the world stopped when this song premiered. we literally stopped in front of tv sets and radio speakers to experience the moment. for four to five minutes on that day in 1985, we were the world. it was an impactful moment.

Unless you know all of the singers involved you don’t realise how truly epic this was.

Imagine as a child seeing nearly all the biggest singers coming together for one song. USA for Africa raised $44.5 million to help children and families suffering drought and famine in Africa and over $63 million total, with 10% helping hunger and homelessness in the US. Money going to Africa also started 70 recovery and development projects, including agriculture, fishing, water management, manufacturing, and reforestation. One man who lived in Addis Abbas Ethiopia said that they named the bread made from the wheat provided from the aid they named Michael bread after Michael Jackson.

Lionel Richie - 0:26 Stevie Wonder - 0:39 Paul Simon - 0:43 Kenny Rogers - 0:53 James Ingram - 0:59 Tina Turner - 1:06 Billy Joel - 1:13 Michael Jackson - 1:19 Diana Ross - 1:32 Dionne Warwick - 1:48 Willie Nelson - 2:02 Al Jarreau - 2:09 Bruce Springsteen - 2:15 Kenny Loggins - 2:21 Steve Perry - 2:28 Daryl Hall - 2:36 Huey Lewis - 2:48 Cyndi Lauper - 2:54 Kim Carnes - 3:02 Bob Dylan - 3:48 Ray Charles - 4:27 Chorus (alphabetically) Dan Aykroyd Harry Belafonte Lindsey Buckingham Mario Cipollina Johnny Colla Sheila E. Bob Geldof Bill Gibson Chris Hayes Sean Hopper Jackie Jackson La Toya Jackson Marlon Jackson Randy Jackson Tito Jackson Waylon Jennings Bette Midler John Oates Jeffrey Osborne The Pointer Sisters Smokey Robinson

Michale jackson and lionel richie wrote this song and put everthing together This is when real music legends use there TALENTS FOR SOMETHING BIGGER THAN THEMSELVES NO BODY GOT PAID FOR THIS

This was so epic. Everyone no matter race or music genre all left their egos at the door, and joined together to create this song for those suffering in Africa. You've got everyone from Bob Dylan, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Cindy Lauper, Kenny Rogers, Steve Perry from Journey, Tina Turner, Harry Belfonte, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen and the list goes on and on. Every single one of them an icon in their own right. Yet nobody starred while everyone starred in this effort to help others. Those were the good old days, and I miss them.

Cindy Lauper's passion gets me every single time!

This was a huge deal! To get 45 of the biggest stars of that time together in one room, basically at the drop of a hat, was a major undertaking. They all dropped their egos at the door, came in and worked together to pull it off. All for charity!! Kudos to all who participated. They raised more than $60 million for the African famine crisis.

I'm a 90s kid but grew up on 80s music. Please remember that never ever again will we get such talents in one room. Today's best artists couldn't compare much to this line up

Soloists in order: Lionel Richie Stevie Wonder Paul Simon Kenny Rogers James Ingram Tina Turner Billy Joel Michael Jackson Diana Ross Dionne Warwick Willie Nelson Al Jarreau Bruce Springsteen Kenny Loggins Steve Perry Darryl Hall Hughie Lewis Cindy Lauper Kim Carnes Bob Dylan Ray Charles Writers: Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie Conductor: Quincy Jones

These "SUPERSTARS" came together late at night after an awards show, they left their egos at the door and rehearsed for hours to male this recording. All proceeds went to help feed the babies in Africa! First of its kind!! I'll never forget this!

