We Are the World Album Artwork

We Are the World

U.S.A. for Africa

·

1985
RELEASED

1985

7 Mar
INCLUDES
Lyrics
GENRE
Rock
AVAILABLE IN
Lossless

Listen on

"We Are the World" by U.S.A. for Africa is a charity single inspired by the success of the UK’s "Do They Know It’s Christmas," which raised $24 million for Ethiopia in 1984. Harry Belafonte reached out to Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, and Quincy Jones to create a similar effort in the US. The song was recorded in one night and featured many popular artists of the time. Released in April 1985, it quickly reached #1 in the US and raised over $75 million by 2020 to combat poverty in Africa and the US. It won four Grammy Awards, one American Music Award, and a People’s Choice Award, and was the first single to be certified multi-platinum by the RIAA. Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti in January 2010, an updated version titled "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" was recorded by another all-star cast. Released on February 12, 2010, proceeds from this version supported earthquake survivors in Haiti.

Lyrics

[Verse 1: Lionel Richie, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Kenny Rogers] There comes a time when we heed a certain call When the world must come together as one There are people dying Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life The greatest gift of all [Verse 2: Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner, Billy Joel] We can't go on pretending day by day That someone, somewhere will soon make a change We are all a part of God's great big family And the truth, you know Love is all we need [Chorus: Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Both] 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 [Verse 3: Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson, Al Jarreau, Dionne Warwick & Willie Nelson] 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 [Chorus: Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry, Daryl Hall] 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 [Bridge: Michael Jackson, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes] 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 us realize, oh, that a change can only come When we stand together as one (Yeah yeah yeah yeah!) [Chorus: Choir] 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 [Chorus: Choir, Bob Dylan] 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 [Chorus: Choir, Bob Dylan, & Ray Charles] We are the world (We are the world) We are the children (We are the children) We are the ones who make a brighter day So let's start giving (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 Alright, let me hear you [Chorus: Choir, Ray Charles] We are the world (We are the world) We are the children (Yeah, we are the children) We are the ones who make a brighter day So let's start giving (Let's start giving) There's a choice we're making We're saving our own lives It's true, we'll make a finer day Just you and me Come on, y'all, let me hear you [Chorus: Stevie Wonder & Bruce Springsteen] We are the world (We are the world) We are the children (We are the children) We are the ones who make a brighter day So let's start giving (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, yeah, yeah [Chorus: Stevie Wonder & Bruce Springsteen] We are the world (We are the world) We are the children (We are the children) We are the ones who make a brighter day So let's start giving (So let's start giving) There's a choice we're making Yeah, we're saving our own lives It's true, we'll make a better day Just you and me [Chorus: Choir] 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 [Chorus: Choir] 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 Thank you 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
App Icon

Get NowPlaying

Download NowPlaying on the App Store and start discovering today.

Get it on the App Store