Lionel Richie Reveals How He Tried (and Failed) to Get Prince to Join ‘We Are the World’

One of the most iconic moments in music history is the creation of We Are the World, the 1985 charity anthem aimed at raising funds for those affected by famine in Ethiopia. Featuring some of the biggest stars of the era—including Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, and of course, Lionel Richie—the song became an unparalleled success, raising over $60 million for humanitarian efforts. However, one legendary artist notably absent from the track was Prince, who, despite initial attempts, chose not to participate.

In a candid interview with Access Hollywood, Lionel Richie opened up about his attempts to persuade Prince to join the ensemble, revealing a story full of humor and tension.

“I mean, I sat on the phone with him for the longest time,” Richie shared, remembering the difficult negotiations with the enigmatic superstar. “I said, ‘Prince, we’re all down [here] waiting on you.’ He says, ‘Can I do it in a separate room?’” Richie explained that such a request was typical of Prince’s unique personality and approach to collaboration. “That’s just Prince,” Richie remarked, accepting that it was entirely on brand for the elusive artist not to join the group of singers in person.

But despite his reservations about group dynamics, Prince did offer to contribute in some capacity, specifically suggesting he could play guitar on the track. However, the idea was quickly shot down by We Are the World‘s producer, Quincy Jones. According to Rolling Stone, Jones was less than thrilled with the suggestion. “I don’t need him to f*cking play guitar!” Jones famously retorted, underscoring the intense focus on creating a polished vocal-driven record.

Prince’s absence from the iconic track wasn’t just about a preference for isolation—it stemmed from a deeper dissatisfaction with the song itself. As Richie later revealed, Prince wasn’t a fan of We Are the World and had no desire to lend his voice to a project he didn’t believe in. Guitarist Wendy Melvoin, in her book Let’s Go Crazy, revealed that Prince thought the song was “horrible” and, despite his incredible talent and fame, felt it didn’t align with his artistic identity. According to Melvoin, Prince “wanted to look cool” and believed the song was too soft and mainstream for his image.

Compounding matters, Prince’s manager, Bob Cavallo, suggested the star claim to be sick to avoid the recording session. The timing was tricky, as the song was being recorded in the hours following the 1984 American Music Awards. But instead of resting, Prince opted to go out and party in Hollywood, further fueling public perception that he was being difficult.

Richie recalled that Prince’s reluctance led to a last-minute change in the recording, with Huey Lewis and the News stepping in to take over the line originally meant for Prince: “But if you just believe, there’s no way we can fall.” Despite the drama, the song went on to become one of the best-selling singles of all time, with its humanitarian impact far outweighing any absence of one individual artist.

As for Prince, his refusal to participate in We Are the World remains a quirky chapter in his storied career—a decision that was true to his fiercely independent and often contradictory nature. It may have disappointed some fans, but it certainly didn’t take away from the immense success and legacy of the song.

In the end, We Are the World was more than just a song; it was a testament to the power of music to unite people for a common cause—even when some superstars choose to stand apart.