There Comes a Time

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When we heed a certain call

When the world must come together as one.

Twenty-five years ago, a group of the best-known pop, country, and r&b artists gathered at a recording studio following the American Music Awards to record a song that would raise money to help the millions of needy people in Africa.  Singers like Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie. Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles, Kenny Rogers, Harry Belafonte, Willie Nelson, and stars like Dan Aykroyd in all 43 superstars from numerous genres were part of U.S.A for Africa.

Recently, a large group of today’s artists and some who have been around for a bit, gathered at the same recording studio to record an updated version of “We are the World” (including a hip-hop bit) to benefit the relief efforts of the devastation caused by the Haitian earthquakes.  I don’t see many repeaters aside from Janet, Tito, and Randy Jackson.  Janet will be performing the solo parts recorded by her late brother.  Today’s pop stars like Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, Celine Dion, and Rob Thomas   joined with Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Harry Connick, Jr., Josh Groban plus Faith Evans, Gladys Knight and Vince Vaughn?  An astonishing 78 artists on one recording… the ego in the studio must have been great.  Hopefully not only will the recording be sucessful artistically but also help the relief effort in Haiti.

For those of you too young to remember the original or for those of us who have not seen the once (now twice) in a lifetime gathering here it is.  The new version is set to be released during the Olympics on NBC.

17 thoughts on “There Comes a Time”

  1. Thanks for the memory; I liked that song, though I was a bit young when it came out.
    I was a big fan of Voices That Care, a celebrity recording made in 1991 to support the troops in Iraq / Operation Desert Storm.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol6vr5_CY1o
    If you can make it until around the 4:00 mark, it shows the choir which includes many favorite tv and movie actors from the 80’s and early 90’s. See how many you can spot; here is a full listing:
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332494/

  2. Will Smith… LOOK Fred Savage, the Fonz, Don King? Who was the Elton John wannabe at the end in the yellow with the shades? Did I see Mike Tyson? Thanks for sharing… must not have had the reception that We are the World had b/c I don’t remember it at all.

  3. I almost fell over when I realized it has been 25 years since USA for Africa. My brother had the record of the full recording session. Some of the artists recorded solo songs.

  4. Elton John wannabe – do you mean the guy who finishes the song? I really want to know who that is too! I did a search, but then my potty training student failed twice (if you know what I mean) and now the baby is up from his nap. If you find out who it is, let me know! Glad you enjoyed – it was one of my favorite songs way back when; I had the single cassette 🙂

  5. Here’s the Wikipedia entry about Band-Aid: CLICK

    They did this three times with different singers for the most part each time, like what they’re doing with We are the World.

  6. Triple post! I just listened to all the songs- I had never before heard of the one taylhis posted. I did immediately recognize one of the voices of the band Chicago- Peter Cetera (one of the writers too). The other two were trips down memory lane, seeing the many faces from my youth. It was fun spotting the faces and voices I recognized. The new list, on the other hand, I’ve never heard of at least 75% of the names. Guess I’ve been out of the loop for awhile.

  7. I oculd not believe it was 25 years also. But then, I was pregnant with my first and I remember now we had a delay so I got to hear it on the TV. I had to pull out my video of this hosted by Jane Fonda and play it at work. Hard to believe. Now how long has it been since the Super Bowl Shuffle???

  8. Superbowl shuffle – 1985
    Now that was fun! I was in second grade, and we made Chicago Bears headbands and flags at school! We also lip-synced the Superbowl Shuffle for chorus.

  9. Sorry, d. Yes, I do in fact remember Band Aid. Boy George, George Michael, Phil Collins on drums and all the rest! I always liked the song, too.

  10. Checked out the link now – didn’t have a chance before. No, I don’t remember that at all! But I dug the 80’s hair that was apparent throughout the video! Thanks for posting!

  11. The World redux is to air tonight during the Opening Ceremonies. Guess I’ll have to catch it on youtube. Hopefully, there is now enough snow.

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