About the Song

1. Star-Studded Collaboration:

“We Are The World” was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones. The song featured an ensemble of over 40 of the biggest names in music, including Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen, and many more. Their collective talent and star power helped propel the song to international acclaim.

2. Humanitarian Purpose:

The proceeds from “We Are The World” went towards humanitarian aid and relief efforts in Africa, particularly to combat famine and poverty. The song’s message of unity and compassion resonated with people around the world, inspiring millions to contribute to the cause and make a positive difference in the lives of others.

3. Chart-Topping Success:

“We Are The World” was a commercial success, topping the charts in multiple countries and selling millions of copies worldwide. Its impactful message and memorable melody captured the hearts of listeners, earning it numerous awards and accolades, including several Grammy Awards.

4. Enduring Legacy:

35 years after its release, “We Are The World” continues to inspire and uplift people across generations. Its timeless message of unity, compassion, and hope remains as relevant today as it was when it was first released, serving as a powerful reminder of the positive impact that music can have on the world.

5. Cultural Impact:

Beyond its commercial success, “We Are The World” has left an indelible mark on popular culture, inspiring countless covers, tributes, and adaptations by artists around the world. Its universal message of solidarity and empathy has transcended borders and cultures, making it a global anthem for peace and humanitarianism.

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Lyrics: We Are The World

There comes a time when we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
Oh, when it’s time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of allWe 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

Well, 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
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
And there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe
There’s no way we can fall
Well, well, well
Let’s realize, oh, that a change can only come
When we stand together as one

[Repeat with ad-libs until the end:]
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

You Missed

MINNIE PEARL WALKED ONSTAGE AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY FOR 50 YEARS WITH A $1.98 PRICE TAG ON HER HAT — AND THEN ONE NIGHT, SHE JUST COULDN’T ANYMORE. Here’s something most people don’t think about with Minnie Pearl. That price tag hanging off her straw hat? It wasn’t random. Sarah Cannon — that was her real name — created it as a joke about a country girl too proud of her new hat to take the tag off. And audiences loved it so much that it became the most recognizable prop in country music history. For over fifty years, that tag meant Minnie was here, and everything was going to be fun. So imagine what it felt like when she couldn’t put the hat on anymore. In June 1991, Sarah had a massive stroke. She was 79. And just like that, the woman who hadn’t missed an Opry show in decades was gone from the stage. But here’s what gets me. She didn’t die in 1991. She lived another five years after that stroke, mostly out of the public eye, unable to perform, unable to be “Minnie” the way she’d always been. Her husband Henry Cannon took care of her at their Nashville home. Friends visited, but they said it was hard. The woman who made millions of people laugh couldn’t get through a full conversation some days. Roy Acuff, her old friend from the Opry, kept her dressing room exactly the way she left it. Nobody used it. The hat sat there. She passed on March 4, 1996. And what most people remember is the comedy. The “HOW-DEEE” catchphrase. The big goofy grin. What they don’t remember is that Sarah Cannon was also a serious fundraiser for cancer research. Centennial Medical Center in Nashville named their cancer center after her — not after Minnie, after Sarah. She raised millions and rarely talked about it publicly. There’s a story about the very last time Sarah tried to put on the hat at home, months after the stroke, and what her husband said to her in that moment — it’s the kind of detail that makes you see fifty years of comedy completely differently. Roy Acuff kept Minnie Pearl’s dressing room untouched for years after she left — was that loyalty to a friend, or was he holding a door open for someone he knew was never coming back?