(IT IS NOT CLOSE TO THE ANNIVERSARRY.
BUT I RAN INTO THIS PIECE WHILE LOOKING UP Bob Dylan. YOU WILL ENJOY
IT.)
Thirty years ago tomorrow, a time came
when over 40 musicians heeded a certain call. The call was to come to
a studio in L.A. and record a song — a song so epic, so
star-studded, so unabashedly schmaltzy it will never be forgotten.
That song, "We Are the World,"
went on to sell more than 20 million copies and raise over $63
million for humanitarian aid in Africa. Though notable and good, its
charitable work is not its legacy. "We Are the World" is
known for being a wonderful, delightful, ever-entertaining hot mess
of celebrities jockeying for attention and the ability to say their
voice did the most for Africa.
So, to mark this tremendous
anniversary, Vulture will officially decide whose contribution was
most important (and whose was the least).
1. Stevie Wonder
It has to be Stevie. Stevie Wonder was the first artist asked by Richie and Rogers (after Belafonte asked them). The two Rs felt Wonder would instantly bring credibility to the project, and they were right. Wonder is transcendent, as his big solo (after the awesome call-and-response with Bruce) makes you forget for a second that the song isn't good.
It has to be Stevie. Stevie Wonder was the first artist asked by Richie and Rogers (after Belafonte asked them). The two Rs felt Wonder would instantly bring credibility to the project, and they were right. Wonder is transcendent, as his big solo (after the awesome call-and-response with Bruce) makes you forget for a second that the song isn't good.
The melody and especially the rhythm of
the vocal remove a lot of the inherent cheesiness. And if that wasn't
enough, he also reportedly lightened the mood. He joked that if the
recording wasn't done in one take, he and Ray Charles would drive
everyone home. Stevie, you are our world.
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