Musicman-ia

Monday, March 01, 2010

The MJ Show #40 (We Are The World)

I truly believe that music has the power to heal...and songs through the ages have proved that statement time and time over again.
In my opinion, two of the greatest "help out" songs ever made were "Do They Know It's Christmas" and "We Are The World"!
I'll tell you all about "Do They Know It's Christmas" sometime soon...but today, it's time for us to have a look at "We Are The World"

"We Are the World" is 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 co-produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian for the album We Are the World. 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. Following several months of working together, the duo completed the writing of "We Are the World" one night before the song's first recording session, in early 1985. The last recording session for the song was held on February 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 4× 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", which was eventually named the biggest-selling single of all time. As of 2009, it has sold more than 20 million units and raised over $63 million for humanitarian aid in Africa and the US.

USA For Africa - We Are The World #TheMJshow

Bonus Content - Making of "We Are The World"
Michael Jackson's parts #TheMJshow

Making of We Are The World (the bridge) #TheMJshow

Making of We Are The World (Chorus) #TheMJshow

Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen #TheMJshow

Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross #TheMJshow

Here's a version of the song that was done many years later, in 1999 to be precise by Luciano Pavarotti and a few of his big friends! :)

Pavarotti And Friends - We Are The World #TheMJshow

Another great song that Michael wrote to help out the world was "Heal The World"
Have a look here at both these great songs sung by his friends and the people he worked with at his memorial.
Michael Jackson Memorial Performace - We Are The World/Heal The World

And here he is...the man himself, performing the same two songs in a way that America could never have imagined!
Michael Jackson Superbowl Performance - We Are The World/Heal The World

"We Are the World 25 for Haiti" is a 2010 song and charity single recorded by the supergroup Artists for Haiti. It is a remake of the 1985 hit song "We Are the World", which was written by American musicians Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and was recorded by USA for Africa to benefit famine relief in Africa. Initially, in late 2009, it had been suggested to Richie and Quincy Jones—producer of the original "We Are the World"—that a re-cut version of the song be re-released under the title "Live 25". Following the magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake in Haiti, which devastated the area and killed hundreds of thousands of people, it was agreed that the song would be re-recorded by new artists, in the hope that it would reach a new generation and help benefit the people of Haiti.

The song was recorded in fourteen hours by over eighty artists on February 1, and was released on February 12, 2010, during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics. "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" was released as a CD single and a music download. It was produced by Filipe Ho and RedOne, and executively produced by Richie, Jones and Haitian-American musician Wyclef Jean. A music video directed by Paul Haggis was released to accompany and promote the song.

"We Are the World 25 for Haiti" is musically structured similar to "We Are the World", but includes Auto-Tune and a rap verse, which was written by some of the song's hip hop artists. Michael Jackson died months before the song's release, but his material from the 1985 recording sessions was incorporated into the song and music video, as per the request of his mother, Katherine. His younger sister Janet duets with him on the song, and his nephews Taj, TJ and Taryll—collectively known as 3T—feature on the track's chorus. "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" received generally negative reviews by contemporary music critics, with criticism focused on the song's new musical additions, as well as the choice of artists who appear on the track. The song was commercially successful worldwide, charting within the top 20 in multiple countries.

Here it is then...the remake of one of the greatest songs ever...and my God!!! What a remake this is!
I had goosebumps when I heard it the first time and you know what, one of the most mind blowing things about this song is the rap section at the end of the song. I never thought I'd say that...but it's true. Check it out! This WILL blow your mind!

We Are The World 25 for Haiti!

Press Conference for We Are The World 25

Please visit http://wearetheworldfoundation.org/ to find out more about what the song is doing right now and how you can help if you would like to.