Having raised $63 million for famine relief with the USA for Africa song, the 'American Idol' judge believes that the message in its lyrics is still relevant to what is going on in the world today.
- Mar 24, 2020
AceShowbiz - Lionel Richie is planning to revive the star-studded aid anthem, "We Are the World", in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The USA For Africa hit, which Richie co-wrote with Michael Jackson, raised $63 million for famine relief, and now the "American Idol" judge thinks it's time to revamp the tune after celebrating the song's 35th anniversary earlier this month.
"Two weeks ago, we said we didn't want to do too much (for the anniversary) because this is not the time to sell an anniversary," Richie told People. "But the message is so clear."
And he admits that as he attempts to pen an updated version of the song, he realises the lyrics still hold up today.
"Every time I try and write another message, I write those same words," he says. "What happened in China, in Europe, it came here. So if we don't save our brothers there, it's going to come home. It's all of us. All of us are in this together."
An updated version of the tune was released in 2010 to help raise funds for earthquake relief in Haiti.
