“Love is not patronizing and charity isn’t about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same — with charity you give love, so don’t just give money but reach out your hand instead.” – Mother Teresa
Can a song be part of the impetus to spark a change in your life and set you on a path? Netflix’s latest film “The Greatest Night In Pop” – showcasing the recording of “We Are The World” – provided me the opportunity to go back in time and reminisce about youthful days, a time when the future seemed boundless, even amidst questioning. After watching the documentary, I was reminded of the powerful and unifying force of music. It also allowed me to reflect assertively on my journey when I was searching. This is the story of how a single event and music helped renew the sense of purpose in my life.
Beginnings
Music has the power to liberate our souls. Without a doubt, it has always been an incredibly effective tool in raising awareness and garnering support for noble causes. From George Harrison‘s renowned “Bangladesh” in 1971 to recent efforts to aid the people of Ukraine, music has been a powerful tool. In the early 1980s, the famine that was wreaking havoc on Ethiopia had a global impact, underscoring the far-reaching effects of such crises. There was a cry for help, musicians once again stepped forward. In the UK, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure formed Band Aid to record the charity song “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” with all proceeds from the sale of the record going to the relief effort. Beyond the dollars raised, the song was a monumental success. It created awareness and more importantly, it also kickstarted the process of alerting others of the need. America would soon respond.
Musician and activist Harry Belafonte had returned from a recent visit to the famine-stricken country. He shared his first-hand experiences of the atrocities with Ken Kragen, who was not only Lionel Richie‘s manager but also experienced in working with non-profit organizations. They observed how “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” had made a worldwide impact, and knew that a similar opportunity lay waiting for American musicians. Kragen petitioned Richie, for help, and with the assistance of Michael Jackson, the idea for “We Are The World” took hold. The Netflix documentary divulges the incredible story behind the song’s formation, shrouded in secrecy, and the immensely challenging task of bringing together a constellation of some of the most illustrious musicians in the U.S. It was a momentous event in music history.
“We Are The World” would turn out to be an enormous success in terms of chart performance, public perception, and fundraising efforts. It would lead to the historic Live Aid events. Forty years later, the original audience had tucked the song safely into its collective memory banks, leaving today’s audience to relegate it as a footnote in the history books. Now thanks to “The Greatest Night in Pop” the event has been revitalized and made relevant again. At the same time, the documentary reawakened my memories of the decisions I made for my future path.
Finding Resolution
I first heard “We Are The World,” at the same time as everyone else when it received worldwide airplay in March 1985. At the time, the cynical side of me felt that this was just the U.S. trying to outdo what British musicians had done. Unlike “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” “We Are The World” didn’t resonate with me. Within a few months, there would be more songs aimed to raise public consciousness for world issues. Steve Van Zandt‘s anti-apartheid anthem, “Sun City” and Canadian artists (Northern Lights) “Tears Are Not Enough” entered the fray. It was only when Live Aid came into the picture that my indifference changed. I realized that there was much more at stake than I had initially thought. The Netflix documentary helped me appreciate the enormity and complexity of the task behind “We Are The World,” but it did something more. I saw the camaraderie among the musicians, and their willingness to do good for others.
Forty years ago, my friends and I were becoming more socially aware and concerned about how we could make a difference in our community. The fundraising events were inspirational, playing a significant role in raising our awareness for those in need. These developments put us on a journey to establish a commitment we would keep and have held for our lives. We would do our part and be the voice for the unheard. And our crusade continues to this day.
I didn’t realize it then, but there was a higher spirit at work. It was through music like “We Are The World” that I was provided with direction, and a spark to light the fire of concern. Yes, music CAN save your mortal soul.
raspberriesmarvin 