A female singer in red dress in the 1992 version of the video "We are the world"

In the mid-1980s, the United Kingdom launched Band Aid to raise funds and perform for Ethiopia, Africa, triggering the music action USA For Africa. As early as the 1970s, pop rock musicians had that innocent heart. On August 1, 1971, The Concert For Bangla Desh, held at Madison Airport in New York, USA, paid attention to the third world very early. Children's lives of hunger and fear.

In 1985, Belafonte, the satirical singer, movie star and humanitarian, was deeply moved after watching Wan Asynchronous’s television documentary about an Australian doctor working to care for starving children in Ethiopia. , so he decided to do something

Belafonte first contacted Ken Cragen, a socially responsible show business manager. According to Cragen's idea, a record could be made of pop singer *** also performing for a benefit in Ethiopia, with the slogan "Do they know Christmas is coming?" Cragen's singers Lionel Richie and Kinley Rogers were the first to sign up. Participated, followed by Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder.

Belafonte and Cragen called their passionate project "USA for Africa", with artists joining forces to aid and specifying that Michael and Richie *** would co-write the songs . Quincy Jones signed on as coordinator and bandleader. Meanwhile, Cragen mobilized other top names in the music industry. More than a hundred artists signed up, and only more than 40 were selected, including: Bruce Spencer, Billy Joel, Tina Dellon, Diana Ross, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon , Ray Charles, Cyndi Laube, Dionne Warwick and Bette Midler, etc.

In Michael’s small room filled with mannequins, dolls, clothing, toys and medical gadgets, Michael and Rich wrote a song in a week (some say 3 hours) "We are The World". Much of this period was spent persuading Michael to drop his favorite boring tune, "Sala shala hey" (Jones later succeeded in getting Michael to give up this tune during the recording stage).

On January 28, 1985, stars filed into the recording studio, many of them coming directly from the American Music Awards evening held that night. There is a sign on the door of the recording studio: "Please check your identity at the door."

This is completely unnecessary, the stars who come are also star fans. If the stars were shining brightly, Michael was dazzling by the sun. Diana Ross, who was in the crowd collecting autographs, said other singers were in awe of Michael. Belafonte said: "Most singers have just met at the American Music Awards, but at that time they were competing with each other, admiring themselves, and being narcissistic. At this time, their souls were purified."

The recording was done at 11 p.m. start. Since there were only a few stars singing solos, Jones decided to record the chorus first. "I know that no one will leave before the solo," he said, "but it will be different after the solo and the chorus."

The camera also captured the entire singing process in preparation for the planned release of the "We Are the World" video tape . During the concert, everyone acted in unison, with the exception of Michael. He insisted on appearing alone as a star and requested special filming for modeling and performance. (Prince, who was even more invited than Michael, did not show up at all.)

"We Are the World" was released in March 1985, and was hailed as the golden age of music that year. In the next eight months alone, the song raised $40 million. But at this time, different opinions emerged. Several performers questioned why, when they voluntarily and selflessly donated their artistic wealth, less than 1/3 of the funds raised were actually used to relieve the hungry people of Ethiopia.

If Michael thinks the money is being slow to get to the people who need it, he doesn't let on. In any case, "We Are the World" will always be listed among the best-selling singles and has won numerous awards, which still shines brightly today.

"We Are The World" The Singers

Al Jarreau

Bette Midler

Billy Joel

Bob Dylan

Bob Geldof

Bruce Springsteen

Cyndi Lauper

Dan Aykroyd

Diana Ross

Dionne Warwick

Hall and Oates

Harry Belafonte

Huey Lewis and the News

Jackie Jackson

< p>James Ingram

Jeffery Osborne

Kenny Logins

Kenny Rogers

Kim Carnes

LaToya Jackson < /p>

Lindsey Buckingham

Lionel Richie

Marlon Jackson

Michael Jackson

Paul Simon

Quincy Jones

Randy Jackson

Ray Charles

Sheila E.

Smokey Robinson

Steve Perry < /p>

Stevie Wonder

The Pointer Sisters

Tina Turner

Tito Jackson

Waylon Jennings

< p>Willie Nelson

Send the lyrics:

"We Are The World"

There comes a time when we heed a certain call (Lionel Richie) < /p>

When the world must come together as one (Lionel Richie & Stevie Wonder)

There are people dying (Stevie Wonder)

Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life (Paul Simon)

The greatest gift of all (Paul Simon/Kenny Rogers)

We can't go on pretending day by day (Kenny Rogers)

p>

That someone, somehow will soon make a change (James Ingram)

We're all a part of God's great big family (Tina Turner)

And the truth (Billy Joel)

You know love is all we need (Tina Turner/Billy Joel)

( CHORUS )

We are the world

, we are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day so let's start giving (Michael Jackson)

There's a choice we're making we're saving our own lives (Diana Ross)

It's true we'll make a better day just you and me (Michael Jackson/Diana Ross)

Well, send'em you your heart so they know that someone cares (Dionne Warwick)

And their lives will be stronger and free (Dionne Warwick/Willie Nelson)

As God has shown us by turning stone to bread (Willie Nelson) < /p>

And so we all must lend a helping hand (Al Jurreau)

( REPEAT CHORUS )

We are the world, we are the children (Bruce Springsteen)

We are the ones who make a brighter day so let's start giving (Kenny Logins)

There's a choice we're making we're saving our own lives (Steve Perry) < /p>

It's true we'll make a better day just you and me (Daryl Hall)

When you're down and out there seems no hope at all (Michael Jackson)

But if you just believe there's no way we can fall (Huey Lewis)

Well, well, well, let's realize that a change can only come (Cyndi Lauper)

When we (Kim Carnes)

stand together as one (Kim Carnes/Cyndi Lauper/Huey Lewis)

(REPEAT CHORUS AND FADE )

(additional ad-lib vox by Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, James Ingram)