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.
Soloists (in order of appearance):
"We Are the World" opens with Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner and Billy Joel singing the first verse.Michael Jackson and Diana Ross follow, completing the first chorus together.Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson and Al Jarreau sing the second verse, before Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry and Daryl Hall go through the second chorus. Co-writer Jackson, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper and Kim Carnes follow with the song's bridge. This structuring of the song is said to "create a sense of continuous surprise and emotional buildup". "We Are the World" concludes with Bob Dylan and Ray Charles singing a full chorus, Wonder and Springsteen duetting, and ad libs from Charles and Ingram.
* 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 Loggins
* Steve Perry (Journey)
* Daryl Hall (Hall & Oates)
* Huey Lewis
* Cyndi Lauper
* Kim Carnes
* Bob Dylan
* Ray Charles
Chorus:
Artists who participated in singing the chorus but did not have solos were:
* Dan Aykroyd
* Harry Belafonte
* Lindsey Buckingham
* Mario Cipollina
* Johnny Colla
* Sheila E.
* Bob Geldof
* Bill Gibson
* Chris Hayes
* Sean Hopper
* Jackie Jackson
* La Toya Jackson
* Marlon Jackson
* Randy Jackson
* Tito Jackson
* Waylon Jennings
* Bette Midler
* John Oates
* Jeffrey Osborne
* Anita Pointer
* Ruth Pointer
* Smokey Robinson
We Are the World
U.S.A. for Africa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
We can't go on
That someone, somewhere 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
Oh, send them your heart
So they know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stones 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
Oh, 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, well let us realize
Oh, that a change can only come
When we stand together as one, yeah, yeah, yeah
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
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 mee
We are the world (are the world)
We are the children (are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day, so let's start giving (so let's start giving)
There is a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me
Oh, let me hear you!
We are the world (we are the world)
We are the children (said we are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day so let start giving (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, come on now, let me hear you
We are the world (we are the world)
We are the children (we are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day so let's start giving (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, yeah
We are the world (we are the world)
We are the children (we are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day so let's start giving (so let's start giving)
There's a choice we're making
And we're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me
We are the world (are the world)
We are the children (are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day so let's start giving (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
We are the world, we are the world (are the world)
We are the children, yes sir (are the children)
We are the ones that make a brighter day so let's start giving (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, ooh-hoo!
We are the world (dear God) (are the world)
We are the children (are the children)
We are the ones that make a brighter day so let's start giving (all right, can you hear what I'm saying?)
There's a choice we're making, we're saving our own lives
The song "We Are the World" by USA for Africa is a rallying cry for unity and compassion to address the humanitarian crisis in Africa. The lyrics emphasize the power of collective action and love to make a difference in the world. The first verse sets the stage for the message of the song, calling for the world to come together and recognize the urgency of the situation in Africa. The second verse highlights the importance of acknowledging the interconnectedness of all people as a part of God's family, and the need for love as the key to solving the crisis.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the power of unity and collective action to make a difference. The repeated line "we are the world" emphasizes that we all share in the responsibility to create a brighter future. The bridge emphasizes the importance of hope and belief in creating a better world, and the need for all to stand together as one.
Line by Line Meaning
There comes a time
There are critical moments when we must act.
When we heed a certain call
When we listen to the call for help and action.
When the world must come together as one
We need to unite as a world to solve shared problems.
There are people dying
There is a real human cost to inaction and division.
Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life
It's time to help and support struggling communities.
The greatest gift of all
The greatest gift we can give is to support and care for others.
We can't go on
We cannot continue to ignore the issues affecting us.
Pretending day-by-day
Faking that everything is okay and ignoring the problems we face.
That someone, somewhere soon make a change
Hoping that someone else will fix the problems we face is not the solution.
We're all a part of God's great big family
We should recognize that we are all connected and a part of one human family.
And the truth, you know, love is all we need
Love can unite us and guide us towards positive change.
We are the world
We, the people of the world, have the power to shape our collective future.
We are the children
We are the inheritors of the world and must take responsibility for it.
We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving
We have the ability to create change and should begin by giving what we can.
There's a choice we're making
We have the power to make the right choice and create a better future.
We're saving our own lives
By helping others, we are also helping ourselves and our shared world.
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me
Together, we can create positive change and improve our world.
