We Are the World by USA for Africa
Artist: USA for Africa Weeks at #1: 4 weeks Chart dates: April 13, 1985 – May 4, 1985
About
After the success of the collaborative UK charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas” in late 1984, which raised $24 million for Ethiopia, Harry Belafonte was inspired to contact Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones and ask them to help do the same in the US. The result was “We Are the World” – a song recorded in one night featuring several popular artists of the time. The song became a massive success, reaching #1 in the US within three weeks of release in April 1985. By 2020, the song had raised more than $75 million to help alleviate poverty in Africa and the United States. It also won four Grammy Awards, one American Music Award, and a People’s Choice Award and became the first ever single to be certified multi-platinum by the RIAA. After the 7.0 Mw magnitude earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010, this song was remade by another all-star cast of singers, entitled “We Are the World 25 for Haiti.” It was released as a single on February 12, 2010, and proceeds from the record aided survivors in Haiti.
