Lionel Richie - 0:26 Stevie Wonder - 0:39 Paul Simon - 0:43 Kenny Rogers - 0:53 James Ingram - 0:59 Tina Turner - 1:06 Billy Joel - 1:13 Michael Jackson - 1:19 Diana Ross - 1:32 Dionne Warwick - 1:48 Willie Nelson - 2:02 Al Jarreau - 2:09 Bruce Springsteen - 2:15 Kenny Loggins - 2:21 Steve Perry - 2:28 Daryl Hall - 2:36 Huey Lewis - 2:48 Cyndi Lauper - 2:54 Kim Carnes - 3:02 Bob Dylan - 3:48 Ray Charles - 4:27 “We Are the World” Chorus (alphabetically) 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 The Pointer Sisters Smokey Robinson “We Are the World” Instrumentalists David Paich - synthesizers Michael Boddicker - synthesizers, programming Paulinho da Costa - percussion Phil Collins - percussion Louis Johnson - synth bass Michael Omartian - keyboards Greg Phillinganes - keyboards John Robinson - drums Quincy Jones -- conductor
It’s genius. I actually don’t like Bruce Springsteen’s sons, but his raspy, gritty, little bit mumble voice paired with Stevie’s creamy, effortless, clear voice was perfect and added to the whole song so much.
Many people dont realize these artists came to make this recording directly from the Grammy awards show after it was over. They stayed up all night and into the next morning to finish this short notice collaboration. So a few of these stars just happened to be attending the show with friends, relatives or colleages who invited them.This was the reason Mike Jackson didnt attend the Grammys--he was getting everything ready and rehearsing for this recording. Basically an afterparty from the grammys. Must have been a blast.
I am an African to be precise Ugandan I grew listening to this song, I break down every time I see our leaders struggle for power and killing innocent souls. I wish one day we wake up and make the world a better place.
Hello my brother, I am Colombian and I live in USA since 1985, not matter where are you from, we all live here in this planet with sooo much to give and make without all those horrible feelings of selfiness and hate. Sending love to all of you
Sir ,I have been married 52 years, I learned a long time ago the lady is always right. Bye the way, Micheal Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote this. This raised 25,000,000 for charity.
That’s right. I guess nowadays, many people are either too lazy or just too weak to make music without help from a computer. If so, that’s not the occupation for them!
@huhhahuh it’s not that they HAVE to be good looking, it’s that the good looking ones are more appealing to ppl cuz ppl have always cared a lot about looks more than talent. So the “good-looking” ones get more popular than the more talented. And it’s gotten worse nowadays.
Never apologize for pausing and discussing and for getting emotional. I was 15yrs old when it came out and though I enjoyed it, I was too young to get the huge impact. Now, I get emotional and tear up every time I hear it.
My favourite parts are Springsteen and Wonder duetting together and James Ingram’s last chorus. The part were he says “so let’s start giving” always gives me chills.
That was the first time in musical history that major iconic artist gathered together for a good cause. it is the biggest selling single. And MJ wrote it wit a little bit of help by Lionel Richie. We are the world.
BandAid "Do They Know It's Christmas" debuted in 1984, We Are The World happened in 1985. Farther back, The Concert for Bangladesh was another collaboration concert that happened in 1971. 😇✌️
These were big-name, iconic celebrities coming together for a common purpose without asking for money or recognition. They were down-to-earth and relatable.
This was a huge moment for Cyndi Lauper, she JUST hit the music scene and MJ or Lionel (don't know who) approached her to record this song with them, her nervous energy was so genuine and honestly needed when she came in.
Eh, not really. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Time After Time had been out for well over a year at this point, and she swept all the pop/rock female awards at the AMA's that all these people were gathered together for. She was weird, though, and probably not taken seriously by a lot of people. The interesting part is that there was a mostly media-conceived rivalry between her and Madonna, which is probably why M wasn't in this song. Similarly, Prince and MJ were pseudo rivals, which may have been why Prince didn't show.
The true genius here was the person who did the vocal arrangement. Imagine doing the monumental task of putting these legendary voices together and create perfection.
All soloists were Grammy winners! Produced by Quincy Jones! It was after the Grammys that they all gathered in this studio. Quincy put a sign on the door. “Check your Egos at the door”! Written by MJ and Lionel Richie!!