Oh, send them your heart
Show compassion and care for others in need.
So they know that someone cares
Providing support and care lets others know they are not alone.
And their lives will be stronger and free
Supporting those in need can bring them strength and freedom.
As God has shown us by turning stones to bread
There is an example in history of taking resources and using them to support and care for others.
And so we all must lend a helping hand
We have a responsibility to help others in need.
When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all
In difficult times, it can feel like there is no positive change available.
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall
With hope and faith, we can always pull through difficult times.
Well, well, well, well let us realize
We must recognize the reality of our situation.
Oh, that a change can only come
Positive change will only happen if we work for it.
When we stand together as one, yeah, yeah, yeah
We need to unite to create positive change.
When we stand together as one, yeah, yeah, yeah
We need to unite to create positive change.
Oh, let me hear you!
We need to work together and support each other.
And we're saving our own lives
By supporting others, we are also helping ourselves and building a better world.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL JACKSON, LIONEL RICHIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@imagineFabian
* Lionel Richie 0:25
* Stevie Wonder 0:32
* Paul Simon 0:42
* Kenny Rogers 0:54
* James Ingram 0:59
* Tina Turner 1:05
* Billy Joel 1:12
* Michael Jackson 1:18
* Diana Ross 1:32
* Dionne Warwick 1:48
* Willie Nelson 2:02
* Al Jarreau 2:08
* Bruce Springsteen 2:14
* Kenny Loggins 2:21
* Steve Perry 2:27
* Daryl Hall 2:35
* Michael Jackson 2:41
* Huey Lewis 2:48
* Cyndi Lauper 2:53
* Kim Carnes 3:01
* Bob Dylan 3:48
* Ray Charles 4:41
* Stevie Wonder & Bruce Springsteen 4:53
* Bruce Springsteen 5:31
* James Ingram 6:13
* Ray Charles 6:27
@user-oh3ux8de1k
After watching the Netflix doc ,I have so much Respect for Lionel Richie.
This man had to host the American Music awards.
Performed 3 times at the awards .
Won 4 awards
Then race to the studio, help Michael and Quincy arrange.
Then help all the other singers with their problems.
Then keep Al Jarreau from getting drunk.
He made sure people had food .
Stayed til it was completely finished which was damn near 7:00 am .
Lionel was running on Empty.
@andrewguzman2964
(EDIT ONE YEAR LATER: TY GUYS SO MUCH FOR 10K (ITS UNBELIEVEABLE). LONG LIVE MICHAEL!
0:25 Lionel Richie
0:37 Stevie Wonder
0:41 Paul Simon
0:51 Kenny Rogers
0:58 James Ingram
1:05 Tina Turner
1:10 Billy Joel
1:17 Michael Jackson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1:30 Diana Ross
1:47 Dionne Warwick
2:00 Willie Nelson
2:07 Al Jarreau
2:13 Bruce Springsteen
2:19 Kenny Loggins
2:26 Steve Perry
2:33 Daryl Hall
2:40 Michael Jackson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2:47 Huey Lewis
2:52 Cyndi Lauper
3:00 Kim Carnes
3:05 Cyndi Lauper
3:06 Everyone
3:46 Bob Dylan
4:21 (Bob Dylan)
4:27 4:37 (Ray Charles)
4:40 Ray Charles
4:52 5:20 Stevie Wonder
Bruce Springsteen
5:05 Stevie Wonder
5:30 Bruce Springsteen
6:12 James Ingram
(Ray Charles)
6:26 Ray Charles
6:53 (Ray Charles)
@ShiroTube1206
0:26 There comes a time when we heed a certain call (Lionel Richie)
0:32 When the world must come together as one (Lionel Richie & Stevie Wonder)
There are people dying (Stevie Wonder)
0:41 And its time to lend a hand to life (Paul Simon)
The greatest gift of all (Paul Simon & Kenny Rogers)
0:48 We can't go on pretending day by day (Kenny Rogers)
0:59 That someone, somewhere will soon make a change (James Ingram)
1:06 We are all a part of Gods great big family (Tina Turner)
1:12 And the truth, you know, (Billy Joel)
Love is all we need (Billy Joel & Tina Turner)
1:18 We are the world. We are the children.
