We Are the World 1985 Versus We Are the World 25

Unless you have been living under a rock lately, you have heard of the new remake in the works for 1985's We are the World. Last night We are the World 25 was released prior to the opening of the Winter Olympics.

I remember the 1985 version of We are the World very clearly. It was released a few months before my eighth birthday and at the time the only musicians I recognized were Michael Jackson and Cyndi Lauper. What human being who could recognize faces and was over the age of four in 1985 did not recognize Michael Jackson? Before writing this article, I decided to watch the 1985 version on YouTube and was surprised at how small of a part Michael played in singing the song compared to what I remembered as a seven and one-half year old.

The 1985 version was done in an effort to raise money for Africa. We are the World was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. Many musicians from differing genres came together to record We are the World and approximately $10.8 million dollars were made from record sales. USA for Africa, the group behind We are the World eventually brought in $45-47 million dollars in merchandise sales around the world. A complete list of those involved in We are the World 1985 is the following: Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson, Al Jarreau, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggains, Steven Perry, Darryl Hall, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles. Others who contributed are Dan Akyroyd, Harry Belafonte, Lindsey Buckingham, Mario Cipollina, Johnny Colla, Shelia E, Bob Geldof, Bill Gibson, Chris Hayes, Sean Hopper, Janet Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Randy Jackson, Tito Jackson, Waylon Jennings, Bette Midler, John Oats, Jeffrey Osborne, Anita Porter, Ruth Pointer, and Smokey Robinson.

One month and one day ago as of this writing, Haiti was hit with a massive earthquake at 7.0 on the Richter scale. The plans for a twenty fifth anniversary recording for We are the World 25 were already underway at the time the earthquake hit. According to Wikipedia, as many as 200,000 people could have lost their lives in the disaster. Many more lost their homes and their belongings. The decision was made to send profits made from the new version of We are the World to Haiti in an effort to aid in disaster relief. Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie were conductors of the event. A complete list of those involved in We are the World 25 is the following: Justin Bieber, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Nettles, Josh Groban, Tony Bennett, Mary J. Blige, stock footage of Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Barbara Streisand, Miley Cyrus, Enrique Iglesias, Jamie Foxx, Wyclef Jean, Adam Levine, Pink, BeBe Williams, Usher, Celine Dion, Orianthi (on guitar), Fergie, Nick Jonas, Toni Braxton, Mary Mary, Isaac Slade, Lil Wayne, Carlos Santana (solo with a guitar), Akon, T-Pain, LL Cool J, Will.i.am, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Swizz Beatz, Iyaz, and Kanye West. Other who contributed to the chorus of We are the World 25 are: Patti Austin, Bizzy Bone, Ethan Bortnick, Jeff Bridges, Zac Brown, Brandy, Kristian Bush, Natalie Cole, Harry Connick Jr,Hayden Panettiere, Kid Cudi, Faith Evans, Melanie Fiona, Sean Garrett, Tyrese Gibson, Anthony Hamilton, Keri Hilson, Julianne Hough, India.Arie, Randy Jackson, Taj Jackson, Taryll Jackson, TJ Jackson, Al Jardine, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Joe Jonas, Kevin Jonas, Gladys Knight, Benji Madden, Joel Madden, Katharine McPhee, Jason Mraz, Mýa, Freda Payne, A. R. Rahman, Raphael Saadiq, Trey Songz, Musiq Soulchild, Jordin Sparks, Robin Thicke, Alex Williams, Rob Thomas, Vince Vaughn, Ann Wilson, Brian Wilson, and Nancy Wilson.

I am curious as to what you thought of the new version of We are the World. Please leave all comments in the comment section. I loved seeing rap music incorporated as it was an unknown genre in 1985. It was also neat to see many of the generation younger than I am involved in the song. Sadly, I believe I recognize more people in the 1985 version now than I did in the 2010 version. The highlight for me as a Michael Jackson fan was the split screen between him and his sister Janet. The inclusion of Michael was a little sad, however, because We are the World was a song inspired by his creative genius and his dress being obviously from the 1985 era made it more real that he was no longer available to sing his part. All in all, I like the 1985 version better because he was truly there and because it reminds me of being a seven and a half year old child, filled with compassion for people in need, and of innocence. It is difficult for a remake to outshine the original and in my opinion We are the World 25 fell into that category. I will, however, purchase it to lend a small amount to relief in Haiti because that is what the song is about.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Are_the_World