We Are Still The World

It was 32 years ago on this day in 1985 that the world of music made history when, according to the website This Day in Music, the single "We Are the World" was played at 3:55 GMT or Greenwich Mean Time on more than 5,000 radio stations worldwide. This multi-artist hit recorded under the guise of United Support of Artists for Africa, or USA for Africa, was done to help raise awareness and benefit famine relief in Africa.

The single was released on March 7, 1985, and quickly went to No. 1 in the U.S. and the UK as well as other countries around the world. According to AllMusic, it sold more than 800,000 copies in one weekend and garnered Grammys for Best Song, Best Record, and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group. The song featured several artists, conducted by Quincy Jones, including Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Perry, Bob Dylan, Dan Aykroyd, Bob Geldolf and many others and began as a fundraising idea by Harry Belafonte and manager Ken Kragen and raised more than $50 million for starving people in Africa.

I remember seeing this song in heavy rotation back in the days when MTV actually played music videos and looking back now, it may seem like a novelty song that recalls memories of the '80s, but it was very instrumental in helping out people that were living in poverty.