We Are the World: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|1985 charity single by USA for Africasong}}

{{About|the original 1985 charity song}}

| name = We Are the World

| cover = We Are the World alternative cover.jpg

| alt = An album cover with "We Are the World" spelled out across the left and bottom in cut-and-paste-style. To the top right of the cover is "USA for Africa" in blue text, under which names are listed against a white background

| border = yes

| type = single

| artist = USA for Africa

| album = [[We Are the World (album)|We Are the World]]

| B-side = Grace

| released = {{Start date|1985|3|7|mf=y}}

| recorded = {{Start date|1985|1|28|mf=y}}

| length =
* 7:02 (album version)

| label =
* [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]

| writer =
* [[Michael Jackson]]

| producer =
* [[Quincy Jones]]

"'''We Are the World'''" is a [[charity record|charity single]] originally recorded by the [[charity supergroup|supergroup]] '''USA for Africa''' in 1985. It was written by [[Michael Jackson]] and [[Lionel Richie]] and produced by [[Quincy Jones]] and [[Michael Omartian]] for the album ''[[We Are the World (album)|We Are the World]]''. With sales in excess of 20 million physical copies, it is the eighth-[[list of best-selling singles worldwide|best-selling physical single of all time]], meant to raise money for the [[1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia]].

Soon after the UK-basedBritish group [[Band Aid (band)|Band Aid]] released "[[Do They Know It's Christmas?]]" in December 1984, the musician and activist [[Harry Belafonte]] begandecided to think aboutcreate an American benefit single for African famine relief. He enlistedWith fundraiser [[Ken Kragen]], tohe helpenlisted bringseveral musicians. Jackson and Richie completed the visionwriting tothe realitynight before the first recording session, on January 21, 1985. The duoevent contactedbrought severaltogether some of the era's best-known musicians. One musician deliberately omitted was [[John Denver]], andwho enlistedhad Jacksonasked andto Richieparticipate but was rejected despite his previous commitment to writecharity thework. song;Ken theyKragen completedsaid theit writingwas sevendue weeksto some people feeling that Denver's image would afteraffect the releasecredibility of "Dothe Theysong Knowas Ita pop-rock anthem. "I didn'st Christmas?agree with this assessment," Kragen said, andbut onlyreluctantly oneturned nightDenver beforedown.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harrychapin.com/circle/winter05/behind.htm |title=Behind the Song: "We Are the World"'s |website=HarryChapin.com |first=Mike recording|last=Grayeb session| date=2005 |access-date=May 9, on2011}}</ref> JanuaryDenver 21recalled the rejection in his 1994 autobiography "Take Me Home", 1985stating that "It broke my heart not to be included."<ref>{{cite Theweb historic| eventurl=https://danmiller.typepad.com/dan_millers_notebook/2006/07/by_dan_miller_o.html brought| togethertitle=The someSnubbing of theJohn eraDenver | date=October 12, 2004 | first1=Dan | last1=Miller | website=Dan Miller's best-known musicians.Notebook}}</ref>

The"We songAre the World" was released on March 7, 1985, as the first single from the album by [[Columbia Records]]. A worldwide commercial success, itIt topped music charts throughout the world and became the fastest-selling U.S. pop single in history. "We Are the World" receivedwas a Quadruple Platinum certification by thecertified [[Recordingquadruple Industry Association of Americaplatinum]], becoming the first single to be certified multi-platinum. Its awards include four [[Grammy Award]]s, one [[American Music Award]], and a [[People's Choice Award]].

Awarded"We numerousAre honors—includingthe four [[Grammy Award]]s, one [[American Music Award]], and a [[People's Choice Award]]—the songWorld" was promoted with a music video, a VHS, a special edition magazine, a [[simulcast]], and several books, posters, and shirts. The promotion and merchandise helped "We Are the World" raise more than $6380&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{formatnum:formatprice|{{Inflation|US|6380000000|1986|r=0}}}} millionin today{{inflation/year|US}}){{dubiousinflation/fn|date=July 2022US}} for humanitarian aid in Africa and the United States.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|first=Al|last=Newstead|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-01/we-are-the-world-documentary-the-greatest-night-in-pop-review/103414458|title=How pop's biggest names pulled a secret marathon all-nighter to create history's biggest charity single|newspaper=[[ABC News Australia]] |date=February 1, 2024}}</ref> Another cast of singers recorded a new version, "[[We Are the World 25 for Haiti]]", to raise relief following the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]].

