Top 20 Charity Singles

Every once in a while, a group of famous musicians comes together to record a special song for a charitable cause. The results are usually amazing although not always - I guess it all depends on the caliber of stars that sign up for a specific cause. Of course, it is not the same to donate talent, time and voice for earthquake relief than for chicken pox relief - for instance. Any way, at the end of the cause causes are what matter. These are my Top 20 Charity Singles of all time.


01. Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas?

Year: 1984
Cause: Famine in Ethiopia
Organized by: Bob Geldof
Supergroup: UK Artists > U2, Phil Collins, Duran Duran, George Michael, Spandau Ballet, Ultravox, Bananarama, Heaven 17, etc.




02. Northern Lights - Tears Are Not Enough

Year: 1985
Cause: Famine in Ethiopia
Organized by: Bryan Adams, David Foster
Supergroup: Canadian Artists > Bryan Adams, Loverboy, Rush, Anne Murray, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Corey Hart, Gordon Lightfoot, The Guess Who, etc.




03. USA for Africa - We Are The World

Year: 1985
Cause: Famine in Ethiopia
Organized by: Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones
Supergroup: US Artists > Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Steve Perry, Ray Charles, James Ingram, etc.




04. Hear'n'Aid - Stars


Year: 1985
Cause: Famine in Ethiopia
Organized by: Ronnie James Dio
Supergroup: Heavy Metal Artists > Dio, Quiet Riot, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Queensryche, Dokken, WASP, Blue Oyster Cult,etc.





05. Helping Haiti - Everybody Hurts

Year: 2010
Cause: 2010 Haiti Earthquake Relief
Organized by: Simon Cowell
Supergroup: World Artists > Rod Stewart, Michael Buble, Robbie Williams, Kyle Minogue, Mariah Carey, Westlife, Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, etc.



06. Peace Choir - Give Peace a Chance

Year: 1991
Cause: Gulf War
Organized by: Yoko Ono
Supergroup: World Artists > Peter Gabriel, Lenny Kravitz, Tom Petty, Little Steven, Cyndi Lauper, Bonnie Raitt, Randy Newman, Little Richard, etc.



07. United Artists Against Apartheid - Sun City

Year: 1985
Cause: Apartheid
Organized by: Little Steven Van Zandt
Supergroup: World Artists > Little Steven, Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel, Ringo Starr, Ruben Blades, U2, Keith Richards, Pat Benatar, The Ramones, etc.




08. Latin Artists Tribute - El Ultimo Adios

Year: 2001
Cause: 9/11 Relief - American Red Cross, American Way
Organized by: Gian Marco, Emilio Estefan
Supergroup: Latin Artists > Ricky Martin, Shakira, Thalia, Chayanne, Alejandro Sanz, Marc Anthony, Juan Luis Guerra, etc.






09. Voces Unidas por Chile - Gracias a la Vida


Year: 2010
Cause: 2010 Chile Earthquake Relief
Organized by: Beto Cuevas
Supergroup: Hispanoamerican Artists > Beto Cuevas, Fher, Miguel Bose, Juanes, Alejandro Sanz, Juan Luis Guerra, Shakira, Laura Pausini.





10. Various Artists for Children's Promise - It's Only Rock'n'Roll

Year: 1999
Cause: Children's Promise / SOS Villages
Organized by: Mick Jagger & Keith Richards
Supergroup: World Artists > Keith Richards, Kid Rock, Ozzy Osbourne, Lionel Richie, The Cranberries, Bon Jovi, Crissy Hynde, Mick Jagger, etc.




11. Two Tone AllStars - Starvation

Year: 1985
Cause: Famine in Ethiopia
Organized by: Zarjazz Records
Supergroup: Two Tone Artists > UB40, The Pioneers, Madness, General Public, The Specials




12. Artists for Haiti - We Are the World 25 for Haiti


Year: 2010
Cause: 2010 Haiti Earthquake Relief
Organized by:Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones, Wyclef Jean
Supergroup: World Artists > Justin Bieber, Janet Jackson. Barbra Streisand, Miley Cyrus, Pink, Celine Dion, etc,




13. Ferry Aid - Let It Be

Year: 1987
Cause: Zeebrugge Ferry Disaster
Organized by: The Sun Newspaper
Supergroup: UK-US Artists > Paul McCartney, Boy George, Kate Bush, Kim Wilde, Mark Knopfler, etc.





