Music is a highly effective power. What higher method to harness that energy than by utilizing it to boost cash and consciousness for essential causes?

This will be an particularly influential transfer when a couple of artist turns into concerned, to not point out entertaining. Consider maybe essentially the most well-known charity single of all time, 1985’s “We Are the World.” Where else would you be capable of discover Dionne Warwick and Willie Nelson sharing a mic? Or Bob Dylan singing inside the identical minute as Cyndi Lauper?

It could appear cliche, however by music, change for the higher is not solely potential, however it may be enjoyable, too, because the beneath charity singles show.

1. “Bangla Desh,” George Harrison (1971)

Just because the ’60s gave method to the ’70s, the nation of Bangladesh skilled each a devastating cyclone and a battle for liberation. George Harrison’s pal, the Indian-Bengali musician Ravi Shankar, requested the previous Beatle for no matter assist he might give. Harrison responded by penning the tune, “Bangla Desh,” typically thought-about rock’s first main charity single. Three days after the tune was launched, Harrison hosted the Concert for Bangladesh, elevating extra funds and consciousness for the war-torn nation.

2. “Too Much Heaven,” The Bee Gees (1978)

In January of 1978, a profit present titled The Music for UNICEF Concert: A Gift of Song was held on the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, the place acts like Rod Stewart, John Denver, Olivia Newton-John and extra carried out, elevating cash for UNICEF world starvation packages. The Bee Gees additionally appeared, performing a tune known as “Too Much Heaven,” the proceeds from which they donated to UNICEF. According to a 2017 social media post from the band, the tune has raised $11 million in royalties since then.

3. “Chiquita,” ABBA (1979)

ABBA was one other act to look at The Music for UNICEF Concert. Their contribution to the fund was the tune “Chiquita,” donating half of all royalties. Decades later in 2014, ABBA upped it to 100%.

4. “That’s What Friends Are For,” Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, Elton John and Stevie Wonder (1982)

The ’80s have been chock stuffed with charity songs. Dionne Warwick kicked issues off in 1982 with a little assist from Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder, who all got here collectively to report the tune “That’s What Friends Are For,” written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager. Not solely did the one assist elevate cash for AIDS analysis and prevention — the corresponding epidemic had begun the 12 months prior — nevertheless it additionally earned Grammys for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals and Song of the Year.

5. “Do They Know It’s Christmas?,” Band Aid (1984)

If you thought Dionne Warwick’s band of mates was spectacular, take a have a look at the listing of people that participated within the 1984 charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” which raised cash for the 1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia. This mission included Bono, Boy George, George Michael, Sting, Paul Weller, Phil Collins, Simon Le Bon and plenty of extra (often called Band Aid). Recorded in a single day in London, the tune held the No. 1 spot within the U.Okay. for 5 weeks and offered a million copies in its first week, making it the fastest-selling single in U.Okay. chart historical past at the moment.

6. “Last Christmas,” Wham! (1984)

George Michael had a second charity single up his sleeve in 1984 within the type of “Last Christmas” by Wham! The tune went to No. 1 in a number of international locations, together with the U.Okay., with all of the royalties being donated to Ethiopian famine aid packages.

7. “We Are the World,” U.S.A. for Africa (1985)

It’s probably essentially the most well-known charity single of all time: 1985’s “We Are the World,” as recorded by U.S.A. for Africa. The brainchild of Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian, the tune’s listing of contributors reads like a who’s who of fashionable music, starting from Bob Dylan to Billy Joel, Tina Turner to Willie Nelson, Ray Charles to Cyndi Lauper and plenty of extra in between. It presently holds the report for eighth best-selling single of all time, elevating over $80 million for humanitarian help in Africa.

8. “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” Tears for Fears (1985)

In 1985, Tears for Fears had an unlimited hit with “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” The 12 months after that, they figured they could as effectively use the tune’s reputation to a charitable benefit and re-recorded it for use because the theme for a marketing campaign known as Sport Aid, which benefitted African famine aid. This model went to No. 5 within the U.Okay.

