"We Are the World"

Either I'm completely hormonal or whatever, but I was almost in tears when 95.1 played "We Are the World" this morning. On this day in 1985, radio stations across the country, all at the same time, shared a moment to play this USA for Africa recording in observance of Good Friday. So...DJ Pat O'Brian played it today.

I remember the week when "We Are the World" was recorded. It was after the broadcast of the American Music Awards in winter 1985. It was a big deal. I still have my 45 record of this...somewhere. I remember the video-it aired all the time. (Now, granted we didn't have MTV in Mena at that time, so I saw it on "Night Tracks" on WTBS.)

I think what choked me up was hearing the line-up of artists, no, legends, who appeared on that record. Legends from all genres: Pop, Rock, R & B, country, appearing in this order:

Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers(pre-facelift),
James Ingram, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson(when he still really looked like the Michael Jackson I knew), Diana Ross, Dionna Warwick, Willie Nelson, Al Jarreau, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry, Daryl Hall, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes(who I always felt kinda bad for because she only got to sing two words by herself), Bob Dylan, and final soloist Ray Charles. (I think that's what hit me hardest. It's Ray Charles for Chrissakes.)

(Isn't it sad, too, that both he and MJ are gone now?)

Various choir members, of course, included some other Jacksons(even LaToya!), the Pointer Sisters, Sheila E., Smoky Robinson, Jeffrey Osbourne, Bette Midler, a rather big-haired Lindsey Buckingham, Harry Belafonte, and Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd. And there's Quincey Jones in the conductor's seat.

Watch and tell me you don't feel nostalgic!



I used to know EVERYONE who sang solos, but when I listened this morning, I'd forgotten Paul Simon and Billy Joel. Oops. Age sucks.

Now, I know about the big re-make for Haiti Earthquake relief, and the "controversy" that surrounds it. What was it Jay-Z said, that "We Are the World" is "untouchable?" I'm inclined to agree. I hadn't heard the re-make until I YouTubed it today. It's okay, I guess, and I actually did recognize most of the artists, which really surprised me. At least they did call on the talents of Josh Groban, Jennifer Hudson, and other more recent singers I admire like Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, and Pink. It was also nice to see veteran divas Barbra Striesand and Celine Dion. (Celine got Cyndi Lauper's part. And in the video she looks confused about how to pull it off. Weird.) Tony Bennett was there, too. I spotted Gladys Knight, but am disappointed she didn't get a solo. Or maybe she did and I just missed it. And was that Richie Havens?? Singing in French??

I noticed the Beach Boys were in attendance, WITH Brian Wilson. Jeff Bridges. Carlos Santana. My dear Wilson sisters, Ann and Nancy, way in the back. Jamie Foxx, who I guess could be considered Ray's stand-in. They kept MJ's performance in there, with Janet "superimposed" in the video? I found that a little strange.

I enjoyed seeing Will I. Am, but I can do without Fergie. Ever since I saw that "Barracuda" debaucle years ago... And did I see Snoop? And why, why, why, would you even ask Kanye West to appear? I'm surprised he didn't jump in and complain that he was the only person allowed to redo the entire song himself. And I've liked Wyclef Jean ever since I saw him on a Johnny Cash tribute show years ago. He just seems cool.

There were a few "rockers" there, if that's what you can call them nowadays. Adam Levine from Maroon 5 and...uh...I didn't know that bald guy. Or the kid who sang the first line? I'm pretty sure he's not a Jonas Brother. And I have no idea who some of the rappers are.

(I'm OLD, okay?? I'm white, too, so I have no frame of reference here, unless I'd seen Grand Master Flash or Run DMC there. They weren't, were they?)

Anyway, here's the 2010 version:



I still prefer the original version. I'm with ya, Jay Z. And the message is still the same, and I do hope that aid for both hunger in Africa and re-building in Haiti goes exactly where it's supposed to go. And it's nice to know that artists are still willing to set their egos aside and do something good for others.

Or at least, I hope that's their intention.

So, when's the next "Hands Across America" going to happen?? :)