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Jean Munyankindi

Mr. Hellmers

English Composition II

8 November 2020

We Are the World

Whenever tragedy afflicts a community, people organize to comfort and raise funds for

the victims or the families of the victims. “We are the world” by USA for Africa, released in

1985, did more than to console, it aimed to mobilize and raise awareness of the responsibility

humans have to each other. The second version of the song is a cover of the original- released in

2010- by Artist for Haiti. It was a response to the devastating 2010 earth quake in Haiti. The

catastrophic disaster in Haiti coincided with the 25th anniversary of the original song. Both “We

are the world” and “We are the world 25 for Haiti” proclaim an identical overarching theme:

coming together to help victims of natural disasters, therefore, making the world a better place.

“We are the world 25 for Haiti”, though, features a variation of vocals, acoustics, instruments,

and harmony. This reflects the variety of what was considered pop music, when the song was

released.

“We are the World” calls us not only to be unified, but to go over and beyond- and be

our brother’s keeper. This call appears in the very first line of the song “There comes a time

when we heed a certain call, When the world must come together as one”

Entertainer and activist Harry Belafonte wanted to raise awareness to the deaths in Africa due to

the on-going famines, specifically Ethiopia in the 1980s, and overall poverty in the United States

of America. He contacted award-winning artist, also known as the king of pop, Michael Jackson,
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who co-wrote the song with Lionel Richie. The song has gone on to be covered multiple times,

especially during national or international catastrophes. Numerous artists of different race,

background, and musical genre performed in the final song. The music video displays

tremendous diversity. The artists are aligned as a choir with producer, Quincy Jones conducting.

Side to side movements, coupled with, on-beat clapping, create feel good harmony. The call to

unity is dramatically emphasized by the gradually rising voice of Celine Dion: “well well well let

us realize oh that change can only come when we come together as one.” She also pleads, by

adding “oh”, for the audience to understand the only way to bring about change is by merging

our efforts. Change refers to the switch of overlooking poverty, starvation, and unnecessary

suffering around us.

Both versions reiterate on the responsibility to each other. Part of the lyric’s shades light

on the ignored truth: “We can’t go on pretending day by day, that someone somewhere will soon

make a change.” Just like a litterer pretends there will be someone to clean up afterwards. We

tend to do the same when it comes to addressing problems affecting people on other side of the

world.

“We are the World 25 for Haiti” embodies the wide variety of music that was considered

pop in 2010. The music video includes country, hip hop and rap, rock, blues, and jazz artists. A

few years earlier, hip hop would have been considered too vulgar and strange, to be incorporated

in a historic song. hip hop lyrics, when the song was released, could be quoted by kids, teens,

and adults from all walks of American life. Hip hop artists slowly became trendsetters; and its

producers revered. This is to say, it was only fitting that the bridge of this song was a rap verse.
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The verse features LL Cool J, Will. I. Am, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, and Sweaz Beats. All

well tested for this moment. This verse appeals to the rational mind of the listener. The artists are

interrogating listeners on their times of need.

“We all need somebody that we can lean on

When you wake up look around and see that your dream’s gone…

…Someone to help you move the obstacles you stumbled on

Someone to help you rebuild after the rubbles gone”

They go on to describe the good Samaritan’s deeds. All to conclude: love holds our world

together. They continue to implore to the listener to spread love to the less fortunate. Moreover,

the utilization of auto-tune was prevalent during this musical time period. In this song, Akon and

lil wayne make use of it in their lines.

Both versions of the song urge the listener to contemplate donating to the needy, both

were recorded at the same location. The arrangement of the vocalists is identical. Furthermore,

the duet segments of the song are represented with spilt screens. In the 1985 version, Stevie

Wonder and Bruce Springsteen go back and forth singing the chorus. Wonder sings “We are the

World”. Springsteen responds, “we are the World.” In the 2010 version, Kanye West and

Will.i.Am complement each other’s line. Kanye West sings “Uh, 12 days no water What’s your

will to live?” Will.i.am adds “We amplified the love we watching multiply.” This symbolizes a

conversation between peers, or by yourself. Although the 2010 version features different artist,

composition and production, the overarching theme is constant. The theme is coming together to

help the less fortunate, through love.

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Works Cited

Artists for Haiti. “We Are the World 25 for Haiti”. 2010. Accessed 8 November 2020.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glny4jSciVI

U.S.A for Africa. “We Are The World” 1985. Accessed 8 November 2020.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9BNoNFKCBI