9. “Tears Are Not Enough,” Northern Lights (1985)

About a month after “We Are the World” was recorded by Americans, “Tears Are Not Enough” was recorded by a powerful lineup of Canadian artists beneath the title Northern Lights. Among them: Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Geddy Lee, Gordon Lightfoot, Bryan Adams and Burton Cummings. Within 5 years of its launch, “Tears Are Not Enough” raised a little over $3 million for famine aid in Africa, with a portion of the proceeds being put aside for Canadian meals banks.

10. “Sun City,” Artists United Against Apartheid (1985)

So far we have been inspecting songs written to assist famine aid, however here is one written in protest of apartheid in South Africa. Penned by Steven Van Zandt and recorded by a group known as Artists United Against Apartheid, “Sun City”‘s title was a reference to a resort that catered to white vacationers. Joining Van Zandt was Ringo Starr, Lou Reed, Keith Richards, Pete Townshend, Pat Benatar, Joey Ramone and quite a few others. In the tip, the tune raised over $1 million for anti-apartheid efforts.

11. “Dancing in the Street,” Mick Jagger and David Bowie (1985)

Most individuals know “Dancing in the Street” because the eccentric duet recorded by Mick Jagger and David Bowie in 1985, however do you know it was a charity single for Live Aid? This is why Jagger and Bowie, on the tune’s high, name out to various international locations, urging them to return collectively for the trigger: “Okay, Tokyo, South America, Australia, France, Germany, U.K., Africa!”  The accompanying music video was proven twice on the well-known profit live performance in London.

12. “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” The Crowd (1985)

Yet one other charity supergroup got here collectively in 1985, this one known as the Crowd, to report the tune “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from the Broadway musical Carousel. Led by Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers, the one was made as a way to generate funds within the wake of the Bradford City stadium fireplace, which occurred throughout a soccer sport at Valley Parade in West Yorkshire, England and claimed the lives of 56 individuals. Denny Laine of Wings, John Entwistle of the Who and Zak Starkey, son of Ringo Starr, all took half within the recording, amongst others. 

13. “Stars,” Various Metal Artists (1986)

What if there was a charity tune like “We Are the World” however carried out by all heavy steel musicians? There is: 1986’s “Stars,” recorded by a supergroup of over 40 well-known figures in heavy steel. To title simply a few: Ronnie James Dio, Rob Halford, Blackie Lawless, Mick Mars, Dave Murray and dozens extra. “Stars” was launched as a single, nevertheless it was additionally a part of a complete charity album titled Hear ‘n Aid, which raised over $3 million for famine aid in Africa.

14. “Let It Be,” Ferry Aid (1987)

As the title of the supergroup suggests, Ferry Aid was created in an effort to boost cash within the aftermath of the 1987 Zeebrugge Disaster, which concerned the sinking of a massive ferry ship known as the MS Herald of Free Enterprise, an incident that killed 193 individuals on board. Ferry Aid was made up of largely British musicians who gathered for a charity rendition of the Beatles’ “Let It Be.” Among them: Mark Knopfler, Boy George, Kate Bush and, in fact, the tune’s authentic author, Paul McCartney.

15. “Man in the Mirror,” Michael Jackson (1988)

Michael Jackson’s charitable work continued within the ’80s with “Man in the Mirror,” the proceeds from which have been donated to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, a program for kids affected by most cancers. Jackson would go on to discovered a complete charitable group of his personal known as Heal the World, additionally devoted to bettering the lives of kids all over the world.

