Jay-Z Didn't Want Remake of 'We Are The World

MrsMJ2007

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http://www.nydailynews.com/entertai...we_are_the_world_compares_it_to_thriller.html

Jay-Z didn't want remake of 'We Are the World'; compares it to 'Thriller'
By Jim Farber
Daily News Feature Writer

Originally Published:Monday, February 15th 2010, 4:01 PM
Updated: Monday, February 15th 2010, 4:05 PM

If Jay-Z had his way, there would be no current remake of "We Are The World," which has been repurposed to raise relief funds for Haiti.

"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.' I don't ever wanna see it touched," Jay-Z told MTVNews.com Saturday night at the "2 Kings" dinner in Dallas, an annual event held during NBA All-Star weekend.

The do-over of the 25-year-old song - which features stars from Barbra Streisand to Miley Cyrus to Lil' Wayne - made its debut Friday night during the opening ceremonies for the Olympics. The single's official title is "We Are the World: 25 for Haiti."

The 1985 original was produced by Quincy Jones, who was also involved in the remake, and written by Jackson and Lionel Richie, who performed along with a veritable who's who of recording greats, from Tina Turner to Bob Dylan. It benefited African famine relief.
Jay isn't the only one to give the rehash the thumbs down.

The Washington Post found the song "horribly over sung... save for the 21st-century rap verses added toward the end of the track." The New York Times opined: "Lil Wayne, you're no Bob Dylan. . . . as a piece of work, (The song) has all the pitfalls of a Hollywood remake."

Added Jay, "I think it's time for us to make a new (song). I tried to do that with 'Stranded' " - the song he, 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."

jfarber@nydailynews.com
 
I don't like remakes of songs or movies. Just leave the original alone and try something new. Surely the artists of today can write something.
 
This wasn't a tribute to Michael, it is about raising as much money as possible, they have brought it up to date and hopefully that will attract younger people to it. I think as Michael updated some of his own songs he would have been ok about this. The extra lyrics personalised it too.
 
This wasn't a tribute to Michael, it is about raising as much money as possible, they have brought it up to date and hopefully that will attract younger people to it. I think as Michael updated some of his own songs he would have been ok about this. The extra lyrics personalised it too.


He is'nt saying its about Michael, but I totally agree with him, some things just should'nt be touched and We Are The World is one of them. A new song could've been written for this very purpose as it was years ago. This new version is indeed like a hollywood remake.

BTW....I'm willing to bet MJ would not be down with Autotune being all over this remake.
 
Why do yall post comments this man says all the time and take it at heart? LOL I agree with Jay but everybody knows this already...im glad it makes some of you guys assured just because a celebrity says it lol
 
Why do yall post comments this man says all the time and take it at heart? LOL I agree with Jay but everybody knows this already...im glad it makes some of you guys assured just because a celebrity says it lol

lol...well..u know how it goes..some come on this board, and make us feel we need a celebrity to help us out, no matter how obvious something is...lol(not u)
 
Maybe he is, but you don't have to be a genius to figure out the remake sucked.
Considering how many (uh...how do I say this nicely) idiots :doh: in Hollywood actually dived in for a remake without thinking , I think its safe to say he is one of the smartest in Hollywood for the time being when it came to this...
 
I don't like remakes of songs or movies. Just leave the original alone and try something new. Surely the artists of today can write something.
If no one remade songs, then the Northern Songs catalog (Beatles) wouldn't be worth as much today. Also many of the J5 songs were remakes. Thriller has already been touched with Mike's blessing, so I guess Jay hadn't heard of the anniversary version, lol.
 
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I agree wholeheartedly with Jay-Z. Honestly it didn't take Jay-Z for me to feel this way about. I was not happy about this remake at all, from the start. It is perfect as it is. All they did was butcher Michael's work.
 
yea I agree with every word he said .

me too..and glad it was Quincy and Lionel and NOT Michael to get the thumbs down for remaking it...

for some reason... I don't think Michael would have remade WATW...when 9/11 happen...he wanted to use another song that the world really didn't know...

when something isn't broke...don't fix it.....you can't retouch magic

Quincy has been trying to remake WATW for 2yrs now ...and now was his chance...ummm?

I know it is for a good cause and people will download the song...but I bet it won't make as much money as the original..

anyway...this is the 1st time I completely agree with Jayz ...said it from day one...

and for the NYTimes and Washington Post to criticizm anthing that Quincy does just shows you..
 
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"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.' I don't ever wanna see it touched,"

Amen.
 
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