We are the world was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie mainly to raise profit and awareness for famine that had spread drastically in Ethiopia from 1983 to 1985. The music video includes 45 soloist, from Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder to Diana Ross and Quincy Jones all who stand in a crowd like form; holding hands and swaying side to side as they sing a song that has become known as the American Response to better Africa.The video opens up with a spinning globe reading "USA for Africa". It slowly switches from the globe to a white screen signed with all of the soloist names. "There comes a time, when we heed a certain call, when the world must come together as one." This is the first stanza Lionel Richie sings as he stands in front of a microphone belching out notes.
The video features multiple scenes where the well-known singers share microphones and sing in sync. They sing about helping one another and coming together as one to make the world a better place. The video showcases love and purity of everyone on earth. When we see others in need we should help because it only makes the world stronger. As one watches this video they gain sentimental feelings and realize the actual meaning of it all.
It also includes footage of Ray Charles as he pours his soul out, singing these lyrics "There's a choice we're making. We're saving our own lives, It's true we make a brighter day just you and me." The lyrics state that the choices one makes does not only affect the person, but it affects the people around them as well. Throughout the song, the lyrics include the word "We" which gives people the sense that we are all in this together and we should all be there for one another when it is needed. The video provides a sense that as a world, everyone must come together in act of kindness and giving in order to get things done and give help when it is needed.
In Michael's solo he sings "When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all." and then the rest of the artist come together and finish off the lyrics with "Stand together as one." It makes the whole video much more surreal and gives a sense that the song was made to state that we are all united as one. The singers don't portray themselves as celebrities. In the video, they're just ordinary people who are willing to help and make change.
The video closes in with a quote from the song and a picture of the whole chorus joining hands and hugging. The image ties the video together, making the video easier to relate to.
Thanks Aaliyah. This was and remains one of my favorite songs. Do you know the context of the song? All of the musicians - and actors - in this song met to record it after the Grammy Awards. They stayed up all night to complete the recording. There was a documentary made about it. Your analysis is good.
ReplyDeleteThere are some writing errors I want to point out.
First, you need to be careful of your own diction. You use the expression "belching out notes." In this instance, the word "belching" might not be appropriate. To me, "belching" sounds like a violent, tough sound. Maybe I'm wrong. Also, look at this phrase, "As one watches this video they gain sentimental feelings..." In this phrase you mix singular and plural pronouns. The singular pronoun "one" cannot be an antecedent for the plural pronoun "they." Also, you should not predict how "they" will react. All you can do is infer the author's purpose.