We are the ones who make a brighter day So let's start giving (Michael Jackson)
1:31 There's a choice we're making We're saving our own lives (Diana Ross)
It's true we'll make a better day just you and me (Diana Ross & Michael Jackson)
1:48 Send them your heart so they'll know that someone cares (Dionne Warwick)
1:55 And their lives will be stronger and free (Dionne Warwick & Willie Nelson)
As God has shown us by turning stones to bread (Willie Nelson)
2:08 So we all must lend a helping hand (Al Jarreau)
2:14 We are the world, We are the children (Bruce Springsteen)
2:21 We are the ones who make a brighter day So lets start giving (Kenny Loggins)
2:27 There's a choice we're making We're saving our own lives (Steve Perry)
2:35 It's true we'll make a better day just you and me (Daryl Hall)
2:41 When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all (Michael Jackson)
2:48 But if you just believe, there's no way we can fall (Huey Lewis)
2:52 Let us realize that a change can only come (Cyndi Lauper)
3:01 When we stand together as one (Kim Carnes & Huey Lewis)
3:08 We are the world, We are the children We are the ones who make a brighter day So lets 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 (All)
3:47 It's true we'll make a brighter day just you and me (Bob Dylan)
4:27 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 brighter day just you and me (Ray Charles)
4:53 We are the world, we are the children We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving ( Stevie Wonder & Bruce Springsteen )
5:06 There's a choice we're making We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a brighter day just you and me (Stevie Wonder)
@luckyme98
There comes a time when we heed a certain call (Lionel Richie)
When the world must come together as one (Lionel Richie & Stevie Wonder)
There are people dying (Stevie Wonder)
Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life (Paul Simon)
The greatest gift of all (Paul Simon/Kenny Rogers)
We can't go on pretending day by day (Kenny Rogers)
That someone, somehow will soon make a change (James Ingram)
We're all a part of God's great big family (Tina Turner)
And the truth (Billy Joel)
You know love is all we need (Tina Turner/Billy Joel)
( CHORUS )
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day so let's start giving (Michael Jackson)
There's a choice we're making we're saving our own lives (Diana Ross)
It's true we'll make a better day just you and me (Michael Jackson/Diana Ross)
Well, send'em you your heart so they know that someone cares (Dionne Warwick)
And their lives will be stronger and free (Dionne Warwick/Willie Nelson)
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread (Willie Nelson)
And so we all must lend a helping hand (Al Jurreau)
( REPEAT CHORUS )
We are the world, we are the children (Bruce Springsteen)
We are the ones who make a brighter day so let's start giving (Kenny Logins)
There's a choice we're making we're saving our own lives (Steve Perry)
It's true we'll make a better day just you and me (Daryl Hall)
When you're down and out there seems no hope at all (Michael Jackson)
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall (Huey Lewis)
Well, well, well, let's realize that a change can only come (Cyndi Lauper)
When we (Kim Carnes)
stand together as one (Kim Carnes/Cyndi Lauper/Huey Lewis)
(REPEAT CHORUS AND FADE )
(additional ad-lib vox by Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, James Ingram)
Sent by Chris Sammond
@jeffreylardizabal3964
and a great chorus of songs: Little did most people know across this world; but -
On April 11, Saturday, in the year of our Lord, 2020,
A very quiet revolution occurred.
We here at #LYLSAN appreciate all those who took
the task before them, and drove it home as if their
their own lives depended on it.
It was a very simple task:
LET YOUR LIGHTS
SHINE ALL NIGHT
#LYLSAN
They did.
Some.
But.
Not everyone knew about this, as we only had one billboard. We only had one city-wide radio spot. Neither the billboard nor the radio spot ran for more than a week. Everything else was sent out on Facebook and Twitter, as far as I know; at least, that’s how I was operating. I didn’t even ask the 199 initial people who signed up for this event - how they were spreading the word.
While we were doing this for 9 days (I started to reach out to people on April 2, 2020), some others came along.
Some of the groups they belonged to on Facebook ranged in size, anywhere from a few people, to some groups with sizes in the hundreds of thousands.
