Which 1980s all-star charity song is the best?

[Incandenza]

Do They Know It's Christmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjQzJAKxTrE

We Are the World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9BNoNFKCBI

Sun City
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlMdYpnVOGQ

 

[Incandenza]

"Sun City" features Joey Ramone and Lou Reed. Listen to "Sun City."

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

"Sun City" by a country mile. Only one of these all star charity songs except maybe Black Men United's "You Will Know" that I consider legitimately great. That music video kicks ass too! Jimmy Cliff and Joey Ramone hangin' out in an alley, Lou Reed dancing, Bono kissing one of the Fat Boys on the cheek!


"Do They Know It's Christmas" is a fun '80s pop number but it's pandering/condescending tone is really off putting on repeated listens.

"We Are The World" has some great moments but on the whole, not very good and again, very pandering. I think Billy Joel described it best when he said the song sounded like a Pepsi commercial.
http://youtu.be/1UfVmJBF-OY
Have to post this here.

 

[Big Papa Paegan]

What was the one Blackie Lawless was in? "We Are All Stars"?

EDIT:
Yep.
http://youtu.be/bpG65RgTY9E

This one. This one should not be anywhere near contention.

 

[AA484]

None are really all that great. I voted the Christmas one. Just because "Sun City" has Joey Ramone, Lou Reed, and the Boss in it doesn't make it good (not to say that this was what Inc. was inferring).

 

[AA484]

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7mjf2_the-simpsons-sending-our-love_shortfilms

 

[OldSchoolWrestling]

Not really charity songs but don't forget "We're All in the Same Gang" and "Self-Destruction" by the West and East Coast rappers.

 

[DMann1979]

I guess since it only has 4 people "That's What Friends Are For" doesn't count. Plus it is real schmaltzy.

Anyone remember that patriotic one around the first Gulf War, I think Kevin Costner was involved in it.

 

[Ed Wood Caulfield]

It came out like a week before the war ended which is why no one remembers it. Also Will Smith and Fred Savage were in it.

 

[Youth N Asia]

It's 90's, but I strongly remember Voices That Care when other people told me that I'd imagined it and it never existed. Pre internet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol6vr5_CY1o

Fresh Prince, Michael Bolton, Dominique Wilkins... how can you go wrong?

 

[Ed Wood Caulfield]

Semi-Related: Is it me or did people forget about Operation Desert Storm pretty quickly after it ended? I think the wave of patriotism that war gave us only lasted like six months.

 

[alfdogg]

Yeah, once Sgt. Slaughter turned babyface again it was kind of swept under the rug

 

[Richard]

Bush took that picture with Jay Sherman and his popularity never recovered.

 

[Mickey Massuco]

http://youtu.be/VJN3u1wAWIk

this song is p. boring, but hearing the highlights of 80s canadian voices like Adams, Young and Heart was sweet.

 

[Byron The Bulb]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR5xGHPUEew

 

[Precious Roy]

Not really charity songs but don't forget "We're All in the Same Gang" and "Self-Destruction" by the West and East Coast rappers.

Self Destruction is the first one I thought of

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWxztZs_atM

 

[Cackling Co Pilot Kamala]

http://youtu.be/dntRSD2mtJo
Not a charity song but saw the closing of the 50th Anniversary to the Apollo Special on YouTube and thought this fit the thread. Just six minutes of WTF?

Like how do you gather some of the best R&B stars of the 20th century and decide the best song for them to all sing is Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is"!?

 

[Baby Shoes]

It's 90's, but I strongly remember Voices That Care when other people told me that I'd imagined it and it never existed. Pre internet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol6vr5_CY1o

Fresh Prince, Michael Bolton, Dominique Wilkins... how can you go wrong?

Holy shit, where has that been all my life? All the NBA guys emotionlessly mouthing words. The cut to the Fresh Prince topped by the cut to KENNY F'N G, which technically isn't a voice btw.

Those crowd shots though... Gary Busey tripping out, Sally Field showing off those acting chops, Michelle Pfiefer looking like she rather be anywhere else, Jon Lovitz and Mike Tyson... Too good

 

[Skywarp!]

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7mjf2_the-simpsons-sending-our-love_shortfilms

This reminds me of the SNL skit where popular musicians recorded a "We Are the World"-type song to explain Whitewater.

 

[Youth N Asia]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=

Old Aid from Married with Children

Can't find a good copy.

 

[Ed Wood Caulfield]

My favourite is "We're Sending Our Love Down The Well", personally.