All the songs listed in the Official
Rarities section are cross-referenced by song title in these
alphabetical pages.
A-E
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T-Z
This page contains all entries relating to the 1985 charity song We Are The World by USA For Africa, of which Bob was a member.
If you have any entries to add to the list or additions/corrections to existing entries, please let me know! Please note I cannot value your Dylan rarities - see the Mission page for reasons why. Contact the dealers on my Trading page for assistance!
Revised: 06 January, 2024
Titles in red are not available on a currently released Bob Dylan CD (for these see bobdylan.com )
Key to symbols used:
Links to other World Wide Web pages -
Links to email addresses -
Performances currently available on commercial CD are marked by
(these are the ones that count as obscurities
rather than as rarities)
There are multiple versions of both the Audio and Video performances of this song!
Audio Versions (this page)
R-0164 We Are the World (Michael Jackson/Lionel Ritchie) - 7" single version (6:22)
R-0357 We Are The World (Michael Jackson-Lionel Ritchie) - extended 12" single version (7:19)
Ger Hemel points out that the 7.19 version has the chorus nine times after the last verse. The 6.22 version fades during the first two lines of the eighth chorus after the last verse.
R-0631 We Are The World (Michael Jackson-Lionel Ritchie) - edited version (3:00) on CBS Argentina promo 7" single
R-0632 We Are The World (Michael Jackson-Lionel Ritchie) - edited extended version (7:02) on the albums, also on CBS Argentina promo 7" single
R-0633 We Are The World (Michael Jackson-Lionel Ritchie) - edited version (5:50) on CBS Discos Peru promo 7" single
Video Versions
For the We Are The World VHS release, see the VHS & DVD 1980s page. For a 2DVD set released in 2005 with extra material, see VHS & DVD 2000s Part 3.
R-0358 We Are The World (Michael Jackson-Lionel Ritchie) - filmed rehearsal of the recording of the song on We Are The World - The Video Event, (USA, 1985) also titled We Are The World - The Making Of (Europe, 1985), see VHS & DVD 1980s
R-0750 We Are The World (Michael Jackson/Lionel Ritchie) - Bob contributes to show finale at "Live Aid", Philadelphia, PA, 13 Jul 1985, from Live Aid 4DVD release, Nov 2004, see VHS & DVD 2000s Part 2
7" Singles
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - charity 7" singles, Columbia US7-04839 (USA), Mar 1985:
R-0164 We Are the World (Michael Jackson-Lionel Ritchie) - Bob
contributes vocals to charity single (6:22)
The B-side is Grace, an instrumental by Quincy Jones, who produced the single.
For Q - The Musical Biography, a Quincy Jones 4CD US Rhino boxed set
including R-0164, see 2001. R-0164 was also
released as the B-side of a charity single by Voices Of America called Hands
Across America, see 1986.
The A-side with Bob was recorded at A& M Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA on 28 and 29 Feb 1985. This ensemble also included Bette Midler, who duetted with Bob on her version of Buckets Of Rain from her Atlantic album Songs For The New Depression, see 1976.
This single was also available in Russia in Mar 1988 as a clear blue flexidisc given away with a magazine, see 1988.
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - charity 7" single, Columbia US7-04839 (Jamaica), Mar 1985:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - charity 7" single, Columbia 7BEN-04839 (Canada), Mar 1985:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - charity 7" singles, CBS USAID 1 (UK/Ireland), Mar 1985:
CBS USAID 1 (UK/Ireland) - detail of 7" single rear, scan by Manuel García Jara
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - charity 7" singles, CBS A 6112 (NL/UK), Mar 1985:
CBS A 6112 (NL/UK) - detail of 7" single rear (my copy, bought in UK but
made in Holland)
These singles sold in the UK, West Germany and Holland had a sleeve that was made in Holland although the records themselves were manufactured in the UK, Holland and Germany. All have catalogue number CBS A 6112. My copy of CBS A 6112, bought in the UK, is actually a variant of the Dutch single, with a solid instead of a cut-out centre. This is because extra supplies of the Dutch single were imported to the UK from Holland. For the first UK single, CBS USAID 1, see above. For a fake 7" Dutch single with We Are The World by USA For Africa on the A-side, and Sense Of Purpose by Third World on the B-side, see Questionable Releases.