Remember, the task was simple:
Here’s the link to the billboard push I put out a few days before the event kicked off:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oZ5s3Ak_yU
When the event kicked off last Saturday night, April 11, and went from 7pm EST, to 7am EST, we prayed all night for those on the front lines of this war with this virus, and played this Easter Vigil Music Roll, which is continuing
to grow with songs of praise and inspiration, and clips which acted as prompts for deep thoughts, such as this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch…
LET YOUR LIGHTS, SHINE ALL NIGHT
I have no idea how many people turned their lights on in America on April 11,
Saturday night.
But if you are on FACEBOOK and did so, and were one of those who might have taken a picture of it, I’d love to collect them for a collage, in order to make a digital APPRECIATION for those still working, and post it at some later date, in order that those who are still working would know, we really do APPRECIATE them!
And I’d like to do a lot more, as well, to help bring this “ONE NATION, UNDER GOD,” together.
Together we can.
Apart?
No.
Please post a picture (authentically taken that evening, not an archived from some other event), and tell us at #LYLSAN how you came to know of the event.
It would be of great interest to us at #LYLSAN to know, just how many people heard of it, as well, but may have not taken a picture of it. So post that as well, and use the hashtag #LYLSAN in the posting in order to bring it to our attention.
From tremendous feedback I received that night, this is probably not going to be our only rodeo.
I don’t know. But I’m not worried about it.
God’s got this!
And that was the bottom line up front message of the entire evening.
And we hope America started to get the message…
Looking forward to those postings. I’m working at home now, keeping my golfing skills in development (without breaking Quarantine of course:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4a0ywp5tHg ), as one day, I’d really love to be teaching golf full-time in retirement.
I’m already retired from 20 years of service in the Army, but life goes on, and God gave us life that we might have life, “more abundantly.” John 10:10 King James Version (KJV):
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
These times are extraordinary, however you want to slice the bread; and such times require extraordinary - ordinary.
A simple task multiplied times 332 million Americans, would truly be:
EXTRAORDINARY! Wouldn’t it?
Peace and God’s Blessings on America.
May we, together, as “ONE NATION, UNDER GOD,”
“...humble ourselves and pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, that God would hear us from Heaven, and forgive our sins and heal this land.” - from 2 Chronicles 7:14
Thank you if you got the word, acted on it, and - especially if you videotaped it, like I did here, we would really love to see those posted: https://www.youtube.com/watch…
Ok, back to the front yard, and golf...
Keep the faith. Things are going to get better.
@Mikeyrocksslots
We lost a lot of talented singers since that historic day and will be missed forever...
-Michael Jackson
-Harry Belafonte
-Tina Turner
-Ray Charles
-James Ingram
-Al Jarreau
-Waylon Jennings
-Anita Pointer
-June Pointer
-Kenny Rogers
Thank you for bringing the wold together.
@awh4272
Who is here after the Netflix documentary!?! What a great show!
Edit: For those asking, the documentary was 'The Greatest Night in Pop' and it's available on Netflix!
@lisafields3403
I came straight here after watching the documentary what a time
@xiaozhongjin4036
So did I. Michael ... oh.. He was the greatest.
@rainemitchell398
Just finished watching it. Brilliant!
@bethdavis7413
I started watching it this morning before work. I remember the chills this song brought to me when I first heard it. So here I am just jamming to this song otw to work on repeat! Great way to start a morning
@shawnwoods7621
Me!!! I grew up during that time...missed those days...the 80s were it!
@imagineFabian
* Lionel Richie 0:25
* Stevie Wonder 0:32
* Paul Simon 0:42
* Kenny Rogers 0:54
* James Ingram 0:59
* Tina Turner 1:05
* Billy Joel 1:12
* Michael Jackson 1:18
* Diana Ross 1:32
* Dionne Warwick 1:48
* Willie Nelson 2:02
* Al Jarreau 2:08
* Bruce Springsteen 2:14
* Kenny Loggins 2:21
* Steve Perry 2:27
* Daryl Hall 2:35
* Michael Jackson 2:41
* Huey Lewis 2:48
* Cyndi Lauper 2:53
* Kim Carnes 3:01
* Bob Dylan 3:48
* Ray Charles 4:41
* Stevie Wonder & Bruce Springsteen 4:53
* Bruce Springsteen 5:31
* James Ingram 6:13
* Ray Charles 6:27
@elizabethbaumgardt2577
Thank you for this!
@hellobye7697
Thank u so much
@JoeLink56
Legend!!