“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” Lyrics by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie: “We Are the World” January 1985.
DJ Dave note: The day that I published this music blog article, March 7, 2024, was the 39th anniversary of when the USA for Africa single and video for “We Are the World” was released: 3/7/85.
One of the best musical documentaries that I have viewed this decade is “The Greatest Night in Pop.” The 2024 film focuses on a charity single called “We Are the World” which was recorded over the course of a 12-hour period during late January 1985.
I want to thank my friend Jerry English for giving me the idea and inspiration for this latest music blog message. I am grateful that Jerry encouraged me to watch “The Greatest Night in Pop” film last month and I highly recommend viewing this outstanding documentary.
While I won’t be giving a review of “The Greatest Night in Pop” movie, I will be sharing about certain aspects of the film, the recording of “We Are the World”, and the songs significance in modern music history.
I also will be communicating what I consider to be the best 1980s singles by 15 of the artists who had solo vocal lines within the 1985 charity song. Every song that I will be listing was a major pop hit during the 80s.
“We Are the World” was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, with Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian producing the song which was recorded by a supergroup of pop artists called USA for Africa.
According to “The Greatest Night in Pop” documentary, over 40 pop artists assembled at A&M Recording Studios in Hollywood, California, to record final vocal tracks for the “We Are the World” song.
Michael Jackson arrived first for this historic musical event around 8:00 pm. Soon after scores of other artists came on the scene, with many coming directly from the American Music Awards happening that evening, including the host of the annual music ceremony Lionel Richie.
Around 10:30 pm, Quincy Jones gathered the vocal artists and musicians together to start the recording process. This assembled multitude worked throughout the night during their marathon recording session completing the final audiotape at 8:00 am.
Six weeks later on March 7, 1985, “We Are the World” was released as a single. The song was an immediate hit: Reaching number 1 on three Billboard charts: R&B Singles chart, Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks listing and the Hot 100 Pop singles survey, where it spent 4 weeks at the top spot.
After “We Are the World” was released, it was honored by multiple music awards. In 1986, the song achieved 4 Grammy Awards. The single also received awards by MTV for its music video, a People’s Choice Award and an American Music Award.
The original inspiration for artists to come together and record a song for African famine relief came from Harry Bellafonte. He is quoted on the USA for Africa website about the lasting effect of the “We Are the World” single:
“In 1985, the music industry and the world came together in an unprecedented outpouring of generosity in response to the tragic famine wreaking havoc in Africa at the time. The biggest names in music ‘checked their egos at the door’ to create what was and still is a worldwide phenomenon.”
Bellafonte continues: “The recording of the original We Are the World sold more than 7 million records worldwide. The worldwide sale of that record generated more than $60 million which has been used to assist Africa and Africans affected by the famine and other critical issues since 1985. The song became and remains the people’s anthem and continues to be revered and loved globally.”
Below are artists who sang solo parts on the “We Are the World” song:
- Lionel Richie
- Stevie Wonder
- Paul Simon,
- Kenny Rogers,
- James Ingram
- Tina Turner
- Billy Joel
- Michael Jackson
- Diana Ross,
- Dionne Warwick
- Willie Nelson
- Al Jarreau
- Bruce Springsteen
- Kenny Loggins
- Steve Perry
- Daryl Hall
- Huey Lewis
- Cyndi Lauper
- Kim Carnes
- Bob Dylan
- Ray Charles
For the remainder of this message, I will convey what I consider to be the best and most memorable 80s pop hits, by 15 of the artists who had solo parts on the “We Are the World” recording. The songs that I have selected were all major top 40 singles from 1980 through 1989.
The top 15 songs and artists that I have picked are entirely based on my opinions. My selections are singles that I deem to be culturally, historically, aesthetically significant, meaningful or relevant.
In researching historical musical data for this article, I used “The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits” by Joel Whitburn for documentation. The placement of singles on the countdown derives solely on my favorability of songs and not on how I rate each of the artists listed.
Now without further ado, here is my countdown of 15 outstanding singles from “We Are the World” singers:
15. That’s What Friends Are For—Dionne Warwick: 1985
Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, The #1 biggest single of 1986
That’s What Friends Are For” was written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager and was recorded as a charity single for AIDS research and prevention. The 45-rpm record label says: “Dionne and Friends” who were Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder. Won two Grammy Awards in 1986.
14. Lady—Kenny Rogers: 1980
Positions on Billboard charts: #1 Hot 100, 3rd biggest song of 1986
Lionel Richie wrote and produced “Lady” for Kenny Rogers. It was the first song of the 80s to chart on all four Billboard singles charts – Country, Hot 100, Adult Contemporary and Hot Soul. Rated as the 10th biggest single in the 80s decade. Biggest selling song in Rogers’ career.
13. On the Road Again—Willie Nelson: 1980
Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot Country, #7 Adult Contemporary, #20 Hot 100
Country crossover hit. Written by Willie Nelson for the movie “Honeysuckle Rose.” The artist also starred as the lead actor in the 1980 film. Won a Grammy Award for “Best Country Song.” Became the 9th number one country hit for the singer-songwriter and is considered a signature song for Nelson.
12. Upside Down—Diana Ross: 1980
Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 18th Biggest song of 1980
“Upside Down” was written and produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, who were members of the R&B band Chic in 1980. Big international hit for Diana Ross. Billboard ranks single at #80 on their “Hot 100, 60th Anniversary” chart.
