'We Are The World 25 for Haiti' Vs. The 1985 Original

By Mike Ryan Posted Feb 16th 2010 03:50PM

On Friday night, during the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, a new version of 'We Are the World' was unleashed upon, well, the world, in an effort to raise money for Hatian earthquake relief. The original song, released in 1985, raised money and awareness for humanitarian aid in Africa. That original song went on to become a powerhouse of cultural significance. The new version? The cause is clearly just, but it's significance to popular culture remains to be seen. So, we decided to make a verse by verse comparison for each artist in the original version to those in the remake and see how they match up.

Original Version

New Remake

- Lionel Richie vs. Justin Bieber

Normally, we'd be a bit cynical here -- a 15-year-old teenage Canadian pop star taking over for Richie, who was riding high with 'Can't Slow Down' at the time of the original. But there is something haunting about Bieber's voice opening the song, plus Richie hand-picked Bieber to replace him. We were considering calling this a push until we also remembered Lionel was also directly involved in introducing the world to Nicole Richie.

Advantage: Bieber/2010

- Stevie Wonder vs. Jennifer Hudson

We'd be happy to hear Stevie Wonder sing the phone book, which we hear were actually quite useful back in 1985, so Hudson didn't stand much of a chance here. The Oscar-winning actress uses her "listen to my vocal range" singing voice, which reminds us of her attempt to stand out during Hollywood Week on 'American Idol.' She didn't get the memo that only Cyndi Lauper and Celine Dion were allowed to do that.

Advantage: Wonder/1985

- Paul Simon vs. Jennifer Nettles

Nettles' gritty voice hits the mark. Simon's performance was fine, but it's hard not to think that poor Paul is about to be eaten by a Sasquatch when Kenny Rogers enters the frame.

Advantage: Nettles/2010

- Kenny Rogers vs. Josh Groban

The aforementioned Sasquatch (the white shirt he's wearing doesn't help) lays down some "hey, this is important"-type vocals, while Grobin just sounds like he's singing in his ironic 'I'm F**king Ben Affleck' tone. It's now impossible to distinguish Groban's serious voice from his pretending-to-be-serious voice.

Advantage: Sasquatch/1985

- James Ingram vs. Tony Bennett

The biggest shock in this match-up is that Tony Bennett actually appears in the 2010 version. For that reason alone...

Advantage: Bennett/2010

- Tina Turner and Billy Joel vs. Mary J. Blige

Blige appears ready to attend a 'Watchmen' costume party immediately following the recording session. The interesting thing about Tina Turner, who looks ready to break into 'Private Dancer' right there (and it would have been glorious), is that she hands it off to Billy Joel. It seems an odd pairing until you remember that Turner appeared with Bryan Adams in a duet of 'It's Only Love' on his 'Reckless' album. After Adams, this duet with Joel seems a lot less odd.

Advantage: Turner and Joel/1985

- Michael Jackson vs. Michael Jackson

In the second most odd moment of the new 'We Are the World,' archive footage of Michael Jackson is used from the original -- with his sister, Janet, superimposed on to the screen. It is oddly reminiscent of Jim McMahon in 'The Superbowl Shuffle.' In 1985, Jackson was already starting to look a little different. In 2010, the 1985 version of Michael Jackson is a welcome sight.

Advantage: Jackson/2010

- Diana Ross vs. Barbra Streisand

Now this is interesting: Two dueling divas from, roughly, the same era. Ross makes no attempt to memorize the words, reading from her lyric sheet. Streisand looks way too happy to be there, even though she's probably not happy at all. If this is a true battle of divas, the winner has to be the one acting like a diva.

Advantage: Ross/1985

- Dionne Warwick vs. Miley Cyrus

Warwick, through the Psychics Friends Network, once envisioned that, someday, there would be a man who sang a country hit called 'Achy Breaky Heart.' And, she envisioned, one day, that man's daughter would some day sing her part in this tune.

Advantage: Cyrus/2010

- Willie Nelson vs. Enrique Iglesias

Nelson once sang a duet with Enrique's father Julio called 'To All the Girls I've Loved Before.' That has little to do with this comparison, but the fact that Nelson gave an honest rendition with this man's father on a song with lyrics like, "To all the girls I once caressed/And may I say I've held the best..." speaks volumes.

