On this day March 7 1985 the charity single We Are the World was released to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie the song brought together some of the biggest names in music including Stevie Wonder Bruce Springsteen Tina Turner Diana Ross and Ray Charles under the name USA for Africa.
The single became a massive global success raising over 65 million for humanitarian aid. We Are the World topped the charts in multiple countries and became one of the best-selling singles of all time. The song’s impact went beyond fundraising as it inspired other charity driven music collaborations in the years that followed.
80s insight: The song was recorded in just one night after the American Music Awards with artists like Prince declining to participate despite being invited.