1985 Hit Ranked 'Fastest-Selling US Pop Single' in History Topped Charts 41 Years Ago Today
On this date in 1985, "We Are the World" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the biggest songs in the world. The charity single united some of the era's biggest stars, including Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and instantly became one of the most iconic moments in music history.
The song’s trajectory on the charts and its impact were remarkable. It debuted at No. 21 before reaching the top spot within a month, which was roughly half the time it typically took a single to peak in that era. To say that it had similar commercial success would be an understatement. Early shipments sold out almost immediately and it became one of the fastest-selling American pop releases of its time, eventually becoming the eighth-best-selling single of all time. It also topped charts across the globe, including in Ireland, Chile, and South Africa. In total, the song raised over $80 million for Ethiopian famine relief, which is equivalent to roughly $240 million today.
Additionally, the song happened to mark a significant milestone for several of its featured artists and it became the first No. 1 hit for artists like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and La Toya Jackson.
Written by Jackson and Richie and co-produced by Quincy Jones, the track featured a massive lineup of talent. In total, 45 artists took part, including 21 soloists like: Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Ray Charles, John Oates, Bette Midler, Dan Aykroyd, and Harry Belafonte, all performing under the supergroup USA for Africa (United Support of Artists for Africa).
The idea started with Belafonte, the singer and civil rights activist, who was inspired by Band Aid's 1984 single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" and wanted to organize a similar project in the United States to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief. He reached out to artist manager Ken Kragen, who helped bring the project together, including bringing on his own clients Richie and Rogers.
The recording session itself became part of the song's legacy and it brought dozens of major artists into one room for what was later described as "the world's most serious party." At one point near the end of the session, Stevie Wonder brought in two Ethiopian women who came to the studio to personally thank the performers for their efforts. The moment reportedly left several artists in tears.
The song was able to be appreciated beyond its scope because of the clear intention behind it. Jones was particularly careful about how the lyrics would come across and he pushed to remove anything that sounded self-congratulatory. Writer David Breskin documented the sessions and recalled the strong emphasis the contributors placed on collective responsibility throughout. Journalist J. Randy Taraborrelli later noted a sign posted at the studio entrance that read, “Check your ego at the door.”
Forty years later, the song holds up in both impact and artistry. It continues to be celebrated and referenced. On the 20th anniversary of its release, Belafonte reflected on what the song had meant to him and he said that the greatest compliment he could receive was knowing it had stood the test of time and that anyone old enough could still, at the very least, hum along.
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