Advantage: Nelson/1985

- Al Jarreau vs. Jamie Foxx

Jaime Foxx has an Oscar for playing Ray Charles (hold this thought) while Al Jarreau sang the theme song to the Bruce Willis television show 'Moonlighting.'

Advantage: Jarreau/1985

- Bruce Springsteen vs. Wyclef Jean

The Boss, in all of his 'Born in the U.S.A.' glory, overdoes his part to the point where he sounds like he's passing a kidney stone. (Full disclosure: We love Springsteen, just not on this song.) Springsteen is from New Jersey; Jean is from Haiti and sings a lyric in Haitian Creole.

Advantage: Jean/2010

- Kenny Loggins vs. Adam Levine

Neither artist really stands out on their given part, though Loggins did sing the theme song to 'Caddyshack,' so...

Advantage: Loggins/1985

- Steve Perry vs. Pink

Poor Pink. It's not an easy task to take over for the Journey front man who's been immortalized in every karaoke bar in the world. Plus, Perry once sang a duet with Kenny Loggins called 'Don't Fight It' ... and Loggins sang the theme song to 'Caddyshack.'

Advantage: Perry/1985

- Daryl Hall vs. BeBe Winans

Both give soulful renditions. We can't help but think John Oates always got the worst of this Hall & Oates "duo." Name one song that Oates sang. How is this a true duo? John Oates is at the 1985 recording, so why doesn't he get to be front and center with Hall? We feel Hall was in a position to pull some strings for his "partner" and chose not to do so.

Advantage: Winans/2010

- Huey Lewis vs. Usher

Poor Lewis and Usher. They were both given the thankless role of being the warm-up act for human dynamos Cyndi Lauper and Celine Dion, respectively.

Advantage: Push

- Cyndi Lauper vs. Celine Dion

It's shocking how similar these two are in their respective videos. Shocking because, in human history, it's not often these two show up in the same sentence. Both nail the "Whoa, Whoa, whoa!" and both clinch their fists in triumph or, possibly, agony. Dion was given her own room. Lauper was perched between Lewis and Kim Carnes. The look on Carnes' face is priceless. "I have to follow, that?"

Advantage: Lauper/1985

- Kim Carnes vs. Fergie

Just like Huey Lewis and Usher, these two are only here so Lauper and Dion can catch their individual breaths and belt out one more "Yeah!"

Advantage: Lauper and Dion

- Bob Dylan vs. Lil Wayne

The biggest surprise when comparing these two versions is that Dylan and Lil Wayne sound eerily similar. But Dylan didn't need an electronic voice manipulator.

Advantage: Dylan/1985

- Ray Charles vs. LL Cool J., Will.i.am, Snoop Dog, Busta Rhymes, Swizz Beatz, Iyaz, Kanye West.

After hearing the most shocking change between the two songs, somewhere, in this studio, Jaime Foxx had to be shaking his head while thinking, "You know, this rap just isn't quite right." He was probably also thinking his version of Charles, that won him an Oscar, may have proved the better choice here.

Advantage: Charles/1985

- The Hollywood Representative: Dan Aykroyd vs. Vince Vaughn

When the original 'We Are the World' was released, no one could quite figure out what the hell Dan Aykroyd was doing there. Vince Vaughn has taken the 2010 WTF? baton and -- according to exasperated Twitter users -- far exceeded any confusion Aykroyd could have hoped to accomplish. Both were representing the Hollywood community. Aykroyd had just come off the sucess of 'Ghostbusters' and was a 'Blues Brother' with John Belushi; Vaughn had just come off 'Couples Retreat' and was a 'Swinger' with Jon Favreau.

Advantage, for sheer "what the hell?": Vaughn/2010

Final Score:

We Are the World 1985: 13

We Are the World 2010: 10

'We Are the World' Raises Profits, Eyebrows

Tags: we are the world, we are the world 25 for haiti

Comments

(277)

Tuesday 16 February

By blubberbutt

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Remakes are always a major disappointment. The original always remains the best all around. Why didn't they do something original everything is always a remake be it movies songs etc.....

