We Are the World

25 years before last week's 'Hope for Haiti' telethon raised record amounts of money for earthquake victims, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, and Quincy Jones wrote 'We are the World' to benefit 'Live Aid' for starving children in Africa. A worldwide commercial success, it topped music charts and became the fastest-selling American pop single in history. It was honored numerous times—including three Grammy Awards, one American Music Award and a People's Choice Award.

However, the song garnered mixed reviews from journalists, music critics and the public. Fans enjoyed hearing racially and musically diverse recording artists singing together on one track, and felt satisfied in buying "We Are the World", knowing that the money was going to charity. Other individuals, such as those in the rock community, were disappointed that the song did not challenge why famines occur in the first place, and felt that the lyrics were self-aggrandizing.

Heavy metal rockers of the eighties who were not included in the recording even produced their own spoof called "Hear 'N Aid: We're the Stars."