Richie had recorded two melodies for "We Are the World", to which Jackson took, addingadded music and words to the song on the same day. Jackson said, "I love working quickly. I went ahead without even Lionel knowing. I couldn't wait. I went in and came out the same night with the song completed: drums, piano, strings, and words to the chorus."<ref name="Campbell 110">Campbell, p. 110</ref> Jackson then presented his demo to Richie and Jones, who were both shocked; they did not expect the pop starhim to seecomplete the structure of the song so quickly. The next meetings between Jackson and Richie were unfruitful; the pairthey produced no additional vocals and got no work done. It was not untilOn the night of January 21, 1985, thatthe Richienight and Jackson completedbefore the lyricsfirst andrecording melodysession, of "We Are the World" within twoRichie and aJackson half hours, one night beforecompleted the song'slyrics firstand recording sessionmelody.<ref name="Campbell 110"/>

==Recording sessions==

The first night of recording, January 22, 1985, had tight security on hand, as Richie, Jackson, Wonder, and Jones started work on "We Are the World" at Kenny Rogers' [[Lion Share Studios|Lion Share Recording Studio]]. The studio, on [[Beverly Boulevard]] in Los Angeles, was filled with session musicians, technicians, video crews, [[retinue]], assistants, and organizers as the celebrity musicians entered. Jones hired session musicians to lay down the backing tracks: [[John Robinson (drummer)|John "JR" Robinson]] on drums, [[Louis Johnson (bassist)|Louis Johnson]] on bass, and pianist [[Greg Phillinganes]]. (These three first played together on "[[Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough]]" produced by Jones for Jackson.) Richie sat down at the piano to teach everyone the song. When it was time to roll tape, Robinson cleared the room of non-musicians, and the backing tracks were recorded.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://slapklatz.com/endorsers/john-jr-robinson/stories-behind-the-biggest-hits/ |title=Behind 10 of JR's biggest hits |author=Gunnar "funkpost" Kristiansen |date=November 16, 2017 |website=SlapKlatz |access-date=July 15, 2020}}</ref> After this, a vocal guide of "We Are the World" was recorded by Richie and Jackson, mixed with the instrumental tracks, and duplicated on tape for each of the invited performers. The guide was recorded on the sixth [[take]], as Jones felt that there was too much "thought" in the previous versions.<ref name="breskin 2">Breskin, p. 2</ref>

Following their work on the vocal guide, Jackson and Jones began thinking of alternatives for the line "There's a chance we're taking, we're taking our own lives":. theThe pair was concerned that the latter part of the line would be considered a reference to suicide. As the group listened to a playback of the chorus, Richie declared that the last part of the line should be changed to "We're 'saving' our own lives". Jones also suggested altering the former part of the line. "One thing we don't want to do, especially with this group, is look like we're patting ourselves on the back. So it's really: 'There's a ''choice'' we're making.'"<ref name="breskin 3">Breskin, p. 3</ref> Around 1:30&nbsp;am, the four musicians ended the night by finishing a chorus of melodic vocalizations, including the sound "sha-lum sha-lin-gay".<ref name="breskin 3"/> Jones told the group that they were not to add anything else to the tape., and said: "If we get too good, someone's gonna start playing it on the radio", he announced."<ref name="breskin 3"/>

On January 24, 1985, after a day of rest, Jones shipped Richie and Jackson's vocal guide to all of the artists who would be involved in "We Are the World"{{'}}s recording. Enclosed in the package was a letter from Jones, addressedimploring the artists not to share the tape or make copies. He wrote: "MyIn Fellowthe Artistsyears to come, when your children ask, 'What did mommy and daddy do for the war against world famine?', you can say proudly, ''this'' was your contribution.":<ref name="breskin 3"/>[[File:We Are The World Glenn Francis.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Back of the "We Are the World" sweater autographed by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie]]

The following people sang in the chorus: [[Dan Aykroyd]], [[Harry Belafonte]], [[Lindsey Buckingham]], [[Mario Cipollina]], [[Johnny Colla]], [[Sheila E.]], [[Bob Geldof]], [[Bill Gibson (music producer)|Bill Gibson]], [[Chris Hayes (musician)|Chris Hayes]], [[Sean Hopper]], [[Jackie Jackson]], [[La Toya Jackson]], [[Marlon Jackson]], [[Randy Jackson (Jacksons singer)|Randy Jackson]], [[Tito Jackson]], [[Waylon Jennings]], [[Bette Midler]], [[John Oates]], [[Jeffrey Osborne]], [[Anita Pointer]], [[June Pointer]], [[Ruth Pointer]], and [[Smokey Robinson]].<ref name="marsh 518"/>

| {{*}} [[Johnny Colla]] (of [[Huey Lewis and the News]])

| {{*}} [[Chris Hayes (musician)|Chris Hayes]] (of Huey Lewis and the News)