By Sarl

Very disappointed in this version of "We Are The World." This Version "25" was done in such hate that it seems the producer just threw enough manure against the wall and hoped that some of it would stick. The only part of the video that had any real significance was the inclusion of Michael with the insert of Janet taking Diana Ross slot beside Michael.

Anytime you have to have a "Voice Box" for any artist--in this case, Lil Wayne, that artist doesn’t even need to be included. This was a conglomeration of disjointed artists. Very disappointed. While I have and will continue to support the Haitian Relief Efforts, I will not do so by purchasing this song. Very disappointed in this version of "We Are The World." This version Version "25" is done in such hate that it seems the producer just threw enough mud against the wall and hoped that some of it would stick. The only part of the video that had any real significance was the inclusion of Michael with the insert of Janet taking Diana Ross slot beside Michael.

Wednesday 17 February

By J.Swanson

Why in the world would they try to fix something that was not broken? There will only be one Michael Jackson and his version along with the rest of the crew should NEVER be duplicated. Don't even attempt it. SORRY!

By jjbcharger

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I thought this version was good. Have to agree that the voices of the indivdual singers blended verses the classic version which is still my favorite and thought it was awesome that michael jackson was still brought into it to be a part of it.

By Judi

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"We Are The World", like a rose is a classic. I love the 1985 version. The new one is ok, but something is missing in voices. Tina Turner said in the making of We Are The World back in 1985 that Springsteen's voice gave her chills as he did me,and who can replace Ray Charles?? It does not matter what song is used as long as we can make a "Better Day" for the people of Haiti.
Judi

By Mitch

Dont forget about the great riff from Santana in the "new" version. But I still like the old version better.

By REX

justin Bieber is like too much suger and his music is way too soft and sweat

By Tony

Why critisise there trying to do some good!!!!

how can you beat ray charles and stevie wonder and micheal jackson when he was in his prime

By michelle

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I loved the first one. But this next one was more meaningful for me. The first obviously was overflowing with legendary incredible artists. Beloved by so, so many. But this second one, for me pulled so many musical styles together in such an embracing way that you could actually get the meaning of music being universal. Rap, blues, and oldies, techno, classics, and pop artists. Vocalists and performers, all accounted for...a musical circus...it was magical.

Saturday 27 February

By kayla

I think the remake stinks the only good parts were with michael and janetlike michael jackson did not want anyone to touch thiller I dodn't think he wanted anyone to touch we are the world and even though it was a remake they shouldn't have added things like the rapping part I dodn't think this was music I think it was junk

By slp

Love the old version MUCH better!!

By field negro

They say leave your ego at the door? The 2010 version was all about EGO !!!!! J Z was right! It should not have been done.Raise money another way.

By vithie

Please, who is the blond with short hair, I
love all music, But Who's is she, anyone? Just Before Josh Gorban? Thank you in advance.
Peace

By sohowsurmother

Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland. Ever heard of them? Country music duo. shes actually great!

By Jon

The original was so cool because they sang together...in the same room...standing next to eachother. All those crazy dynamics of Diana Ross, Willie Nelson, Lionel Ritchie, MJ, Steve Perry, Cyndi Lauper, Huey Lewis--it was too good to believe. Why on earth did they split up everyone for the remake and put them in their own little booths? Overlapping vocals are not the same as singing TOGETHER. Without the unity of the singers doing their solos, this one had the feel of being too fussy, too mechanical. They should have run thru it once or twice and then filmed it, not stick Celine Dion in a booth to do her thing while everyone else was off having dinner.

By Scott

Was it ever supposed to be good?

By J

ORIGINAL VERSION WAS BETTER..NEW ONE WAS GOOD,I ENJOYED IT UNTIL THEY ADDED THAT RAP CRAP THAT RUINED IT FOR US...AND ADMIT IT OR NOT.PROB FOR MOST PEOPLE

Thursday 18 February

By Reader

John Oates sang "She's Gone", "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" and "How Does It Feel To Be Back" and plenty of others. They're both in the Songwriters Hall of Fame, not just Daryl.

By Lori

So much true passion and love shows through with the original version, not so with the new one.

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