We Are the World - The Story Behind
the Song (20th Anniversary Special
Edition) starring Dan Aykroyd, Harry
Belafonte, Lindsey Buckingham, Kim
Carnes, Ray Charles
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A dream that became a song... an event... and a worldwide movement!
See the making of a milestone as 45 of the biggest names in American
popular music combine to record a song to help alleviate the suffering of
starving millions in Africa and America. Narrated by Jane Fonda, this
program provides a behind-the-scenes look at the night of January 28,
1985, to provide more than a moving collection of words, pictures and
music - its a living piece of history.

Personal Review: We Are the World - The Story Behind the
Song (20th Anniversary Special Edition) starring Dan Aykroyd,
Harry Belafonte, Lindsey Buckingham, Kim Carnes, Ray Charles
It was April 5, the observed Good Friday of 1985. Within an hour's time
8,000 separate radio stations had made at least one broadcast of this song
called "We Are the World," a seven-minute song by an organization called
USA for Africa. It was produced by Quincy Jones, written by Michael
Jackson & Lionel Richie and featured both their voices, plus those of Tina
Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Kenny Loggins, Paul Simon,
Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and so many others. The purpose of the
single was to spread public awareness in the western world of famine in
third-world African nations, such as Ethiopia. It's very likely that, if there
were any followers of American popular music that hadn't listened to "We
Are the world" or heard of USA for Africa prior to this date, the chances are
good that they knew about both afterwards. And, this documentary hosted
by Jane Fonda would serve to enhance that knowledge upon its release
later that year.
I was five years old at the time of We Are the World's popular period. I
was too young to know the meaning of starvation or where Africa was. I
do remember hearing the song very often, both on the radio and the tape
player. After we obtained a copy of this special, the whole family watched
it regularly (it became one of those staples that I couldn't get away from).
One reason for this is that, it featured Jane Fonda. I'd previously only
heard her voice in audio form. This was the first instance where I
remember seeing her in front of a camera. Also, it was excellent to see
how Quincy Jones looked and to get a glimpse of people such as Michael
Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner and Kenny Rogers in the same
studio together.
Twenty years later, I'd become a musician and learned a considerable
amount about writing, arranging, recording and performing. Looking back,
I came to understand how significant this documentary was, being my first
acquired knowledge of the recording process or what it's like being in a
studio. Also, the song and the way it was recorded harkens back in my
mind to the Beatles' original version of "Hey Jude" from 1968. I've never
worked in a top-grade studio (all my experiences have been in project
studio environments) or in audiovisual, but I do have ultimate respect for all
the artists, musicians, engineers, filmmakers and crew that had a hand in
the song and the videotaping of the sessions. I'm in all their debts, as are
so many of us whether or not we know it. Someday, I hope to work in big
studios (like A&M or Lion Share) and to work with the likes of Quincy
Jones or Humberto Gatica. I'd never be able to produce another "We Are
the World," but I also wouldn't want to. It's not necessary, anymore than
an interest in producing another "Hey Jude."
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We Are the World - The Story Behind the Song (20th Anniversary Special Edition)
starring Dan Aykroyd, Harry Belafonte, Lindsey Buckingham, Kim Carnes, Ray Charles
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