1985 No. 1 Hit Recorded by Music Icons Has Been Named the Worst Song to Ever Top the Charts
One of the most successful songs of the 1980s was a four-week chart topper that was recorded by dozens of the biggest music icons of the era. But, a recent ranking labeled the track, USA for Africa's "We Are the World," as the worst song to ever reach No. 1.
Why a Critic Named the 1985 Charity Hit 'We Are the World' the Worst No. 1 Song Ever
Photo: Bettmann/Getty Images
On August 11, 2024, a writer named Serene Dominic for the Phoenix New Times published an article listing "the 16 worst songs to reach No. 1 on music charts." The track that landed the number one slot on that list was USA for Africa's "We Are the World."
The article criticized the song, which was composed by Quincy Jones, for feeling like every line was delivered by artists who were trying to one-up each other. It also called out the track for sidelining incredibly talented artists as part of the background chorus. The writer argued that Smokey Robinson, Lindsey Buckingham, Harry Belafonte, the Pointer Sisters, and Waylon Jennings all should have been given prominent solos instead of blending into the chorus along with Dan Akroyd.
"We Are the World" was released on March 7, 1985, and it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on March 23. Ultimately, the track reached number one on April 13, 1985, and stayed there for four weeks as part of the 18 weeks it spent on the chart in total.
ThePhoenix New Times' Full List: The 16 Worst Songs to Reach No. 1 on Music Charts
- 16: Poison - ‘Every Rose Has Its Thorn’ (1988)
- 15: Creed - "With Arms Wide Open" (2000)
- 14: Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs - "Sugar Shack" (1963)
- 13: Harry Chapin - "Cat's in the Cradle" (1974)
- 12: Silk - "Freak Me Baby" (1993)
- 11: Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods - "Billy Don’t Be a Hero" (1974)
- 10: Snow - "Informer" (1993)
- 9. UB40 - "Can’t Help Falling in Love (1993)
- 8: Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder - "Ebony & Ivory" (1982)
- 6: Bonnie Tyler - "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (1983)
- 5: Meat Loaf - "I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)" (1993)
- 4: Los Del Rio - "Macarena" (1996)
- 3: Daniel Powter - "Bad Day" (2006)
- 2: Starship - "We Built This City" (1985)
- 1: USA For Africa - "We Are the World" (1985)
USA for Africa's 'We Are the World' Was a Huge Success
After Band Aid's charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" proved highly successful, Harry Belafonte organized a similar effort using American artists to raise money for African famine relief. According to Britannica, "We Are the World" sold 800,000 copies in just three days and raised more than $60 million for humanitarian aid. That made the track a massive success.
The Legendary Artists Behind the Famous Charity Recording
After the release of a hit Netflix documentary about how "We Are the World" was porduced, The Greatest Night in Pop, Screen Rant publised an article that listed everyone who performed on the charity song.
Every 'We Are the World' Soloist Singer
- Michael Jackson
- Lionel Richie
- Stevie Wonder
- Paul Simon
- Kenny Rogers
- James Ingram
- Tina Turner
- Billy Joel
- Diana Ross
- Dionne Warwick
- Willie Nelson
- Al Jarreau
- Bruce Springsteen
- Kenny Loggins
- Steve Perry
- Daryl Hall
- Huey Lewis
- Cyndi Lauper
- Kim Carnes
- Bob Dylan
- Ray Charles
Every 'We Are the World' Chorus Singer
- Dan Aykroyd
- Harry Belafonte
- Lindsey Buckingham
- Mario Cipollina
- Johnny Colla
- Sheila E.
- Bob Geldof
- Bill Gibson
- Chris Hayes
- Sean Hopper
- Jackie Jackson
- La Toya Jackson
- Marlon Jackson
- Randy Jackson
- Tito Jackson
- Waylon Jennings
- Bette Midler
- John Oates
- Jeffrey Osborne
- Anita Pointer
- June Pointer
- Ruth Pointer
- Smokey Robinson
Every 'We Are the World' Instrumentalist
- John Barnes (keyboards)
- David Paich (synthesizers)
- Michael Boddicker (synthesizers)
- Ian Underwood (synthesizers)
- Steve Porcaro (synthesizers)
- Paulinho da Costa (percussion)
- Louis Johnson (synth bass)
- Michael Omartian (keyboards)
- Greg Phillinganes (keyboards)
- John Robinson (drums)