14. The Crowd - You'll Never Walk Alone

Year: 1985
Cause: Bradford City Valley Parade Football Disaster
Organized by: Gerry Marsden
Supergroup: UK Artists > Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden, Rolf Harris, The Nolans, Smokie, Motorhead, etc.




15. Voces Unidas - Cantaré Cantarás

Year: 1985
Cause: Famine in Ethiopia
Organized by: Albert Hammond, Juan Carlos Calderón, David Foster
Supergroup: Hispanoamerican Artists > Julio Iglesias, Roberto Carlos, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Jose Feliciano, Emmanuel, Jose Jose, Menudo, etc.




16. Voices That Care - Voices That Care

Year: 1991
Cause: Operation Desert Storm
Organized by: David Foster
Supergroup: US Artists > Peter Cetera, Celine Dion, Garth Brooks, Michael Bolton, Randy Travis, Will Smith, Little Richard, etc.




17. Various Artists for Children in Need - Perfect Day

Year: 1997
Cause: BBC Children in Need
Organized by: BBC
Supergroup: World Artists > Lou Reed, Bono, Elton John, David Bowie, Tom Jones, Suzanne Vega, etc.




18. Stand Up to Cancer - Just Stand Up!

Year: 2008
Cause: Cancer Relief
Organized by: LA Reid & Babyface
Supergroup: Female Artists > Sheryl Crow, Rhianna, Beyonce, Carrie Underwood, Fergie, Mariah Carey, etc.




19. Hurricane Relief - Come Together Now

Year: 2005
Cause: Hurricane Katrina
Organized by: Sharon Stone, Mark Feist, Denise Rich
Supergroup: US Artists > Celine Dion, Backstreet Boys, Joss Stone, John Legend, Ruben Studdard, Wyclen Jean, etc.




20. Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas?

Year: 2008
Cause: Darfur (Sudan) Relief
Organized by: Bob Gildof, Midge Ure
Supergroup: UK Artists > Bono, Dido, Coldplay, Robbie Williams, All Saints, etc.

Top 20 South African Songs

So, the World Cup 2010 is coming to an end with the Finals being played in a couple of days. For about a month, the entire world has turned its attention to South Africa and, in the process, we have learned more about this country's rich culture and convulsive history - from Apartheid to Stephen Biko to Nelson Mandela to the World Cup, South Africa has inspired several musicians, not only local but also from around the world, to tell its story. Today, as the World Cup draws to an end, I salute the heritage of this beautiful country. These are my top 20 songs from and about South Africa.


1. Solomon Linda & The Evening Birds - Mbube > The Weavers - Wimoweh > The Tokens - The Lion Sleeps Tonight

"Mbube" (Zulu for "lion") was first recorded by its writer, South African musician Solomon Linda, and his group, the Evening Birds, in 1939. The song became so popular that Mbube lent its name to a style of African a cappella music, though the style has since been mostly replaced by Isicathamiya (a softer version). In November 1951, the American group The Weavers recorded their version entitled "Wimoweh", a mishearing of the original song's chorus of 'uyimbube' (meaning "you're a lion"). 10 years later, the Tokens, an American doo-wop vocal group from Brooklyn, New York, rewrote “Wimoweh” as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", which rose all the way to #1 all over the world. Several artists have covered this version, including Robert John, Tight Fit, and R.E.M., and it was used in the both the film and stage versions of Disney's The Lion King.

2. Peter Gabriel - Biko

"Biko" is about Stephen Biko, a noted black South African anti-apartheid activist. Biko had been arrested by the South African police in late August 1977. After being held in custody for several days, he was interrogated at Walmer Street prison in Port Elizabeth. Following the interrogation, during which he sustained serious head injuries, Biko was transferred to a prison in Pretoria, where he died shortly afterwards, on September 12, 1977. Peter Gabriel often plays the song at the end of concerts, encouraging the audience to join in the singing, and eventually leaving only the drummer on stage. The album version of the song is bookended by a recording of the South African song “Senzeni Na?” as sung at Biko’s funeral.




