‘We Are The World’: See Trailer for Netflix Doc About Legendary Charity Single

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

January 9th 3:20 PM

“We Are The World” remains one of the biggest-selling singles of all time. Nearly 40 years since its recording, Netflix is taking a look at the making of the legendary charity track.

Aptly named The Greatest Night in Pop, the documentary offers an in-depth account of the writing of “We Are The World” and the chaotic recording process that took place in just one night.

A number of artists that were featured on “We Are The World” sat down for new interviews for The Greatest Night in Pop. Among them are Lionel Richie, Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Loggins, Dionne Warwick and Huey Lewis. Additionally, various engineers and other production crew members recorded new interviews for the documentary, which features never-before-seen footage from the recording.

The Greatest Night in Pop hits Netflix on Jan. 29. Its trailer is below.

The Legacy of “We Are The World”

Simply put, USA for Africa’s “We Are The World” was a massive commercial and critical success. The single sold over 20 million copies and topped the Billboard Hot 100 Chart for a month. Additionally, the single won big at the 1986 Grammy Awards. Among the four categories it won were Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

Producer Quincy Jones accepted the Record of the Year award on behalf of the many artists who participated in the recording. He said, in part, “I hope that this is the thing that you don’t worry about whether it’s hip or square to do. I hope it just becomes fashionable. And at any time that you are ready on that side, I know we will be, too.”

Of course, the song raised a lot of money for African famine relief. Including merchandise, “We Are The World” generated over $63 million in aid.

In 2021, “We Are The World” was one of 29 albums and singles added to the Grammy Hall of Fame.

25 Albums That Turn 40 in 2024

• Van Halen - ‘1984’

  Van Halen helped kick off 1984 with the album 1984. Released on January 9, 1984, the album was the last to feature David Lee Roth before his infamous exit from the band in 1985. The album features a number of hits, including “Hot for Teacher,” “Panama,” “I’ll Wait” and “Jump.”

• U2 - ‘The Unforgettable Fire’

  U2’s fourth studio album, The Unforgettable Fire, was released on October 1, 1984. It features the hit “Pride (In the Name of Love)” and the fan favorite “Bad.”

• Tina Turner - ‘Private Dancer’

  One of the greatest comeback albums of all time, Tina Turner’s Private Dancer was released on May 29, 1984. The album sold over 12 million copies worldwide and won four Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “What’s Love Got to Do with It?”

• The Replacements - ‘Let It Be’

  The post-punk classic Let It Be by the Replacements was released on October 2, 1984. Notable tracks include “I Will Dare,” “Androgynous” and “Unsatisfied.”

• Madonna - ‘Like a Virgin’

  Madonna’s second album, Like a Virgin, helped launch her into superstardom. Released on November 12, 1984, the album boasts the title track, “Dress You Up” and “Material Girl.”

• Metallica - ‘Ride the Lightning’

  Metallica’s Ride the Lightning was released on July 27, 1984. Critically acclaimed and beloved by fans, the album features “Creeping Death,” “Fade to Black” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls.”

• The Pretenders - ‘Learning to Crawl’

  Learning to Crawl was The Prentenders’ third studio album. Released on January 13, 1984, the album features “Middle of the Road,” “2000 Miles” and “Back on the Chain Gang.”

• Judas Priest - ‘Defenders of the Faith’

  Judas Priest released Defender of the Faith on January 13, 1984. It was the band’s ninth studio album and features “Love Bites,” “Freewheel Burning” and “Some Head Are Gonna Roll.”

• Iron Maiden - ‘Powerslave’

  One of metal’s most beloved albums, Iron Maiden released Powerslave on September 3, 1984. The album notably features “Aces High” and “2 Minutes to Midnight.”

• Rush - ‘Grace Under Pressure’

  Grace Under Pressure was Rush’s tenth studio album. Released on April 12, 1984, the album features “Distant Early Warning,” “Red Sector A,” “Afterimage” and “The Electric.”

• The Cars - ‘Heartbeat City’

  The Cars released their fifth studio album, Heartbeat City, on March 13, 1984. The album features the hits “You Might Think,” “Magic” and “Drive.”

• Wham! - ‘Make It Big’

  With Make It Big, Wham! did just that. Released on October 15, 1984, the album featured the hits “Careless Whisper,” “Freedom” and “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.”

• Scorpions - ‘Love at First Sting’

  Love at First Sting remains the Scorpions’ most successful album in the United States. Released in March 1984, the album features “Big City Nights,” “Still Loving You” and “Rock You Like a Hurricane.”

• Dio - ‘The Last in Line’

  Dio’s second studio album, The Last in Line, was released on July 2, 1984. The album features “We Rock,” “Mystery” and the epic title track.”

• Bruce Springsteen - ‘Born in the U.S.A.’

  Born in the U.S.A. remains Bruce Springsteen’s most commercially successful album in his entire catalog. Released on June 4, 1984, the album is loaded with hits including the title track, “Glory Days,” “Cover Me,” “I’m on Fire” and “Dancing in the Dark.”

• 'Footloose' Soundtrack

  The soundtrack to Footloose was a megahit selling over nine million copies in the United States. It features two number-one hits: Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose” and Deniece Williams’ “Let’s Hear It for the Boy.” The album also features Mike Reno and Ann Wilson’s “Almost Paradise” and Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out for a Hero.”

• Twisted Sister - ‘Stay Hungry’

  Twisted Sister’s Stay Hungry was released on May 10, 1984. It was the metal band’s third studio album and featured “The Price,” “I Wanna Rock” and “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”

• Bryan Adams - ‘Reckless’

  Bryan Adams released his fourth studio album, Reckless, on November 5, 1984. Selling over 12 million copies worldwide, the album features “Run to You,” “Heaven” and “Summer of ’69.”

• R.E.M. - ‘Reckoning’

  R.E.M. released their second studio album, Reckoning, on April 9, 1984. Embraced by critics, the album features “(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville” and “So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry).”

• Talking Heads - ‘Stop Making Sense’

  Stop Making Sense, the soundtrack to the concert film of the same name, was released in September 1984. Stop Making Sense is considered one of the greatest concert films and soundtracks of all time.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekIV3wIdch8

• The Smiths - ‘The Smiths’

  The moment when the world met everyone’s favorite ray of sunshine: Morrissey! (Just kidding.) Anyway, the self-titled debut from The Smiths remains an alt. rock classic all of these years later.

• Don Henley - ‘Building the Perfect Beast’

  Easily Don Henley’s best solo album, Building the Perfect Beast was released on November 19, 1984. The album notable features “All She Wants to Do Is Dance” and “The Boys of Summer.”

• Foreigner - ‘Agent Provocateur’

  Foreigner’s fifth studio album, Agent Provocateur, was released on December 14, 1984. It notably features the power ballad “I Want to Know What Love Is,” which is their only No.1 single in the United States and the U.K.

• Queen - ‘The Works’

  Queen’s eleventh studio album, The Works, was released on February 27, 1984. It features some of the band’s most popular songs including “Hammer to Fall,” “Radio Ga Ga” and “I Want to Break Free.”

• Prince and The Revolution - ‘Purple Rain’ (Soundtrack)

  Purple Rain is still one of the greatest albums and soundtracks of all time. Released on June 25, 1984, it spawned five hit singles: “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Purple Rain,” “I Would Die 4 U” and “Take Me with U.”

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

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