We Are the World (album)

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We Are the World
File:Wearetheworldsingle.jpg
Studio album by USA for Africa & Various Artists
Released April 23, 1985
Recorded Various
Genre Various
Length 41:37
Label Columbia/CBS Records
USA 40043
Producer Quincy Jones, Various
Singles from We Are the World
  1. "We Are the World"
    Released: March 7, 1985
  2. "Tears Are Not Enough"
    Released: May 1, 1985
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 2/5 stars [1]

We Are the World is a 1985 album that contains USA for Africa's "We Are the World", a superstar charity recording for famine relief efforts in Ethiopia.

In addition to the title track, the album includes nine previously unreleased songs by donating artists, including Prince, Chicago, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (a rendition of Jimmy Cliff's obscure "Trapped" recorded live at Meadowlands Arena on their Born in the U.S.A. Tour, which achieved considerable album-oriented rock radio airplay and topped the Mainstream Rock chart), Tina Turner and others. In addition, "Grace", by Quincy Jones, is not included in this album but appeared as the B-side of the title track when it was released a month earlier.

The album also includes another famine relief fundraising song, "Tears Are Not Enough," which was performed by Canadian supergroup Northern Lights.

Prince and The Revolution recorded "4 the Tears in Your Eyes" for the album. A rare live version of the song was included on Prince's The Hits/The B-Sides.

Reception

The album sold over 3 million copies. According to Billboard Magazine on April 27, 1985, it reached #1 in 2 weeks, something only formerly accomplished by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

Track listing

Side one
  1. USA for Africa – "We Are the World" (Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie) – 7:02
  2. Steve Perry – "If Only for the Moment, Girl" (Randy Goodrum, Steve Perry) – 3:44
  3. The Pointer Sisters – "Just a Little Closer" (Robbie Nevil, Mark Mueller) – 3:53
  4. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – "Trapped" (Live Version) (Jimmy Cliff) – 5:11
Side two
  1. Northern Lights – "Tears Are Not Enough" (David Foster, Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance) – 4:21
  2. Prince & The Revolution – "4 the Tears in Your Eyes" (Prince) – 2:45
  3. Chicago – "Good for Nothing" (Richard Marx, Robert Lamm, David Foster) – 3:35
  4. Tina Turner – "Total Control" (Martha Davis, Jeff Jourard) – 3:38
  5. Kenny Rogers – "A Little More Love" (Thom Schuyler, Fred Knobloch) – 2:54
  6. Huey Lewis and the News – "Trouble in Paradise" (Live Version) (Johnny Colla, Bill Gibson, Chris Hayes, Sean Hopper, Huey Lewis, Mario Cipollina) – 4:34

Chart positions

Year Chart Position
1985 Billboard 200 1[2]

Production credits

References

External links

Preceded by Billboard 200 number-one album
April 27 – May 17, 1985
Succeeded by
No Jacket Required by Phil Collins