When we stand together as one (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!) [Chorus: Choir] 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 [Chorus: Choir, Bob Dylan] 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 [Chorus: Choir, Bob Dylan, & Ray Charles] We are the world (We are the world) We are the children (We are the children) We are the ones who 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 Alright, let me hear you [Chorus: Choir, Ray Charles] We are the world (We are the world) We are the children (Yeah, we are the children) We are the ones who make a brighter day So let's start giving (Let's start giving) There's a choice we're making We're saving our own lives It's true, we'll make a finer day Just you and me Come on, y'all, let me hear you [Chorus: Stevie Wonder & Bruce Springsteen] We are the world (We are the world) We are the children (We are the children) We are the ones who 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, yeah [Chorus: Stevie Wonder & Bruce Springsteen] We are the world (We are the world) We are the children (We are the children) We are the ones who make a brighter day So let's start giving (So let's start giving) There's a choice we're making Yeah, we're saving our own lives It's true, we'll make a better day Just you and me [Chorus: Choir] 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 [Chorus: Choir] 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 Thank you 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