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Summary
The young music documentary on Netflix , The Greatest Night in Pop , reveals some major behind - the - scenes particular about the creation of the famous charity call " We Are The World . " The American supergroup USA For Africa was established so as to raise money for African victims of dearth , include legends such asBruce Springsteen , Michael Jackson , Lionel Richie , Bob Dylan , Tina Turner , Paul Simon , Billy Joel , Stevie Wonder , and more . " We Are The World " was compose by iconic manufacturer Quincy Jones and was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie .
The Greatest Night in Popoffers an immersive behind - the - scenes look into the universe of the unprecedented single , whichbecame the 9th best - selling physical single of all time upon its 1985 departure . The strain came together keep up the impact of the UK supergroup lot Aid and their charity vacation Sung dynasty " Do They recognise It ’s Christmas ? " and the initial efforts of Harry Belafonte and Ken Kragen to unite the best artists in the United States . While the song is vastly well - known , charting on various chart around the world , several unknown facts about the song ’s creation were revealed in the unexampled docudrama .
" We Are The World " was a groundbreaking ceremony single from the American supergroup USA For Africa , including several of the most fertile creative person of the era .
10Huey Lewis' Solo Was Originally Meant For Prince
Prince was not a part of “We Are The World”
One of the major reveals in the Netflix documentaryThe Greatest Night in Popis how much interest group there was for Prince to get necessitate . Prince was one of the most democratic creative person at the time but declined to get involve directly despite some lyric being specifically written for him . Those words ended up go to Huey Lewis towards the end of the call . Lewis was a prominent singer and ballad maker do it for his band Huey Lewis & The Newswho also contributed as part of the chorus in " We Are The World . "
9Michael Jackson’s Pet Snake Terrified Lionel Richie
Jackson has many different animals in his home
betimes on inThe Greatest Night in Pop , Lionel Richie reminisce on the other degree of the authorship process with pop sensation Michael Jackson . He recalled move over to Michael ’s studio at his house for the first time , which had various odd beast living all around it . Just as Richie and Jackson were starting to get the innovation for the chorus of " We Are The populace " down , Richie discover that Michael ’s snake had been quiet present in the room . Michael take this as a good mansion that the Hydra enjoyed their singing , argue that they were on the right track as songwriters .
8Sheila E. Felt That She Was Used To Entice Prince
People kept asking her if Prince could come
Sheila E. was a longtime married person and melodic collaborator with Prince who was excited to be a part of the USA For Africa effort . finally , as the recording session went on inThe Greatest Night in Pop , Sheila E. jump to get the feeling that she was only invited as a liaison to get Princeinvolved in the project , considering that she was not given a solo part on " We Are The World . " Despite her personal disillusionment , Sheila E. stayed the course of the recording mental process and became a part of the groundbreaking ceremony Song dynasty .
7Stevie Wonder Helped Bob Dylan Nail His Solo Part
Dylan wasn’t used to working in such a busy environment
Bob Dylan looked in particular out of place inThe Greatest Night in Pop , which is ironic considering his condition as an iconic figure whom many artists in the way , including Bruce Springsteen , looked up to . During the Greek chorus character , Dyaln notably search completely lostand was n’t singing along with the radical . When it became Dylan ’s turn to sing his solo part , Stevie Wonder , who had a brilliant melodic mind and ability to mimic voices , helped Dylan feel comfortable nailing his part and even get him to smile wide by the death of the unconscious process .
" We Are The World " was one of the fastest - sell pop record ever made , raising much more than its original $ 50 million goal upon its 1985 exit .
6Many Of The Stars Almost Didn’t Make It To A&M Studios In LA
The biggest headache was getting everyone there
Many of the phallus of USA For Africa nearly did n’t make it to the one - night - only transcription session , with several people make over-the-top effort to get there in time . Most of the lead had attended the American Music Awards host by Lionel Richie that night and were able to make the abbreviated drive down the street to the studio apartment . Others , such asStevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen , were in different part of the area earlier that daybut were still capable to make it in clock time for the historical transcription academic session .
5Diana Ross Got Emotional After The Recording Session Ended
She also fangirled over meeting Daryl Hall in person
By the time " We Are The World " was recorded in March 1985 , Diana Ross had become one of the biggest Motown and R&B singers in the country . This still did n’t prevent her from fangirling over meet Daryl Hall while memorialize at A&M Studios as depicted inThe Greatest Night in Pop . Ross was also the last person to leave the recording academic session into the other 60 minutes of the morning , get emotional because she did n’t want the magic of the nighttime to already be over .
4Waylon Jennings Walked Out In The Middle Of The Recording
Jennings disagreed with a proposal to sing in Swahili
While it was known that area singer Waylon Jennings walked out of the " We Are The reality " recording session prior to the release of the Netflix documentary film film , The Greatest Night in Popreveals unexampled details about the infamous consequence . When Stevie Wonder proposed the idea to include some of the language in Swahili , Jennings take that as his cue to leave , claiming that a " good ol' boy " like him would not be enamor blab out in that language . Richie recalls catch Jennings ' frustration and knew that they lose him at that moment .
Country star Waylon Jennings was the most controversial penis of the USA For Africa supergroup who walked out over a dispute with Stevie Wonder .
3Stevie Wonder Was Asked To Co-Write “We Are The World”
The song was already written when Wonder joined
Lionel Richie had initially reached out to see if Stevie Wonder wanted to co - publish the Song dynasty with him before " We Are The World " had ever been made . Stevie told Richie that he would get back to him but await too long without responding , squeeze Richie to hand out to Michael Jackson instead . Wonder finally engender on board and became one of the main ground for the overall success of the recording session , but he missed the opportunity to help create the historic unity from the ground up .
2Paul Simon Took A Humorous Jab At John Denver
Simon helped brighten the mood late into the session
Legendary Isaac Bashevis Singer / songwriter tried to lift the sprightliness of the tired and hungry supergroup as the session post on into the early morning . Kenny Loggins , a legendary Isaac M. Singer and songwriter himself , recalls Paul Simon earn a risible joke at the disbursement of John Denver , known good for his 1971 hit " Take Me Home , Country road " , saying"Wow , if a turkey lands on this place , John Denver ’s back on top . “This helped lighten the mood as recalled by Loggins inThe Greatest Night in Pop .
1Cyndi Lauper’s Jewelry Caused A Technical Difficulty
There was debate about whether to bring on Lauper or Madonna
Cyndi Lauper was bring onto " We Are The World " despite there being initial prompting to invite soda pop icon Madonna alternatively . While the unquiet Lauper was recording her solo part , there was an strange technical difficultness resulting in a strange cheap racket that occurred every time she approached the microphone . It was eventually discovered that Lauper ’s large earrings and jewelry were stimulate feedback in the recording , marking one of the most humorous reveals inThe Greatest Night in Pop .