3. Miriam Makeba - Pata Pata

Recorded in 1967, “Pata Pata” peaked at #12 in the Billboard Hot 100 and has since been covered by many artists. Originally written and sung in the Xlosa language by Makeba, the song's title means "touch touch" in English.



4. Shakira & Freshlyground- Waka Waka (Time for Africa)

“Waka Waka”, which samples the chorus of the 1986 Cameroonian hit song "Zangaléwa", by Cameroonian band Golden Sounds, features Afro-Colombian instrumentation, Soca beat and South African guitars as well as one of the most acclaimed South African bands, Freshlyground.



5. Toto - Africa

“Africa” was co-written by David Paich and Jeff Poccaro. On writing the song, David Paich says the following: "At the beginning of the '80s I watched a late night documentary on TV about all the terrible suffering of the people in South Africa. It both moved and appalled me and the pictures just wouldn't leave my head. I tried to imagine how I'd feel about if I was there and what I'd do."

6. Artists United Against Apartheid - Sun City

"Sun City" is a 1985 protest song written by “Little” Steven Van Zandt and recorded by Artists United Against Apartheid to convey opposition to the South African policy of Apartheid. A wide array of artists, including Little Steven, Bruce Springsteen, Ruben Blades, Bob Dylan, Bono, Peter Gabriel, Pat Benatar, Joey Ramone, Hall & Oates, Lou Reed, Run DMC and The Rolling Stones, participated in both the video and the recording of the song.




7. K'Naan & David Bisbal – Wavin’ Flag (The Celebration Mix)

Somali-Canadian artist K'naan specially recorded a version of this song for the FIFA World Cup, hosted by South Africa. The remix of "Wavin' Flag" is part of Coca-Cola's global integrated marketing campaign "inspired by the joyous dance celebrations familiar to Africa." 20 different versions of "Wavin' Flag (The Celebration Mix)" have been made, some bilingual as in English/Spanish, or English/Arabic or English/Portuguese and many times with amended English language lyrics and often with different musical arrangements.




8. Dave Matthews Band - Cry Freedom

"Cry Freedom" is a song about finding equality among everyone - despite the "gold that divide us" and "the fear that divide us". Dave Matthews was born in South Africa and spent some of his childhood there as well. During Apartheid in South Africa, all people were legally classified into one of four racial groups: white, black, colored, and Indian. The racial categories into which people were placed determined whether they could vote or own land; the jobs they could hold; the schools they could attend; where they could live, eat or play; and the people they could marry. Written in part for the murdered anti-Apartheid movement leader, Stephen Biko, "Cry Freedom" exemplifies the inspiration that swelled in Dave Matthews' soul.




9. Seether & Amy Lee - Broken

Seether is a rock band from Pretoria, South Africa, formed in 1999. Originally named Saron Gas, they changed their name in 2002, in honor of Veruca Salt's song "Seether". This version of “Broken” features Amy Lee of Evanescence who would later start dating Seether’s vocalist, Shaun Morgan.



10. Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded by the Light.

In 1961, strongly opposed to the Apartheid system in his native South Africa, Johannesburg keyboard virtuoso Manfred Mann re-located to the United Kingdom to form his Manfred Mann and his Manfred Mann's Earth Band bands. Although spanning a lengthy career with several well known songs, including “Do Wah Diddy” and “The Mighty Queen”, his greatest success to date is this 1971 Bruce Springsteen cover.




11. Johnny Clegg & Savuka - Asimbonanga

Savuka was a band formed in 1986 by English-born South African musician Johnny Clegg, known as the White Zulu, after the disbanding of his first band, Juluka. Both of his bands were inter-racial in the racially segregated Apartheid South Africa. “Asimbonanga” ("We Have Not Seen Him") is a musical tribute to former South African president Nelson Mandela.





