1984年，英國歌手菲爾柯林斯（Phil Collins）看到新聞中非洲依索匹亞等地區的人民，長期處於飢荒與營養不良而死亡，遂在聖誕節之前提出構想，由鮑伯蓋朵夫（Bob Geldof）擔任召集人，由數十位當紅藝人以「Band Aid」為名共同灌錄單曲義賣，將義賣所得援助非洲饑民，單曲「他們知道現在是聖誕節嗎？」（Do they know it's Christmas ?）於焉誕生。這張單曲推出後，立即在全世界引起迴響，光是英美兩地就賣出約三百廿萬張。
英國歌壇的此項義舉，美國歌唱界自然不落人後，由黑人歌手哈利貝拉方提（Harry Belafonte）提出建議，之後獲得眾大牌歌手的鼎力支持，由昆西瓊斯（Quincy Jones）擔任製作人，在1985年2月28日，45位當紅歌星雲集洛杉磯的錄音室，灌錄了「四海一家」（We are the world）這首義賣單曲。
There comes a time when we hear a certain call
(Loinel Richie) When the world must come together as one There are people dying Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life
(Paul Simon) The greatest gift of all
We can't go on pretending day by day
(Kenny Rogers) That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
(James Ingram) We're all a part of God's great big family
(Tina Turner) And the truth - you know love is all we need (Billy Joel)
We are the world, we are the children (Michael Jackson)
We are the ones who make a brighter day So let's start giving There's a choice we're making (Diana Ross)
We're saving our own lives It's true we'll make a better day Just you and me
Well, send'em your heart
(Dionne Warwick) So they know that someone cares And their lives will be stronger and free
(Willie Nelson) As God has shown us By turning stone to bread And so we all must lend a helping hand(*) (Al Jarreau)
We are the world, we are the children (Bruce Springsteen)
We are the ones who make a brighter day (Kenny Loggins)
So let's start giving There's a choice we're making (Steve Perry)
We're saving our own lives It's true we'll make a better day (Dryal Hall)
Just you and me
When you're down and out (Michael Jackson)
There seems no hope at all But if you just believe (Huey Lewis)
There's no way we can fall Well, well, well, let's realize (Cyndi Lauper)
That one change can only come When we stand together as one (Kim Carnes)
We are the world, we are the children (Chorus)
We are the ones who make a brighter day 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 day Just you and me
We are the world, we are the children (Chorus)
We are the ones who make a brighter day So let's start giving There's a choice we're making
(Bob Dylan) We're saving our own lives It's true we'll make a better day Just you and me
We are the world, we are the children
(Chorus) We are the ones who make a brighter day 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 day (Bob Dylan)
Just you and me
(Let me hear you)
(Ray Charles) We are the world, we are the children We are the ones who make a brighter day 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 day Just you and me
We are the world, we are the children
(Steive Wonder We are the ones who make a brighter day & Bruce Springsteen)
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 day Just you and me
We are the world, we are the children
(Steive Wonder We are the ones who make a brighter day & Bruce Springsteen)
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 day Just you and me
We are the world, we are the children (Chorus)
We are the ones who make a brighter day 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 day Just you and me
We are the world, we are the children
(James Ingram) We are the ones who make a brighter day So let's start giving There's a choice we're making
(Ray Charles) We're saving our own lives It's true we'll make a better day Just you and me
We are the world, we are the children
(Chorus) We are the ones who make a brighter day 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 day Just you and me
