Probably the same reason critics generally don't like Michael Bolton, Air Supply, Whitney Houston, Kenny G, Phil Collins, or Pat & Debby Boone. They don't tend to like adult contemporary songs and We Are The World is basically that. Sun City was uptempo and dancable and it was produced by Arthur Baker who was a popular dance producer/remixer in the 1980s. Sun City as a song was considered more "cool" than We Are The World and Do They Know It's Christmas, which were considered bland.

It's a sappy piece of crap.

MotownSubdivision said:

Why is this song seemingly so hated by critics and hardcore music listeners? Is it because it's a charity single? Is it because of the lyrics? Is it because famine in Africa is still as bad as it was back in 1985? Or since this is a Prince site, is it just people in here mad that Prince wasn't on it (as he was originally intended to be) and because he wasn't there, it's just sour grapes and that makes WATW a bad song? Or is it because a lot of famous, wealthy celebrities were foing something charitable and selfless and it couldn't have been anything more than a publicity stunt? The way I see it, it was well composed; everything was engineered to perfection. I just got the DVD yesterday and you can tell that they were serious about making the song from getting all the right people to sing the right parts with all the right notes at exactly the right times. This wasn't just slapped together at the last minute and handed in (like WATW 25 was), it was intricately constructed and made with the utmost care and finesse. Furthermore, why do the artists (the ones who were actually there) catch the flack for participating? They did their part in lending their voices and credibility to actually get people to listen and buy the song even if the money was mismanaged. So why does a harmless song that inherently was successful and fulfilled its purpose get capped on by seemingly so many people? It sounds good, it had good intentions, and it had a good vibe so why?

Because people are stupid, that's why.

We should thank it for the song Hello?

MickyDolenz said:

Probably the same reason critics generally don't like Michael Bolton, Air Supply, Whitney Houston, Kenny G, Phil Collins, or Pat & Debby Boone. They don't tend to like adult contemporary songs and We Are The World is basically that. Sun City was uptempo and dancable and it was produced by Arthur Baker who was a popular dance producer/remixer in the 1980s. Sun City as a song was considered more "cool" than We Are The World and Do They Know It's Christmas, which were considered bland.

"Sun City" had Lou Reed and Joey Ramone singing on it. That alone makes it way cooler than "We Are The World".

PatrickS77 said:

MotownSubdivision said:

Why is this song seemingly so hated by critics and hardcore music listeners? Is it because it's a charity single? Is it because of the lyrics? Is it because famine in Africa is still as bad as it was back in 1985? Or since this is a Prince site, is it just people in here mad that Prince wasn't on it (as he was originally intended to be) and because he wasn't there, it's just sour grapes and that makes WATW a bad song? Or is it because a lot of famous, wealthy celebrities were foing something charitable and selfless and it couldn't have been anything more than a publicity stunt? The way I see it, it was well composed; everything was engineered to perfection. I just got the DVD yesterday and you can tell that they were serious about making the song from getting all the right people to sing the right parts with all the right notes at exactly the right times. This wasn't just slapped together at the last minute and handed in (like WATW 25 was), it was intricately constructed and made with the utmost care and finesse. Furthermore, why do the artists (the ones who were actually there) catch the flack for participating? They did their part in lending their voices and credibility to actually get people to listen and buy the song even if the money was mismanaged. So why does a harmless song that inherently was successful and fulfilled its purpose get capped on by seemingly so many people? It sounds good, it had good intentions, and it had a good vibe so why?

Because people are stupid, that's why.

So folks who don't like what you like are stupid? Gotcha.

The two comments above are spot on , it has nothing to do with Prince not being on it , it would still be looked down on if it did.

[Edited 10/4/14 13:41pm]

sexton said:

"Sun City" had Lou Reed and Joey Ramone singing on it. That alone makes it way cooler than "We Are The World".

I've never cared about coolness and I like We Are The World. I have the maxi single and the album. I have the DVD of it too. I didn't like the new version for Haiti though.

I don't think it's a terrible song yes,it's schmaltzy,but I think it's a well-composed song.

Best part of the song is Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder singing together.

1986 American Music Awards

uPtoWnNY said:

PatrickS77 said:

Because people are stupid, that's why.

So folks who don't like what you like are stupid? Gotcha.

Why can't we make the org a brighter day? just you and i.

