We Are The World Broadcast at the Olympic Opening

A wide range of singers—from Barbra Streisand to Lil Wayne—recorded their voices for We Are The World. This year, there was supposed to be a new recording to mark the song’s 25th anniversary, but the Haiti earthquake pushed the event forward. The song was recorded in 1985 to help provide aid to people suffering from famine in Africa. Later, Michael described his feelings about the song like this: “This is a love song for a family that’s far from us.” On February 12, during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games, the 3D video made from footage of the recording sessions for this performance—produced by Paul Haggis—will be shown on NBC. Part of the song’s lyrics has been changed to sing along with the human tragedy in Haiti, and rap has also been added. The proceeds from the song will be donated to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Michael was the main writer of this song in 1985. Lionel Richie collaborated with him, and Quincy Jones was the producer. That year, artists were warned at the entrance doors of the recording studio that this song was about them and their fame—not to leave their selfishness at the door and then come in. That year, some artists—including Prince—stepped away from the plan, and some who took part left the group because of those selfishnesses and/or differences in taste. In the end, 45 artists remained for the final recording. We Are The World was recorded for famine victims in Africa, and its multi-million-dollar revenue was used for that purpose. After the September 11 tragedy in New York, and also after Hurricane Katrina in the United States, Michael tried again to pursue his humanitarian goals by bringing singers together and with a new song. The song What More Can I Give, recorded with the participation of several artists including Celine Dion to help the victims of September 11, was also done—but due to problems, Sony refused to release it. But this year, about 80 singers, rappers, and actors gathered in Henson Studios (the former E.N.M.)—and here are some of the names of the most famous of them: Pink, Jamie Foxx, the Jonas Brothers, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Carlos Santana, Oriantay (Michael’s guitarist in the This Is It concerts), Jennifer Hudson, T-Pain, Justin Bieber, Nicole Scherzinger, Mya, Goldies Knight, Keri Hilson, Brandy, Miley Cyrus, E-Quan, Celine Dion, Jeff Bridges, Randy Jackson (American Idol judge), Usher, will.i.am, L.L. Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Nicole Richie, the group 3T (Tito Jackson’s three sons—Michael’s nephews: Taj, T.J., and Trey), Enrique Iglesias, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, A.R. Rahman (composer of the film Slumdog Millionaire). Full list of names. Earlier, it was reported that Smokey Robinson, Janet Jackson, and Michael’s children would also collaborate on this song, but apparently this has not happened so far. Source: eMJey / USA Today