Cyndi Lauper on Madonna’s absence from ‘We Are the World’: “It was a mistake”

“We Are the World” is one of the most memorable songs in history. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and recorded in 1985, it was dedicated to the victims of famine in Africa.

Released in March of that year, sales reached 7 million copies in the United States alone. All proceeds went to humanitarian aid and the song quickly became the fastest-selling single in the history of pop music.

In total, the project brought together 51 musicians, including artists such as Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper and Bob Dylan.

However, a big name was left out of the selection.

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Who was not invited to participate in “We Are the World” was the singer Madonna.

In the documentary The Night That Changed Popproduced by Netflix with behind the scenes footage from the recording, Lionel Richie revealed that the queen of pop was not chosen to make way for another singer who was starting to become successful at the time: Cyndi Lauper.

According to him, Lauper She ended up being invited because a producer of the video clip liked her better.

We only had half a verse to sing, so we needed to have voices that people would know the moment they heard them. The point is: you need to have an identifiable voice. For some reason, Cyndi had his ‘wewewe’ and that was it,” he said Lionel Richie in the program Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

After the statement, the presenter questioned Richiestating that this decision was a mistake. “You’re right,” the singer replied.

Rivalry

Cyndi Lauper reacted to the statements of Lionel Richie. During participation in the program Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohenshe agreed that the absence of Madonna It was a mistake and explained the decision.

Of course I spoke to him [Richie]. I think it was a mistake not to invite Madonna.But they chose me to sing that part. I have a high voice, that’s why they wanted me to sing it.”

On another occasion, Cyndi Lauper also commented on the rivalry with Madonna.

The two artists were very successful in pop music in the 80s, shortly after releasing their debut albums in the same year, and were always pitted against each other by the music industry.

In an interview with The New York Times (via FACES), the owner of the hit “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” regretted being pitted against the queen of pop.

On talk shows and in schools – and even on the charity single “We Are the World” – celebrities and fans were invited to choose one. It was like comparing apples and oranges,” the singer said.

Cyndi She also stated that she is upset that this pressure prevented them from having a friendship. “It was a shame. I would have liked to have a friend like her,” said the artist, who has never expressed a personal conflict with Madonna publicly.

Cindy Lauper performs at Rock in Rio this Friday (20). 2024 will be the last year of her last tour, which marks the end of almost five decades on stage.