Just saw the WATW video on VH1 classics and have some questions:

1. Some performers did double duty on the one liners; Why didn't Smokey Robinson, Jeffery Osborne, Bette Midler, the Pointer Sisters as a group, or Harry Belefonte get a line in?

2. Who are the three white guys in the top right of the chorus? not Paul Simon, not Kenny Loggins, three guys in the top far right?

3. What did LaToya do with all of her headbands from the 80's?

4. Why does Sheila look like she's drunk?

6. Saw Daryl Hall, where was John Oates?

5. Why was Dan Ackroyd there?

6. Why was there no dance remix for WATW?

You should read Quincy Jones' biography that came out last year.He has a whole chapter devoted to the making of "We Are The World".Some intersting facts that he mentioned...



***Originally,they asked Stevie Wonder to write this song.But,since Stevie was busy recording his own album ('In Square Circle') Quincy asked Michael and Lionel to write it instead.

***There was some confusion with a line that Michael wrote.He came up with an African phrase/chant that he wanted to use in the song.But,Bob Geldof (one of the planners) said "No,we can't use it...it will offend the African people".Apparently,Michael was pronouncing the word wrong.So,they actually got on the phone to somebody in Africa to get their advice! In the end,it wasn't used.

***Quincy was concerned about early defections,and he thought that some of the stars would get bored and leave early.So,he recorded the choruses first BEFORE the solos (somehow,this makes sense...lol).

***The best thing about the song is hearing Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder sing their part together.That's the highlight imo.

jthad1129 said:

There were around 50 performers,and not enough lines in the song for everybody to do a solo.Incidentally,if he had shown up,Prince would have sung the line that Huey Lewis wound up singing...

"But if you just believe,there's no way we can fall"

DavidEye said:

I thought it was supposed to be a Prince /MJ duet in the middle of the song?? The line when Michael comes back in (alone) When Prince heard that was the plan, he bailed.

jthad1129 said:

Yep,that's the part where Prince was supposed to come in...


Michael: "When you're down and out,there seems no hope at all"

Prince: "But if you just believe,there's no way we can fall"

Cyndi Lauper: "Well,well well let us realize that a change can only come"

Kim Carnes: "When we stand together as one"