Liking It Somewhat Unironically

For the better part of the past 30+ years, the world (read: western world) has made fun of the big charity song, We Are the World. We've all seen the "Fucking Ben Affleck"s (boy does that title not work here in 2018) and the millions of other parodies roasting it at one point in our lives.

I always knew the original WAtW existed but didn't really care to seek it out until the remix came out in 2010. The original from 1985 was made to raise money to combat starvation in Africa, while the 2010 version was made to raise money to help millions of people in Haiti who had just suffered one of the worst Earthquake disasters ever. Both issues are still major ongoing issues (in their same locations no less) today, so I do applaud the people involved for at least trying to do a good deed and at least trying to make a difference.

At the same time I do get why people shit on them so much. Given how self indulgent this all is when the song needs to make this about "us" and "our children" and "saving our own lives" in order to actually help others. It also doesn't help that these tend to be very busy, very long and not something you'd listen to by choice. Admit it, you've never listened to these songs during your morning commute to work or school and never will.

In spite of how this is all just a bunch of celebrities from western civilization flaunting how they - and by extension westerners - are going to fix everything because the rest of world apparently can't (although to be fair, no one can), I've often given it a pass. I mean look, I don't want to be a cold heartless bastard who hates people doing right things even if I don't necessarily like the means. Good will like donating and charity work are great and I encourage everyone who can afford to do it to actually do it.

My cynicism towards this song probably reflects a part of the American part me. I grew up in the 2000's which means that I have some sense of irony (a leftover from the 90's) but also some sense of sincerity in wanting/hoping things get better (the 2000's have yet to be defined by any attitude other than fear and paranoia, but work with me here), and boy do they go at odds with each other when I try to be a critical thinker about anything. Also in this instance I have some 2010's attitude/reality mixed in where ultimately "I wish I could help but I'm broke, blame the Lehman Brothers".

In turn, my idealism towards this song might probably be the Japanese reflection of me. It's funny, I remember when the Haiti version came out in 2010 the music critics I read that were based in America/Europe trashed it for being as gaudy and pretentious as the last one, while the Japanese music-focused media I read/followed tended to be a lot more favorable to it. "Those daring Americans are at it again", they'd write. Of course even here the "I wish I could help but I'm broke, blame the Lehman Brothers" attitude still wins. Yeah the subprime loan mortgage crisis screwed everyone over, not just America.

So yeah no, I won't be listening to either WAtW or putting them on my iPod anytime soon, but I do un-ironically like and appreciate the song for what it is. If nothing else the way the original song has Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry, Daryl Hall, Michael Jackson, and Bob Dylan together on one track is amazing in concept. Even if you may disagree with the execution (admit it though, the second chorus on the original is pretty sweet).

As always thanks for stopping by and rest assured that those mofo's on Wall Street will probably cause another economic recession during our lifetimes and none of them will get prosecuted for it (again!).

Take care :).