“We Are The World 25 For Haiti” Premieres During Olympic Ceremony

video

by Joe Coscarelli | 9:23 am, February 13th, 2010

» 8 comments

“We Are the World 25 For Haiti” made its debut at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, featuring an all-star cast of pop superstars and actors ranging from Pink and Lady Gaga to Lil Wayne and Kanye West. Even Michael Jackson, co-writer of the original version 25 years ago, makes an appearance posthumously. Last night’s premiere was announced by actor Jaime Foxx, and simulcasted to millions worldwide. Academy Award winning director Paul Haggis shot the video, which can be seen in full below.

The official “We Are the World 2010″ track can be streamed in its entirety here, and you can download to donate at World25.org. The Guardian has a fun interactive feature matching names to faces of the participants and more info on how the track came together is available at MTV.com.

Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Olympic Opening Ceremony, Quincy Jones, Vancouver, Vancouver Olympics 2010, We are the World, We Are the World 2010, We Are the World 25, We Are the World 25 Haiti, We Are the World Haiti, Winter Olympics 2010

Rachel Sklar

I don’t like to be a spoiler, but….this version was pretty lame. IMHO.
http://www.sailrabbits.com Magister

I have to agree with Rachel.

When I heard the familiar opening, I rushed into the family room to watch and then spent the next several minutes explaining the concept to my daughter, which prompted me to pull up the original on YouTube and in comparison, I’d say that the sequel lacks passion.

Though, she did seem excited about seeing Miley Cyrus and a Jonas, so maybe that’s something.
Azarkhan

Nothing defines conceit quite like a group of rich people singing about how they are as one with the poor.
http://www.sailrabbits.com Magister

@Azarkhan: The song is “We are the World”, not I am the World. Both versions are an effort to raise money for worthy causes, much like a Rotary Club in Omaha might throw a pancake breakfast to do the same.

How dare those Midwestern Rotarians do anything for the poor of a foreign land!
timzank

Magister, while I’ll buy there’s a certain amount of heartfelt sincerity on the part of some of the “artists”, me thinks the notariety derived from the “gesture” plays the largest part in their eagerness to “help”.

Us midwest rotarians actually do raise a lot of money without expecting much fanfare.
http://trickletown.vox.com/ Trickletown

What’s with Wyclef Jean and that ‘turkey warble’ thing?
ccspinko

Nice, and for a good cause but nothing like the original one. Not even close.

Jess
http://www.isp-logging.net.tc
elizadavid

The original was a very well-orchestrated, arresting piece of music meant to encourage Americans to think about someone other than themselves for once. It also highlighted some of the greatest popular talent of its time. What does *this* version show? That 1) Big Media has no concept of originality anymore, 2) contemporary pop musicians are pathetic, and 3) the only way to save this piece of garbage was to sample Michael Jackson’s original vocal take. And even *that* wasn’t enough.

acekards