“We Are The World” is a charity song that Michael wrote with Lionel Richie, after singer Harry Belafonte suggested the idea. Over 40 singers took part in the recording, that took place after the 1985 American Music Awards. Collectively they became known as USA For Africa. It went to number one in almost every country around the world, became the fastest-selling single in USA history and went on to become one of the top ten best selling singles of all time. It went on to raise $63 million for humanitarian aid in Africa.
The song was only completed the night before recording was due to start. Michael had previously recorded a vocal guide for the singers that would be involved. He sang the lyrics that were subject to change and the tape was distributed in advance to the artists.
On the night of the recording Michael arrived first to record his solo section and vocal chorus by himself. Famously as the other artists started to arrive they saw a sign on studio door that read “Please check your egos at the door.” Recording started at 10:30pm and ended 8am the next morning.
The video showed the recording of the song. It even won the Best Music Video, Short Form Grammy Award. A VHS called “We Are the World: The Video Event” was released documenting the making of the song. It became one of the best selling videos of 1985. In January 2024, Netflix released the documentary “The Greatest Night In Pop,” a new take chronicling the creation of the charity song, and bringing lots of new footage to the public for the first time in 39 years.
There comes a time when we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it’s time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
We can’t go on pretending day by day
That someone somewhere will soon make a change
We’re all a part of God’s great big family
And the truth, you know
Love is all we need
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So, let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me
Send them your heart so they’ll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread
And so we all must lend a helping hand
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So, let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me
When you’re down and out
There seems no hope at all
But if you just believe
There’s no way we can fall
Well, well, well
Let’s realize that a change can only come
When we stand together as one
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So, let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me
[Repeat with ad-libs until the end]
There comes a time when we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it’s time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
We can’t go on pretending day by day
That someone somewhere will soon make a change
We’re all a part of God’s great big family
And the truth, you know
Love is all we need
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So, let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me
Send them your heart so they’ll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread
And so we all must lend a helping hand
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So, let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me
When you’re down and out
There seems no hope at all
But if you just believe
There’s no way we can fall
Well, well, well
Let’s realize that a change can only come
When we stand together as one
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So, let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me
[Repeat with ad-libs until the end]
