There comes a time
When we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
Ohand it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
We can't go on
Pretending day-by-day
That someonesomewhere soon make a change
We're all a part of God's great big family
And the truthyou knowlove is all we need
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter dayso let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better dayjust you and me
Ohsend them your heart
So they know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stones to bread
And so we all must lend a helping hand
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter dayso let's start giving
Ohthere's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better dayjust you and me
When you're down and outthere seems no hope at all
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall
Wellwellwellwell let us realize
Ohthat a change can only come
When we stand together as oneyeahyeahyeah
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter dayso let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better dayjust you and me
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter dayso let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better dayjust you and mee
We are the world (are the world)
We are the children (are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter dayso let's start giving (so let's start giving)
There is a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better dayjust you and me
Ohlet me hear you!
We are the world (we are the world)
We are the children (said we are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day so let start giving (so let's start giving)
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better dayjust you and mecome on nowlet me hear you
We are the world (we are the world)
We are the children (we are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day so let's start giving (so let's start giving)
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better dayjust you and meyeah
We are the world (we are the world)
We are the children (we are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day so let's start giving (so let's start giving)
There's a choice we're making
And we're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better dayjust you and me
We are the world (are the world)
We are the children (are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day so let's start giving (so let's start giving)
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better dayjust you and me
We are the worldwe are the world (are the world)
We are the childrenyes sir (are the children)
We are the ones that make a brighter day so let's start giving (so let's start giving)
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better dayjust you and meooh-hoo!
We are the world (dear God) (are the world)
We are the children (are the children)
We are the ones that make a brighter day so let's start giving (all rightcan you hear what I'm saying?)
There's a choice we're makingwe're saving our own lives
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What Does “We are the World” by Michael Jackson Mean?
We are the World means humanity must unite to address global suffering and poverty. The situation presents a moral crossroads where collective action becomes essential for survival.
Meaning & Interpretation
Beneath the call for charity lies desperation and the recognition that individual salvation depends on helping others.
"There comes a time when we heed a certain call" establishes urgency around worldwide crisis. "We can't go on pretending day-by-day that someonesomewhere soon make a change" confronts the dangerous comfort of assuming others will solve problems. "We're all a part of God's great big family" frames assistance as familial obligation rather than optional charity. "There's a choice we're makingwe're saving our own lives" shows the paradox that helping others becomes self-preservation. The repeated declaration "we are the worldwe are the children" collapses distance between helper and helpedmaking everyone both vulnerable and responsible. "When you're down and outthere seems no hope at all" acknowledges the despair that precedes transformation.
The narrator desperately wants to believe that collective action can prevent global collapse. Fear drives the message that ignoring suffering elsewhere will eventually destroy everyone. The insistence that "we're saving our own lives" through helping others suggests terror that isolation leads to extinction. Unity becomes the only antidote to helplessness and the crushing weight of witnessing preventable death.
Songwriter & Background
"We are the World" was written by Lionel RichieMichael JacksonGarrison Keillor. Released in 1997 as part of the album 5. Duisburger Schulchortreffen.
Michael Jackson in the News
Comments (8)
Comments are closed.
he will always be in my heart as long as i live.
his songs is one of my inspiration.
duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
im doing everythin i can to help mjj's fans nd i to make this world a better place. michael wouldve wanted that. :')