a song and charity single originally recorded by the 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. With sales in excess of 20 million copies, it is one of the fewer than 30 all-time
singles to have sold at least
10 million copies worldwide.
Following Band Aid's "Do
They Know It's Christmas?" project in the UK, an idea for the creation of an
American benefit single for African famine relief came from activist
Harry Belafonte, who, along with fundraiser
Ken Kragen, was instrumental in bringing the vision to reality. Several musicians were contacted by the pair, before
Jackson and Richie were assigned the task of writing the song. The duo completed the writing of "We Are the World" seven weeks after the release of "
Do They Know Its Christmas", and one night before the song's first recording session, on
January 21, 1985. (The last recording session for the song was held on
January 28, 1985.) The historic event brought together some of the most famous artists in the music industry at the time.
The song was released on March 7, 1985, as the only single from the album. A worldwide commercial success, it topped music charts throughout the world and became the fastest-selling
American pop single in history. The first ever single to be certified multi-platinum, "We Are the World" received a
Quadruple Platinum certification by the
Recording Industry Association of America. However, the song garnered mixed reviews from journalists, music critics, and the public.
Fans enjoyed hearing racially and musically diverse recording artists singing together on one track, and felt satisfied in buying "We Are the World", knowing that the money was going to charity. Other individuals, including many commentators in the rock press, were disappointed that the song did not challenge listeners as to why famines occur in the first place, and felt that the lyrics were self-aggrandizing.
Awarded numerous honors—including three
Grammy Awards, one
American Music Award, and a
People's Choice Award—the song was promoted with a critically received music video, a home video, a special edition magazine, a simulcast, and several books, posters, and shirts. The promotion and merchandise aided the success of "We Are the World" and raised over $63 million for humanitarian aid in
Africa and the US.
The Muppet
Performers:
Pam Arciero,
Bill Barretta,
Camille Bonora,
Fran Brill,
Lisa Buckley,
Julianne Buescher,
Kevin Clash,
Dave Goelz,
Louise Gold,
Richard Hunt,
James Kroupa,
Peter Linz,
Rick Lyon,
Noel MacNeal,
Jim Martin,
Joseph Mazzarino,
Alison Mork,
Kathy Mullen,
Jerry Nelson,
Carmen Osbhar,
Martin P. Robinson,
David Rudman,
Steve Whitmire,
Frank Oz and
Jim Henson
The Muppets made a new music video at
Walt Disney World to celebrate
New Year's Eve with other
Disney characters.
Happy New Year 2015!
- published: 31 Dec 2014
- views: 1130