74: We Are The World; Or, Now That's What I Call Music (Celebrity Edition)

You may remember This Was A Thing's deep dive last season into "The Super Bowl Shuffle," where the Chicago Bears showed everyone how a sports team song can become cultural phenomenon. Well, the "Shuffle" was great for sports fans, and even helped out Chicago communities that were in need. But in 1985, the same year that the "Shuffle" was recorded, another hit single was released that took the "celebrity fundraising song" concept all the way to 11. That's when Lionel Ritchie, and Michael Jackson, with production help from Quincy Jones, teamed up to write an anthem that would rally the world around the cause of raising money to provide relief for communities in Africa. And what better way for Ritchie and Jackson to make this song a true smash than to feature their iconic singer friends?

Ray teaches Rob about the origins of "We Are The World," from writing the song to the logistical nightmare of trying to get everybody from Bob Dylan to Cyndi Lauper in the same room to record together together; how Lionel Ritchie really feels about boa constrictors; how Dan Akroyd ended up being a part of the song; and other celebrity-backed relief efforts that have happened since "We Are The World," including a remake of the original.

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TEAM

Ray Hebel

Robert W. Schneider

Mark Schroeder

Billy Recce

Daniel Schwartzberg

Gabe Crawford

Natalie DeSavia

ARTICLES

Esquire

History

Rolling Stone

Vulture

EPISODE CLIPS

U.S.A. For Africa - We Are the World

Band Aid - Do they know it's christmas 1984 | HD - Widescreen 16:9

We are the world 1985 and behind the scenes full dvd rip

We Are The World 25 For Haiti - Official Video

Gal Gadot singing Imagine with other stars

“We Are The World” Karaoke Track

ADDITIONAL MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS

"Happy...