We Are the World - The Story Behind the Song (20th Anniversary Special Edition)

Starring:Quincy Jones, Smokey Robinson, Daryl Hall, Kim Carnes, The Pointer Sisters, Al Jarreau, June Pointer, Anita Pointer, Waylon Jennings, Bette Midler, Lindsey Buckingham, La Toya Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, Steve Perry (IV), Harry Belafonte, John Oates, Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, Randy Jackson, Dionne Warwick
Director: Tom Trbovich
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Description

A dream that became a song... an event... and a worldwide movement! See the making of a milestone as 45 of the biggest names in American popular music combine to record a song to help alleviate the suffering of starving millions in Africa and America. Narrated by Jane Fonda, this program provides a behind-the-scenes look at the night of January 28, 1985, to provide more than a moving collection of words, pictures and music - it's a living piece of history.

Customer Reviews:

Great Behind-The-Scenes..........2007-05-15

This is a great behind-the-scenes look at one of the biggest musical events of the twentieth century.

The documentary WE ARE THE WORLD: THE STORY BEHIND THE SONG (on dvd #1) is narrated and hosted by Jane Fonda and appears to have been made shortly after the historic recording session, which happened on January 28, 1985. Showing the celebrities arriving, meeting and greeting, and of course the recording of the song "We Are The World," as well as pre-writing and arrangement stages that took place days before(between Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones), viewers get a fly-on-the-wall experience of what went on that night.

It really is remarkable to see so many artist from different generations and musical styles combining forces for a greater cause. Where else would you see Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, Kenny Rogers, The Pointer Sisters, Paul Simon, Tina Turner, and Ray Charles, among many others, singing together on one song? The documentary shows the actual breakdown of the recording of the chorus parts, the solos and the very short rehearsal sessions that took place that one night. The recording was done in three parts: the chorus, the line of solo artists that we see in the video, and additional solos by artists that were included after. The actual edited music video is also included.

On dvd #2 there is a ten-year anniversary documentary/interview with Harry Belafonte and this is curious to watch. As another reviewer pointed out, during this documentary Belafonte continues to point out how he got the idea and wanted to do something about the famine plaguing Ethiopia etc., but never once does he mention Bob Geldof. For those of you who remember that time, it was Bob Geldof (BOOMTOWN RATS) and Midge Ure(ULTRA-VOX) who started this whole thing with the song "Do They Know It's Christmas" that had many British singers/musicians(as well as American artists Jody Watley and Kool & the Gang and Irish band U2) contributing their talents and collaborating on that single. The British/Irish/American supergroup was called "BAND AID" and was created to help with relief aid to those starving in Ethiopia. The single "DO THEY KNOW..." was released in December 1984 and went to number one almost a month and a half before WE ARE THE WORLD was recorded.

It really has nothing to do with the enjoyment of watching these documentaries or saying which was better BAND AID or USA FOR AFRICA...and really small potatoes in the grand scheme of things...it's just a little troubling to see someone taking credit for a historic event without even mentioning Geldof or Band Aid (who historically were the pre-cursors to "We Are The World"). The documentary also includes the problems that happened with logistics and controversy of why some of the aid money never reached its destination that surrounded USA FOR AFRICA and talks about HANDS ACROSS AMERICA.

Additional footage is also included on dvd #2 including a live 1986 "American Music Awards" performance of WE ARE THE WORLD; Belafonte, Jackson, Richie and Jones accepting various awards for the song; and the "Live Aid" concert performance of that song. Also included is a booklet that gives an hour-by-hour play-by-play description of the recording session, which is a reprint of a 1985 LIFE magazine cover story.

Unless you actually remember this moment in time, or perhaps a huge fan of one of the artists who appear on WATW, this might not be enjoyable to watch.

It's the best.......2007-05-13

Seeing this song and the making of it (behind the scenes) reminds me of the good things about my generation, the best things. Admitedly we did spawn the "me generation" but once in a while we did rock the establishment, we accelerated the end of the Vietnam conflict, and we did do some good altruistic things. This song and the USA for Africa cause and artists like Bob Dylan are testimony to that.

brings back good memories.......2007-05-06

I got this and watched and it brought back such good memories. All these famous personalities banding together for a cause. I love the behind the scenes. Just a really good thorough DVD and then of course the actual video! AND I loved seeing my Main Squeeze Steve Perry!!!!

Awesome .......2007-04-05

We all have to come together and help each other no matter what position you are in.This is what it's all about you don't have to be a star.It makes me feel good to help others so let's not forget it's better to give than receive.

Pleasantly Surprised.......2007-02-01

Although this DVD is a little dated in production values, it is a surprisingly pleasant trip down memory lane of the biggest musical event of the 1980's.

Sadly, there is no reference to the event that inspired USA for Africa being Bob Geldorf's Band Aid (you'd swear America invented everything...), and it treats We Are The World as a stand alone triumph. But that is more a comment about the producer's creative judgement rather than the talent in the studio.

However, this DVD takes you into the studio and allows you access to the world's biggest stars trying to record this epic song at 2am after an industry function.

It's awesome to watch Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie writing the original score and Quincy Jones somehow piecing together so many different musical singing styles to blend together into a final mix. Who else would choose Dionne Warwick and Willie Nelson to sing together!!

It's amazing how big these stars were at the time, and how much today's "artists" pale by comparison. Incredible how great Ray Charles was on the project - and how lost Bob Dylan was in the presence of this talent. Cyndi Lauper's passionate contribution being interupted by her clanging earrings and Billy Joel's mock irritation at discovering the difficult key the song is written in. Springsteen's intense ad lib recording sessions.

A worthy addition to any 1980's music lovers collection.

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