We Are the World (album)

We Are the World
Studio album by
USA for Africa and various artists
ReleasedApril 1, 1985
Genre
Length41:37
LabelColumbia/CBS
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

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 1, 1985,[1][2][3] by Columbia Records.

In addition to the title track, the album includes nine previously unreleased songs by donating artists, including Prince, Steve Perry, 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.

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 single 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.

The album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1986.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]

The album sold over three million copies. According to Billboard on April 27, 1985, it reached number one in only two weeks, something only formerly accomplished by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.[citation needed]

Track listing

  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 at Meadowlands, August 6, 1984) (Jimmy Cliff) – 5:11
  5. Northern Lights – "Tears Are Not Enough" (David Foster, Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance) – 4:21
  6. Prince & The Revolution – "4 the Tears in Your Eyes" (Prince) – 2:45
  7. Chicago – "Good for Nothing" (Richard Marx, Robert Lamm, David Foster) – 3:35
  8. Tina Turner – "Total Control" (Martha Davis, Jeff Jourard) – 3:38
  9. Kenny Rogers – "A Little More Love" (Thom Schuyler, J. Fred Knobloch) – 2:54
  10. Huey Lewis and the News – "Trouble in Paradise" (Live in San Francisco on February 21, 1985) (Johnny Colla, Bill Gibson, Chris Hayes, Sean Hopper, Huey Lewis, Mario Cipollina) – 4:34

Personnel

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for We Are the World
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil — 850,000[18]
France (SNEP)[20] Gold 100,000[19]
New Zealand (RMNZ)[21] Platinum 15,000^
United States (RIAA)[22] 3× Platinum 3,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Kragen, Ken (9 March 1985). "An Open Letter To Everyone In Radio" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 10. New York, NY, USA: Billboard Publications, Inc. p. 5. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-01-27. Retrieved 4 April 2024. The release of this record [single] on March 7 and the subsequent album on April 1 is not just about raising money
  2. ^ Adelson, David, ed. (9 March 1985). "Columbia Set For March 7 Release Of "We Are The World"" (PDF). Cash Box. 48 (39). New York, NY, USA: Albert, George: 7. ISSN 0008-7289. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-03-08. Retrieved 4 April 2024. An album, featuring not only the single but also unreleased tracks by some of the artists who performed on "We Are The World," as well as by others (including Prince) who were unable to attend, will follow on April 1.
  3. ^ "10-song 'We Are The World' album hits record stores today". Gainesville Sun. No. 1 April 1985. Gainesville, FL, USA. Associated Press. p. 5C. Retrieved 4 April 2024. The USA for Africa fund-raising album featuring 45 superstars singing "We Are The World" is scheduled to arrive in record stores today
  4. ^ We Are the World at AllMusic
  5. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 317. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  6. ^ "Austriancharts.at – USA for Africa – We Are The World" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  7. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – USA for Africa – We Are The World" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  8. ^ "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  9. ^ "Charts.nz – USA for Africa – We Are The World". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  10. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – USA for Africa – We Are The World". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  11. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – USA for Africa – We Are The World". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  12. ^ "Swisscharts.com – USA for Africa – We Are The World". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  13. ^ "USA for Africa | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  14. ^ "USA for Africa Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  15. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1985". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  16. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1985". hitparade.ch. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  17. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1985". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  18. ^ Pignatori, Decio (May 18, 1985). "VIDEO - CLIP LP A TV encontra a sua poetica". Jornal do Brasil (in Portuguese). p. 35 – via National Library of Brazil. afinal, o LP we are the world vendeu em apenas tres semanas no brasil um total de 850 mil copias
  19. ^ "Les Certifications". InfoDisc. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  20. ^ "French album certifications – U.S.A. For Africa – We Are The World" (in French). InfoDisc. Select U.S.A. FOR AFRICA and click OK. 
  21. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – USA For Africa – We Are The World". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  22. ^ "American album certifications – USA For Africa – We Are The World". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 6, 2022.