| {{*}} John Barnes – keyboards, &programming, arrangement

| {{*}} [[Ian Underwood]] -– synthesizers, programming

On March 7, 1985, "We Are the World" was released as a single, in both [[7-inch]] and [[12-inch]] formats.<ref name="tara 344">Taraborrelli, p. 344</ref><ref name="We Are the World">{{cite news |title=We Are the World |date=April 10, 1985|newspaper=Columbia Missourian}}</ref> The song was the only one released from the ''We Are the World'' album and became a chart success around the world. In the U.S., it was a number-one hit on the [[R&B singles chart]], the [[Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks]] chart, and the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], where it remained for a month.<ref name="george 41">George, p. 41</ref><ref name="Campbell 113">Campbell, p. 113</ref> The single had debuted at number 21 on the Hot 100, the highest entry since Michael Jackson's "[[Thriller (song)|Thriller]]" entered the charts at number 20 the year before.<ref name="Famine-aid song sells well locally" /> Itand it took four weeks for the song to claim the number one spot, half the time a single would normally have taken to reach its charting peak.<ref name="'World' rules the charts">{{cite news|title='World' rules the charts|last=DeKnock|first=Jan|date=April 17, 1985|newspaper=[[The Ledger]]}}</ref> On the Hot 100, the song moved from 21 to 5 to 2 and then number 1. "We Are the World" might have reached the top of the Hot 100 chart sooner, were it not for the success of [[Phil Collins]]' "[[One More Night (Phil Collins song)|One More Night]]", which received support from both pop and rock listeners.<ref name="'World' rules the charts" /> "We Are the World" also entered ''Billboard''{{-'}}s Top Rock Tracks and Hot Country Singles charts, where it peaked at numbers 27 and 76 respectively.<ref name="george 41"/> The song became the first single since [[the Beatles]]' "[[Let It Be (Beatles song)|Let It Be]]" to enter ''Billboard''{{'}}s Top 5 within two weeks of release.<ref name="We Are the World" /> Outside the U.S., the single reached number one in Australia, France, Ireland, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. The song peaked at number 2 in two countries: Germany and Austria.<ref name="Ultratop Singles Chart Archives">{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=USA+For+Africa&titel=We+Are+The+World&cat=s|title=Ultratop Singles Chart Archives|publisher=ultratop.be|access-date=September 29, 2009}}</ref><ref name="WATW Ireland">{{cite web|url=http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement |title=Irish Singles chart – Searchable database |publisher=Irishcharts.ie |access-date=July 31, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721125210/http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement |archive-date=July 21, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="WATW NL">{{cite web|url=http://www.top40.nl/artist.aspx?contributor_id=228090&jaar=1984&maand=3&week=12#|title=USA for Africa – Dutch Top 40 Chart|publisher=top40.nl|access-date=July 31, 2011}}</ref>

