We Are The World

A song that helped millions and ignited the spirit of a nation and the world...



A few days before Christmas in 1984, Harry Belafonte saw a news report on the Ethiopian famine victims. This news report included an interview with an Australian doctor, who volunteered in Ethiopia. When asked "How can you handle working in these conditions, when the problem seems so massive, almost irreversible? How can you get up every day to face such an awesome task?" The doctor replied, "I take them one at a time."

Harry Belafonte knew that much had to be done and he felt that artists had to do their part to support Africa. He contacted Ken Kragen, who managed entertainment superstars. Together they decided to record a song with all royalties going to Africa.

So, Kragen contacted Lionel Richie, and Lionel Richie contacted Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. Michael Jackson called Quincy Jones, who would produce the song. Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote it.

On January 28, 1985, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and 43 other artists (Dan Aykroyd, Harry Belafonte, Lindesy Buckingham, Kim Carnes, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Sheila E., Bob Geldof, Hall & Oats, James Ingram, Jackie Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Randy Jackson, Tito Jackson, Al Jarreau, Waylon Jennings, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Huey Lewis & The News, Kenny Loggins, Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, Jeffrey Osbourne, Steve Perry, The Pointer Sisters, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder) recorded the song “We Are The World". The song was mastered by Stephen Marcussen at A&M Recording Studios (Los Angeles) in 10 hours.

At the same time, public interest attorney Marty Rogol was designing an organization to distribute the proceeds of the project to stricken Africa. In a remarkable 20 short days, United Support of Artists for Africa (USA for Africa) was born.

"We Are The World" was released on March 8, 1985. It is the industry's first ever Multi-Platinum single and is the quickest selling record in music industry history. "We Are The World" became the biggest selling single of all time (until 1997, when a song by Elton John became the biggest selling single) and won 4 Grammy Awards.

"We Are The World" raised over 200 million US dollars for USA for Africa: 90% of all royalties went directly to Africa and 10% to the hungry and the homeless in America.


To order the "We Are The World", DVD click here.
To read the lyrics of "We Are The World", click here.