We Are the World

Performers From USA For Africa's "We Are The World"

Harry Belafonte originally wanted to put together a benefit concert featuring black musicians to raise money for Africa. Ken Kragen (who became president of the originization United Support of Artists for Afica) thought an American version of "Band Aid" would be a better idea. Ken Kragen is an owner of a personal management and television production company. One of his clients was Lionel Ritchie, so he called him with the idea. Lionel's wife talked to Steve Wonder's wife and arranged to line him up for the song.

Quicy Jones was lined up as the producer, and Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie were the song writers. The recording took place on the night of the American Music Awards, January 28th, 1985. This was the perfect way to assure that most of the artists would all be free on a single date.

The instrumental tracks were recorded ahead of time and sent out to the interested musicians. With each tape, he sent a letter that stated they should "check their ego at the door." When they arrived in the studio, there was a piece of tape on the floor for each person to stand on, arranged around six microphones in a semi-circle.

800,000 copies arrived in stores on Tuesday, March 7th 1985. There were sold out by the first weekend. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 on March 23rd, at number 21. At the time it was the highest debuting single since John Lennon's "Imagine" and was number one in three weeks, which at the time was the fastest rising chart-topper since Elton John's "Island Girl" in 1975. It was the eighth consecutive year the Lionel Ritchie had written a number one song. It won Grammys in 1985 for Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

Dan Aykroyd also sings on We Are the World. You can see him in the top row in the video. Dan Aykroyd was in the Blues Brothers was a band before it was a SNL sketch (and then a movie), hence he was a musician. VH-1's "Pop-Up Video" states he's there to represent the American film industry,

• Dan Aykroyd


• Harry Belafonte


• Lindsey Buckingham


• Kim Carnes


• Ray Charles


• Bob Dylan


• Sheila E.


• Bob Geldof


• Hall and Oates


• James Ingram


• Jackie Jackson


• LaToya Jackson


• Marlon Jackson


• Michael Jackson


• Randy Jackson


• Tito Jackson


• Al Jarreau


• Waylon Jennings
  
  "Pop-Up Video" stated that he left the recording session due to a dispute over the lyrics.


• Billy Joel


• Cyndi Lauper


• Huey Lewis and the News


• Kenny Logins


• Bette Midler


• Willie Nelson


• Jeffery Osborne


• Steve Perry


• The Pointer Sisters


• Lionel Richie


• Smokey Robinson


• Kenny Rogers


• Diana Ross


• Paul Simon


• Bruce Springsteen


• Tina Turner


• Dionne Warwick


• Stevie Wonder


• Michael Boddicker - Synthesizers, Programming


• Paulinho da Costa - Percussion


• Louis Johnson - Bass


• Quincy Jones - Producer


• Michael Omartian - Keyboards, Producer


• Greg Phillinganes - Keyboards


• John Robinson - Drums

"We Are The World", U.S.A. for Africa

There comes a time when we need 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



We can't go on pretending day by day

That someone, somehow will soon make a change

We're all a part of God's great big family

And the truth - you know love is all we need



( 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



Well, send'em you 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



( REPEAT CHORUS )



When you're down and out

There seems no hope at all

But if you just believe

There's no way we can fall

Well, well, well, let's realize

That one change can only come

When we stand together as one



( REPEAT CHORUS AND FADE )

Source: Inthe80s.com

'We Are the World 25 for Haiti ' performers - complete list 

Below is a complete listing of the artists who performed in the "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" video, as listed in the ending credits from the full video itself. The song and music video debuted on February 12 and premiered worldwide in a simulcast screening on 53 networks on February 13, 2010. The digital version of the song and music video are available on iTunes and YouTube for download to aid the country of Haiti in earthquake relief. 

A CD and/or DVD will be available later for purchase within 10 to 14 days at Target stores, according to an interview on Billboard with Randy Phillips, an executive producer of the project.

"We Are the World 25 for Haiti" is a remake of the original philanthropic anthem, "We Are the World," co-written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and recorded in 1985 for USA for Africa, an organization established to aid famine relief in Africa. On February 1, 2010, over 70 artists got together at the same studio in Los Angeles (Jim Henson Recording Studios; formerly A&M) where the original song was recorded and performed the song under the supervision of Richie and Quincy Jones, who was also involved in the original. 