The single was also a commercial success: the initial shipment of 800,000 "We Are the World" records sold out within three days of release.<ref name="tara 344"/> The record became the fastest-selling American pop single in history.<ref name="Whoever dreamed that up?">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/29/business/whoever-dreamed-that-up.html?&pagewanted=5|title=Whoever dreamed that up?|last=Bennett|first=Robert A.|date=December 29, 1985|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=July 19, 2009}}</ref> At [[Tower Records (music retailer)|Tower Records]] in [[West Hollywood]], 1,000&nbsp;copies of the song were sold in two days.<ref name="Forty-Five Voices">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,964119,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220093750/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,964119,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 20, 2008|title=Forty-Five Voices|last=Worrell|first=Denise|date=March 25, 1985|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=July 19, 2009}}</ref> Store worker Richard Petitpas commented, "A number one single sells about 100 to 125&nbsp;copies a week. This is absolutely unheard of."<ref name="Forty-Five Voices" /> By the end of 1985, "We Are the World" had become the year's best-selling single.<ref name="American Music Award nominees named">{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LA&p_theme=la&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EF41ADE2F9681DA&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=American Music Award nominees named|date=January 4, 1986|newspaper=[[Daily News of Los Angeles]]|access-date=September 25, 2009}}</ref> Five years later it was revealed that the song had become the biggest single of the 1980s.<ref name="A Pop Virtuoso Who Can Do It All">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/03/arts/pop-view-a-pop-virtuoso-who-can-do-it-all.html|title=A Pop Virtuoso Who Can Do It All|last=Holden|first=Stephen|date=December 3, 1989|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=July 19, 2009}}</ref> "We Are the World" was eventually cited as the best-selling single in U.S. and pop music history.{{refn|[[Elton John]]'s [[Candle in the Wind 1997|1997 version]] of "[[Candle in the Wind]]"—a tribute to [[Diana, Princess of Wales]]—later claimed the status of biggest selling pop single of all time.<ref name="If It's a Hit, Why Stop There?">{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/17854116.html?dids=17854116:17854116%3A17854116&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT%3AFT&type=current&date=Oct+12%2C+1997&author=ANNE+BEATTS&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=If+It's%27s+a+Hit%2C+Why+Stop+There%3F&pqatl=google|title=If It's a Hit, Why Stop There?|last=Beatts|first=Anne|date=October 12, 1997|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=August 8, 2009|archive-date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105075907/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/17854116.html?dids=17854116%3A17854116&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Oct+12%2C+1997&author=ANNE+BEATTS&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=If+It%27s+a+Hit%2C+Why+Stop+There%3F&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref>|group="nb"}}<ref name="Bob Geldof biography">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/geldof_bob/artist.jhtml|title=Bob Geldof biography|last=Ruhlmann|first=William|publisher=MTV|access-date=July 19, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029155813/http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/geldof_bob/artist.jhtml|archive-date=October 29, 2009}}</ref><ref name="In Pop, Whose Song Is It, Anyway?">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/27/arts/pop-view-in-pop-whose-song-is-it-anyway.html|title=In Pop, Whose Song Is It, Anyway?|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=August 27, 1989|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=July 19, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Listen Up! Quincy Jones Has a New Gig">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/05/business/listen-up-quincy-jones-has-a-new-gig.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all|title=Listen Up! Quincy Jones Has a New Gig|last=Andrews|first=Edmund L.|date=June 5, 1995|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=July 19, 2009}}</ref> The song became the first single to be certified multi-platinum; it received a 4× certification by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]].<ref name="Campbell 113"/><ref name="Pointers, Prince and Pavarotti in platinum parade">{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24957451.html?dids=24957451:24957451&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+31%2C+1986&author=Tom+Popson&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=POINTERS%2C+PRINCE+AND+PAVAROTTI+IN+PLATINUM+PARADE&pqatl=google|title=Pointers, Prince and Pavarotti in platinum parade|first=Tom|last=Popson|date=January 31, 1986|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=September 25, 2009|archive-date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105075845/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24957451.html?dids=24957451:24957451&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+31%2C+1986&author=Tom+Popson&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=POINTERS%2C+PRINCE+AND+PAVAROTTI+IN+PLATINUM+PARADE&pqatl=google| via=[[ProQuest Archiver]] | url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/01/31/pointers-prince-and-pavarotti-in-platinum-parade/ | title=Pointers, Prince and Pavarotti in platinum parade | date=January 31, 1986 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713101440/https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/01/31/pointers-prince-and-pavarotti-in-platinum-parade/ | archive-date=July 13, 2024 | access-date=July 13, 2024 | publisher=[[Chicago Tribune]] | url-status=live}}</ref> The estimated global sales of "We Are the World" are said to be 20&nbsp;million.<ref name="The many faces of Michael Jackson">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-06-26-jackson-faces_N.htm|title=The many faces of Michael Jackson|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|date=June 30, 2009|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|access-date=July 19, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919102248/https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-06-26-jackson-faces_N.htm|archive-date=19 September 2010}}</ref>

Despite the song's commercial success, "We Are the World" received mixed reviews from journalists and music critics at the time. American journalist [[Greil Marcus]] felt that the songit sounded like a [[Pepsi]] jingle.<ref name="Garofalo 29">Garofalo, p. 29</ref> He wrote that "the constant repetition of 'There's a choice we're making' conflates with Pepsi's trademarked 'The choice of a new generation' in a way that, on the part of Pepsi-contracted song writers Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, is certainly not intentional, and even more certainly beyond the realm of serendipity."<ref name="Garofalo 29"/> Marcus added, "In the realm of contextualization, 'We Are the World' says less about Ethiopia than it does about Pepsi—and the true result will likely be less that certain Ethiopian individuals will live, or anyway live a bit longer than they otherwise would have, than that Pepsi will get the catch phrase of its advertising campaign sung for free by Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, and all the rest."<ref name="Garofalo 29"/> Professor and activist [[Reebee Garofalo]] agreed, calling the line "We're saving our own lives" a "distasteful element of self-indulgence".<ref name="Garofalo 29"/> He asserted that the artists of USA for Africa were proclaiming "their own salvation for singing about an issue they will never experience on behalf of a people most of them will never encounter".<ref name="Garofalo 29"/>