List of participants in case anyone was curious: We Are the World” Soloists (in order of appearance) Time codes indicate start of first solo Lionel Richie - 0:26 Stevie Wonder - 0:39 Paul Simon - 0:43 Kenny Rogers - 0:53 James Ingram - 0:59 Tina Turner - 1:06 Billy Joel - 1:13 Michael Jackson - 1:19 Diana Ross - 1:32 Dionne Warwick - 1:48 Willie Nelson - 2:02 Al Jarreau - 2:09 Bruce Springsteen - 2:15 Kenny Loggins - 2:21 Steve Perry - 2:28 Daryl Hall - 2:36 Huey Lewis - 2:48 Cyndi Lauper - 2:54 Kim Carnes - 3:02 Bob Dylan - 3:48 Ray Charles - 4:27 “We Are the World” Chorus (alphabetically) Dan Aykroyd Harry Belafonte Lindsey Buckingham Mario Cipollina Johnny Colla Sheila E. Bob Geldof Bill Gibson Chris Hayes Sean Hopper Jackie Jackson La Toya Jackson Marlon Jackson Randy Jackson Tito Jackson Waylon Jennings Bette Midler John Oates Jeffrey Osborne The Pointer Sisters Smokey Robinson

This brings back memories! I t was recorded in the 80's as a fundraiser for African famine relief.Every American star of the time was there.Led by legend Quincy Jones.Co- wrote by Lionel Ritchie and MJ.They all came together to do it in one day and no one was paid.Quincy Jones put a sign on the door saying " Please leave egos outside".This followed a British version called "Band Aid" that also was a huge outdoor event in London raising funds for Africa.I was in London at the time and the whole thing was HUGE! I will never forget it. Different times.

This was such an exciting piece of history. These who's who of the music world came together for a cause! It still gives me chills. This is how we all should do every day. Together for a great cause.

Watching from Kenya, East Africa. The proceeds from this song saved millions of Ethiopians from starvation in the midst of a terrible drought...Michael is deeply loved in Africa...and Quincy Jones who produced this historic song 🎵

This was the biggest group of musicians since Woodstock who got together for good. Love that y'all are learning that it wasn't about money or celebrity.

This gave me chills seeing this after decades! You just don't know the amount of legends in this one video. The fact that you felt them individually shows how great they were and are.

This song was so powerful, one day was set that all the radio stations played this at the same time...it was awesome! I still get chills watching it, seeing all the singers, some who are no longer with us singing together, this is still beautiful!❤❤❤

Classic. Goosebumps. Could u imagine this today?? I sure wish everyone would have lived by these words.

Literally every single recognizable artist across all genres was apart of this. Like someone else said EVERYONE stopped to acknowledge the greatness and the show of our love and support for Africa. Take a minute to look up the artist names to feel the true respect this song brings. You may not recognize faces but you will recognize names. This song will make every #GenXer stop in their tracts - still to this day. The song of a generation.

There were more superstar GOATS on that stage at one time, that has not been equaled since that day. You've reacted to many of them in the past. That was a monster song back in the 80's As others below mentioned it was for famine relief in Africa. I've not seen this one in over 30 years, awesome seeing it again! FIVE STARS!! 💥🎯🙏🙂

This was the American song that was sort of a companion to a British song called "Do They Know It's Christmas" recorded by an all-star British group called Band-Aid that featured George Michael, Boy George, Simon LeBon of Duran Duran and Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet. Your man Phil Collins played drums on the song. The creator of this effort was Bob Geldof, who would organize the legendary Live-Aid concert in the summer of 1985.

This came about mere weeks after the UK-based supergroup Band-Aid released "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which was for famine in Ethiopia in 1984, musician Harry Belafonte started to think about an American benefit single for African famine relief. He contacted several musicians, and Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie were asked to write the song, whilst Quincy Jones produced and orchestrated it. They completed writing the single "We Are the World" seven weeks after the release of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" Both historic events UK & USA brought together some of the era's best-known music industry artists, some of the musicians from both sides of the pond will be remembered for all time in music history provided young men like yourselves continue to pass great music on like your subscribers are doing. If you haven't checked out the UK one yet you should do.

This was the most amazing choral compilation of all time. The 80s was simply an amazing time for music. I think we should play this on every network to remind us of what we can be if we practice love instead of all this hate.

This is from my childhood it is forever etched into my brain and randomly it will start playing in my head. Sadly your generation will never see this level of talent and legends in the one room singing a tune together. This level will never be repeated....ever.

