Latest on MJJC

We Are The World 25 for Haiti / Official video now in first post.

Re: *VIDEO* Info regarding Prince & Paris WATW contribution.

Extra+ET+Insider reports http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUuCPn5StD0&feature=player_embedded



MJpaintedcar.jpg
 
Last edited:
Re: We Are The World to be re-recorded for Haiti.

krystikel said:
I mainly lurk around here and tend to stay fairly quiet, but I figured I would toss in my thoughts on this.

I'm not happy about it at all.

It's not because I don't think a song should be recorded. It's not because I don't think it's wonderful that these artists are donating their time and voice to the project. It's nothing like that. I think the idea is a great one. It's been done before and was successful, so it can be done again and be successful.

However, "We Are The World" was written specifically for famine relief in Africa. It all started because Harry Belafonte was well aware of the suffering happening there - he had firsthand experience with it from his visits - and so he contacted Ken Kragen. Ken in turn brought in Michael, Lionel, and Stevie. "We Are The World" was then born. The recording of the song, both audio and video, was a historical moment. So many of the time's top recording artists were there - there were more big names than small names, and by 'big' I mean huge. These weren't just stars - these were superstars.

Here's a little story about something that happened today, and after it I'll explain (partly) why this re-recording bothers me.

At work today, someone mentioned this remake. She's in her 30's or 40's... around my generation. She's not really a fan of Michael's, but she does respect him, and she's not happy about the remake either - and she's looking at it from a wide perspective. However, the thing that opened my eyes was the conversation that came from her bringing this up:

TS: Have you heard they're remaking 'We Are The World'? That's a bad move!
Me: I know! I'm not happy about it at all.
20 year old girl: What's 'We Are The World'?
18 year old guy: No clue.
Me: Are you serious? Or kidding?
18 year old guy: I have no idea what it is.
20 year old girl: Me either.
TS: (sings) We are the world, we are the children, we are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving...
Early 20's guy/girl: *blank stare*

They didn't know it. At all. Didn't even ring a bell. So it's people like that, young non-MJ fans who don't know the song at all - our 'next generation', who are going to remember only this remake as opposed to the original. It's people like that who won't know and likely not even care about the true legacy of the song, how it started, what it did, what it truly means to the people who wrote it, what it truly means to the people who first recorded it, what it truly means to the older generation who lived it - essentially what it stands for as a whole. For that group it will simply be a charity song to help Haiti, and nothing more.

To me, that's sad. To me, that's why they should have written a new song and not remade this one. Lionel and Quincy are both songwriters. They could have come up with something new. Instead they're going the 'easy' route - which is also one that can potentially ruin the legacy of what "We Are The World" is really about.
Click to expand...






Krystikel - I like your post very much. You express yourself very well. You have plenty to offer. Now, i want to hear from you more frequently.
 
Re: We Are The World to be re-recorded for Haiti.

it's interesting...that one lady on 'the insider' gave her honest opinion/argument as to why she feels MJ's kids didn't attend the remake of 'we are the world'. she said that she thought that, just because MJ's kids are MJ's kids, that doesn't mean they can sing. that they might have voices that sound like chalk scratching a chalkboard. now, she said that, not really knowing why MJ's kids didn't attend. and i'm sure she won't receive any flak for it.

so..i should be allowed to give my opinion, without flak.

and my opinion is, that, just because a person can sing, that doesn't mean that they have the X factor. MJ's kids had the X factor, just standing on that stage at the grammys, last night.

from what i listened to, of the remake, there, i felt no X factor. i need an X factor to buy a single. i don't know why Quincy Jones, for example, tried to get Celine Dion, to do the song, the exact same way that Cyndi Lauper did her part. Cyndi's voice was very very unique, there. Celine sings well, but trying to mimick Lauper, wasn't a good production idea, by Jones. and it's not like a person cannot mimick another person, as MJ got Orianthi to mimick Eddie Van Halen and Batten to mimick Eddie Van Halen, really well, for Beat It, for This Is It, and in concerts, respectively. So, Quincy Jones didn't have the producer's X factor, to me, this time. But Michael had it, in 1985, and beyond. as far as someone saying that we should remember how we couldn't trust the media, and we should wait till we hear the whole thing..i gotta say that the media saved their worst venom for Michael, alone. there were times that they should have used the word 'alleged', and they deliberately chose not to. they're giving nothing but glowing remarks about this remake.

anyway..i didn't have to listen to the whole of the song 'dangerous', when it and it's album were being advertised, back in 1992. i just heard part of it..and got goosebumps.
 