According to the music critic and Bruce Springsteen biographer [[Dave Marsh]], "We Are the World" was not widely accepted within the rock music community.<ref name="marsh 519">Marsh, p. 519</ref> TheMarsh authorsaid revealed that the songit was "despised"dismissed for whatas it was not: "a rock record, a critique of the political policies that created the famine, a way of finding out how and why famines occur, an all-inclusive representation of the entire worldwide spectrum of post-[[Elvis Presley|Presley]] popular music".<ref name="marsh 519"/> Though Marsh revealedagreed that he feltwith some of the criticisms were right, whilehe others were silly.<ref name="marsh 519"/> He claimedfelt that, despite theits sentimentality of the song, "We Are the World" was a large-scale pop event with serious political overtones.<ref name="marsh 519"/>

# "We Are the World" (USA for Africa) – 74:1451

# "Grace" (Quincy Jones) – 4:5630

"We Are the World" received worldwide radio coverage in the form of an international simultaneous broadcast later that year. Upon spinning the song on their local stations, Georgia radio disc jockeys Bob Wolf and Don Briscar came up with the idea for a worldwide simulcast.<ref>{{cite news|title=We are the World to be Played Worldwide|url=https://apnews.com/35bd795632c2b1f23d36392e5b9d3835|work=Associated Press News|access-date=February 7, 2014}}</ref> They called hundreds of radio and satellite stations asking them to participate. On the morning of April 5, 1985 ([[Good Friday]] of that year) at 3:50&nbsp;pm GMT, over 8,000 radio stations simultaneously broadcast the song around the world.<ref>{{cite news|title=Stations Around Globe Air 'We Are The World'|url=https://articleswww.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-04-06/entertainment/-ca-18495_1_radio18495-stationsstory.html|agency=Associated Press|date=April 6, 1985|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=January 11, 2019}}</ref> As the song was broadcast, hundreds of people sang along on the steps of [[St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York|St. Patrick's Cathedral]] in New York.<ref name="Strike Up the Bandwagon We Are the World Raises Money, Spirits"/><ref name="Fifth Avenue Singalong Supports Relief Effort">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/06/arts/fifth-avenue-singalong-supports-relief-effort.html?n=Top%2FNews%2FScience%2FTopics%2FDrought|title=Fifth Avenue Singalong Supports Relief Effort|date=April 6, 1985|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=July 20, 2009}}</ref> A year later, on March 28, 1986 (Good Friday of that year), the simultaneous radio broadcast of "We Are the World" was repeated over 6,000 radio stations worldwide.<ref name="Campbell 113"/>

"We Are the World" gained further promotion and coverage on May 25, 1986, when it was played during a major benefit event held throughout the US.<ref name="Hands">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WegLAAAAIBAJ&pg=4387,2498283&dq=we-are-the-world|title=Hands|date=May 23, 1986|newspaper=The Evening Independent|access-date=July 21, 2009}}</ref><ref name="A 15-minute handshake for the US">{{cite news|title=A 15-minute handshake for the US|last=Hewett|first=Jenni|date=May 27, 1986|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref> [[Hands Across America]]—USA for Africa's follow-up project—was an event in which millions of people formed a [[human chain (politics)|human chain]] across the US.<ref name="Hunger song profits exceed expectation">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b7ISAAAAIBAJ&pg=5679,1906145&dq=we-are-the-world|title=Hunger song profits exceed expectation|date=October 9, 1986|newspaper=[[Spokane Chronicle]]|access-date=July 21, 2009}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The event was held to draw attention to hunger and homelessness in the United States.<ref name="Altruistic marketing">{{cite magazine|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1985/11/25/66688/index.htm|title=Altruistic marketing|last=Steinbreder|first=John|date=November 25, 1985|magazine=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]|access-date=July 21, 2009}}</ref> "We Are the World"'s co-writer, Michael Jackson, had wanted his song to be the official theme for the event. The other board members of USA for Africa outvoted him, and it was instead decided that a new song would be created and released for the event, titled "Hands Across America".<ref name="campbell 114 115"/> When released, the new song did not achieve the level of success that "We Are the World" did, and the decision to use it as the official theme for the event led to Jackson—who co-owned the publishing rights to "We Are the World"—resigning from the board of directors of USA for Africa.<ref name="campbell 114 115"/><ref name="Campbell 116">Campbell, p. 116</ref>