I remember the day when literally thousands of radio stations around the world played this song at the same time. I turned around the dial & all of our local stations were playing it. A year later (1986) we had "Hands Across America." I was a part of that. We cheered loudly when they announced Ohio had completed the chain. There were many helicopters flying overhead. What a great time in our history!!!

Still brings tears to my eyes hearing all these wonderful artists coming together for a great cause.

Super Chills every time!!!! 🥺😍 this song should be aired on a loud speaker globally rt now!!!!!

This song and arraignment was put together by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, lots of big people in that video Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Kenny Loggins, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson and his sister Latoya and brother Randy and Sister Rebbie Jackson and lots others this was to rise money for to fight AIDS in Africa and around the World such a special song.🙏🏽😊

1985, the song was co-written by Lionel Richie & MJ. The way they got all those peeps at the same time, was to scheduled the vocals recording session for right after the Grammys that year. That may have need Quincy’s idea.

The amount of talent in this video is off the charts. This song never gets old.

I've listened to this song for 30 years and I still get goosebumps every time I hear it. Especially when Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder sing! #iconic

Michael Jackson was a deity at the time. We were so captivated by him. I was 11 when this came out.

Loved it when Tim gleefully recognized the great the cool Ray Charles. 👍🤗 Thanks as always for the honest visceral reaction guys, that you admitted they look familiar but that you're bad with names. It's totally OK. ✊

They don't know what legends these singers are. but it's cool that the twin just enjoy the music. so pure

This song still gives me chills. Artists today can't be in the same room to even pull this off.

The reason Michael is by himself in his first solo is because he skipped the awards ceremony that was taking place that evening (as that’s how they were able to get so many huge stars at the same place and same time), and did sound checks etc before the others arrived. The only other person who recorded their part separately was Dylan, apparently because he was too shy to perform it in front of everyone else.

All the greats of the 80’s in a recording studio it was epic. This song turned the views of AIDS world wide. Old school recording Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie co wrote this song...

It has been so many years since this video came out and to this day I can't watch this without a big smile on my face. This is the greatest assemblage of talent ever. A billion albums were sold among them. I really love that every singer kept their own personal singing style and no one told them to sing like everyone else. The message is forever in our hearts! R.I.P. to those who transitioned!

THOSE VOICES!!! That’s how it used to be, an over abundance of talent everywhere!

Your homework is to identify each singer. This was an epic event. Amazing history here. "Let us realize, oh, that a change can only come, when we stand together as one!"

I love watching how a song that was so powerful to us as children still touches the younger generation. All those artists were at the top of their respective genres at the time and when they got together to do this...NONE of them asked to be paid. They literally gave up an entire night for something they all believed in. All of them checked their egos at the door and just came together as humans. We need this now more than ever. Love from South Africa!

You guys are so damn polite. And evolved. You made me appreciate this whole thing way more than I did when I was kid and it came out. Bless you both.

So glad to see how much you guys enjoyed this!! 💕Just a room of extraordinary talent coming together on one song. They used to play this every hour on the radio stations and you never got tired of hearing it. It's amazing the feeling a positive message put to music, can create. RIP to some of the legends on here: James Ingram, Ray Charles, Bob Dillon, Harry Belafonte, Kenny Rogers, Al Jarreau, Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, Bonnie Pointer, June Pointer. 🙏🏾

Even the dogs in the background feeling this. This song can move anyone

🎼SO NOSTALIGIC! Great pick----holds up after all these years! Thanks guys, glad you loved it, too!!

This collaboration taught my generation so much about life and the power of music. Quincy Jones is to be applauded for what he accomplished with this group of artists.

Fredo getting nice w the clippers. That's a fresh ass cut Tim!

So much incredible talent in that one room singing together to raise awareness. Truly an amazing moment in time and it transcends through the years and still rings true. So glad you have experienced this one. Love it and still waiting to see you react to Deliverance by Rationale💚💚💚

You should also check out the 25 year anniversary remake of this song done for Haiti in 2010. They added some genres that were missing from the original.

