17-02-2010, 14:29
from rolling stone
Since the Winter Olympics debut of âWe Are the World 25 for Haiti,â featuring Lil Wayne, Pink, Kanye West, Fergie and 80 more singers, over 6.5 million people have watched the Paul Haggis-directed video on its official YouTube page. With its modern take on the original trackâs production and a new rap interlude, the new version of the iconic 1985 charity single is drawing mixed reaction from all corners of the Internet â 67,000 comments have already been posted on YouTube and Rolling Stoneâs blog lit up with responses after the songâs premiere during Friday nightâs opening ceremony in Vancouver.
One of the most famous voices in the mix is Jay-Z, who told MTV that the original version was too sacred to him. âI think âWe Are the Worldâ is like [Michael Jackson's] âThrillerâ to me. I donât ever wanna see it touched.â He added, âSome things are just untouchable. It was a valiant effort, but for me, itâs gonna be untouchable.â
Rolling Stone readersâ main critique is that the new lineup doesnât boast enough high-profile rockers. âThis version does not hold a candle to the original which was composed primarily of A-list performers, many who are now in the Rock Hall of Fame,â JD writes. âThe original had individuals. Thatâs the key thing, from the moment the original starts you know who everyone is, very distinct voices,â adds Chris.
Lionel Richieâs response? âWhatâs a classic? To the next generation, itâs just an old song,â he told USA Today. âWhy not bring in Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers and let them address the issues? We can pass the baton and empower the next generation to take up arms and have a legacy with this.â
Readers also griped over the trackâs use of Auto-Tune (Akon, T-Pain and Lil Wayneâs vocals all feature the studio hallmark) and the addition of the rap interlude, which the producers referred to as a âGreek chorus.â Richie tells USA Today rockers were the voice of opposition in the original, but âNow the radicals and bad boys and messengers are rappers. We had to add that to give it freshness.â
Despite the critiques, readers praised Pink, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige and Celine Dionâs solos, the touch of originality Kanye West added to the track and the too-brief, heartwarming moment where Michael and Janet Jackson sing side by side. âOK, Pink killed it. Awesome and somewhat unexpected. Celine Dion, incredible. It was tasteful to leave Michael Jackson in it too,â writes T Bone.
Since the Winter Olympics debut of âWe Are the World 25 for Haiti,â featuring Lil Wayne, Pink, Kanye West, Fergie and 80 more singers, over 6.5 million people have watched the Paul Haggis-directed video on its official YouTube page. With its modern take on the original trackâs production and a new rap interlude, the new version of the iconic 1985 charity single is drawing mixed reaction from all corners of the Internet â 67,000 comments have already been posted on YouTube and Rolling Stoneâs blog lit up with responses after the songâs premiere during Friday nightâs opening ceremony in Vancouver.
One of the most famous voices in the mix is Jay-Z, who told MTV that the original version was too sacred to him. âI think âWe Are the Worldâ is like [Michael Jackson's] âThrillerâ to me. I donât ever wanna see it touched.â He added, âSome things are just untouchable. It was a valiant effort, but for me, itâs gonna be untouchable.â
Rolling Stone readersâ main critique is that the new lineup doesnât boast enough high-profile rockers. âThis version does not hold a candle to the original which was composed primarily of A-list performers, many who are now in the Rock Hall of Fame,â JD writes. âThe original had individuals. Thatâs the key thing, from the moment the original starts you know who everyone is, very distinct voices,â adds Chris.
Lionel Richieâs response? âWhatâs a classic? To the next generation, itâs just an old song,â he told USA Today. âWhy not bring in Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers and let them address the issues? We can pass the baton and empower the next generation to take up arms and have a legacy with this.â
Readers also griped over the trackâs use of Auto-Tune (Akon, T-Pain and Lil Wayneâs vocals all feature the studio hallmark) and the addition of the rap interlude, which the producers referred to as a âGreek chorus.â Richie tells USA Today rockers were the voice of opposition in the original, but âNow the radicals and bad boys and messengers are rappers. We had to add that to give it freshness.â
Despite the critiques, readers praised Pink, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige and Celine Dionâs solos, the touch of originality Kanye West added to the track and the too-brief, heartwarming moment where Michael and Janet Jackson sing side by side. âOK, Pink killed it. Awesome and somewhat unexpected. Celine Dion, incredible. It was tasteful to leave Michael Jackson in it too,â writes T Bone.