Last edited:
Re: We Are The World to be re-recorded for Haiti.

so michael voice wont be on the track?:(
 
Re: We Are The World to be re-recorded for Haiti.

cgrimberg said:
so michael voice wont be on the track?:(
Click to expand...

no:(.....

i miss him so so much. not only has it changed me forever, but a big part of me, not only didn't move on, that big part of me died, right along with him...
 
Last edited:
Re: *VIDEO* Info regarding Prince & Paris WATW contribution.

I do not know if it is safe for these kids to be out there so much, like Michael once said the media can be really mean sometimes. I it won't be very long before they start riping the children apart with their scrutiney. God bless them.
 
Re: We Are The World to be re-recorded for Haiti.

This is not a contest for egos, this is a charity song. If they were going to use the same voices again, they really would not be any need for a remark. So, it is suppose to sound different. As long as the money reach those in need, I heavily doubt Michael could care less if his vocals are kept or not. We also don't even know if Michael's kids can even sing and should not be in it just for the sake of having an X Factor.

If you don't like it, don't but the record and help Haiti in your own way.
 
Re: We Are The World to be re-recorded for Haiti.

Ramona122003 said:
This is not a contest for egos, this is a charity song. If they were going to use the same voices again, they really would not be any need for a remark. So, it is suppose to sound different. As long as the money reach those in need, I heavily doubt Michael could care less if his vocals are kept or not. We also don't even know if Michael's kids can even sing and should not be in it just for the sake of having an X Factor.

If you don't like it, don't but the record and help Haiti in your own way.
Click to expand...

x factors have nothing to do with egos. i already did my part to help Haiti, not that i have to mention it. you really don't know what MJ thinks on this..

like i said, i'm allowed to give my opinion, without having to take personal member flak for it. it's not like i'm giving you flak for your opinion, am i? it's totally unnecessary to lean down on other members, when help is actually going to Haiti. it's like you're leaning on members, just to lean on em.

why don't you talk to those whose egos were involved in stopping MJ from doing new songs for charity, for 911 and Katrina. it looks like some can get away with ego and some can't. not everything that looks like charity is necessarily charity. as far as i am concerned, Jones does have an ego. and Jones was trying to get it to sound the same. he gave Celine Dion directions to try and sound like Cyndi Lauper.
 
Last edited:
Re: *VIDEO* Info regarding Prince & Paris WATW contribution.

I'm glad the kids didn't go! It would have been overwhelming at everyone looking at them....AGAIN! :( And ya know all those stupid entertainment shows would have had more crap to say! I was happy that at least 3t is representing MJ and I was only happy to see them, all the rest of the celebs EH! and Janet it seems will sing MJ part! COOL!
 
Re: *VIDEO* Info regarding Prince & Paris WATW contribution.

Let's not be pessimistic. If the kids ever decide to go into the business, I doubt they will face the same ridicule their father faced. It was obvious from the Grammys and the news reports around the world how well-liked and adored they are. The only problem they would have would be increased exposure (something which doesn't worry me much at the moment as they seem able to handle themselves quite nicely in public). The other problem could be the constant talent comparisons to their dad. But that wouldn't worry me either, because judging from the "talent" that is out there these days, they would be far superior anyway. lol
 
Re: *VIDEO* Info regarding Prince & Paris WATW contribution.

WTF Janet singing MJ's parts?
 
Re: We Are The World to be re-recorded for Haiti.

Not sure if this has been answered or not, but why is Vince Vaughn involved? He can't sing, can he? :scratch:
 
Re: *VIDEO* Info regarding Prince & Paris WATW contribution.

Is it true that Janet's gonna sing Michael's part? I really dont mind about it. Janet has been the one so close to Michael. I'm sure she'll sound great :D It's good to see another Jackson in the WATW
 
Re: *VIDEO* Info regarding Prince & Paris WATW contribution.

MattyJam said:
Not sure if this is a good idea. I know people are saying they are old enough to make their own decisions, but they're not really. Prince is 12 and Paris is 11 (is that right?). When they're 18 they should be allowed to do whatever the hell they want. But they are still kids and they need someone looking out for their best interests. Is it really in their best interests to be making so many public appearances? We all know Michael was very VERY paranoid about them being seen in public. I don't believe he would've been happy with the Grammy's and I don't believe he would want them singing on this WATW project either.

I'm sure he's immensely proud of them and how dignified and gracious and mature they obviously are. But Michael was their dad at the end of the day. Who is stopping to think about what he would've wanted for them??
Click to expand...

I agree with you about making their own decisions, but I am sure Katherine is being very careful about this. The Grammy appearance is a once in a lifetime thing and I would imagine she spoke to the children and got their input and made a decision based on that. We don't see them doing anything else that is in the public eye and I am sure she is protective of them.