12. Ladysmith Black Mambazo & Paul Simon - Diamonds in the Sole of Her Feet

Paul Simon's “Graceland” album features an eclectic mixture of musical styles including pop, a cappella, isicathamiya, rock, and mbaqanga. Much of the album was recorded in South Africa, and it features many South African musicians and groups. The worldwide success of the album introduced some of the musicians, especially the vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, to global audiences of their own.




13. Youssou N'Dour - New Africa

Youssou N'Dour is one of the most celebrated African musicians in history. A renowned singer, songwriter, and composer, Youssou's mix of traditional Senegalese mbalax with eclectic influences ranging from Cuban samba to hip hop, jazz, and soul has won him an international fan base of millions. N'Dour has associated himself with several social and political issues. In 1985, he organized a concert for the release of Nelson Mandela in South Africa, and this song was written for such occasion.




14. Tracy Chapman - Freedom Now

In 1988, the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert at London's Wembley Stadium was a focal point of the anti-Apartheid movement, with many musicians voicing their support for Mandela. At that concert, Tracy Chapman performed "Freedom Now", a song dedicated to Mandela which was later released on her album Crossroads.




15. Freshlyground - Doo Be Doo

Freshlyground is a South African Afro-fusion band that was formed in Cape Town in 2002. The band members are from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.




16. Via Afrika - Hey Boy

Via Afrika erupted on to the South African music scene in the early 1980’s. Singer Rene Veldsman says "We were banned on radio – something to do with the lyrics of “Hey Boy”. They, the broadcasting authorities, didn't understand! The music was happening and it was changing. It's so funny to think back that the people in power really thought they had it welded."





17. Zola - Ghetto Scandalous

Kwaito is a South African urban genre of music. It emerged post-Apartheid and amidst the numerous political and social changes that were occurring, including but not limited to the release of Nelson Mandela from prison, and South Africa's first democratic election in 1994.[1] Through his lyricism, it is evident that Zola is proud of many of his country's unique languages, but especially Afrikaans.




18. Rabbitt - Locomotive Breath

Rabbitt were a South African rock band formed in 1972, evolving from a band called The Conglomeration, consisting of members (Trevor Rabin, Duncan Faure, Ronnie Robot, and Neil Cloud). Their successes included making it to the top of the South African charts with the hit "Locomotive Breath", a Jethro Tull cover. Rabbitt broke up in 1978. Rabin would later become a member of Yes, and Faure went on to join the Bay City Rollers.






19. Gepy & Gepy - African Love Song


The artist behind Gepy & Gepy is Giampiero Scalamogna, an italian producer who had a significant success in the 70's thanks to works for famous italian pop artists like Patty Pravo and Ornella Vanoni. In 1979 he decided to try an experiment brushing up his rhythm & blues roots when he performed as vocalist and musician in UK clubs, so came out this song which was his greatest success.







20. The Specials AKA - Free Nelson Mandela

This song contributed to making Mandela a cause célèbre in the United Kingdom in the early 80’s, and became popular with anti-Apartheid activists in South Africa.

Top 20 Songs about September and 9/11

As expected, the vast majority of songs about the month of September make reference to one specific day, namely September 11th. However, there are also a few other songs that make reference to other days in September (September 7th or September 21st), and other songs just make reference to the month in general and have no relation to 9/11. These are my top 20 songs about September 11th and the month of September in general.

Note: It seems Youtube is getting into the habit of disabling the embedding of official videos. Rats!!

1. Alan Jackson – Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day? / Teaching a class full of innocent children? / Driving down some cold interstate? / Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor? / In a crowded room, did you feel alone? / Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her / Did you dust off that bible at home?