"We Are the World 25 for Haiti" Artists:

• Patti Austin


• Phillip Bailey


• Tony Bennett


• Farnsworth Bentley


• Justin Bieber


• Mary J Blige


• Ethan Bortnick


• Toni Braxton


• Jeff Bridges


• Snoop Dogg


• Zac Brown


• Kristian Bush


• Erica Campbell


• Tina Campbell


• Lil Wayne


• Natalie Cole


• Harry Connick, Jr.


• Nikka Coasta


• Miley Cyrus


• Celine Dion


• Faith Evans


• Fergie


• T-Pain


• Melonie Fiona


• Jamie Foxx


• Sean Garrett


• Tyrese Gibson


• Josh Groban


• Anthony Hamilton


• Keith Harris


• Mya


• Keri Hilson


• Julianne Hough


• Jennifer Hudson


• II Trio


• Enrique Iglesias


• Janet Jackson


• Michael Jackson


• Randy Jackson


• Taj Jackson


• Taryll Jackson


• TJ Jackson


• Al Jardine


• Wyclef Jean


• Jimmy Jean-Louis


• Ralph Johnson


• Joe Jonas


• Kevin Jonas


• Nick Jonas


• Quincy Jones


• Rashida Jones


• Musiq Soulchild


• Gladys Knight


• Adam Levine


• Benji Madden


• Joel Madden


• Katherine McPhee


• Kid Cudi


• Rickey Minor


• Jason Mraz


• Pink


• Jennifer Nettles


• Brandy


• Orianthi


• Freda Payne


• Plain Pat


• AR Rahman


• RedOne


• Buta Rhymes


• Lionel Richie


• Nicole Richie


• Raphael Saadiq


• Carlos Santana


• Nicole Scherzinger


• India.Arie


• Isaac Slade


• Trey Songz


• Jordan Sparks (Jordin Sparks)


• Barbara Streisand (Barbra Streisand)


• Robin Thicke


• Rob Thomas


• Usher


• Vince Vaughn


• Kanye West


• Verdize White


• Will.I.Am


• Ann Wilson


• Brian Wilson


• Nancy Wilson


• Bebe Winans

Names of artists seen on the video but not credited in the list of credits: Akon, L L Cool J.

Donations to the cause for Haiti may be made by downloading the song and/or video from iTunes or YouTube and by going to the organization's website world25.org.  You may also text the word WORLD to 50555.

Source: Examiner.com

Lyrics to We Are The World :

There comes a time 

when we hear a certain call

When the world 

must come together as one

There are people dying

and its time to lend a hand to life

The greatest gift of all

We can't go on 

pretending day by day

That someone, somehow 

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

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

Send them your heart 

so they'll know that someone cares

So their cries for help 

will not be in vain

We can't let them suffer 

no, we cannot tell them to wait

Right now they need 

our helping hand

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

When you're down and out, 

there seems no hope at all

But if you just believe 

there's no way we can fall

Let us realize that a change 

can only come

When we stand together as one

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 (x4)

We All Need Somebody 

that we can lean on

When you wake up 

look around and see that 

your dreams gone

When the earthquakes 

would help you make it through the storm

When the floor breaks 

a magic carpet to stand on

We are the world united 

by love so strong

When the radio isn't on 

you can hear this song

I got a light on the dark road 

you're walking on

A sign posted to find 

the dreams you thought was gone

Someone to help you move 

the obstacles you stumbbled on

Someone to help you rebuild 

after the rumbles gone

We are the world connected 

by a common bond , LOVE

The whole planet singing along

We are the world, 

we are the children

We are the ones 

who make a brighter day

So let's start giving

Theres a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

its true we'll make a better day

Just you and me

Everyday citizens, 

everybody pitching in

You say more love, 

you say no more

You sensing more, 

you sensing more love

You and I, you and I 

Twelve days no water 

where's your will to live?

we'll amplify the love

and watch it multiply

feeling like the world's end

we can make the world win

like Katrina, Africa, Indonesia,

and now Haiti needs us

they need us, they need us

We are the world, 

we are the children

We are the ones 

who make a brighter day

So let's start giving

Theres a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

its true we'll make a better day

Just you and me

Haiti, Haiti, Haiti...

Source: lyricsmania.com