In June 1985, the first USA for Africa cargo jet carrying food, medicine, and clothing departed for Ethiopia and [[Sudan]]. It stopped ''en route'' in New York, where 15,000&nbsp;T-shirts were added to the cargo. Included in the supplies were high-protein biscuits, high-protein vitamins, medicine, tents, blankets and refrigeration equipment.<ref name="Music group sends supplies">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/11/world/around-the-world-music-group-sends-supplies-to-ethiopians.html?n=Top/News/Science/Topics/Drought|title=Music group sends supplies|date=June 11, 1985|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=July 21, 2009}}</ref> Harry Belafonte, representing the USA for Africa musicians, visited Sudan in the same month. The trip was his last stop on a four-nation tour of Africa. Tanzanian Prime Minister [[Salim Ahmed Salim]] greeted and praised Belafonte, telling him, "I personally and the people of [[Tanzania]] are moved by this tremendous example of human solidarity."<ref name="Belafonte visits Sudan">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MuoVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6245,6038350&dq=we-are-the-world|title=Belafonte visits Sudan|date=June 22, 1985|newspaper=[[Wilmington Morning Star]]|access-date=July 21, 2009}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Since its release, "We Are the World" has raised over $6380&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|6380|1986|r=0}}}} million today) for humanitarian causes.<ref name="Moments of sex, drugs and rock 'n' rollauto">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-07-27-mtv-cover_x.htm|title=Moments of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll|last=Clark|first=Cindy|date=July 28, 2006|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=July 21, 2009}}</ref> Ninety percent of the money was pledged to African relief, both long and short term.<ref name="'We Are the World' passes goal; states getting 'Hands' money" /><ref name="USA for Africa: a hunger to share">{{cite news|title=USA for Africa: a hunger to share|last=Pike|first=Douglas|date=April 28, 1985|newspaper=[[The Spokesman-Review]]}}</ref> The long-term initiative included efforts in birth control and food production.<ref name="USA for Africa: a hunger to share" /> The remaining 10&nbsp;percent of funds was earmarked for domestic hunger and homeless programs in the US.<ref name="'We Are the World' passes goal; states getting 'Hands' money" /><ref name="USA for Africa: a hunger to share" /> From the African fund, over 70&nbsp;recovery and development projects were launched in seven African nations. Such projects included aid in agriculture, fishing, water management, manufacturing and reforestation. Training programs were also developed in the African countries of Mozambique, Senegal, Chad, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and Mali.<ref name="'We Are the World' passes goal; states getting 'Hands' money"/>

An inaugural celebration was held for US President-elect [[Bill Clinton]] in January 1993.<ref name="A Grand Beginning; Inaugural Week Begins With Pomp and Populism">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/18/us/the-inauguration-a-grand-beginning-inaugural-week-begins-with-pomp-and-populism.html|title=A Grand Beginning; Inaugural Week Begins With Pomp and Populism|last=Apple|first=R. W.|date=January 18, 1993|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=July 21, 2009}}</ref> The event was staged by Clinton's Hollywood friends at the [[Lincoln Memorial]] and drew hundreds of thousands of people.<ref name="A Grand Beginning; Inaugural Week Begins With Pomp and Populism" /> [[Aretha Franklin]], [[LL Cool J]], [[Michael Bolton]] and [[Tony Bennett]] were among some of the musicians in attendance.<ref name="A Grand Beginning; Inaugural Week Begins With Pomp and Populism" /><ref name="A Musical Smorgasbord; 2 Concerts Gel Sounds Of America">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/19/us/the-inauguration-a-musical-smorgasbord-2-concerts-gel-sounds-of-america.html|title=A Musical Smorgasbord; 2 Concerts Gel Sounds Of America|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=January 19, 1993|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=July 21, 2009}}</ref> Said Jones, "I've never seen so many great performers come together with so much love and selflessness."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Archerd |first=Army |url=https://www.variety.com/article1993/voices/columns/jones-says-whoopi-as-comic-comes-to-rescue-1117862112/VR1117862112?refCatId=2 |title=Jones says 'Whoopi' as comic comes to rescue – Entertainment News, Army Archerd, Media |magazine=Variety |date=January 18, 1993 |access-date=August 16, 2011}}</ref> The celebration included a performance of "We Are the World", which involved Clinton, his daughter [[Chelsea Clinton|Chelsea]], and his wife [[Hillary Clinton|Hillary]] singing the song along with USA for Africa's Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.<ref name="A Grand Beginning; Inaugural Week Begins With Pomp and Populism" /> ''The New York Times''{{'}} [[Edward Rothstein]] commented on the event, stating, "The most enduring image may be of Mr. Clinton singing along in 'We Are the World', the first President to aspire, however futilely, to hipness."<ref name="Vox Pop, The Sound Of Politics">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/14/arts/classical-view-vox-pop-the-sound-of-politics.html|title=Vox Pop, The Sound Of Politics|last=Rothstein|first=Edward|date=February 14, 1993|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=July 21, 2009}}</ref>

As a prelude to his song "[[Heal the World]]", "We Are the World" was performed as an interlude during two of Michael Jackson's tours, the [[Dangerous World Tour]] (1992–1993) and the [[HIStory World Tour]] (1996–1997), as well as Jackson's performance at the [[Super Bowl XXVII halftime show]] in 1993. Jackson briefly performed the song with a chorus at the 2006 World Music Awards in London, which marked his last live public performance. Jackson planned to use the song for his [[This Is It (concertsconcert residency)|This Is It]] comeback concerts at [[Thethe O2 Arena]] in [[London]] from 2009 to 2010, but the shows were cancelled due to his sudden death.