2. System of a Down – Lonely Day

Such a lonely day / And it's mine / The most loneliest day in my life / Such a lonely day / Should be banned / It's a day that I can't stand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYKPyjH2sVQ

3. Green Day – Wake Me Up When September Ends

Summer has come and passed / the innocent can never last / wake me up when September ends / ring out the bells again / like we did when spring began / wake me up when September ends





4. Toby Keith – Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue

Hey Uncle Sam / Put your name at the top of his list / And the Statue of Liberty / Started shakin' her fist / And the eagle will fly / Man, it's gonna be hell / When you hear Mother Freedom / Start ringin' her bell / And it feels like the whole wide world is raining down on you / Brought to you Courtesy of the Red White and Blue

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSWuA-RttGU

5. Bruce Springsteen – The Rising

Sky of blackness and sorrow (a dream of life) / Sky of love, sky of tears (a dream of life) / Sky of glory and sadness (a dream of life) / Sky of mercy, sky of fear (a dream of life) / Sky of memory and shadow (a dream of life) / Your burning wind fills my arms tonight / Sky of longing and emptiness (a dream of life) / Sky of fullness, sky of blessed life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNnB4dkVRJI

6. U2 – City of Blinding Lights

I've seen you walk unafraid / I've seen you in the clothes you made / Can you see the beauty inside of me? / What happened to the beauty I had inside of me?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6IQoOvvc1g

7. Earth Wind & Fire – September

Do you remember the 21st night of September? / Love was changing the mind of pretenders / While chasing the clouds away / Our hearts were ringing / In the key that our souls were singing. / As we danced in the night / Remember - how the stars stole the night away, yeah yeah yeah.





8. Natalia Imbruglia - Come September

No hope for Cinderella / Come September / Her violet sky will need to cry / ‘Cause if it doesn’t rain then everything will die / She needs to heal / She needs to feel / Something more than tender / Come September





9. Neil Diamond – September Morn

September morn / We danced until the night became a brand new day / Two lovers playing scenes from some romantic play / September morning still can make me feel this way





10. Darryl Worley - Have you Forgotten?

Have you forgotten how it felt that day? To see your homeland under fire And her people blown away Have you forgotten when those towers fell? We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell And we vowed to get the one’s behind bin Laden Have you forgotten?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_-x9kMPauc



11. Ray Stevens – Osama, Yo' Mama

Osama - yo' mama could have done a lot better / Though I bet every day you did somethin' to upset her / By the way, we got an answer to your anthrax letter / New York City's where it's from - it's called a smart bomb





12. Daughtry – September


All the things I still remember / Summers never looked the same / Years go by and time just seems to fly / But the memories remain / In the middle of September / We still play out in the rain / Nothing to lose but everything to gain / Reflecting now how things could've been / It was worth it in the end




13. Mecano – El 7 de Setiembre

El siete de Septiembre es nuestro aniversario / y no sabremos si besarnos en la cara o en los labios.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icwr56R5LBI


14. Melissa Etheridge – Tuesday Morning

10:03 on a Tuesday morning / in the fall of an American dream / a man is doing what he knows is right / on flight 93 / loved his mom and he loved his dad / loved his home and he loved his man / but on that bloody Tuesday morning / he died an American



15. Neil Young – Let’s Roll

Let's roll for freedom / Let's roll for love / We're going after Satan / On the wings of a dove / Let's roll for justice / Let's roll for truth / Let's not let our children / Grow up fearful in there youth.




16. Bon Jovi – Undivided

That was my brother lost in the rubble / That was my sister lost in the crush / That was our mothers, those were our children / That was our fathers, that was each one of us / A million prayers to God above / A million tears make an ocean of



17. Sarah MacLachlan – World on Fire

I watch the heavens and I find a calling / Something I can do to change this moment / Stay close to me while the sky is falling / Don't wanna be left alone, don't wanna be alone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzoNInZ2ClQ

18. Bruce Springsteen – Into the Fire

The sky was falling and streaked with blood / I heard you calling me, then you disappeared into the dust / Up the stairs, into the fire / Up the stairs, into the fire / I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher / Somewhere up the stairs, into the fire




19. Chris Cornell – Ground Zero

Where in the world you gonna go? / Who in the world you gonna hold? / When all the world keeps holding on at ground zero / We'll leave it all with God.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbNHaJKTk7g

20. Plain White T-Shirts - A Lonely September

I'm sittin' here all by myself / just tryin' to think of something to do / Tryin' to think of something, anything / just to keep me from thinking of you / But you know it's not working out / 'cause you're all that's on my mind / One thought of you is all it takes / to leave the rest of the world behind