<P> `` We Are the World '' is a song and charity single originally recorded by the supergroup United Support of Artists ( USA ) for Africa in 1985 . It was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie ( with arrangements by Michael Omartian ) and produced by Quincy Jones for the album We Are the World . With sales in excess of 20 million copies , it is one of the fewer than 30 all - time physical singles to have sold at least 10 million copies worldwide . </P>
who made the song we are the world
the supergroup United Support of Artists ( USA ) for Africa