[[Death of Michael Jackson|Michael Jackson died]] in June 2009, after suffering a cardiac arrest.<ref name="death MSNBC">{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/michael-jackson-s-life-cut-shockingly-short-wbna31552029|title=Singer Michael Jackson dead at 50-Legendary pop star had been preparing for London comeback tour|publisher=[[Today.com]]|date=June 25, 2009|access-date=June 25, 2009}}</ref> [[Michael Jackson memorial service|His memorial service]] was held several days later on July 7, and was reported to have been viewed by more than one billion people.<ref name="Who Is Michael Jackson Memorial Performer Shaheen Jafargholi?">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/07/07/who-is-michael-jackson-memorial-performer-shaheen-jafargholi/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709232105/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/07/07/who-is-michael-jackson-memorial-performer-shaheen-jafargholi|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 9, 2009|title=Who Is Michael Jackson Memorial Performer Shaheen Jafargholi?|last=Harris|first=Chris|date=July 7, 2009|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=July 22, 2009}}</ref> The finale of the event featured group renditions of the Jackson anthems "We Are the World" and "[[Heal the World]]".<ref name="Who Sang 'We Are The World' At Michael Jackson Memorial?">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1615545/20090708/jackson_michael.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711082620/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1615545/20090708/jackson_michael.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 11, 2009|title=Who Sang 'We Are The World' At Michael Jackson Memorial?|last=Anderson|first=Kyle|date=July 8, 2009|publisher=MTV|access-date=July 22, 2009}}</ref> The singalong of "We Are the World" was led by Darryl Phinnessee, who had worked with Jackson since the late 1980s.<ref name="Who Sang 'We Are The World' At Michael Jackson Memorial?" /><ref name="Michael Jackson memorial: 'We Are the World,' 'Who's Lovin' You' and the final performances">{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/07/michael-jackson-memorial-we-are-the-world-whos-loving-you-and-the-final-performances.html|title=Michael Jackson memorial: 'We Are the World,' 'Who's Lovin' You' and the final performances|last=Powers|first=Anne|date=July 7, 2009|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=July 22, 2009}}</ref> It also featured co-writer Lionel Richie and Jackson's family, including his children.<ref name="Who Sang 'We Are The World' At Michael Jackson Memorial?" /><ref name="Michael Jackson memorial: 'We Are the World,' 'Who's Lovin' You' and the final performances"/> Following the performance, "We Are the World" re-entered the US charts for the first time since its 1985 release. The song debuted at number 50 on ''Billboard''{{'s}} [[Hot Digital Songs]] chart.<ref name="'We are the World' in charts after Jackson tribute">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSTRE56D6M220090716|title='We are the World' in charts after Jackson tribute|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=July 16, 2009|work=Reuters|access-date=July 22, 2009}}</ref>

