# Quincy Jones to Remake "We are the World" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 21, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892 "2010-01-21T20:30:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![clnilsen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecccb3/32.png) [@clnilsen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clnilsen)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/1 "2010-01-21T20:30:53Z")
… For Haiti and the 25th anniversary of the original, Feburary 1st after Grammy Night. Article [Here](http://www.ohio.com/entertainment/82267647.html) ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/2 "2010-01-21T23:01:26Z")
Seeing as there was a thread recently as to who might appear on an updated _We Are The World_, this is a very interesting coincidence. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/3 "2010-01-22T00:37:07Z")
I know that Jones has to keep the number of artists to a manageable number and focus mainly on contemporary artists, but it would be nice if for nostalgia’s sake, he could get a few of the original singers to participate such as Bruce Springsteen or Bob Dylan. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/4 "2010-01-22T02:33:00Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I know that Jones has to keep the number of artists to a manageable number and focus mainly on contemporary artists, but it would be nice if for nostalgia’s sake, he could get a few of the original singers to participate such as Bruce Springsteen or Bob Dylan. [Let’s see:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_are_the_world#USA_for_Africa_musicians) > [@](#): > > **Conductor** > > Quincy Jones > **Soloists (in order of appearance)** > > Lionel Richie > Stevie Wonder > Paul Simon > Kenny Rogers > James Ingram > Tina Turner > Billy Joel > Michael Jackson > Diana Ross > Dionne Warwick > Willie Nelson > Al Jarreau > Bruce Springsteen > Kenny Loggins > Steve Perry > Daryl Hall > Huey Lewis > Cyndi Lauper > Kim Carnes > Bob Dylan > Ray Charles > > **Extras** > > Dan Aykroyd > Harry Belafonte > Lindsey Buckingham > Mario Cipollina > Johnny Colla > Sheila E. > Bob Geldof > Bill Gibson > Chris Hayes > Sean Hopper > Jackie Jackson > La Toya Jackson > Marlon Jackson > Randy Jackson > Tito Jackson > Waylon Jennings > Bette Midler > John Oates > Jeffrey Osborne > Anita Pointer > Ruth Pointer > Smokey Robinson I’d certainly like to see Paul Simon in it. Who do you vote for? ---
**Author:** ![Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/278dde/32.png) [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/5 "2010-01-22T03:44:47Z")
I’ve gotten more cynical in the last 25 years. I always feel like things like this are more about the creators than the people intended to be helped. _shrug_ ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/6 "2010-01-22T15:25:08Z")
Gotta have Dan Aykroyd back – no one can pull off a “what the fuck am I doing here anyway?” look like that man can. ---
**Author:** ![clnilsen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecccb3/32.png) [@clnilsen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clnilsen)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/7 "2010-01-22T15:49:48Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > I’d certainly like to see Paul Simon in it. Who do you vote for? Tito! ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/8 "2010-02-01T16:46:44Z")
Haven’t the people of Haiti suffered enough? ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/9 "2010-02-01T17:19:09Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > I’d certainly like to see Paul Simon in it. Who do you vote for? For classic appeal, I think Tina Turner is timeless. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/10 "2010-02-02T05:50:02Z")
If it successfully helps the Haitians, good for them. But I think it’s kind of silly. WATW was specifically for starving Africans. And Haiti already has it’s own theme albums. Every human disaster deserves it’s own new catchy theme song. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/11 "2010-02-02T05:57:07Z")
> [@jackdavinci](#): > > … And Haiti already has it’s own theme albums. > … Really? Please Og, DON’T give me an audio link, but a story might be interesting. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/12 "2010-02-02T07:58:24Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Really? Please Og, DON’T give me an audio link, but a story might be interesting. LOL. I’m not sure… There’s “Hope for Haiti Now” headlining on iTunes right now with “all” proceeds going to Haiti relief. That may or may not be the same thing as the album version of the performances from the Haiti relief telethon. I’m not sure if there’s actually one particular theme song. But there’s definitely relief albums and performances… ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/13 "2010-02-02T12:29:22Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Let’s see:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_are_the_world#USA_for_Africa_musicians) > > I’d certainly like to see Paul Simon in it. Who do you vote for? > [@clnilsen](#): > > Tito! Sadly, not a Jackson brother to be seen. Randy Jackson, the bassist and American Idol judge participated, however. Some of the old-school singers taking part were Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Carlos Santana, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, and Gladys Knight. Taking Dan Aykroyd’s place in the “What the fuck am I doing here?” category were Jeff Bridges and Vince Vaughn. Lionel Richie’s daughter Nicole stood in for her daddy, and Jamie Foxx participated, which I guess is fitting, since Ray Charles is no longer with us. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/14 "2010-02-02T13:41:43Z")
“We are the riiiiiich! We are the famooooous!” ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/15 "2010-02-02T20:58:58Z")
I wonder if Garry Trudeau was invited to make sketches for some Doonesbury strips as he was for the original. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/16 "2010-02-02T21:05:42Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I wonder if Garry Trudeau was invited to make sketches for some Doonesbury strips as he was for the original. And what about Jimmy Thudpucker? I hope they invited Jimmy. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/17 "2010-02-02T22:17:41Z")
P.J. O’Rourke summed up the original in “Give War a Chance”. We are the world (solipsism) We are the children (average age forty) We are the ones to make a brighter day (unproven) so let’s start giving (logical inference supplied without argument) There’s a choice we’re making, so let’s start giving (true as far as it goes) We’re saving our own lives (absurd) It’s true we’ll make a better day (see line 2 above) Just you and me (statistically unlikely) That’s three palpable untruths, two dubious assertions, and nine uses of a first person pro-noun, not a single reference to trouble and anybody in it and no facts. The verse contains, literally, neither rhyme nor reason. And these musical riots of philanthropy address themselves to the wrong problem. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/18 "2010-02-02T22:22:33Z")
I’m a little miffed at them remaking this song right after MJ’s death- I mean, I doubt they’d be doing it if it didn’t have the newsworthy factory due to his death.Frankly, it ain’t the same song without him over dressed in the front row while everyone else is wearing sweats. No, sir. Plus, I heard WATW won some big award a week or two ago, which was accepted by Lionel Richie who talked about his song and how happy he was to receive an award for it- no mention of MJ. I’m surprised Lionel isn’t in on this remake and is letting Nicole step in his shoes. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quincy-jones-to-remake-we-are-the-world/525892/19 "2010-02-03T09:25:01Z")
Lionel Richie is actually producing the song. According to [MTV](http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1631021/20100202/west_kanye.jhtml), Richie will be laying a pre-recorded vocal track of Jackson over the recording made by the other artists. In addition, his sister Janet will also be recording a track to be added to the final mix. Tito’s sons, Taj, Taryll, and TJ, also known as T3, were also in the studio, so Jackson’s presence was definitely felt, according to the attendees. In addition, Richie and Jones strongly felt that Jackson would have leapt at the chance to be involved in aiding the Haitian earthquake victims were he alive.