Even the puppy felt the love pouring from the speakers. We are the world. 💞

ALL of them Legends. So glad you experienced it. A very important moment in American musical history. For Africa and the whole entire world. We are one. Period. New generations must hear We Are The World........God's Great Big Family ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🥰

Yep, the world did stop with this song. The puppy singing in the background super cute!!! Keith missed Patti Labelle. Thanks guys, Joan and Keith Bates

Great pick. This was one of those singers for a charity that was popular in the 80's. There was this, Farm Aid, Live Aid, a couple more i can't remember. The story behind this is.... Lionel Ritchie (the first soloist) And Michael Jackson wrote this and Quincy Jones, the conductor, produced it very quickly. Michael convinced all these artists to record this after the Grammys, that night. So they all went to this studio, learned it, and recorded the song in one night. In 1985, Michael had THAT much pull. Just to give you a few names singing, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, James ingram, Hall and Oats, Ray Charles, all of the Jacksons, Paul Simon, Kenny Loggins.... way too many.

I was 15 when this came out - still have the 45. Brings tears to my eyes still today. Just an epic group of legends.

Listen to it twice...all genres of music coming together for one cause .. beautiful ❤️❤️

This song makes me cry every time! So beautiful, so powerful, so needed for today's world!!

Funny this has come full circle for me to see yall react to it i had to perform this song back in elementary school in 1985 when this single song dropped my mom had to go out and buy the 45' inch record. For me to learn song my whole class had to do it for assembly. In front of whole school .my part was stevie wonder ray charles michael jackson and cyndi laupers parts . thank u for memories 😁🌍

I love that you guys start singing along. No one can resist the urge to do that with this song.

I wonder if you understand the importance of this not just the song. The talent represented is extraordinary! Legendary.

A moment back in time when we all stood still for this memorable event and song. God bless the artists who came together in the middle of the night to put this beautiful song together for world awareness!

Thousands of radio stations in the country played this song at the exact same time. Can't explain what a huge deal this event and this song was.

The most beautiful thing about this whole collaboration is that you have some of the best singers of several music genres - pop, R&B, rock, soul, country & jazz. They all came together & did their own interpretations of the lyrics. I remember when the song & music video first premiered. I played it over & over again. Watching it back again today I still enjoy it so much. I've always wondered, however, how they picked the soloists & who picked them because there was so much talent in that room.

Thank you for this one! Never again will there be a gathering of musicians as great as this! I'm 43 and I love your appreciation of the music I grew up on.

That's one thing u gotta say about the 80's- they made some damn good collaborations for good causes. Artists need to do this again instead of money going right back into their pockets. Use your talent to help/ benefit others.

Great observation of this song. It's a classic and all the artists left their egos at the door and did what they do best.

This song is proof, that you can take amazing singers from different genres, different singing styles, different vocal abilities, different music abilities, different backgrounds, different races, different levels of success, & more than likely different points of view, yet when put together, for a cause that is dear to their hearts, there is absolutely *NO* difference whatsoever!!! 💗 **THIS SONG IS PURE MAGIC, & STILL GIVES ME GOOSEBUMPS AFTER ALL THESE YEARS** 💗

Great memory! Every one of those singers are huge! Loved how they all came together!

This song is just as powerful today as it was back then. A lot of the lyrics pertain to what the world is going through today! Love you guys!

If musicians today would come together like this to sing a song to get out the vote...it would be so powerful.

What a testament to the power of music. THANK YOU FOR THIS! Gives me a little faith in humanity again! ❤

I remember this as a kid. Powerful. Good luck trying to get a bunch of artist like this together now. The talent and message was unbelievable

Thanks for playing this, guys. The song was released when I was in high school. Hearing it always brings a smile to my face. What an honor to have all these iconic voices coming together for a worthy cause. There is a video on KZfaq on the making of the song. Check it out off camera.

Quincy worked very hard putting this performance together, much credit goes to him for organizing.

I grew up in the 80s and 90s...this was so emotional and so many came together to help the people of Africa! One of the best collaborations of all time! Brings tears to my eyes! ❤❤❤❤❤

Rarely one sees anyone looking more like a star than Michael on this video with gold-embroidered jacket and crystal-studded glove. His skin and hair also have a wonderful glow.

