A Song that Changed History

It was on January 28, 1985, when the biggest pop stars at the time came together in L.A. to create the song “We Are The World”, written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian. The charity song raised over $68 million to provide food and relief aid to people in Africa. To show the world how that song came about the film “The Greatest Night In Pop” was created and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2024.

The film was produced by Lionel Riche and directed by Bao Nguyen.

The Netflix documentary shows us an inside look into a room full of stars who all had their egos with them, but after hours they eventually came together to create the song we all know.

The song was inspired by the UK-based group Band Aid who released the single, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” in December 1984. Musician and activist Harry Belafonte wanted to create an American benefit single for African famine relief, so he brought on fundraiser and showbiz manager Ken Kragen to help get the job done.

Beating the Chaos

The Greatest Night In Pop shows us behind-the-scenes footage that depicts the chaos and magic that happened in just one night.

“It’s amazing that we lived through it. You’re talking about positive. Truthfully speaking, it’s not supposed to happen,” Lionel Riche told Carvd N Stone about the making of the song.

We Are The World was released on March 7, 1985, and became the fastest-selling U.S. pop single in history.

“Considering the chaos that happened, considering the confusion that was there. On top of the egos, on top of we’re doing the video, we’re doing the vocals, we’re doing the background singers, we’re doing the still shots, we’re doing the cover of Life Magazine, in seven hours,” said Lionel Richie.

Lionel Richie said it was nearly impossible to make the song, but they got it done and changed history.

Some of the artists featured in the song include Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers, Billy Joel, and more.

The trailer for We Are The World is currently on Netflix.

Check out our video interviews from Sundance Film Festival 2024 here.