16. “Ferry Across the Mersey,” Paul McCartney and Others (1989)

If we had a nickel for each time Paul McCartney was concerned in a charity single one way or the other involving ferry boats within the ’80s, we would have two nickels, which is not a lot, nevertheless it’s fascinating that it occurred twice. The tune “Ferry Across the Mersey” was initially launched by Gerry and the Pacemakers in 1964, however was then recorded once more in 1989 by a group of artists all hailing from Liverpool: The Christians, Holly Johnson, Gerry Marsden of the Pacemakers and McCartney. This time, the one raised funds for these affected by the Hillsborough catastrophe, wherein a crowd rush at a soccer sport in Sheffield brought on the deaths of 97 individuals, a lot of them Liverpool followers. 

17. “Sacrifice” / “Healing Hands,” Elton John (1989)

By 1989, AIDS had claimed the lives of tens of 1000’s of individuals and the numbers have been persevering with to extend. That 12 months, Elton John launched a double A-side single with the songs “Sacrifice” and “Healing Hands,” the royalties from which have been donated equally between 4 AIDS charities, every with a barely totally different mission: The Terrence Higgins Trust (for educating the general public concerning the illness), The London Lighthouse (a hospice heart for these with AIDS), the Jefferiss Research Wing Trust (for locating a treatment) and Body Positive (for these newly contaminated by HIV).

18. “Voices That Care,” Various (1991)

We’ve now entered the ’90s portion of this listing, beginning off with 1991’s “Voices that Care,” recorded by a group of individuals beneath the identical title. The tune, which featured the likes of Little Richard, Peter Cetera of Chicago, Mark Knopfler, Michael Bolton, Kenny G and extra, went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and raised over $1 million for United Service Organizations and the American Red Cross.

19. “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Live),” Elton John and George Michael (1991)

Two of essentially the most philanthropic artists of their instances, Elton John and George Michael, joined forces for the 1991 launch of a stay model of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.” Proceeds from the one — which grabbed the No. 1 spot in each the U.S. and U.Okay. — got to 10 totally different charities for kids, AIDS and academic packages.

20. “Rock and Roll,” Roger Daltrey and the Full Metal Rackets (1991)

In 1991, Roger Daltrey and the Full Metal Rackets recorded Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” for the humanitarian marketing campaign Rock Aid Armenia, which was designed to boost funds for these affected by the 1988 Armenian earthquake. This marketing campaign additionally yielded an all-star cowl of Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” and one among Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.”

21. “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Queen (1992)

Freddie Mercury died of AIDS in November of 1992. Two months later, Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” was re-released within the U.S. with the proceeds going towards the Magic Johnson Foundation for AIDS analysis. At that point, the tune re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 after over a decade, touchdown at No. 2.

22. “One,” U2 (1992)

U2, and Bono particularly, have lengthy been advocates for numerous social causes. One such instance of this arrived within the type of their 1992 single “One.” Its proceeds have been donated to AIDS analysis, which Bono continued to speak about a long time down the road. “The battle against AIDS is not a last decade issue,” he informed The Irish Times in 2016. “It’s going to be the next decade issue. We need to finish the job, get new companies, new interest. It’s kind of annoying and sometimes upsetting that these global health issues can become creatures of fashion. People think AIDS is done – it’s not done.”

23. “Somebody to Love,” George Michael and Queen (1993)

Similar to George Michael and Elton John’s single, there was additionally a Michael/Queen single: a stay model of “Somebody to Love” initially recorded at the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. The single was included on a 1993 EP known as Five Live, which raised cash for the AIDS/HIV group Mercury Phoenix Trust.

24. “Love Can Build a Bridge,” Cher, Chrissie Hynde, Eric Clapton and Others (1995)

There have been many, many songs recorded in reference to the British charity Comic Relief, first launched in 1985. Here’s simply one among them: a cowl of the Judd’s “Love Can Build a Bridge” recorded by Cher, Chrissie Hynde, Eric Clapton and the Swedish singer Neneh Cherry in 1995. It topped the charts, making it Hynde’s very first U.Okay. No. 1 outdoors of the Pretenders and Clapton’s first U.Okay. No. 1 ever.

25. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” Mark Knopfler and Ted Christopher (1996)

In March of 1996, the deadliest mass taking pictures in British historical past occurred at Dunblane Primary School in Scotland — 16 college students and one trainer have been killed, prompting main gun regulation reform. Later that 12 months, the Scottish musician Ted Christopher teamed up with Mark Knopfler, who was born in Scotland, to report a rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heavens Door,” the proceeds from which went to kids’s charities.

26. “Candle in the Wind 1997,” Elton John (1997)

Throughout her lifetime, Princess Diana of Wales was well-known for her philanthropic efforts and was an instrumental determine in preventing the stigma in opposition to HIV and AIDS — in 1987 she visited a hospital in London the place, by merely shaking the hand of a man recognized with AIDS, she helped problem the idea that the illness could possibly be shared by contact. A couple of months after her loss of life in August 1997, her pal Elton John launched a new model of “Candle in the Wind” and donated the worldwide proceeds to charities the Princess supported. It is, up to now, the second best-selling single of all time.

27. “Perfect Day,” Lou Reed and Others (1997)

What started as an commercial for the BBC became a No. 1 hit single that raised over £2 million for Children in Need. It was a new model of Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day,” made in 1997, that includes Reed himself, Bono, David Bowie, Tom Jones, Emmylou Harris and extra. “I have never been more impressed with a performance of one of my songs,” Reed mentioned to the BBC then.

28. “It’s Only Rock n’ Roll (But I Like It),” Artists for Children’s Promise (1999)

Just earlier than the flip of the millennium, a supergroup of musicians got here collectively beneath the title Artists for Children’s Promise to report a charity tune for, as that title suggests, Children’s Promise. The tune was the Rolling Stones’ “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It),” that includes authentic writers Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, plus Jon Bon Jovi, Kid Rock, Iggy Pop, B.B. King, Joe Cocker, Jackson Browne, Ozzy Osbourne and extra.

29. “What’s Going On,” Various (2001)

in 2001, 30 years after Marvin Gaye first launched it, a new model of “What’s Going On” was launched by Artists Against AIDS Worldwide. Personnel included Michael Stipe of R.E.M., Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit, Britney Spears, Alicia Keys and others, and co-produced by Bono. The single raised cash for numerous AIDS packages all over the world.

30. “Tears in Heaven,” Various (2005)

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne spearheaded an all-star mission in 2005, wherein a myriad of artists got here collectively to report a new model of Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven.” This included Slash, Duff McKagan, Steven Tyler, Elton John, Phil Collins, Ringo Starr, Scott Weiland, Rod Stewart and extra. Sales from the one went towards the Disasters Emergency Committee, which on the time was serving to tsunami victims in Southeast Asia.

31. “The Saints Are Coming,” Green Day and U2 (2006)

U2 and Green Day linked up in 2006 to report a cowl of “The Saints Are Coming,” initially written by the Scottish punk rock band Skids. The newer model — which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal — helped raised cash for the Edge’s charity Music Rising, a company that was based to assist musicians, colleges and church buildings within the Gulf Region. “New Orleans has always been a special city to us, being a hotbed of music and creativity, and it’s hard to believe parts of the Gulf region still remain devastated,” Green Day mentioned in a assertion then, referring to the harm executed by Hurricane Katrina. “We feel that it’s important to continue to raise awareness.”

32. “Sing,” Annie Lennox and Others (2007)

Annie Lennox personally invited 23 fellow feminine artists to hitch her on a tune known as “Sing” in 2004, together with Melissa Etheridge, Madonna, Gladys Knight, Bonnie Raitt and extra. Not solely did the one elevate consciousness and cash for the AIDS pandemic in South Africa, it additionally was the catalyst for Lennox’s founding of the SING marketing campaign, her personal non-profit group devoted to the identical trigger.