This song is amazing, and being written by MJ & co written by Lionel Ritchie is even more amazing,just shows how caring he is and acknowledges the trouble in the world,only he could put this together. That camera movement on Michael tho,always gives me chills,DAMN! The shoes, the socks, the glove. It's like you know who it is. The King Of Music Forever Michael Joseph Jackson Long Live The Greatest Music Artist To Ever Live!😇🙌🏽👑❤️💕🌟(MJ wasn’t just the Biggest in the 80’s but in his entire career y’all gotta React to sum more MJ PERIOD! He dominated the music industry nobody was close to that man he was/is on another stratosphere from his Jackson 5/The Jacksons days to his Solo career etc. Please React to Michael Jackson “What More Can I Give” it’s the Sequel to this classic/masterpiece We Are The World)
The other obvious choice would be the "What More Can I Give" charity song that Michael Jackson wrote and produced that was performed by lots of stars. It is similar to "We are the world" but less known. Actually I think What More Can I Give is a superior song! It was released in 2001 to aid survivors of the 9/11 attack. You should definitely check that one out. The We are The World Demo sung only by Michael Jackson is also worth checking out, its adorable. MJ had such a big heart! Good to see you back btw, I missed you guys 🙂
@@Whosrightwhoswrong Another song, on the same tangent, recorded a couple weeks after We Are The World, is "Tears Are Not Enough" by Northern Lights. It's basically every who's who from Canada. So, Gordon Lightfoot, Anne Murray, Bryan Adams, etc. It is SO GOOD!! It tied for a Grammy with WATW in 1986.
No way is that song superior to "We Are The World"-maybe in your opinion it is. This song is the best-selling charity song of all time-nothing else is even close. Before or since.
@@jessieball6195 How many copies anything sells does not define the quality of the work, there are lots of other factors, so comparing these songs who were released in different times for their sales is meaningless in that sense.
Wonderful reaction guys. So glad to see another emotional being. The amount of energy from all these top tier singers in one room, could move mountains. It's so powerful I tear up everytime.
The way the song was released was; Across the nation. Every radio station played the song at the same time. So, everyone heard it at the same time. That was genius and something I've never experienced since on radio. Just a fact not many people talk about.
Possibly one the best and most genuine reactions to this song by young people. I was 21 years old when this song was released. Still love it to this day. Well done, guys. 👍❤️🇦🇺
the morning this came out they played this song back to back to back . All day long on every station. I learned this song in one day. This song was that good!
Thats one of the great things about artists pre 2000s, they had to actually have real talent and unique voices to make it big. Now they just have to look hot and have a good production team, which ends up making everybody sound pretty much the same
I've seen several people showing this same video, and out of all them, you guys were the only ones that knew MOST of the ICONIC singers from back then. I can still remember the very moment this song hit the radio and exactly where I was and what I was doing. Brings back so many memories.
Great reaction! This music is fantastic. It brings tears to anyone's eyes! I've been listening to it since it came out. I can't believe there are still people who have never heard it.
The sad thing about this beautiful and so meaning song is: Nothing...NOTHING changed! Its getting even worst....people will never wake up and change anything....great song
I was young when this came out. was a major drought and famine disaster in Africa. I remember a big concert was broadcast live from both the USA and England at the same time. It lasted for an incredible number of hours, especially at that time. Was alternated between the USA and England. England's version of this was called Do They Know It's Christmas😀 Greetings from Norway.
I tear up every single time and I have heard this song and watched this video a million time. I especially tear up because many of these artist are no longer here.😢
You're right. It is different from today. This was something very special back in the 80s. They raised millions, and their hearts were in the right place. I'm sure this couldn't be pulled off with today's artists. Different priorities.
the best reaction of all for me because the way she gets emotional is very sincere and there really is no way not to be moved by these legends. Brasil ❤
I remember when this song was everywhere! And the merchandise (tshirts, buttons, stickers) were being sold everywhere as well. 100% of the proceeds were given to starving people of Africa. During a time when MTV was king. The greatest and most popular musicians came together after the American music awards, to record this. (except Prince and Madonna) It was played beyond MTV. Regular television stations would randomly play it, to get donations for the cause. The 80s was a genuine time in musical history!
These songs all came out around the same time to help Africa due to the terrible famine that was killing so many. Do They Know Its Christmas from Great Britain, We Are The World from USA, and Tears Are Not Enough from Canada. Great reaction guys.
Just found you guys! Love you two. Note about the song…during the 80’s we had quite a few major concerts filled with stars with all proceeds going to charity. This song was done for the people of Ethiopia who were enduring a drought that was unimaginable. We also had a worldwide series of concerts simultaneously all over the globe called LiveAid. Amazing performance by Queen. Comic Relief was a gathering of the best comics for homelessness. Comic relief was hosted by Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal. Legendary. Check out the No Nukes concert too. Especially Bruce Springsteen’s infamous 3:15 am encore of No Nukes. Will leave you exhausted. Maybe something like this needs to be brought back.
So amazing.. this song came out the year I graduated from HS... OMG... I just recognized 40 artistist... if this song/ collaboration doesn't give u chills... u don't know music. I'm pretty sure all of them came together after the Grammy's in 1985 by Quincy Jones request... how special is that.