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - charity 7" single, CBS A 6112 (West Germany), Mar 1985:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - charity 7" single, CBS A 6112 (France), Mar 1985:
The French sleeve was printed in France. The record has injection labels and has no country of origin, so may have been manufactured in Holland (it has the "BIEM/STEMRA" Dutch copyright organisation logo). For more details of injection labels, which were used mostly in France but also in the UK, see Mono Singles 1970-76 (Wigwam/Copper Kettle 1970). |
CBS A 6112 (France) - 7" single rear scan by Hans Seegers |
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CBS A 6112 (France) - detail of 7" single rear scan by Hans Seegers
(sleeve made in France)
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - charity 7" single, CBS A 6112 (Spain), Mar 1985:
CBS A 6112 (Spain) - detail of 7" single rear, scan by Hans
Seegers (made in Spain)
The Spanish single was made in Spain by Discos CBS S.A., Madrid.
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - charity 7" single, CBS A 6112 (Portugal), Mar 1985:
CBS A 6112 (Portugal) - detail of 7" single rear, scan by Manuel García Jara
(made in Portugal)
The Portuguese 7" single is unique in that it is the only worldwide single to have late 1980s red CBS labels. There is a record store sticker on the rear sleeve of this copy.
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - 7" test pressing and promo/commercial singles, CBS/Sony 07SP-880 (Japan), Mar 1985:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - charity 7" singles, CBS BA 3275 (Australia)/CBS BA 223275 (New Zealand), Mar 1985:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - charity 7" single, CBS CS-1007 (Philippines), Mar 1985:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Starship - "We Built This City" - 7" jukebox single, CBS(?) E 382 (Malaysia), 1985:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - charity 7" single, CBS US 1 (South Africa), Mar 1985:
CBS US 1 (South Africa) - detail of rear, scan by Manuel García Jara
Thanks to Alan Hoaksey and Bill Hester for information, and to Hans Seegers, Stuart Moore, Mark Bahlen and Manuel García Jara for further information and scans.
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "Somos El Mundo [We Are The World]"/Quincy Jones - "Gracia [Grace]" - 7" commercial single, CBS 8648 (Mexico), Mar 1985:
CBS 8648 (Mexico) - A-side photo from www.discogs.com (R-0164) |
This single can be found on eBay with at least two
different fake
promo sleeves! The single looks genuine in these photos, but really only came with a
generic sleeve. It has orange/yellow CBS labels. Thanks to Manuel García Jara for information. |
CBS 8648 (Mexico) - B-side photo from www.discogs.com (no Dylan) |
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USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - 7" commercial single, CBS 421285 (Colombia), Mar 1985:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - charity 7" single, CBS 133-0105 (Ecuador), Mar 1985:
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The 1985 Ecuadorian single is one of only two Dylan singles ever released in Ecuador (I know of no Dylan albums)! The other was Hurricane from Desire in 1977. For more information on the transparent plastic sleeve, see 7" Single Sleeves. This record was released by IFESA (Industria Fonografica Ecuatoriana S.A.) on behalf of CBS Records and has plain orange CBS labels. |
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For an 3:00 edit (R-631) which is as far as I know unique to an Argentinean 7" promo single, see below.
