January 21, 2010

From U2 and Jay-Z's collaboration to Patti Smith and James Taylor's charity shows, musicians have been doing all they can to raise funds to help the earthquake victims in Haiti. Now, Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie can be added to the list.

The recording heavyweights are planning to the return to the studio and remake the 1985 hit, 'We Are the World.' Celebrating its 25th anniversary on Jan. 28, the song, which originally raised money to help feed and relieve famine in Africa, will raise money for Haiti. According to Billboard, Jones and Richie are asking artists to stay an extra night during Grammy weekend and participate in the project.

While Michael Jackson obviously won't be a part of the remake, it won't be surprising if an invite has been sent out to the other original soloists like Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Cyndi Lauper and Dionne Warwick. Usher, Natalie Cole and John Legend are some of the artists who have already been invited, and we're sure many other Grammy nominees will jump on the opportunity to be part of it.

Helmed by Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich, 'We Are the World' will not only be a single but also turned into a video, just like the 1985 recording. While no artists have been officially confirmed to record, more news about the remake will no doubt be coming out very soon.


http://www.spinner.com/20...rld-haiti/
[Edited 2/13/10 7:26am]

Identity said:

...maybe Prince can take Michael's place .

Maybe NOT.

Graycap23 said:

NOBODY could.

PDogz said:

Im not gonna attack you after you made that statement..I just think it was funny how you hide afterwards like you expect it to happen

Rinluv said:

SMH Why are they even remaking the song at all? Why not create an original song geared towards it's purpose for raising funds for the Haiti Relief. "We Are The World" was for another purpose in another era. The industry is really killing me with this "remake" bullshit.

missfee said:

Maybe because the Haitian relief effort falls on the 25th anniversary of "We Are The World", and they're using that in an attempt to gain greater interest? That's the only reason I can think of for doing it. But the unintended result will probably be that people will just miss Michael even more. I'm surprised Lionel Ritchie would even go for it.

PDogz said:

That's fine to want to honor it but for it to benefit the Haitian Relief it should be something original. But as always, money talks and bullshit walks.

missfee said:

Agreed!

That'd b cool if Prince world break out of his shell n b a part of this....even if it's just doling a little something. He could never replace MJ n don't think he would even try....but to see him get involved would b nice to c.

why not write an even better song? We Are the Word was an event, but it's a really cheesy song.

And how exactly are they planning on improving upon MJ, Stevie, Ray Charles, Dylan, Bruce, etc?

NDRU said:

I know right..We Are The World is kinda boring and cheesy to me..

Who cares

What a waste.

Can't they come up with their own charity ideas instead of copying and remaking previous songs or ideas?

vainandy said:

And the remake isn't going to raise nowhere near as much as the original.

vainandy said:

No.....have u seen the Billboard 200 the last 20 years?

What is this another tribute to michael just make a new song but I remembered the one they did for 9/11 wasn't NEW either . Messing up the originals

really..... why re-make such a crap song.

They should make something new and more interesting,

imo.

thedance said:

Took the words right out of my mouth.

i know it's popular to hate on this song, but i liked it a lot when it was out. i still remember how every radio station played it at a certain time one day in '85...happy times.

but i wouldn't count on billy joel or cyndi lauper taking part since, according joel, they also thought the song was crap.

kibbles said:

i love the song .. i feel that it's very sincere. MJ would never make a song JUST BECAUSE.

ViintageJunkiie said:

The spirit of it as well as the performances are great, but the actual song is a little schlocky

PDogz said:

MEMO: Paris Jackson might do it. Remember, she will NOT allow anyone to touch her father's mic.

A remake, can't they make their own song?

Why just re-release the original for chrissakes?! Or re-release Marvin's "What's Going On" or "Mercy Mercy Me" or "Save the Children" or re-release Teddy's "Wake Up Everybody" if we're talking about doing songs for relief. Or write their own.

Just saying. Good gesture but that just reeks of laziness.

yes, even as a remake, 'wake up everybody' would be great. unlike we are the world, it wasn't everywhere, and the message is just as relevant.

not only does it sound lazy, but slightly self-serving. it's gonna get attention b/c everyone remembers mj's involvement in it, it was the other high point of his career outside of thriller. it raises quincy and lionel's profile in the public eye, and like the last time, whomever is involved gains some sort of 'cred' for having been a part of it. yes, it's a great cause, but the performers also get something out of it.

Timmy84 said:

I think that's been done by Bono, Mary J, Justin, Ja Rule, etc.

TonyVanDam said:

THERE's an idea. I've been thinking that if The Jackson's go back on tour, they could have Janet sing Michael's parts, and still call the group The Jackson 5. No doubt Janet could keep up with the choreography, and I think she'd be warmly received.

his daughter???? Now you know that would cause drama