We Are the World (album)

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. The album was released on April 23, 1985 by Columbia Records.

We Are the World
Studio album by
USA for Africa & Various Artists
ReleasedApril 23, 1985
Genre
Length41:37
LabelColumbia/CBS Records
USA 40043
ProducerQuincy 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

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, done for Live Aid, was included on Prince's The Hits/The B-Sides.

Chicago's contribution, "Good for Nothing", would be the last song released with bass player Peter Cetera's lead vocals before he left the band. It was later included on the band's comprehensive 2003 compilation, The Box.

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic [1]

The album sold over 3 million copies. According to Billboard on April 27, 1985, it reached number one 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, J. 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

Charts and certifications

Production credits

References
  1. We Are the World at AllMusic
  2. "Austriancharts.at – USA for Africa – We Are The World" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  3. "Dutchcharts.nl – USA for Africa – We Are The World" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  4. "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  5. "Charts.nz – USA for Africa – We Are The World". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  6. "Norwegiancharts.com – USA for Africa – We Are The World". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  7. "Swedishcharts.com – USA for Africa – We Are The World". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  8. "Swisscharts.com – USA for Africa – We Are The World". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  9. "USA for Africa | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  10. "USA for Africa Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  11. "New Zealand album certifications – USA For Africa – We Are The World". Recorded Music NZ.
  12. "American album certifications – USA For Africa – We Are The World". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
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