S4E8 | Music: We Are the World

In response to a once-in-a-century drought and famine in Ethiopia, Harry Belefonte, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, and Quincy Jones assembled the ultimate cast of legendary musicians to come together one top-secret evening to record the best-selling single in America and pop music history, “We Are the World.”

Their passion, talent, and efforts not only brought short and long-term aid to struggling communities throughout Africa, but set an incredible precedent both for musicians from astoundingly different backgrounds to create art together and for music to strive to create real-world change on a global scale. So sing along with us as we revisit this incredible moment in pop culture and close the yearbook on our Senior Year of 80’s High.

Season 4 of 80's High is sponsored by Choose Your Own Adventure! Shop cyoa.com and use code 80sHigh for 20% off your first order of books, box sets, graphic novels, tabletop games, and more!

Support the show by tossing us some lunch money at ko-fi.com/80shighpodcast. Write an 80's inspired note when you do, and we'll share it on the show!

-- Can I Borrow Your Notes? -- 

• United Support of Artists (USA) for Africa
• We Are the World official music video
• 'We Are the World': Inside Pop Music's Most Famous All-Nighter | Esquire
• The Making Of We Are the World 1985 documentary
• 'We Are the World' at 30: 12 tales you might not know | USA Today
• USA for Africa singing We Are the World at 1986 American Music Awards

-- Teacher's Pets -- 

• Join the Class of 80's High: 80shighpodcast@gmail.com
• Follow on Instagram: @80shighpodcast
• Theme song by Greg Reed, with vocals by Chad Bumford
• Cover art by Alex Goddard at alexgoddarddesign.com