What a time the 80s was. Being a teen, we all came together to help others. The music was mind blowing. No internet or smart phone. All this in the backdrop of the Cold War wherein any moment a nuclear war could take place, and we all came through that without any problem. Getting emotional to a song, you would not have survived the 80s. There were good times and a lot of bad times. One needed to be tough to get through the bad times. We watched Ethiopians dying of starvation on TV. Emotional people would not have been able to take it. .....Would love to go back to that era....
Yes, all these singers have such distinctive voices and individual sounds! You might not recognize their faces, but you'd know those voices for sure. Was very happy they included Diana Ross, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles and Bob Dylan in this. Again, very distinctive voices you know from the radio and songs from movies and tv shows. All with such very different personalities. Don't think there will be an assembly of talent like this ever again for one song or project.
I’ll give anything to go back in time to see this live i’ll fangirl the whole time on the inside the whole time because i was raised on all of these guys and i would be singing along on the inside too
I read once that as the singers arrived in their chauffeured limos and started disagreeing on arraignments. Bruce drove up in a truck and said I'm just here to help the children. They followed his lead and the results were amazing! Peace from Northern Michigan
A lot of the singers were in limos because they were coming from the American Music awards. Springsteen wasn't - he had done a show in Buffalo NY the night before and had just flown into LA. He drove himself from the airport in a rental car. There were no disagreements between anyone that I've heard of. Everyone was there in the same spirit for the same reason.
Love the whole song, but the part with Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen gives me goosebumps every single time ❤️ Who paired the two of them for this part was a genius 🙏🏼🤩🥰
The story I heard is that they were two of the last people there after most had headed home, and the track needed additional vocals. They were glad to stay even later. It was an all night session after the American Music Awards, so this was something like 4 AM
@@christinamann3640 that is what I heard too - that the original planned duet had some recording issues. Bruce left his sunglasses and came back to the studio, and Quincy asked if he could record some additional verses to replace the bad tracks.
Written and Composed by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. Always an amazing song, amazing project, with amazing artists for an amazing cause. You guys should do some Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder and other fantastic icons who appeared here, to make yourselves familiar with them!
What is criminal, to me, is how amazing Quincy Jones and his co-producer were at assembling the soloists. To take into account tone, timbre, and vocal stylings and know how those voices would play off each other; 👩🍳 💋
I grew up listening to this, but even i teared up. Mainly because I recognize that we’ve los a lot of talent from that time, most recently the Gpddess Tina Turner. So don’t feel embarrassed at all 😊
The 80's was the best time ever- so much love in this country! What the hell happened since then?? It boggles the mind! I really miss those times- dancing in clubs, no worries about getting shot, we had air raid drills, not active shooter drills. We have fallen FAR!!
Berry Gordy had a sign placed over the studio door, "Leave your egos at the door. Those who don't will be driven home by Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles."
I don't think Berry Gordy had anything to do with this project. Also, that saying is a blend of 2 different quotes. Quincy Jones supposedly posted a sign, "Leave (or check) your ego at the door." The rest is from an event that took place about 2am, after the group finished. They broke out in an impromptu version of "Day-O", in tribute to Harry Belafonte (who started the USA project). In it, Stevie Wonder ad libs “If you drink to much I have to say (daylight come & I wanna go home) You gonna have to be driven home by me or Ray.” Here's the link; ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9sVSuxw9qZg.html
@@wnsafford1854 Upon entering the recording studio, the musicians were greeted by a sign pinned to the door that read, "Please check your egos at the door." They were also greeted by Stevie Wonder, who proclaimed that if the recording was not completed in one take, he and Ray Charles, two blind men, would drive everybody home.
@@rtm27 The part of the sign you just now posted is not in dispute, just that it was put there by Quincy (not Berry) & the "driving home" bit was not on the sign (as your initial post says). Stevie did not greet people at the door with he "driving" line. He sings it, impromptu, in the vid link I gave you. Clearly, had he greeted everyone with that line, they would not have had the reaction to it, that shows in the vid. Whoever posted what you're copying from, has blended 2 unrelated things.
Love that you guys are back! And great reaction as always. I can't believe she's never heard this song, I feel like I've known it since I can remember and I'm about the same age but hey, now you got to discover it for the first time and let all of us share the experience. :)
Lindsay Buckingham has the best 1980's hair, other maybe Cyndi Lauper. Dan Aykroyd being in it was apparently a total accident-he had gone to see what he thought was a financial advisor that turned out to be a talent manager who was involved with this & the guy asked him to join.
Girl, you can't stop the emotions that make you cry. Take it from this emotional 50 year old man. 😊 You're definitely not going to stop the tears by waving your hands at your eyes. A different part of the body controls that. ❤ 😉
