On Monday, some of the biggest names in the music industry were invited to re-record the global hit song “We Are The World,” to assist with relief efforts in Haiti and to commemorate the tune’s 25th anniversary.
An 81-member choir– comprised of The Jonas Brothers, Brandy, Jennifer Hudson, Kanye West, Celine Dion, Wyclef, Usher, Nancy Wilson, Jamie Foxx, Barbra Streisand, Gladys Knight, Faith Evans, Pink and many others– gathered to record at Henson Studios in Los Angeles. Included among them– gospel’s favorite sister duo, Mary Mary.
Lemme tell you… I half-way expected for them to get an Oscar nomination yesterday because Erica & Tina Campbell are, by God’s grace, UNSTOPPABLE. Proud of you, ladies! Thanks for representing Christ and the gospel community.
Peep a behind-the-scenes video right HERE:
NBC is expected to premiere the video for the song, “We Are The World – 25 For Haiti” in 3D on Friday, February 12th, during its coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. It should be available for purchase after that and, of course, all proceeds will go to benefit Haiti.
Whatd’ya think???
I think they just should've re-released the first the one. And that all I will say.
what is the fascination with 3D these days?? I feel like I'm back in 1991 when it was SUPER cool. lol
i dont care how people say MaryMary aren't real gospel i know their music has helped me in my journey. & i love that they can do events like this, bet, & anywhere & be a reflection of the christian community.
I agree with Christina.... Or, use a different song altogether. I guess it's easier to recycle than to do something original.
1991! Man...3D ain't been cool since 1961! Lata for dat! I like the sentiment, but I do like the original more. Honestly, you can't beat the tight sweaters, hair beads, different color hair, and dare I say....THE JERRY CURLS! Ahhh....those were the days! YAY 80's!
I know all the Mary Mary haters will come out and say that they should not be in the world or with secular artists, which I do not agree. What is their purpose then, to stay within church folks and not reach the world? Seriously folks, I hope the christian community understand that they are there for a purpose. Only the Lord says, and they are in the right place, sharing the gospel and their witness in the entertainment industry. And yes, I'm proud of them being on that platform and part of the project.
I get confused when we in the Church think its a good thing to be recognized by the world? I dont get it at all. We dont have to do songs with secular artists to spread the gospel, I dont know where that understanding comes from and also this is business. Anyway, I will not get into it again, too much but when you do this you almost give license to believers to listen to the music of those you claim not to agree with, evil, sinful music. Thats the problem, if these artists are singing music that doesnt glorify God, I shouldnt do music with them. Ministering to the world doesnt mean doing business with them.
@Paul N-- to clarify, are you saying that Christians should only do songs like this (i.e., worldwide relief efforts) among ourselves, and not with people who don't believe as they believe? I ask because it would seem to isolate us in a way that might do more harm than good.
I do understand your point EJ, however many people in the Church are millionaires and look at all these Mega Churches. We can all put money together and have an effect on this situation and let the world do what they are doing, however whatever good we do should always end up with the gospel of Christ if the Church gets involved. "We are the world" does not do that and is actually a song of unity regardless of what we believe for the sake of a world that is going top burn up in the end and I dont see any reference in scripture for that. I am not trying to be too holy or deep but I know what I am seeing and what I see is a lot of watering down and compromise and the more we align ourselves with the world the more they will not understand what the Church should be like. Also it brings confusion in the Church especially with the youngsters. I do believe in being a mighty witness for Christ but I dont believe any type of fame, fortune or business should be a part of that. I stated before that Mahalia Jackson wouldnt even do a song with John Coltraine but we do songs with people who cuss and carry on, and sings songs that incite the flesh. I dont see how that can be of God. I Corinthians 15:33 Don't be deceived! "Evil companionships corrupt good morals." God bless you Bro!
"We do not have to be with secular artists to spread the gospel" That is one of the most ridiculous statements I've ever heard. Come on now Paul, because we have to be in the world and be challenged to share the gospel with those who approach us, even those in the secular entertainment industry. No wonder people are turned off with Christians because we become our worse enemy when we make statements like this. I'm sorry.
