Jay-Z: "We Are the World" Shouldn't Have Been Remade
Credit: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS
Jay-Z wasn't a big fan of the "We Are the World" remake, which debuted at the Olympic opening ceremonies Friday to benefit Haiti earthquake relief.
"I know everybody is gonna take this wrong: 'We Are the World,' I love it, and I understand the point and think it's great. But I think 'We Are the World' is like [Michael Jackson's] 'Thriller' to me. I don't ever wanna see it touched," Jay-Z told MTVNews.com Saturday night at the 2 Kings dinner in Dallas.
See pics of stars recording the "We Are the World" remake
Critics agree with the rapper. Sniped The Washington Post of the song, which featured Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber, "The updated take was horribly oversung... save for the 21st-century rap verses added toward the end of the track." Wrote the New York Times, "Lil Wayne, you're no Bob Dylan.... as a piece of work, [the song] has all the pitfalls of a Hollywood remake."
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Continued Jay-Z, 40, "I'm a fan of music. I know the plight and everything that's going on in Haiti. I applaud the efforts: [Millions have been raised] through text [donations] to Haiti. So I appreciate the efforts and everything, but 'We Are The World' is [musically] untouchable like 'Thriller' is untouchable. Some things are just untouchable. It was a valiant effort, but for me, it's gonna be untouchable."
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His suggestion?
"I think it's time for us to make a new [song]," Jay-Z said. "I tried to do that with 'Stranded,' [the tune Jay Z, Rihanna and U2's Bono and The Edge premiered at the 'Hope for Haiti Now' telethon]. I didn't try to make 'We Are the World,' but I tried to make our take on how we felt."
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245I have to opinions to the new WATW. My first opinions is, I like the purpose behind it, to help Haiti during hte earthquack and the song was....ok but heres my over all take on this. In 1985 the song "We Are The World" was written for a purpose and here is the purpose, tou unite the world to help Afraica (which was what i was told but please if im wrong please corect me :) ) the song was not written for the world to ALL unite....Haiti however, we have been helping 4 years!! soo its not we are just now helping them because of the horrible earthquake they had had, we have a long history with them.But in 1985 WATW went down to music HISTORY and not just for a while BUT FOREVER!!!! i feel the remake of the song WATW should not have been remade..alot of it was somewhat computerized and it didnt have the feeling as the old one did. I feel that instead taking a song that has made history in the world, i feel that they should have had made a new song for the Haiti purpose. Thas just my opinion but i do agree with Jay-Z they shouldnt have remaid that is like trying to redo his hit song Thriller..just sayin
I knew any remake of this song could not be as effective as the original (We are the world) I am not a MJ fan however it does not change the fact that he is very talented and musicly majestic, what he feels bleeds out through his music. To me the remake of this song was not real, other motives were in play not saying that the artist were not giving their all just saying the love and soul of the ones that remade it (writers) did not appear to have a passion for it, otherwise they would have re-released the old version or wrote a different song.
her we go again if you people don't stop judging you're going to be judged yourself oneday and that is a fact did't you hear about all the little boys that said they lied on him to get money ,Oh!!! but i'm sure you dont want to hear that ,just shut the hole in your faces
You worry over who sang a stupid song? Try to find out just how much of the money raised by the song REALLY went for what it was intended! Did I miss something about molesting little boys in the song that would warrant having MJ on the recording?lol
You worry about a stupid song? Who cares!! Why don't you learn just how much of the money the song made was used for the pudpose it was raised?? Why don't anyone of you?? And who cares if MJ was on the song? Was there something about little boys on it that I missed, lol.
Its ALL about MONEY!!
I agree with Jay-Z and others the re-make was terrible. This is a different situation -create something new.
I totally agree with Jay Z on this one. I heard that they only put Michael's part back in at his Mom's insistence. But still, it just does not feel right they way they redid the song. Q and Lionel should have taken the effort to create something new like Jay Z did, not ride on MJ's coattails is how I feel. If they cared about the cause I think they would have. I feel that Quincy is, sorry to say it, but I don't trust his motives. After what he said about MJ and his kids after he died. Some friend.
i did not like it eather especially all that yelling and the part of michael jackson they took the old clip was that i wish mj was alive we miss him
I agree for once with Jayz!
i agreed with jay z. the remake sounds horrible.
ALL OF MICHAEL'S SONGS ARE UNTOUCHABLE. THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER THAT WILL MATCH UP TO HIM, EVER!
I AGREE. WITH MICHAEL NOT BEING IN THIS SONG JUST MADE IT WRONG!!!!
glad they did this also for the 2004 tsunami victims. oh, wait a minute...
If Quincy Jones or Lionel Richie doesn't have a problem with it being remade? I respect Jay Zs opinion but after all they are the ones who made the song! if they want to remake then let them. i betcha hes just mad cause the song he made inst as good as the remake to we are the world! Bottom line its not like 2 new people made the song Quincy and Lionel are doing this, therefor its nothing wrong with it. The remake is great.
Why are you people on this man looks have you stupid asses not learn its not what you look like its in the heart that counts. Seal is a great wonderful guy and a proud father to 4 kids a beautiful wife. his greatness and his songs brings out the hunk of a man he is. and i say the same about Jay-Z this is a very talanted well respected man and he has a heart of gold. It makes him out to be this fine good smelling hunk of man. You go Jay
Aside from the additional of MJ in a couple of places, this remake was just horrible. I hope it raises a lot of money, but I agree with JZ - some songs are untouchable and WATW is one of them. It's not a rap song, it's not a goatherding song (Wycliffe), it's a beautiful, inspirational call to action by Michael and his friend Lionel. Love you, MJ, forever.
I agree with Jay-Z...i also feel "We Are The World-2.0" insults the original...it is horrible I also feel the parts where that rap 'music' noise was thrown in only made the insult that much bigger.
I personally love the new version of "We Are The World" though nothing can replace the original. But what some people fail to realize is how these newer artists are going to introduce younger generations to this song. That is how music survives the changing times. I don't think any of the artists participating in this song came with the intention of disrespecting Michael but instead to uphold his dream that music has the power to change the world. This song was written to unite the world in a time of crisis and that what the new version is doing.
HE HAS A FACE THAT ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE BUT I DON"T EVEN THINK HIS MOM WOULD GO NEAR HIM.... :)