From a psychological stand point, it is also important for them to feel part of things and I think this was a great way to do that. They were not paraded around and they were kept apart from the mainstream craziness. Meaning, no red carpet and no singing and dancing at the Grammy awards. It was a simple thing.

A poem to be read for a video is a beautiful thing and I believe that is what they are doing from what I have read but we will have to wait and see. It seems we are always waiting for information from the same press that has been a two edged sword to us.
 
Re: We Are The World to be re-recorded for Haiti.

Even though it's for a good cause I'm really not feeling this at all. In order to get me to buy a song it needs to have the IT-factor the way the original version did, but this one could just as well turn into the same kind of song as the "Do they know it's Christmas" remake. It'll be all over the radio stations and TV channels in a few days anyway for all to hear. Haiti needs our help for sure, and I think it's cool that all these artists are out for a good cause, but I'll just find a Red Cross donation box somewhere and put my money in there.
 
Re: We Are The World to be re-recorded for Haiti.

MJJHIStory said:
Not sure if this has been answered or not, but why is Vince Vaughn involved? He can't sing, can he? :scratch:
Click to expand...

Just to have a random comedian.....so lame.

Nothing against Vince....but the whole idea is bad.
 
Re: *VIDEO* Info regarding Prince & Paris WATW contribution.

Who said they were going to read a poem? Was it a direct quote and if so by whom?
 
Re: We Are The World to be re-recorded for Haiti.

vncwilliam said:
x factors have nothing to do with egos. i already did my part to help Haiti, not that i have to mention it. you really don't know what MJ thinks on this..

like i said, i'm allowed to give my opinion, without having to take personal member flak for it. it's not like i'm giving you flak for your opinion, am i? it's totally unnecessary to lean down on other members, when help is actually going to Haiti. it's like you're leaning on members, just to lean on em.

why don't you talk to those whose egos were involved in stopping MJ from doing new songs for charity, for 911 and Katrina. it looks like some can get away with ego and some can't. not everything that looks like charity is necessarily charity. as far as i am concerned, Jones does have an ego. and Jones was trying to get it to sound the same. he gave Celine Dion directions to try and sound like Cyndi Lauper.
Click to expand...



I was not even talking about you. If you don't like the single, don't buy it. Give your money in other ways, no one is going to shove it down you throat.

I will keep my opinion about Jones to myself out of respect for the project.
 
Re: We Are The World to be re-recorded for Haiti.

I don't like that they're doing this. I want to vomit at the thought of Miley and Justin Bieber being involved. I know not everyone that was involved in the first one was a legendary superstar but that was the first one. It was original and stands alone. It doesn't need to be done over.
Mike sat his butt down and wrote a new song about something he cared about. Why can't these people do the same? Don't care? No talent? Lazy? All of the above? I wonder if Miley and Justin can even find Haiti on a map?
 
Re: *VIDEO* Info regarding Prince & Paris WATW contribution.

I think it was great and an honour for them to recieve thier daddy's last grammy. They are bright kids and I am sure that Katherine is making sure that they are well protected. Michael is watching over them. I'm sure that they will make the right choices in life, and not to let the negatives get to them. God bless them...:angel:

As far as the poem thing..this is new to me. Where has that info come from? Would be nice.
 
Re: We Are The World to be re-recorded for Haiti.

While songs for charity help those in need and that I certainly wouldn't ever object to...Michael was an "innovator"....I hope those involved in the recording keep that in mind. I'm glad 3T and possibly the kids may be included in on it since it is his song. Good luck to them and my prayers are with the Haitian people.
 
Re: We Are The World to be re-recorded for Haiti.

Michael's voice was pure liquid gold on this recording. I cannot imagine it not being included. :( That's a bad move artistically and morally. Not only did he write this, but it was pretty much his baby. Surely they all know what this meant to him. Whenever he was asked about his accomplishments or his message, he always threw in a reference to this song and project. He was immensely proud of "We Are the World" - to leave him off is a slap in the face. What if he was still here? Surely he would be involved (Of course, whether or not he'd approve this re-make is a whole other question...) To leave him off (and just months after his passing...) is the tackiest thing I've ever heard. (10,000x worse than if they'd left his voice off of the Grammy tribute, imo.)

Btw - I still plan on buying it, and in the process, supporting Haiti.
 
Re: We Are The World to be re-recorded for Haiti.

I just realized Lil Wayne was there. Why? Do we all remember what Lil Wayne called Michael?

This whole thing is a slap to Mike's face. If he were still here they wouldn't be remaking it. No way! He would just write a new one. That was Michael's song. Lionel's name may be on it but I think we all know MJ was the one that wrote 99% of it.

To remake it without him is wrong. They better at least put his voice on it. There is nobody that is worthy of his parts especially in that group. I won't buy it. I'll just donate the price to charity myself.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top