We Are the World (album)
| We Are the World | ||
|---|---|---|
 | ||
| Studio album by USA for Africa & Various Artists | ||
| Released | April 23, 1985 | |
| Recorded | Various | |
| Genre | Various | |
| Length | 41:37 | |
| Label |
Columbia/CBS Records USA 40043 | |
| Producer | Quincy Jones, Various | |
| Singles from We Are the World | ||
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| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
We Are the World is a 1985 album that contains USA for Africa's "We Are the World", a superstar charity recording for famine relief efforts in Ethiopia.
In addition to the title track, the album includes nine previously unreleased songs by donating artists, including Prince, Chicago, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (a rendition of Jimmy Cliff's obscure "Trapped" recorded live at Meadowlands Arena on their Born in the U.S.A. Tour, which achieved considerable album-oriented rock radio airplay and topped the Mainstream Rock chart), Tina Turner and others. In addition, "Grace", by Quincy Jones, is not included in this album but appeared as the B-side of the title track when it was released a month earlier.
The album also includes another famine relief fundraising song, "Tears Are Not Enough," which was performed by Canadian supergroup Northern Lights.
Prince and The Revolution recorded "4 the Tears in Your Eyes" for the album. A rare live version of the song was included on Prince's The Hits/The B-Sides.
Reception
The album sold over 3 million copies. According to Billboard on April 27, 1985, it reached #1 in 2 weeks, something only formerly accomplished by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
Track listing
- Side one
- USA for Africa – "We Are the World" (Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie) – 7:02
- Steve Perry – "If Only for the Moment, Girl" (Randy Goodrum, Steve Perry) – 3:44
- The Pointer Sisters – "Just a Little Closer" (Robbie Nevil, Mark Mueller) – 3:53
- Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – "Trapped" (Live Version) (Jimmy Cliff) – 5:11
- Side two
- Northern Lights – "Tears Are Not Enough" (David Foster, Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance) – 4:21
- Prince & The Revolution – "4 the Tears in Your Eyes" (Prince) – 2:45
- Chicago – "Good for Nothing" (Richard Marx, Robert Lamm, David Foster) – 3:35
- Tina Turner – "Total Control" (Martha Davis, Jeff Jourard) – 3:38
- Kenny Rogers – "A Little More Love" (Thom Schuyler, Fred Knobloch) – 2:54
- Huey Lewis and the News – "Trouble in Paradise" (Live Version) (Johnny Colla, Bill Gibson, Chris Hayes, Sean Hopper, Huey Lewis, Mario Cipollina) – 4:34
Chart positions
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Billboard 200 | 1[2] |
Production credits
- Executive Producer: Ken Kragen
- Album Supervisor: Humberto Gatica
References
External links
| Preceded by No Jacket Required by Phil Collins |
Billboard 200 number-one album April 27 – May 17, 1985 |
Succeeded by No Jacket Required by Phil Collins |