Since the release of "We Are the World", and the Band Aid single that influenced it, numerous songs have been recorded in a similar fashion, with the intent to aid disaster victims throughout the world. One such example involved a supergroup of Latin musicians billed as "Hermanos del Tercer Mundo", or "Brothers of the Third World". Among the supergroup of 62&nbsp;recording artists were [[Julio Iglesias]], [[José Feliciano]], and [[Sérgio Mendes]]. Their [[Cantaré, cantarás|famine relief song]] was recorded in the same studio as "We Are the World". Half of the profits raised from the charity single was pledged to USA for Africa. The rest of the money was to be used for impoverished Latin American countries.<ref name="Latin stars sing for hungry">{{cite news|title=Latin stars sing for hungry|date=April 10, 1985|newspaper=Columbia Missourian}}</ref> Other notable examples include the 1989 cover of the [[Deep Purple]] song "[[Smoke on the Water]]" by a supergroup of hard rock, prog rock, and heavy metal musicians collaborating as [[Rock Aid Armenia]] to raise money for victims of the devastating [[1988 Armenian earthquake]],<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20091209111912/http://rockaidarmenia.com/#/content-00-02 'Smoke on the Water' history]", Rock Aid Armenia website. Retrieved July 20, 2016.</ref> and the 1986 all-star [[Music of the Philippines|OPM]] single "[[Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo]]", which talked about the optimism the Filipinos needed after the [[People Power Revolution]].,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sg.style.yahoo.com/tagged/celebrity/blogs/switchingchannels/handog-ng-pilipino-sa-mundo-was-composed-in-three-minutes.html|title=Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo was composed in three minutes|first=Ed|last=Sicam|website=[[Yahoo!]] Life|date=February 25, 2011 |access-date=March 20, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://philstarlife.com/news-and-views/642589-revisiting-handog-ng-pilipino-sa-mundo|title=Revisiting the People Power hit 'Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo' and the anniversary cover it spawned|first=Saab|last=Lariosa|website=Philstar Life|access-date=March 20, 2022}}</ref> the 1997 [[Star Music|Star Records]] all-star recording "Sa Araw ng Pasko", the 2003 all-star [[Music of the Philippines|OPM]] recording "Biyahe Tayo" which promoted [[Tourism in the Philippines|Philippine tourism]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2004/03/29/244355/invitation-travel|title=An invitation to travel|first=Boy|last=Abunda|website=Philstar.com|access-date=February 12, 2022}}</ref> and its subsequent 2011 remake "Pilipinas, Tara Na!"<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2011/08/10/pilipinas-tara-na-music-video-to-boost-domestic-tourism/ | title=Pilipinas, Tara Na! music video to boost domestic tourism | website=www.officialgazette.gov.ph | date=2011-08-10}}</ref> and the 2009 all-star [[Music of the Philippines|OPM]] recordings "[[Star ng Pasko]]" and "[[Kaya Natin Ito!]]" as a means to provide hope to the survivors of [[Typhoon Ketsana]] (locally known as Ondoy).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pep.ph/news/local/5065/abs-cbn-versus-gma-739s-station-id-which-fared-better | title=ABS-CBN versus GMA-7's station ID: Which fared better? }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pinoyparazzi.net/regine-velasquez-at-ogie-alcasid-abala-sa-malaking-fund-raising-concert/ | title=Regine Velasquez at Ogie Alcasid, abala sa malaking fund-raising concert – Gorgy's Park - Pinoy Parazzi | date=October 13, 2009 }}</ref> Several [[GMA Network]] personalities also recorded another inspirational ballad, "Bangon Kaibigan" in 2013 to provide hope to the survivors of [[Typhoon Haiyan]] (locally known as Yolanda).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/339846/kapuso-stars-lumikha-ng-music-video-na-bangon-kaibigan-para-sa-yolanda-victims/story/ | title=Kapuso stars, lumikha ng music video na 'Bangon Kaibigan' para sa 'Yolanda' victims | date=December 14, 2013 }}</ref>

!align="left"|Chart (1985-19861985–1986)

{{single chart|SwissSwitzerland|1|artist=USA For Africa|song=We Are the World}}

|US [[Cashbox (magazine)|''Cash Box'']] Top Singles<ref>{{cite web |title=Cash Box Top Singles – 1985 |url=http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1985.html |website=Cash Box |publisher=Cash Box |access-date=June 20, 2017 |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514003613/https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1985.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

|align="left"|US ''Cash Box'' Top Singles<ref>{{cite web |title=Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1985 |url=http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1985YESP.html |website=Cash Box |access-date=June 7, 2016 |archive-date=October 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001214739/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1985YESP.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Finland|type=single|award=|artist=USA For Africa|title=We Are the World|nocert=true|salesamount=7,750|access-date=October 26, 2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|artist=U.S.A. for Africa|title=We Are the World|award=Gold|relyear=1985|certyear=2014|access-date=October 26, 2015|note=Sales since 2009}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=New Zealand|artist=U.S.A. for Africa|title=We Are the World|relyear=1985|award=Platinum|id=3157 |access-date=October 26, 2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|type=single|award=|artist=USA For Africa|title=We Are the World|nocert=true|salesamount=200,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1989/BB-1989-07-29.pdf|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|title=Portugal Follows World Pattern|page=81|issn=0006-2510|date=July 29, 1989|accessdate=February 7, 2023}}</ref>}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=USA for Africa|title=We Are the World|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=1985|certyear=1985|access-date=October 26, 2015|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Gavin|last=Edwards|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/we-are-the-world-a-minute-by-minute-breakdown-54619/|title='We Are the World': A Minute-by-Minute Breakdown|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=March 6, 2020|access-date=November 27, 2021}}</ref>}}{{Certification Table Summary}}{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|title=We Are the World|artist=USA For Africa|type=single|award=7.4 Million|nocert=true|salesamount=7,400,000|salesref=<ref name="sales">{{cite book|year= 1984 |title=First USA For Africa relief shipment arrives |publisher= Baltimore Afro-American | page= 70 |quote= The Recording by 45 of America's Top Artists has sold more than 7.4 million singles and 4.4 million albums since January }}</ref>|note=Sales (As of May 1984)}}

[[Category:Songs againstabout racism and xenophobia]]

[[Category:UK Singlessingles Chartchart number-one singles]]