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "Nosostros Somos El Mundo [We Are The World]" - 7" promo single, Columbia DEP 389 (Argentina), Mar 1985:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "Somos El Mundo [We Are The World]" - 7" promo single, CBS Discos CSR 1351 (Peru), Mar 1985:
12" Singles
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - charity 12" singles - CBS USAID T1 (UK), CBSA 12-6112 (NL), Mar 1985:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - charity 12" single - CBS A 12.6112 (Spain), Mar 1985:
CBS A 12.6112 (Spain)
- detail of 12" single rear, scan by Stefan Haras
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - promo and commercial charity 12" singles - CBS/Sony 12AP 3021 (Japan), 12 Apr 1985:
CBS/Sony 12AP 3021 (Japan) - 12" single front with obi, scan by Wil Gielen |
The first Japanese 12" single shown is a promo, with a "Sample" sticker on the rear sleeve and Japanese characters indicting a promo on the record labels. It has a yellow/black/white obi with price ¥1,200. The date on the rear sleeve is "I-4-12" (12 Apr 1985). For an explanation of Japanese year code letters from 1984 to 1991 see Index of International Releases by Country. There is a single-sided insert and the record is in a clear plastic inner sleeve. Stefan Haras' commercial copy comes with the same sleeve and obi, but without the rear promo sticker. |
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CBS/Sony 12AP 3021 (Japan) - detail of 12" single A-side, scan by Wil Gielen (promo copy) |
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CBS/Sony 12AP 3021 (Japan) - 12" single A-side scan by Stefan Haras (commercial copy) |
CBS/Sony 12AP 3021 (Japan) - detail of 12" single A-side scan by Stefan Haras (commercial copy - promo characters missing) |
CBS/Sony 12AP 3021 (Japan) - 12" single B-side scan by Stefan Haras (commercial copy) |
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - promo and commercial charity 12" singles, CBS BA 12117 (Australia), 1985:
Thanks to Hans Seegers, Wil Gielen, Stuart Moore, Dag Braathen, Mark Bahlen and Stefan Haras for information and scans.
Various Artists - "Mini LP-3" - promo 12" single, CBS MINI LP-3 (Spain), 1985:
Thanks to Ger Hemel and Manuel García Jara for information and scans.
Cassette Singles
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World"/Quincy Jones - "Grace" - charity album stereo cassette single: CBS BA 12117C (Australia), Mar 1985:
R-0357-2 We Are the World (Michael Jackson-Lionel Ritchie) - extended version (7:19) on 12" and cassette singles
The A-side of this cassette release is the 7:19 extended version from the 12" vinyl singles above. The B-side is the same as the 7" and 12" vinyl singles.
Thanks to Mark Bahlen for information and scans.
Vinyl and Tape Album Releases
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World" - charity album stereo vinyl release: Columbia USA 40043 (USA), Mar 1985:
Columbia USA 40043 (USA) - front of gatefold sleeve, picture from www.discogs.com |
R-0632-2 We Are the World (Michael Jackson-Lionel Ritchie) - edited extended
version (7:02) This album comes in a gatefold sleeve with a 12" insert. There is also an order card (not shown) to buy merchandise such as T-shirts to support the charity campaign. |
Columbia USA 40043 (USA) - rear of gatefold sleeve, picture from www.discogs.com |
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Columbia USA 40043 (USA) - front of insert, picture from www.discogs.com |
Columbia USA 40043 (USA) - inside of gatefold sleeve, picture from www.discogs.com |
Columbia USA 40043 (USA) - rear of insert, picture from www.discogs.com |
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Columbia USA 40043 (USA) - Side 2 picture from www.discogs.com (no Dylan) |
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World" - charity album cassette release: Columbia BENT 40043 (Canada), 1985:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World" - charity album stereo vinyl release: CBS USAID F1 (UK), Mar 1985:
Thanks to Kenneth Robson for information and scans.
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World" - charity album stereo cassette release: CBS USAID C1 (UK), Mar 1985:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World" - charity album stereo vinyl releases: CBS 26454 (NL/Israel), Mar 1985:
The Dutch release has a different catalogue number but comes in the same design gatefold sleeve as the UK release and has a monochrome inner sleeve, the rear of which has the same design as the UK insert. The record was made in Holland and has orange/yellow CBS labels. Paul Shenton has noticed that the song copyrights on the rear of the inner sleeve are different from the equivalent copyrights on the UK insert. Scans of the Israeli sleeve required!
Thanks to Hans Seegers and Paul Shenton for information and pictures.
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World" - charity album stereo cassette release: CBS 40-26454 (NL), Mar 1985:
This Dutch cassette release has a long folded insert. The cassette is light grey with black text printed directly on to it, there are now no paper labels.
Thanks to Ger Hemel for information and scans.
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World" - charity album stereo cassette release: CBS 40-26454 (Spain), Mar 1985 (two releases):
Thanks to Ger Hemel for information and scans.
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World" - charity album stereo vinyl release: CBS/Gong SLPXL 17980 (Hungary), Mar 1985:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World" - charity album stereo vinyl release: CBS/Sony 28AP 3020 (Japan), Mar 1985:
The Japanese LP shown is a promo, with a "Sample" sticker on the rear sleeve and Japanese characters indicting a promo on the record labels. It has a blue/black/white obi with price ¥2,800. The date on the rear sleeve is "I-5-3" (3 May 1985). For an explanation of Japanese year code letters from 1985 to 1991 see International Albums (Regular). There is a four-page insert in English and Japanese and the record is in a clear plastic inner sleeve.
