Spiderman promoted the wisdom that with great power comes great responsibility. It makes sense really. To whom much is given, much is required. Michael Jackson is one of the best examples of this altruism. During the height of his popularity in the ’80s and ’90s, MJ used his influence and reach to spread the word about different world issues and defenses.
That’s why we have songs like Heal the World and We Are the World.
We Are the World is a songwriting collaboration of Michael Jackson with Lionel Richie for charity and to spread the word about the state of famine, famine, drought, political unrest and poverty in Ethiopia and other countries in Africa.
From a single dual collaboration, the production, written in 1985, became a superpowered recording track featuring the heavyweight music stars of the day. Here are the artists who participated with a different solo part:
-Lionel Richie
-Stevie Wonder
-Paul Simon
-Kenny Rogers
-James Ingram
-Tina Turner
-Billy Joel
-Michael Jackson
-Diana Ross
-Dionne Warwick
-Willie Nelson
-Al Jarreau
-Bruce Springsteen
-Kenny Loggins
-Steve Perry
-Daryl Lounge
-Huey Lewis
– Cyndi Lauper
-Kim Carnes
-Bob Dylan
-Ray Charles
That’s a supernova right there. In fact, the single was so successful that it managed to raise an estimated $63 million for famine relief.
MJ didn’t stop there. She had a lot of social awareness songs, but perhaps one of the most memorable is Heal the World.
Along with We Are the World, Heal the World is one of Michael Jackson’s most visually captivating performances because it often involved an elaborate production with many children doing a United Nations act on stage, especially during the halftime show of the superbowl. XXVIII.
As a testament to Michael Jackson’s selflessness, the Heal the World video is one of the few videos that doesn’t feature MJ’s likeness. Heal the World was released with the album Dangerous in 1991. Michael shared that he created this song while on the Giving Tree inside Neverland Ranch.
While participating in an internet chat with MJ in 2001, he admitted that Heal the World is the song he is most proud to have created because it has become an anthem for worthy causes over the years.
To make sure MJ wasn’t all talk and no action, he formed the Heal the World Foundation. This was a non-profit group for the protection of the welfare of underprivileged children.
Michael has been very active throughout his life helping other disadvantaged people. He had forged special friendships with children with illnesses, especially to whom he dedicated the song Gone Too Soon.
As it turned out, Gone Too Soon was a suitable song for MJ himself.
During his funeral recently held at Staples Center, Michael’s selflessness was honored with an ensemble performance of Heal the World and We Are the World on July 7, 2009. In old-school style, children in various outfits were shown cultural.
MJ has been successful in using his powerful stardom to communicate messages to the world that change is possible. The initiative only has to come from oneself to start progressing. Michael was able to go beyond color, race, age and gender to show us that selflessness will always be well remembered.