33. “Nobody’s Child,” The Traveling Wilburys (2007)

One of essentially the most well-known supergroups in all of rock historical past, the Traveling Wilburys put their collective star energy to good use in 1990 after they launched a cowl of “Nobody’s Child” as a charity single. Proceeds went to the Romanian Angel Appeal Foundation, a company based by George Harrison’s spouse Olivia with the help of all three of the opposite former Beatles’ wives: Linda McCartney, Yoko Ono and Barbara Bach. “The issue of children affected by AIDS in Romania has always been so overwhelming that the only way to address it was to think that if we could improve the life of just one child, our efforts would be rewarded,” Olivia Harrison mentioned in 1993.

34. “We Are the World 25 for Haiti,” Various (2010)

1 / 4 of a century after the unique got here “We Are the World 25 for Haiti,” as soon as once more produced by Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie and recorded in a marathon session. There was a combination of older and newer artists, from Carlos Santana, Tony Bennett and Al Jardine of the Beach Boys, to Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus and Adam Levine. This time, cash and consciousness was raised for these affected by a catastrophic earthquake in Haiti that killed tens of 1000’s and left hundreds of thousands extra affected.

35. “Everybody Hurts,” Helping Haiti (2010)

Another charity single for Haiti arrived in 2010 within the type of an R.E.M. cowl. Among those that contributed to the recording of “Everybody Hurts” was Jon Bon Jovi, Rod Stewart, James Blunt, Robbie Williams and extra. Interestingly, this wound up being Bon Jovi’s very first time showing on the No. 1 spot for U.Okay. singles.

36. “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” Various (2016)

Here’s one thing a little totally different, sadly prompted by a horrible tragedy. In June of  2016, British politician Jo Cox, who served as a Member of Parliament for a little over a 12 months, was murdered by a man with far-right views and ties to neo-Nazi ideology. A couple of months later, a number of of Cox’s former MP colleagues received collectively in a studio, together with musicians like Suzi Quatro, KT Tunstall, David Gray and extra, to report a charity cowl of the Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”

37. “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Artists for Grenfell (2017)

In June of 2017, a fireplace broke out within the 24-story Grenfell Tower, a block of flats in London. The fireplace lasted days and finally claimed the lives of 72 individuals, making it the worst residential fireplace within the U.Okay. since World War II. Simon Cowell organized a charity single within the fireplace’s aftermath, that includes Nile Rodgers, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and extra, who all gathered to report a cowl of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

38. “Merry Christmas,” Elton John and Ed Sheeran (2021)

They say Christmas time is the season of giving. In 2021, Elton John and Ed Sheeran collaborated on a yuletide tune, “Merry Christmas,” which benefitted each the Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

39. “Hey Hey Rise Up,” Pink Floyd (2022)

Pink Floyd’s 2022 tune “Hey Hey Rise Up” was notable for a few causes. Firstly, it featured vocals from the Ukrainian musician Andriy Khlyvnyuk, and the entire proceeds went to the Ukraine Humanitarian Relief Fund because the nation battled Russian invasion. But additionally, it was the primary tune recorded beneath the title Pink Floyd in almost a decade. “We, like so many, have been feeling the fury and the frustration of this vile act of an independent, peaceful democratic country being invaded and having its people murdered by one of the world’s major powers,” David Gilmour, who has a Ukrainian daughter-in-law and grandchildren, mentioned in a assertion then.

40. “Going Home” Mark Knopfler and Others (2024)

What for those who took as many residing guitar legends as potential and had all of them play on one tune? That’s precisely what Mark Knopfler did together with his 2024 charity single “Going Home,” which benefitted the Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America. On the recording have been over 60 musicians, together with however not restricted to: Jeff Beck, Tony Iommi, Alex Lifeson, Tom Morello, Joe Walsh and so many extra. “I really had no idea that it was going to be like this,” Knopfler mentioned in a information launch. “I think what we’ve had is an embarrassment of riches, really.”