3 Classic Rock Songs by Supergroups That Tried to Save the World

There is a long history when it comes to popular music of its biggest stars trying to save the world through song. There are festivals like Live Aid and Farm Aid. And there are single releases like those here below. Because there is nothing a group of big name artists love more than to, well, band together for a good cause.

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Indeed, these are three examples of just that. A trio of tracks from some of classic rock’s biggest names who came together to try and help the globe. These are three classic rock songs by supergroups that tried to save the world.

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“We Are the World” by USA for Africa from We Are the World (1985)

Those who have seen the recent Netflix documentary The Greatest Night in Pop know the story of this song. But the short version is that many of the world’s top musicians came together for a night to record a song to help those in Ethiopia suffering from famine. The track, which includes Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, and many others, sold upwards of 20 million copies and remains the eighth best-selling single ever. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, the chorus of famous artists sing,

There comes a time
When we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
Oh, and it’s time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all

We can’t go on
Pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of God’s great big family
And the truth, you know, love is all we need

“Do They Know It’s Christmas” by Band Aid (Single, 1984)

A year before “We Are the World” was released, another supergroup came together for another charitable single. And while the above song is an incredible time capsule of effort, love, and cheesiness, this song is one of just poor songwriting. Amazingly, the song has been recorded and rerecorded through the ages. But more recently, it’s fallen out of favor for its, well, condescending message. While the intent was kind and charitable, the execution no longer remains couth. Still, the recorded included giant names like Sting, George Michael, Bono, and many others. Like the above song, it was also recorded to raise money for the famine in Ethopia. And on it, the performers sing,

And there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmas time
The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life (oh)
Where nothing ever grows, no rain nor rivers flow
Do they know it’s Christmas time at all? (oh)

(Here’s to you) Raise a glass for everyone
(Here’s to them) Underneath that burning sun
Do they know it’s Christmas time at all?

“What’s Going On” by Artists Against AIDS Worldwide (Single, 2001)

While this song, which was originally composed in 1971, wasn’t written directly for a charitable effort, its message was one of social import. And that’s why it’s been rerecorded over the years to help raise money for various causes. One of those occasions came in 1994 when it was recorded for Music Relief ’94 for victims of the Rwandan genocide. More famously, in 2001, artists like Destiny’s Child, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Mary J Blige, Alicia Keys, Michael Stipe, and others recorded a version that went to benefit AIDS programs in Africa and other countries and the September 11 attack victims. On it, the artists sing passionately,

Mother, mother
There’s too many of you crying
Oh, brother, brother, brother
There’s far too many of you dying (That’s right)
You know we’ve got to find a way (Aah, ah, ah, ahh)
To bring some lovin’, lovin’ here today, yeah

Oh, my father, father (Father)
We don’t need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we’ve got to find a way (Aah, ah, ah, ahh)
To bring some lovin’ here today
Eee-ee

Photo: USA for Africa “We Are the World” from ‘The Greatest Night in Pop’ Film (Courtesy of Netflix)