@All-- A new house rule is in place that speaks to these quarrelsome debates that seem to instantly pop up and continue forever. In short-- it all ends now. You can check it at http://localhost/gospelpundit/house-rules/ so you won't feel like I didn't tell you. There have already been casualties and, I expect, more shall come. Pray NOT to be in the number. And, thanks for visiting the site... keep comin'. I hope you enjoy! :-)
Love it! The Mary's (as well as other gospel/christian artists with the right intentions) should continue being in the mainstream. That's what's up! I still don't get why no one mentioned Bebe Winans being there...hmmm, oh well :) Far as the song itself...don't think they should have remade it (you just can't touch some of the classics)
Sadly the general consensus these days is one of using all things pragmatic to draw people to the gospel.. This song opposes the basic biblical principle of salvation through Jesus Christ alone.. "There's a choice WE'RE making WE'RE saving our OWN LIVES, its true WE make a better place just "YOU & ME".. Is this statement validated by the scriptures? Matthew 16;25.. Also i'm never surprised by how "christians" jump on certain projects without even checking out the ideologies or beliefs of those who started the projects. I remember when Yolonda Adams sang John Lennon's anthem "Imagine" in 2001, she also sang on Yoruba Priestess' Iyanla Vanzant's album and Bone Thugs and Harmony's "Loyalty" album.. We are The World" is an anthem for the "Brotherhood of Man" a new age term used by many in order to denote "mankind" coming together under the "Aquarian Age" in order to solve the problems of the world. Remember the song "This Is The Dawning Of The Age Of Aquarius" by the group The 5th Dimension? Very similar sentiments talking about a so called man made peace and the coming of the Aquarian Age. I suggest that those who believe that this song is appropriate for a "christian" to sing study the lyrics as where in scripture did God show us how to turn stones to bread? as stated in this record? Whether you like Mary Mary , Be Be Winans or not, this song clearly tries to dismiss the importance of Jesus Christ and His gospel alone and replace it with a man made false doctrine.. Wake up "christians" wake up......
@Steve Sacman-- seriously? Aside from the fact that the Bible says that God gave MAN dominion over the earth, so that WE have a responsibility to govern and maintain it, you've just done too much. "We're saving our own lives," is not a declaration that "we're saving our own sin-sick souls." It's just not that deep, man. And please don't start with the whole placing the word "Christian" in quotes, as if you have a right to call into question one's Christianity simply because they don't rebuke gospel artists who sing "We Are The World." LOL... You've just done too much.
And unfortunately EJ you're doing way too little... So we're "children of the world" then EJ (John 15:19, John 16:33)) and is the whole earth all a part of God's great Big Family according to scripture?? John 17:9 As I stated unless you know the ideology or belief system of the author of the song (who was Michael Jackson, he claimed that the song was summoned to him), then how can you defend the lyrical content and its intention. You claim that its not that deep, but the lyrics attack the very foundation of the faith you say you believe in?? "There comes a time when we heed a certain call when the world must come coming together as one" What call is this EJ since its not that deep?? Where in scripture does man have the ability to solve all of the problems of mankind?? The position you take is one that have become standard in "christianity" right now.. Yes and I use the brackets not to "rebuke" as you say, but to merely highlight the version of christianity that does not rely of the bible as the final authority for our faith, as you give many opinions but not any biblical facts. So in your opinion this song is nothing more than a call to unite and work together. But what and who are we uniting with? And what will be the eventual outcome of this union with the "brotherhood of man EJ"?? I noticed in your discourse that you failed to address the lyric in the song that says "AS GOD HAS SHOWN US BY TURNING STONE TO BREAD" I guess that this line was just a simple misinterpretation on the text in Matthew 4:4 then and we should just put it down to Jackson's lack of biblical knowledge? Go study the roots and teachings of the "Aquarian Age Brotherhood of Man etc" and then you'll clearly see how much of this song and John Lennon's "Imagine" match up to its doctrine, then see if any of their teachings are found in the scriptures and then we can discuss from this point and not your opinion.. Sola Scriptura Bro.....
@Steve Sacman-- LOL. No need. Like I said, you're doing too much. You seem to want to write, and to engage someone in a dialogue about these concepts. Maybe you should start a blog and recruit an audience. You use words like "discourse" to describe a quick comment that I made, you encourage an in-depth study of some random teachings, and you accuse me of doing "way too little"... it's clear that you're trying to make much of this blog. Perhaps you think you'll wax philosophical or theological and find your identity therein. Or maybe you're just an argumentative person and you need someone with whom to debate. In either case, I don't care and I'm not interested. You posted a comment and I responded. That's all. We needn't go back and forth about it, dissecting the Scriptures together until I agree with your point. I'm really not interested in that. Maybe someone else will be... but probably not. And if that means we're doing too little, I suppose I'll just... do that. LOL
Like I said bro, enjoy your brand of "christianity" as we are challenged to test all things especially concepts that attack the faith.. But it seems that you want to make light something that is in total conflict to orthodox Christianity.. Its obviously not that deep for you and many others, so bro do your thing and keep ear tickling your followers.. Grace and peace to you bro....
Mmkay, thanks!