Skip to content
TrueNorthBriefQuick, clear answers for curious Canadians
Culture

We Are The World

What is we are the world?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Title We Are the World[2]
Artist USA for Africa[2]
Year 1985[2]
Writers Michael Jackson; Lionel Richie[2]
Producer Quincy Jones[2]
Purpose raise money for famine relief in Africa / Ethiopia[2]

We Are the World is a 1985 charity single by the supergroup USA for Africa, written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie to raise money for famine relief in Africa, especially Ethiopia. It was released on March 7, 1985, and became the fastest-selling US pop single, selling over 20 million copies and raising more than $80 million for humanitarian efforts. [2] [1] [5]

Context

We Are the World is a charity single recorded in 1985 by the supergroup USA for Africa. It was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie to raise money for famine relief in Africa, especially Ethiopia. [2] The song was released on March 7, 1985, and became the fastest-selling US pop single and the first single certified multi-platinum. [2] It sold over 20 million copies and has raised more than $80 million for humanitarian efforts across Africa. [2] [5] The song was recorded by over forty musicians in Los Angeles on January 28, 1985, and was inspired by the UK charity single 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'. [1] It won three Grammy Awards in 1986. [4]

Documented claims

  • The song was recorded by over forty musicians in Los Angeles on January 28, 1985. [1]
  • It won three Grammy Awards in 1986. [4]
  • It was inspired by the UK charity single 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'. [1]

Questions and answers

Who sang on We Are the World in 1985?

The song was recorded by over forty musicians in Los Angeles on January 28, 1985, as part of the supergroup USA for Africa. [1]

Did We Are the World actually help Africa?

USA for Africa says it has raised more than $80 million for humanitarian efforts across Africa. [5] Another source reports over $60 million. [3]

Who wrote We Are the World?

Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote the song. [2]

Sources

  1. We Are the World — voices.pitt.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. We Are The World by USA for Africa — songfacts.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. We Are the World: 10 Things You Didn't Know — saturdayeveningpost.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. 'We Are the World' at 30: 12 tales you might not know — usatoday.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  5. We are the world - USAforAfrica — usaforafrica.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Culture