In an industry known for disposable pop tunes, We Are the World made a world of difference.
It wasn’t just another massive hit.
The all-star pop anthem fulfilled its promise to lend a hand to life."
In one year, the song raised $44.5 million for famine relief in Africa.
Lionel Richie, the song’s cowriter, is advocating a fresh version for thecoronavirus crisis.
Ten years ago,a second We Are the Worldwas recorded to aid victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
“We Are the World itself was a sequel of sorts.
Kragen roped in clients Lionel Richie and Kenny Rogers.
They lured Quincy Jones, who brought in Michael Jackson, and the project snowballed.
OnceBruce Springsteencame aboard, Kragen’s phone rang nonstop with volunteers.
Producer Quincy Jones posted a sign at the entrance: Check your egos at the door.
The album arrived April 23.
ET on April 5, when more than 8,000 radio stations played the song simultaneously.
In his autobiographyMoonwalk, he relates this exchange.
Janet, what do you see when you hear this sound?
…“She said, Dying children in Africa.
That’s what I was dictating from my soul.”
Richie was spooked by the sudden appearance of Jackson’s giant pet boa constrictor.
Originally the plan was for Stevie Wonder to compose the song with Jackson and Richie.
Madonna andPrincewere invited to participate, but neither showed up.
Madonna, on the verge of her commercial breakthrough, didn’t want to interrupt her tour.
Prince disliked the song and wanted to play guitar rather than sing.
Quincy Jones quashed the idea.
Prince instead went clubbing on Sunset Strip, andHuey Lewisreplaced him as a soloist.
Eddie Murphy also turned down the offer to perform.
Most of the stars were ferried to the studio in limos.
Cyndi Lauper’s chunky earrings and bracelets clanged against the microphone, requiring multiple takes.
The jewelry was gradually removed piece by piece to clean up the sound.
Wonder suggested replacing it with actual Swahili.
Waylon Jennings left in a huff.
The Swahili was abandoned when they realized Ethiopians don’t speak Swahili.
I think Cyndi Lauper leaned over to me and said, It sounds like a Pepsi commercial.
And I didn’t disagree.”
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