We are the world, we are the people Please watch & listen *  until the very end! (*the selection will repeat)

A special thanks to ‘Pasha PowerPoint’ and Google Images for the pictures in this presentation. “We Are the World” is a song and charity single originally recorded by the a number renown artists for USA for Africa (United Support of Artists for Africa) in 1985 – in support of relief for the famine and disease in Africa, specifically the famine in Ethiopia. It was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian for an album by the same name. Several musicians were contacted by the pair, before Jackson and Richie were assigned the task of writing the song. The historic event brought together some of the most famous artists in the music industry at the time (approximately 44 US artists). The song was released on March 7, 1985, as the only single from the album. A worldwide commercial success, it topped music charts throughout the world and became the fastest-selling American pop single in history. “We Are the World” is sung from a first person viewpoint, allowing the audience to “internalize” the message by singing the word we together. It has been described as “an appeal to human compassion”. The first lines in the song’s repetitive chorus proclaim, “We are the world, we are the children, we are the ones who make a brighter day, so let’s start giving”. “We Are the World” opens with Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner, and Billy Joel singing the first verse. Michael Jackson and Diana Ross follow, completing the first chorus together. Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson and Al Jarreau sing the second verse, before Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry and David Hall go through the second chorus. Co-writer Jackson, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper and Kim Carnes follow with the song’s bridge. This structuring of the song is said to “create a sense of continuous surprise and emotional buildup”. “We Are the World” concludes with Bob Dylan and Ray Charles singing a full chorus, Wonder and Springsteen duetting, and ad libs from Charles and Ingram. (Adapted from WikipediA) [Revision & updates provided by: Roberto Bruno-Mouer Ferguson Prescott Valley, AZ  November 2014] Continue to listen to the music, or press any key to end – Hope you enjoyed the presentation