11. Betty Davis Eyes—Kim Carnes: 1981
Position on Billboard Charts: #1, Hot 100, The #1 biggest single of 1981
Written in 1973 by Jackie De Shannon and Donna Weiss. Signature song for Kim Cranes. Single spent nine non-consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Won 2 Grammys Awards for Song of the Year” and “Record of the Year.”
10. Footloose—Kenny Loggins: 1984
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 4th Biggest Song of 1984
Kenny Loggins co-wrote “Footloose” with Dean Pitchford for a 1984 movie that shares the same name as the Loggins’ song. It was the biggest selling single for the “yacht rock” music maestro. The first of two number 1 hits from the “Footloose” film (“Let’s Hear It for the Boy” by Denise Williams was second #1 single from movie).
9. Girls Just Want to Have Fun–Cyndi Lauper: 1984
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #2 Hot 100, 15th Biggest Song of 1984
Singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper wrote “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” which was her debut single from the album “She So Unusual.” Has become a feminist anthem and signature song for Lauper. Won top honors with a MTV Music Video Award and an American Video Award for this successful clip.
8. You Can Call Me Al—Paul Simon: 1986
Peak positions with Billboard Charts: #15 Adult Contemporary, #23 Hot 100
A world-wide hit for singer-songwriter Paul Simon who penned this song for the 2-time Grammy winning album “Graceland.” Artist used African musicians on single, mixing pop, rock, jazz and zydeco, with musical styles that originated in South Africa. Biggest hit for Simon during the 80s.
7. What’s Love Got to Do with It—Tina Turner: 1984
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 2nd Biggest Song of 1984
Comeback song for Tina Turner and became her biggest selling single. “What’s Love Got to Do with It” received 3 Grammy Awards: for “Record of the Year”, “Song of the Year” and “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.” Was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1989.
6. Oh, Sherrie—Steve Perry: 1984
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #3 Hot 100, 33rd Biggest Song of 1984
First solo single for Steve Perry from the album “Street Talk.” Artist was still a member of Journey when “Oh, Sherrie” was a hit song during the summer of ’84. Was the biggest selling solo single by the outstanding rock vocalist.
5. Born in the USA—Bruce Springsteen: 1984
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #9 Hot 100, 92nd Biggest Hit of 1984
Title track from the Bruce Springsteen 1983 album “Born in the USA.” One of the best-known songs by the Boss. The third of 7 top ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 from legendary LP (1983-1985). The song is still a staple on classic rock radio stations here in 2024.
4. We Didn’t Start the Fire—Billy Joel: 1989
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 35th Biggest Song of 1989
Billy Joel wrote the lyrics of “We Didn’t Start the Fire” which document historical, political, cultural and sports highlights between the years 1948 and 1989. The “Piano Man” sings in a rapid paced manner that calls for multiple listens to comprehend all of the historical events mentioned. Joel still performs this song as the first encore selection at every one of his 2024 concerts.
3. The Power of Love—Huey Lewis: 1985
Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 15th Biggest Song of 1985
“The Power of Love” was written by Huey Lewis, along with Lewis Hayes and Johnny Colla for the 1985 film “Back to the Future. The single is backed up by Lewis’ band the News and became that band’s first #1 chart topping song. It was one of the biggest singles from the summer of ’85.
2. All Night Long (All Night)—Lionel Richie: 1983
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 12th Biggest Song of 1984
The most successful solo single by the former lead singer of the Commodores. Written by Lionel Richie, “All Night Long” has a diversity of musical elements: pop, rock, and R&B, mixed with a Caribbean/African beat. This Richie signature song is still a favorite to play at wedding receptions this decade.
- Man in the Mirror—Michael Jackson: 1988
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 21st Biggest Song of 1988
My number 1 song on the countdown is by the “King of Pop” Michael Jackson. “Man in the Mirror” was written by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett, produced by Quincy Jones and Jackson.
The Andraé Crouch Choir recorded background gospel vocals on the song and it became Jackson’s 4th consecutive single from the 1987 “Bad” album to peak at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The message of the lyrics offer encouragement: “I’m starting with the man in the mirror/I’m asking him to change his ways/And no message could have been any clearer/If you wanna make the world a better place/Take a look at yourself and then make a change.”
“Man in the Mirror” is my favorite Michael Jackson solo song of all-time and I am glad to proclaim this excellent song to be my number 1 single of outstanding pop hit by artists who had solo vocals on “We Are the World.”
That wraps up my countdown on what I consider to be the 15 best singles from the “We Are the World” solo singers. I completely understand that my listing of 80s singles in this category was written from my point of view and is subjective.
If you were creating a similar register of excellent 80s pop hits by the same artists, your tabulation may be totally different. What do you consider to be the best singles by the “We Are the World” pop stars? I hope you will comment below.
In closing, I must ask this question: Is the recording in late January 1985 of “We Are the World” the greatest night in pop? Obviously, the answer to this query is debatable.
I will say that the assembly of over 40 artists for “We Are the World” has to be considered the greatest gathering ever of pop music superstars with the recording of this historic session. It may never be duplicated again.
Will there ever be another version of fundraising similar to what pop artists did with “We Are the World” in 1985? I am hoping that type of event will happen this century. Rock on!
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