Transcript Diapositive 1

We are the world,
we are the people
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“We Are the World” is a song and charity single originally recorded by the a number renown artists for
USA for Africa (United Support of Artists for Africa) in 1985 – in support of relief for the famine and
disease in Africa, specifically the 1983-1985 famine in Ethiopia. It was written by Michael Jackson and
Lionel Richie, and produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian for an album by the same name.
Several musicians were contacted by the pair, before Jackson and Richie were assigned the task of writing
the song. The historic event brought together some of the most famous artists in the music industry at the
time (approximately 44 US artists). 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.
“We Are the World” is sung from a first person viewpoint, allowing the audience to “internalize” the
message by singing the word we together. It has been described as “an appeal to human compassion”. The
first lines in the song’s repetitive chorus proclaim, “We are the world, we are the children, we are the ones
who make a brighter day, so let’s start giving”. “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
David 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. (Adapted from WikipediA)
[Revision & updates provided by:
Roberto Bruno-Mouer Ferguson
[email protected]
Prescott Valley, AZ  November 2014]
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