We Are The World is a compilation album released to raise money in response to droughts and famine in Ethiopia, Sudan and other African nations.
The album contained the hit song We Are The World, featuring an all-star line-up of artists spearheaded by Michael Jackson (including, among many others, Sheila E.).
Prince and the Revolution’s recording of 4 The Tears In Your Eyes is not available anywhere else, although an acoustic re-recording of the song was included on The Hits / The B-Sides in 1993.
Sessions and compiling
Prince was invited to the recording of We Are The World , which took place on 28 January 1985 following the 12th American Music Awards ceremony, but he declined (his lines were given to Huey Lewis). Prince chose to contribute to the album with a new song instead. Four days later, on 2 February 1985, Prince and the Revolution recorded 4 The Tears In Your Eyes in between shows on the Purple Rain Tour.
He was criticized in the press for not participating (which he directly addressed in the song Hello).
Promotion
The album produced two singles, We Are The World and Tears Are Not Enough, both of which preceded the album. The We Are The World single was enormously successful, becoming the fastest-selling American pop single in history, and was one of fewer than thirty all-time singles to have sold 10 million (or more) copies worldwide.
The album contained contributions from many successful artists of the time, drawing a huge amount of attention. It reached number 1 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums Chart, and raised approximately $50 million for aid and relief.
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