We Are the World (album)

We Are the World
Studio album by
USA for Africa and various artists
ReleasedApril 1, 1985
Genre
Length41:37
LabelColumbia/CBS
ProducerQuincy Jones, Various
Singles from We Are the World
  1. "We Are the World"
    Released: March 7, 1985
  2. "Tears Are Not Enough"
    Released: May 1, 1985

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. The album was released on April 1, 1985,[1][2][3] by Columbia Records.

In addition to the title track, the album includes nine previously unreleased songs by donating artists, including Prince, Steve Perry, 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.

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, done for Live Aid, was included on Prince's The Hits/The B-Sides.

Chicago's contribution, "Good for Nothing", would be the last single released with bass player Peter Cetera's lead vocals before he left the band. It was later included on the band's comprehensive 2003 compilation, The Box.

The album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1986.

  1. ^ Kragen, Ken (9 March 1985). "An Open Letter To Everyone In Radio" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 10. New York, NY, USA: Billboard Publications, Inc. p. 5. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-01-27. Retrieved 4 April 2024. The release of this record [single] on March 7 and the subsequent album on April 1 is not just about raising money
  2. ^ Adelson, David, ed. (9 March 1985). "Columbia Set For March 7 Release Of "We Are The World"" (PDF). Cash Box. 48 (39). New York, NY, USA: Albert, George: 7. ISSN 0008-7289. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-03-08. Retrieved 4 April 2024. An album, featuring not only the single but also unreleased tracks by some of the artists who performed on "We Are The World," as well as by others (including Prince) who were unable to attend, will follow on April 1.
  3. ^ "10-song 'We Are The World' album hits record stores today". Gainesville Sun. No. 1 April 1985. Gainesville, FL, USA. Associated Press. p. 5C. Retrieved 4 April 2024. The USA for Africa fund-raising album featuring 45 superstars singing "We Are The World" is scheduled to arrive in record stores today