I just saw a snippet of the remake of “We Are the World,” and it gave me goosebumps. (So I’m downloading it on iTunes as I write this.) But part of the reason for the goosebumps was remembering this (I can’t believe it was 25 years ago!):
I can’t remember the last time I actually watched this video, but I find it incredibly moving right now. No doubt because it brings back memories of “my salad days, / When I was green in judgment, cold in blood…” (to quote The Bard).
Can you name each of the singers in the original video? I can, but I’m going to need a crib sheet for the new one, I’m sure. So it goes …
Here they are:
Lionel Richie
There comes a time when we heed a certain call
Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder
When the world must come together as one
Stevie Wonder
There are people dying
Paul Simon
Oh and it’s time to lend a hand to life
Paul Simon and Kenny Rogers
The greatest gift of all
Kenny Rogers
We can’t go on, pretending day by day
James Ingram
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
Tina Turner
We are all part of God’s great big family
Billy Joel
And the truth, you know, love is all we need
Chorus:
Michael Jackson
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
Diana Ross
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
Michael Jackson and Diana Ross
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me
Dionne Warwick
Well … sen them your heart
So they’ll know that someone cares
Dionne Warwick and Willie Nelson
And their lives will be stronger and free
Willie Nelson
As God has shown us by turning stones to bread
Al Jarreau
And so we all must lend a helping hand
Chorus:
Bruce Springsteen
We are the world, we are the children
Kenny Loggins
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
Steve Perry
Oh, there’s a choice were making
Were saving our own lives
Daryl Hall
It’s true, we’ll make a better day
Just you and me
Michael Jackson
When you’re down and out, there seems no hope at all
Huey Lewis
But if you just believe, there’s no way we can fall
Cindy Lauper
Well, well, well, well … let’s realize
That a change can only come
Kim Carnes
When we stand together as one
Chorus:
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 were making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
Bob Dylan
There’s a choice were making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we make a better day
Just you and me
Chorus:
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 were making
We’re saving our own lives
Bob Dylan
It’s true we make a better day
Just you and me
Ray Charles
Alright let me hear ya
Chorus:
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
Ray Charles
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we make a brighter day
Just you and me
Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
Stevie Wonder
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
Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
Bruce Springsteen
There’s a choice were making
We’re saving our own lives
Its true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me
Chorus:
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 were making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true well make a better day
Just you and me
James Ingram
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
Ray Charles
There’s a choice were making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me
Or you can watch this subtitled version:
What does it say about me that I randomly, voluntarily watched the original video about six months ago? 😀
oh. and know all the words by heart. and can i.d. all artists singing.
@Shireen: Download the new video from iTunes and see how well you do! I did much better than I thought I would actually (though I still have no idea who Nicole Scherzinger is). In lieu of a crib sheet, there are fun pictures at mtv.com.
What? !?!? you don’t Nicole Scherzinger?!? Hello, Eden’s Crush and then one of the original Pussycat Dolls?!?!? You are falling down on your pop culture knowledge! Did you let your EW subscription lapse?
But seriously, I’m sure I won’t know a bunch of the performers on the new one.
but, heck, did you catch vince vaughn and others in the group shot?
the jack-o/diana ross split screen update with jack-o/janet is uber-kitsch!
@Shireen: Reading EW has been one of the casualties of this year’s ridiculously hectic schedule. I rely on the wife to give me what her brother calls “the coverage.” I guess Nicole S. didn’t make the cut.
This year’s update: Jennifer Hudson gets the Ray Charles role, but L’il Wayne as Bob Dylan? Did like the hip-hop interlude and Wyclef Jean’s wailing though!
This is honestly what most of my Ipod consists of….
so much soul!
AH!
I have never seen this video until now but I am sure glad I did!
There is something about Stevie Wonder that just makes me smile!
@Chani: It’s Ray Charles who really makes the original video for me. And what do you think of the remake?
I am not sure which remake you are referring to.
Ray Charles has an amazing story behind him and as a fellow pianist I have a huge amount of respect for him. It was only a year or two ago when I heard how tragic his life was.
Very touching.
Ok. I just watched the remake…
Goosebumps,watery eyes,the whole package.
I am so glad that passion like this exists.
The undying hope these people have for our world is very touching.
I think we can all learn so much about ourselves from being positive and open minded… Especially when someone tells you change is not possible or that there is no hope left.
Have you heard of Playing for Change? There are some touching videos from them as well.
One of my favourites : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgWFxFg7-GU
Vince Vaughn is one of the best comedians today, he is also a very good looking guy..~;
We sang this in the February 2012 Candidate Weekend. At the farewell dinner in the emirates palace. It was amazing!