On this day in 1985, the iconic charity single We Are the World was recorded, eventually becoming the eighth best-selling single of all time.
Its creation is a testament to the power of collaboration. Inspired by Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas?, American entertainer and activist Harry Belafonte sought to launch a similar initiative to aid those suffering from the devastating 1983–1985 Ethiopian famine, which had already claimed nearly one million lives. With the help of talent manager Ken Kragen, Belafonte set the wheels in motion for USA for Africa, a non-profit dedicated to providing humanitarian relief.
Kragen soon brought Lionel Richie on board, and when Michael Jackson expressed interest, the songwriting process began to build momentum.
Some of the era’s most celebrated artists lent their voices to the project, including Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles to name but a few. Each contributed their distinct vocal styles, shaping a song that was both passionate and strikingly unique.
With Quincy Jones as producer, Richie and Jackson meticulously crafted We Are the World to be anthemic, heartfelt, and easy to sing. Over weeks of refinement, they polished its lyrics and melody to maximize its emotional impact:
“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.”
According to La Toya Jackson, the songwriting process was deeply emotional. “I’d go into the room while they were writing, and it would be very quiet—which was odd, since Michael’s usually very cheery when he works. It was very emotional for them.”
Upon its release on March 7, 1985, We Are the World became an instant success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for four consecutive weeks. It was the first song since The Beatles’ Let It Be to reach Billboard’s Top 5 within two weeks of release. By the end of the year, it was the best-selling single worldwide.
Critics also took note of its impact. Stephen Holden of The New York Times praised the line, “There’s a choice we’re making, we’re saving our own lives,” writing that it carried “an extra emotional dimension when sung by people with superstar mystiques.”
At the 1986 Grammy Awards, We Are the World won Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and Best Short Form Music Video. It also claimed two MTV Video Music Awards in 1985.
In just one year, USA for Africa had raised $44.5 million. By October 1986, it had surpassed its $50 million goal, and today, the initiative’s total fundraising exceeds $80 million. Of these funds, 90% supported humanitarian aid and long-term relief programs, while 10% was allocated to social initiatives within the United States.
Even decades later, We Are the World remains a cultural landmark. After Michael Jackson’s passing, Elias Kifle Maraim Beyene, an Ethiopian aid recipient, reflected on the song’s significance.
“I won’t ever forget Michael Jackson because his contribution to We Are the World had a very significant effect on my life… We received a lot of aid from the world, and I was one of those who directly benefitted from it. The wheat flour distributed to famine victims was different from the usual cereal we bought at the market. We baked a special bread from it. The local people named the bread after the great artist, and it became known as ‘Michael Bread…’ If you speak to anyone who was in Addis Ababa at that time, they will all know what Michael Bread is and I know I will remember it for the rest of my life.”