Although I was only two years old when some of the biggest music stars on the planet gathered in one room to help alleviate the horrific famine happening in Africa, I remember the song being talked about for years. As I got older, I gained a better understanding of the monumental impact “We Are the World” had on well, the world. Orchestrated by Harry Belafonte, Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, and Quincy Jones, The Greatest Night in Pop sheds light on the details behind getting 46 of the then-top singers in music in one room in Los Angeles to sing and record one song. Spoiler alert: it was no easy feat.
Released on Netflix earlier this year, the film features all kinds of footage and interviews that depict and explain how the all-star recording session came to fruition. While the main interviewee is Richie, interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson, Cyndi Lauper, Dionne Warwick, Huey Lewis, and Kenny Loggins – as well as session musicians, engineers, and members of the production crew – are what make the film worth watching. Don’t get me wrong – seeing the 80s footage of Jackson at his prime, Tina Turner, a young Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder (“who can sing the phone book” but was apparently a pain in the ass throughout this process), Billy Joel with a full head of hair, Ray Charles, and a young Willie Nelson is very cool – but hearing the firsthand accounts of musicians almost 40 years later is solid gold.
First of all, I didn’t know that the recording session took place starting at 10 p.m. after the 1985 American Music Awards which were hosted (and pretty much swept) by Richie. This was the plan because logistically, it was the most probable way to ensure that all these people with insane touring schedules actually made it to the same city at the same time. Brilliant.
So all these stars arrive at the recording studio after the awards show and are there for hours (the camera cuts to the clock multiple times showing the hours ticking by) as everyone figures out the lyrics, who is singing what part, and who has one-line solos. One of my favorite parts is the way the differences between everyone’s vocals are highlighted i.e. gritty Springsteen, high range Jackson, and raspy Lauper. As far as having that level of stardom in the same room – well, Jones put a sign on the door that stated, “Check your egos at the door.” Enough said.
According to the documentary, upon its release in March 1985, “We Are the World” became one of the biggest songs ever made. It sold over 20 million copies worldwide and is credited as the first single to earn multi-platinum certification from the RIAA. Most importantly, the song reportedly help raise over $63 million (in 1985 dollars) for philanthropic aid in Africa.
While it’s unclear why this film was made and released now – 39 years later rather than celebrating a 40th anniversary, for example – getting all those people together was clearly a moment in time that is worth remembering and talking about again. And, sorry to be morbid, but the producers probably figured it was best to get those interviews done sooner rather than later for obvious reasons. When I think about the global impact of “We Are the World” so many years ago, and how people are still fighting for basic human rights, it becomes even more relevant. Also, the footage of kids all over the world singing the song is definitely uplifting and we can all use some of that right now.
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