They remade this a few years ago but it will never be as legendary as when.this came out. This is a group of legends. So many of these legends are gone. 😭😭

I love the twins reactions to such a classic and timeless song!!

Imagine owning that album with all original signatures upon it. Surprised one hasn't been up for auction yet 😲😎😎

This song is truly timeless. I've seen this a million times, it seems like, and like many others, Cyndi Lauper's part gets me every time. And just the leading power of Ray Charles, the beautiful voice of Steve Perry; his voice sounds like smooth ocean waves. And that look on Tina Turner's face. I know that look. That's how we sing in church.

Yes, you are right that this collection of artists each had their own special vocal quality - part of the fun of hearing this on the radio way back then was figuring out who sang which verse. But it was quite a feat to get them all together on this one project and even hearing it now after so many decades is surprisingly emotional for me. Thanks!

**Best reaction I've seen and I was here when Fred was away at College all the time** 🤭🤯😆

SO enjoyed little puppy contributing to the song in the background! Lil precious 🐶🐶

No Matter how many times I watch this video, it makes me tear up!! Powerful!!

Netflix released a documentary called the greatest night in pop about how they made this song and its pretty amazing

My husband and I were living in Germany when this came out. I loved hearing Germans sing this, along with the Americans and Turkish workers. Truly a song for the World. Wish we could get big stars to remake this, using our singers that are still alive, and adding new voices. Bless you both!

Just found y’all last week! keep up the good work!!! Do more Beatles and classic rock, it’s slower but people love your reactions to em’! Peace and love from northern Canada!

This was an amazing time. We all watched/listened to this, as a nation. The song always brings tears to my eyes. Quincy Jones (the conductor) had a sign outside the door - Leave egos at the door. All the artists were already legends by this time. SO much talent in that room. I highly recommend looking up artists on this list to react to their music, now that you've seen them here. Soloists (in order of appearance) • Lionel Richie • Stevie Wonder • Paul Simon • Kenny Rogers • James Ingram • Tina Turner • Billy Joel • Michael Jackson • Diana Ross • Dionne Warwick • Willie Nelson • Al Jarreau • Bruce Springsteen • Kenny Loggins • Steve Perry • Daryl Hall • Huey Lewis • Cyndi Lauper • Kim Carnes • Bob Dylan • Ray Charles

This is the magic of Quincy Jones (directing). Other interesting thing about this video is many who are singing have transitioned from this world. Finally, the diversity of the voices, complexions and life experiences is the "We are the World"!!

there is the one from 2010 for Haiti that has the new gen of singers and musicians that yall should listen too as well👍

Soooo many legendary singers on this track, including those who are only singing background. Each of them worth checking out!

I was in 9th grade when that song came out. Talk about HUGE!!!

I was a teenager when that came out, I’m 51 now. Sad how the world has gotten worse since 😞

This would be a great list to start reacting to. Many amazing and talented artist from 80’s that paved the way for others, while giving from there hearts. ❤️🌟❤️🌟❤️🌟❤️🌟❤️🌟

The biggest music legends of the time in pop, r&b, rock, country and more all came together for something bigger than themselves. Thank you for appreciating how amazing this collaboration was.

This is hands-down the greatest collection of musical talent ever assembled for a song in my lifetime, and probably all-time. Even those who were selected to take part who were just establishing themselves in the 80s ended up becoming all-time legends. To say all of the artists checked their ego outside the door is the mother of all understatements. I'm glad you chose the anniversary of the recording of this historic song to react to it.

Don't be sorry for not knowing the names of the artists. Those are our (Gen X) idols from way before your time. But now that you do know their names after this song has been played you may wanna check out more of their individual repertoire 😀.

Such a timely pick! Great song, great artists, great collaboration, greater time of unity for humanity. Sending so much love and light to all in need of it right now 💓💕💖💜💯🫂

So many great voices from the 80's in this video. Including all the Jackson's❤

I love you guys, and I love this project of yours. This was a great pick! Now you have to track each individual artist in the song. Greatness!