We are the Word, the Charity single from USA for Africa was the number one song in America this week in 1985. The song was released on March 8, 1985, and spent four weeks on top of the Billboard singles chart.

The song also hit the top of the R&B and Adult Contemporary charts. We Are the World was the first single to ever be certified multi-platinum. It was the biggest selling single of 1985 as well as the entire decade.

We are the World was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian. The blockbuster hit received three Grammys, one American Music Award and one People’s choice award.

Jackson, Richie and nineteen of the biggest artist of the day contributed vocals to the song. Some of the stars include Stevie Wonder, Kenny Rogers, Tina Turner, Willie Nelson, Cyndi Lauper, Bob Dylan, and Ray Charles. Another twenty stars contributed to the chorus of the song.

After the song was released, 63 million dollars was raised for Humanitarian causes. That equals out to about 144 million dollars today.