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World" - charity album cassette release: CBS/Sony 28KP 1220 (Japan), 3 May 1985:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World" - charity album stereo vinyl releases: CBS SBP 8061 (Australia/New Zealand), Mar 1985:
Both the Australian and New Zealand records have orange/yellow CBS labels. Mark Bahlen's Australian promo copy has a gold embossed promo stamp on the rear sleeve and the record has white CBS promo labels.
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World" - charity album stereo cassette release: CBS PC 8061 (Australia), Mar 1985:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World" - charity album stereo vinyl release: CBS/Sony CYA 1055 (Hong Kong), Mar 1985:
CBS/Sony CYA 1055 (Hong Kong) - detail of rear of gatefold sleeve, scan by
Manuel García Jara
CBS/Sony CYA 1055 (Hong Kong) - spine of gatefold sleeve, scan by
Manuel García Jara
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "Nosotros Somos El Mundo [We Are The World]" - charity album promo stereo vinyl release: CBS or CBS/Sony CLS.5381 (Mexico), date?:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "Nosotros Somos El Mundo [We Are The World]" - charity album stereo vinyl release: Discos CBS 120.624 (Argentina), Mar 1985:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World" - charity album cassette release: CBS USA 40043 (Unknown), 1985:
Thanks to Hans Seegers, Kenneth Robson, Ronald Born, Stuart Moore, Jack from Canada, Wil Gielen, Bill Hester, Mark Bahlen, Tom Willems, Paul Shenton and Ger Hemel for information and pictures.
CD Releases
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World" - charity album CD releases: PolyGram P33M 2901 (Japan), 25 Jul 1985; CD reissue PolyGram 824 822-2 (USA/Germany), 25 Oct 1990:
These CDs were released on PolyGram instead of CBS/Sony (presumably as part of a shared contractual arrangement because all the contributing artists would be on different record labels). There is a 12-page booklet. The Japanese release has a white and red obi and a 24-page booklet in English and Japanese. The obi is a sticker stuck to the jewel case rather than the usual paper type. Scans of the German PolyGram CD release required.
Wil Gielen has a copy of the US release imported into Japan with an obi from the Shinseido record store chain. This was done because such imports were cheaper than Japanese releases, although they lacked all the Japan-specific material except for the Japanese text on the obi, which has a price of ¥2,000.
Thanks to Jack from Canada, Wil Gielen, Peter Oudejans and Gerd Rundel for information and scans.
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "Nosotros Somos El Mundo [We Are The World]" - charity album CD release: Columbia 2-470200 (Argentina), 1992:
Other Releases
Various Artists – "VII Annual Rock Radio Awards" - stereo vinyl 3LP radio broadcast set, DIR Broadcasting (no catalogue number) (USA), 24 May 1985:
USA For Africa (Various Artists) - "We Are The World" - DVD+CD single sets, Happinet HMBR-1067 (Japan), 2010; Happinet HMBR-1097 (Japan), 2015:
Happinet HMBR-1067 (Japan), 2010:
This 2010 DVD+CD promo set in a two disc slimline jewel case includes both video and audio versions of a 6:21 version of We Are the World and R-0357 (7:10, the extended version from 12" and cassette singles). However, Jack from Canada reports that the 6:21 version is not the 7" single version (R-0164). On both the CD and DVD it is a mainly instrumental/karaoke version of the 7" single, using the backing track (on the DVD lyrics are printed on screen to sing along to). This means that Bob does not participate on this version.
R-0357-2 We Are the World (Michael Jackson-Lionel Ritchie) - extended version (7:19) on 12" singles
The obi of the copy shown has a promo sticker and the two discs both have "SAMPLE" in the clear centres. This release is listed here as well as in VHS & DVD 2005-06 along with the 2005 USA for Africa DVD releases.
Happinet HMBR-1097 (Japan), 2015:
Thanks to Wil Gielen and Jack from Canada for information and scans.
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The rights to material from all quoted contributors remain
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