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In 1985, Billy Joel was asked to record a song he hated. He sang only one line and it sold 20,000,000 copies
Billy Joel reluctantly took part in the 1985 charity single “We Are the World”, despite disliking its sound. The song’s success showed that a star-studded fundraiser could reach a huge audience even when some of its contributors found the music overly sentimental.
Joel recalled that many of those present disliked the song but stayed quiet; Cyndi Lauper compared it to a Pepsi advert, and he agreed. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie to raise money for people facing famine in Africa, the single sold more than 20 million copies. The article says Joel sang only one line, though it does not identify it.
In short
- Billy Joel disliked “We Are the World”.
- He reportedly sang just one line.
- The charity single sold more than 20 million copies.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The single’s broad appeal and more than 20 million sales suggest that a direct, sentimental song can bring people together and raise substantial funds for a humanitarian cause. From this perspective, its simplicity and star-studded performance helped the message reach listeners who might not otherwise have engaged.
The case against
A charity song can feel overly sentimental or commercially polished, risking the impression that a complex famine has been reduced to an easy emotional appeal. Contributors’ reported reservations, including comparisons to an advert, support the view that a song’s popularity does not necessarily make its artistic approach persuasive or its framing adequate.