Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote the song “We Are the World.”

Quick Scoop

Here’s the essential rundown about who wrote the song We Are the World and how it came together.

Who wrote “We Are the World”?

  • The song was co-written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie as a charity single in 1985.
  • It was created for the supergroup USA for Africa to raise money for famine relief, especially in Africa and also to support people facing hunger and homelessness.
  • Quincy Jones produced the track (with Michael Omartian), helping coordinate the huge lineup of stars.

How the song came together

  • The idea grew after earlier charity singles like “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” inspired American artists to make their own anthem.
  • Jackson and Richie worked on the song mainly at the Jackson family home in Los Angeles, developing a simple, memorable anthem-style melody and lyrics.
  • They completed writing it in January 1985, just before the now-famous overnight recording session with more than 40 major artists.

Why it still matters today

  • “We Are the World” became one of the best-selling singles ever, with sales of around 20 million copies worldwide.
  • The project helped raise over 100 million dollars for humanitarian aid through USA for Africa and inspired later versions, including a 2010 remake for Haiti earthquake relief.
  • In recent years, it’s been revisited in documentaries like The Greatest Night in Pop , which explores the intense one-night recording session and the collaboration among so many stars.

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