We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song

January. 28,1985      
Rating:
8
Trailer Synopsis Cast

We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song is a documentary which examines how the song was written, how producer Quincy Jones and songwriters Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie persuaded some of the most popular performers in America to donate their services to the project, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the marathon recording session that produced the single.

Jane Fonda as  Self - Host
Quincy Jones as  Self - Conductor
Bob Dylan as  Self
Lionel Richie as  Self
Dan Aykroyd as  Self
Bruce Springsteen as  Self
Michael Jackson as  Self
Stevie Wonder as  Self
Ray Charles as  Self
Paul Simon as  Self

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Reviews

Jeanskynebu
1985/01/28

the audience applauded

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Limerculer
1985/01/29

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

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Robert Joyner
1985/01/30

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

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Jakoba
1985/01/31

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

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Horst in Translation ([email protected])
1985/02/01

This is "We Are the World", but not the music video only, but instead an Emmy-nominated documentary that is about the making of the song. of course, we see all the artists too and hear the song on several occasions. And in terms of how often we hear it, they also made absolutely sure we don't forget that there's a choice we're making. So yeah, Jane Fonda is the host here and it is a good cause so I can not say anything bad about this really, only that sometimes it takes itself a bit more seriously than it should. This one is over 30 years old already and some of the artists (including Michael Jackson of course) are dead by 2016, so it also brings out some memories and it is a nice way to find artists long gone with lots of talent for the younger generations. Overall, a catchy song and a good message. I recommend checking this one out, even if 25 instead of 35 minutes would have been enough too. Thumbs up.

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krissykadoodle
1985/02/02

While reliving a pleasurable journey can be, ummm, emotional...We Are the World's energy and upbeat effort to create an autonomous entity to benefit another nation in crisis was a scratch on the surface. From Bangladesh several years before We Are...1985, Live Aid, and yes, even Hands Across America whose anniversary is quickly approaching, Farm Aid and other offshoots, from then to now...twenty some years later, almost an entire year since Live 8 and One, makes me wonder what happened to all the good intentions behind so many initial steps along the way.Including the faltering steps of my feet right in my own back yard. Across a street, a fence, across a nation, across the planet...maybe it's time we all took a walk.While "We Are The World" may be praise worthy for the accomplishments through multiple powers there are other works worth remembering from 1985 for their "artistic" agendas as well. Take a trip back to Foreignor's "I want to know what love is" floats in circles around me...must it take disasters and droughts to bring this world together.

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sonyachitti
1985/02/03

Even 20 years after its release, We are the World continues to make my hair rise! The passion, dedication, harmony and sheer beauty of the song makes it a complete anthem and it should go down in history and a world anthem altogether. Congratulations Quincy Jones and every other artist who performed the track. I wait for another. I hadn't watched the video in a while, but I saw it strangely on MTV today and I decided to go back to my old music videos and watch this one. It was incredible, I listened to it repeatedly and was awestruck each time. The spirit of togetherness and harmony amongst the artists makes the experience worth it, every single time. Keep up the good work USA for Africa!

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kschneid
1985/02/04

Nice documentary of the making of this most famous song/video. The highlight for me had to be the Stevie Wonder/Bruce Springsteen duet in the middle of the song. The songs essence and passion is evident during this section of the performance. I do wish Cyndi Lauper and other pop singers didn't have such a large role in this performance, but it's good overall.

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