“We Are the World” was written in 1985 by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. It was produced and conducted by Quincy Jones and recorded by a supergroup of popular musicians billed as USA for Africa. The charity single was intended to raise funds to help famine-relief efforts in Ethiopia, which experienced unusual drought in 1984/1985. It raised over $60 million, which was distributed to Ethiopia, Sudan, and other impoverished countries. The song was recorded in 12 hours on January 28, 1985, the day of the American Music Awards. Since the artists were all in town for the awards, it was much easier to get them together to record the single. Some of the stars who sang solos in the song were Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, and Willie Nelson. (Musicians who were reportedly invited but declined include Madonna, Prince, Joan Baez and Cher.) The single exceeded expectations in terms of sales. 800,000 copies were originally shipped, and they sold out the first weekend. The song also went on to win Grammys for Song of the Year as well as Record of the Year.

USA for Africa official web site
“We Are the World” song celebrates 20 years“, MSNBC