THE #1 SONG 30 YEARS AGO TODAY WAS....

....We Are The World by USA for Africa. Originally conceived by Harry Belafonte, USA for Africa was borne out of the idea started by the famine relief single Do They Know Its Christmas by the British supergroup Band Aid. USA for Africa was made up of some of the biggest recording artists of all time...and LaToya Jackson. We Are The Word was written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian (only to have Cyndi Lauper come in and steal the whole shebang with one amazing line) and it went on to sell over 20 million copies. The song hit #1 on the Hot 100 on April 13, 1985 and stayed at the top spot for 4 weeks, also hitting #1 on various charts around the world. Since its release, We Are The World and USA for Africa have raised over $63 million for humanitarian aide. Not too shabby for a bunch of pop stars. Anyway, here is the historic single that sat at #1 30 years ago today, We Are The World.

FLASHBACK: DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS?

In 1984-85 the world was trying their best to help in Africa and there were a couple of benefit songs that were big hits: We Are the World and this one. Band Aid was made up of the biggest recording stars in the UK, some of which were actually American. Featuring Duran Duran, Sting, Boy George, Bono, Jody Watley, Bananarama, George Michael, Phil Collins, et al and written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, DTKIC reached the top of the UK charts on December 11, 1984, stayed there for five weeks and was the biggest selling UK single until 1997, when Candle In The Wind 1997 took it's place. Because US charts depended heavily on airplay the song only reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, despite outselling all other singles during it's time of release. It is an 80s classic for sure and one of the most memorable songs of it's time. Now watch and enjoy Do They Know It's Christmas or you are a jerk.

VIDEO: WE ARE THE WORLD 25

In case you didn't see it last night at the Olympics, here is the video of We Are the World. I have to say it's not too bad except for Wyclef doing some weird-ass scream in a couple of places, Celine, Pink, Barbra Streisand and Jennifer Hudson all sing their faces off. Check it out and download the single at iTunes to send money to Haiti. For $2.99 you get the single and the video. BUY IT or you hate children. WARNING: Justin Bieber sings first!! Didn't think it was fair not to tell you. [image]