Twenty-five years ago a group of publicity-seeking musical celebrities recorded “We Are The World” as much to feed their egos as to feed the children of Africa.
Now a new generation of publicity-seeking celebrities has re-recorded the song to benefit Haiti. Among the “new” performers were Akon, Jason Mraz, Bono, Wyclef Jean, Carlos Santana, Enrique Iglesias, Usher, Toni Braxton and Lady Gaga.
The Associated Press reports the ego-driven details:
The session was all the talk at Sunday night’s Grammy festivities. Music producer RedOne said being asked to participate was “the biggest honor a musician can ever do.”
“Having Quincy, our father of music … and Lionel Richie asking me to contribute and help, I said of course, because this is not about me,” he said. “It’s about Haiti.”
Written by Michael Jackson and Richie, the original “We Are the World” thundered up the charts when it was released on the radio and in record stores in March 1985.
An unprecedented number of top pop musicians gathered at A&M the night of Jan. 28, 1985, following the American Music Awards, to record the tune. The song featured 45 American superstars, including Jackson, Richie, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan and Cyndi Lauper.
The original “We Are The World” raised $63 million to end famine in Africa. Twenty-five years later Africa is still starving. The new version will probably raise a billion dollars, but Haiti will be just as poverty stricken in twenty-five years as it is today. Yet we’ll be forced to listen to this cringe-inducing song thousands of times in the next few months.
If we haven’t made it clear enough yet, we hate that damn song. Absolutely hate it. It’s like fingernails on a chalkboard. If they really wanted to torture prisoners in Gitmo, they should have played “We Are The World” for them.
Forget saving Haiti. Save us from this song.
Source: Associated Press
This post was last modified on January 26, 2021
View Comments (10)
So people in the USA should only give.. because it makes us look good ... or because results be damned... we are good and we give!
You are weird. First I talk about how the results were not right and you go on a we are the USA we are awesome rant... I concede your point then you throw the results back at me like I didn't even mention it.
Met so many men like you, who no matter what I said, even if I agreed with them on some points, they ALWAYS found fault with what I said. It is annoying, tiring and stupid. I don't know why men like you do it, perhaps because you ALWAYS want to be the one that is right. It is a stupid pathetic game.
Just go on and continue with your life and I will continue with mine.
The donated their time and their voices for a cause that they believe it was right, but they didn't see the whole thing through. So a lot of people unfortunately weren't presented with the aid that they needed that they would have had someone followed through. Yeah I get what you are saying: "USA USA USA" and it is true USA is still to this day the most giving the most generous nation in the world and I am not even talking about the government, I am talking about the people, who in reality were the ones that donated to Africa by buying the album as we don't know if these stars gave their own money, if they did... then how much? We don't know. Over twenty years ago, so I guess it doesn't matter anymore. I am just seeing things from a realistic point of view, but I am not necessarily minimizing the good vibes and intentions of the people involved AND the people that bought the album. It was a good effort that made the USA look good just didn't necessarily pan out to deliver what it promised in the end. But the USA looked good in the end. So that is great...
Music, value aside. Nothing that results in American Compassion and Generosity can ever be a bad thing. Regardless, We are still the USA.
I agree with Jay-Z never thought I would say that: http://omg.yahoo.com/news/jay-z-we-are-the-world-shouldn-t-have-been-remade/35888?nc It wasn't necessarily a bad song and I am sure it was made with the best of intentions but they were flawed which is too bad.
Ego's and results aside, I’ve always found the original a great piece of music that showed the USA is the most generous, compassionate nation in the world. So the glass was half full for me.
If you like gangsta rap, hip hop, nursery rhymes set to music and think it's music, you'll probably enjoy the remake, But I never saw spinning on ya head as dance either. Go figure.
We Are The World Remake is going to suck A@# they choice the worst singers to be in it, Justin Bieber start off the song. They gave this boy a solo and he been fames for what a few months. They have Miley Cyrus, the Jonas brothers, Lady Gaga and Snoop Dogg for god sake. Don’t get me started Lil Wayne, T-Pain in it to. I this the best they could fine why did they get all the B and C list singer where are the A list singer. Did they not ask or what Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie sad just sad I am DISGUSTED
So am I, that came out in 1985, & while I give those involved credit for trying, giving money to causes in Africa is not a great idea. Not if you expect the money not to be stolen. The only people most people can name from most African nations come from 1 of 2 areas...
1. World class atheletes who are stars in soccer or running.
2. Political leaders or warlords who end up coming to power & looting their nations treasurary before being killed or being forced into exile.
...it's kind of sad.
Wow... I am getting old. I was a baby when this came out. In any case yes it is true it didnt end hunger in Africa MOST of the money was stolen and it has been the same story for all concerts and songs that came after that to end something or another in Africa or any other continent or country. Whack misplaced Idealism and Money does not end poverty, nor hunger nor wars in this world. People better wake up to the fact that poverty, hunger and wars will continue to happen for the rest of this world's existence, we just need to do what we can when the opportunity presents itself, throwing money and best wishes at the problem is not a viable permanent solution.