We Are the World, recorded by the supergroup USA for Africa, was a 1985 charity single created to raise funds for the 1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia. Conceived by activist Harry Belafonte and manager Ken Kragen following the success of Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, the project aimed to unite American artists for humanitarian aid.
Origins and Songwriting
Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson co-wrote the anthem at Jackson’s home in Encino, California, aiming for a memorable, unifying melody. Although Stevie Wonder was initially invited to co-write, he was unavailable, allowing Jackson and Richie to complete the song in a single night before the recording session.
Recording and Release
The song was recorded on January 28, 1985, at A&M Studios in Los Angeles, featuring over 45 of the era’s biggest stars, including Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Stevie Wonder, and Billy Joel. Produced by Quincy Jones, the session required artists to “check their egos at the door” to manage the massive lineup. Released on March 7, 1985, it sold 800,000 copies in its first three days.
Impact and Legacy
The single became one of the best-selling singles in history, with over 20 million copies sold globally. It raised more than $60 million (later cited as over $80 million) for famine relief and humanitarian efforts in Africa. The song won four Grammy Awards in 1986, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year, cementing its status as a landmark moment in celebrity activism.
[Verse 1]
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]
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, Dionne Warwick & Willie Nelson, Willie Nelson, Al Jarreau]
Well, 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 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]
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]
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 me
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)
We are the world (We are the world)
We are the children (Said 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 brighter day
Just you and me
Come on, y’all, 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 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
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 (Yeah, yeah, woah-oh, oh-oh)
We are the world (We are the world; ooh, ooh-ooh)
We are the children (We are the children)
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start givin’ (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)
We are the children (We are the children; yes, sir)
We are the ones that make a brighter day (We are the 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, hoo-hoo
We are the world (Good God; 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)
(Alright, did you hear what I said?)
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 25 For Haiti – 2010
We Are the World 25 for Haiti received widespread critical panning, with reviewers describing it as a “musical train wreck” and one of the worst songs of all time. Critics lambasted the production for its heavy use of Auto-Tune, which was deemed tacky and disruptive, particularly in the rap verses by artists like Lil Wayne, Akon, and T-Pain.
The primary criticisms include:
- Disjointed Ensemble: With over 80 performers, the track was criticized for lacking the cohesive sound of the 1985 original, resulting in a “chaotic” and “overcrowded” experience where each artist seemed to perform for themselves rather than as a unified group.
- Inappropriate Casting: Critics pointed out the inclusion of non-singers (such as Jamie Foxx, Vin Diesel, and Jeff Bridges) and Z-list celebrities, while questioning the choice to start the song with Justin Bieber and exclude living members of the original supergroup.
- Problematic Lyrics and Tone: The lyrics were described as “dumb” and self-aggrandizing, with critics noting that the song’s plea to “save our own lives” was tonally mismatched with the humanitarian crisis in Haiti.
- Outdated Remake Concept: Many reviewers argued that the song suffered from “Hollywood gloss” and nostalgia, failing to offer any new perspective or artistic merit compared to the original USA for Africa recording.
