Charity single for Haiti

Some of the biggest names in UK and American music have joined forces to record an emotive cover of the REM classic 'Everybody Hurts', to raise money for charities supporting the relief efforts in Haiti. The final line up of featured artists is Mariah Carey, Jon Bon Jovi, Robbie Williams, Rod Stewart, Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, Miley Cyrus, Take That, Joe McElderry, Cheryl Cole, JLS, Mika, Michael Bubl?James Blunt, James Morrison, Susan Boyle, and Westlife.

The single will split all proceeds 50/50 between DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee) and The Sun newspaper's 'Helping Haiti' appeal. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has pledged to waive VAT on the single. The Haitian earthquake, which occurred on 12th January 2010 measuring a catastrophic 7.0 on the richter scale, is already estimated to have caused the deaths of over 250,000 people. 250,000 are in need of urgent aid and more than 2 million people are estimated homeless and in need of long term support to help rebuild their lives

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0L017Y7AOA"]YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.[/nomedia] Here is a link for two cover songs which are just beautiful. I will certainly be buying the charity single. It is one of my favourite songs ever. Listen to the lyrics.

 

its a lovely song - i love rem and a wonderful way of fundraising

loopy

 

I agree Loopy

I saw a clip from it this morning on TV.

it is beautiful.

 

It is difficult to judge how many lives this particular song has saved already, quietly and steadily-I know it has definitely done me a very great service in the past.


I don't pray, to me it is meaningless, but I do most sincerely hope that this release raises much needed money to help those out there who need it the most.


All my love and my very best wishes goes out to anyone who has been affected by this natural catastrope.

 

Thank you for posting that Jazmine. I'm sure the artists involved are doing their very best to raise much needed money and I'm sure it will be very succesful.

What puzzles me a bit is - why do people need to get a DVD or something before they will help. Why do they just not send money ?

 

It looks like I'm going to be the lone voice then and say I think this cover of an REM classic is appalling! Yes, it's for a great cause and hopefully it will raise a huge pile of money (charity singles usually do!), but couldn't they have come up with an original song - as they did with 'Do they know it's Christmas', rather than trying to gild the lily? None of them could hold a candle to Michael Stipe and the way he sings that song. Sorry!

 

There was an interesting programme on TV last night about Haiti and why the buildings collapsed in the way they did. Very tragic, especially these poor little children some of them left with double amputations. There was a wonderful lady who was singing her way through all her medical problems.
Any money from any source will be a help to these people. I don't think it matters how, why, what or where as long as these people get the help they need and deserve.

 

I think it's ruined a fabulous record.

Just give direct to the DEC, or OXFAM! ( ......and by-pass the ego massaging of clebs and newspapers!)

 

quercus, i understand what you are saying but if i was a famous singer i would love to do something to help - sending money is the best way we can help but wouldnt it feel good to actually do something

anyway as long as they get the money - thats what counts in the long run

loopy

 

I think it would be interesting to see in terms of percentages - how much of the proceeds of the record sale reach the end recipient, versus how much through the normal channels. Some of the charitable organisations I know in the past, as little as 10% actually reaches the user - after all they have admin costs etc. and fundraisers salaries to pay for. Where it is the artist - I'm betting that a whole lot more goes to the poor people in Haiti percentage wise.

 

I have that concern about charity as well. I used to go out with someone (briefly) who worked in Admin for a charity (can't remember which one) who was on a better than average salary for pushing paper most of the time in an office...which was full of other admin staff doing exactly the same thing.

I'm wary of charity singles most of the time. Most of us remember Band Aid in the 80's and recently, 'Make Poverty History'. Has it worked? Not that I can see. Ok, most of this is down to political reasons/greed/natural resources/corrupt governments (that last point is particularly applicable to Haiti) but it also seems that those who benefit most from these big concerts are the musicians performing at them and the fantastic publicity they receive.

I might also get shot here, but this country has vast debt problems now, with our own poverty issues - elderly people being treated abysmally in 'care homes' or unable to afford heating or proper food. Not on the scale of the disaster of Haiti and it's great to see that the people of this country still dig deep to help...but for a country on the other side of the world, while unaware of suffering taking place on our own doorstep. Maybe it goes back to the old saying - Charity begins at home?

 

If you're a famous singer, singing a line on a record is your job... it won't change the world, (We can't even remember who sang on the first Live Aid record.. Stick your neck out like Bob Geldoff, Joanna Lumley and....... d'ya know... I can't even think of another cleb who would risk their profile for a cause.............


http://www.dec.org.uk/donate_now/
Listen to the song... and give deirect to the DEC