[Edited 10/4/14 14:42pm]

MotownSubdivision said:

Why is this song seemingly so hated by critics and hardcore music listeners? Is it because it's a charity single? Is it because of the lyrics? Is it because famine in Africa is still as bad as it was back in 1985? Or since this is a Prince site, is it just people in here mad that Prince wasn't on it (as he was originally intended to be) and because he wasn't there, it's just sour grapes and that makes WATW a bad song? Or is it because a lot of famous, wealthy celebrities were foing something charitable and selfless and it couldn't have been anything more than a publicity stunt? The way I see it, it was well composed; everything was engineered to perfection. I just got the DVD yesterday and you can tell that they were serious about making the song from getting all the right people to sing the right parts with all the right notes at exactly the right times. This wasn't just slapped together at the last minute and handed in (like WATW 25 was), it was intricately constructed and made with the utmost care and finesse. Furthermore, why do the artists (the ones who were actually there) catch the flack for participating? They did their part in lending their voices and credibility to actually get people to listen and buy the song even if the money was mismanaged. So why does a harmless song that inherently was successful and fulfilled its purpose get capped on by seemingly so many people? It sounds good, it had good intentions, and it had a good vibe so why?

what a great question regarding a great moment....

I really believe this song marked the very apex of the music industry and presentation.....

this was teh highmark and then it all began to decline.....

everyone in that studio that night honored their profession.......

SoulAlive said:

I don't think it's a terrible song yes,it's schmaltzy,but I think it's a well-composed song.

Best part of the song is Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder singing together.

And well produce too

uPtoWnNY said:

PatrickS77 said:

Because people are stupid, that's why.

So folks who don't like what you like are stupid? Gotcha.

No. People, who don't like that song, are stupid.

I Am The World

PatrickS77 said:

uPtoWnNY said:

So folks who don't like what you like are stupid? Gotcha.

No. People, who don't like that song, are stupid.

What a stupid thing to say.

[Edited 10/4/14 19:00pm]

It's just not a very good song, and Do They Know It's Christmas was done before, better and with much more thought into the production.

uPtoWnNY said:

PatrickS77 said:

No. People, who don't like that song, are stupid.

What a stupid thing to say.

[Edited 10/4/14 19:00pm]

Look at his fucking avatar...
He would probably even drink the anal leakage Mikey would have offered him...
Fucking idiots who are into that drug money laundering scam of "We are the World" should be sliced open and experimented on to further human development...

Neversin.

Neversin said:

uPtoWnNY said:

thedoorkeeper said:

uPtoWnNY said:

It's a sappy piece of crap.

yes it definitely is sappy. What makes it an interesting song is the collection of singers. If it would be sung by one vocalist it would be clear it is a MJ schmaltz dream.Try and find someone doing a cover version. If it were a good song it would be recorded by other artists. It is a gimmick song. It worked for its purpose to raise $ but it is no great song.

this was not the sentiment in 1985

when I was in the school choir back in the 8th grade

there was major battles as to who was going to sing which parts

it was like it got to the point where student had to "pick straws" to end the fuss....

every major radio station in the united states played this song on teh airwaves at the same time

I can't recall another song before or since who achieved such a moment........

The collection of singers is also a problem. It chops and changes so much, it just doesn't sound very good. There's a much bigger mix of different kinds of artists compared to Do They Know It's Christmas, but that's not necesarily a good thing. Bob Dylan, Cyndi Lauper, Diana Ross and Willie Nelson etc. really just shouldn't go together.

Also, has anyone seen the Making Of scenes on the DVD? Bob Dylan was so out of it, he probably took about an hour to sing one line.

[Edited 10/5/14 8:03am]

On another note re: Do They Know It's Chrstmas - That was done slap dash in desperation out of one man's idea, all coming together through organised chaos. WATW had the same sentiment but it had a head start in months of preparation before one night of recording. When the re-ignited Band Aid with Band Aid II in 1989 and Band Aid 20 in 2004, the former was a cheesy mess and the latter had a stench of self importance and faux credibility about it. Only the original had any sense of being genuine for the cause.

And I'm saying this as an MJ fan and someone who generally doesn't like Bob Geldof all that much!

MickyDolenz said:

sexton said:

"Sun City" had Lou Reed and Joey Ramone singing on it. That alone makes it way cooler than "We Are The World".

I've never cared about coolness and I like We Are The World. I have the maxi single and the album. I have the DVD of it too. I didn't like the new version for Haiti though.

I've never cared about coolness and I don't like "We Are The World". "Do They Know It's Christmas" is a charity song I can still listen to today, but not "We Are The World". Bleh.

it sure was a cynical project

Hall & Oates 2013

sexton said:

Hands Across America / Stars

When I was in the 8th grade and 12 yrs. old, I raised $100.00 for USA For Africa. Back then, I felt like I really achieved something in the name of global charity for my efforts. For that $100.00, I got a certificate, a button and a sweatshirt in the mail in the weeks 2 follow! LOL! I was SO PROUD of myself that my Jr. High School class was able to help the world feed a nation suffering from famine. It was the thing 2 do. I always thought the song was pretty and the melody is a memorable one.

"We Are The World," though by today's standards, is considered "sappy or corny," was truly anthemic! Richie and Jackson composed a very touching piece of music that not only united musical celebrity, but also united people from ALL walks of life to come 2gether and share in a unique campaign for humaneness. I have great memories of it when I hear it from time 2 time.