The 'We Are The World' assemblage of stars in 1985.

At the first recording session for “We Are The World” in 1985, producer Quincy Jones wrote a straightforward reminder to the plethora of stars joining the session: “Check your ego at the door.” Indeed, an overblown sense of self-worth would have been shameful in the face of famine in Africa, the reason for which the proceeds of the song had been earmarked.

During that epic recording session in the evening of Jan. 28, 1985, a reported 46 of the biggest musical stars at that time showed up to lend their vocals to the Michael Jackson/Lionel Richie-penned humanitarian single.

“We Are The World,” completed at 8 a.m. the following day, went on to become a major success—a benchmark for efforts where star power and influence had no place to clash but instead converge for a singular good.

In 2009, it was reported that the single had since raised over $63 million for USA for Africa’s humanitarian fund, which went to short-term and long-term relief for Africa and also, partially, towards hunger and homelessness programs in the U.S.

Marking the single’s 25th year anniversary, Jones and Richie organized a re-recording of the song, reportedly scheduled on the same day it was recorded a quarter of a century earlier. When a magnitude 7.0 earthquake ravaged the poor nation of Haiti on Jan. 12, the plans were changed; the goal was also redirected to raising funds for the impoverished country instead.

This year, a new assemblage of stars recreates the momentous occasion, all of whom didn’t just check their egos at the door, they brought in something extra: a healthy sense of humor.

When told that the video for the single was going to be recorded in 3D, “Entertainment Tonight’s” Mary Hart reported that the diva, Barbra Streisand, said, “What’s my nose going to look like [in 3D]?”

Josh Groban reportedly marveled at having to stand between Tony Bennett and Bone Thugs N’ Harmony’s Bizzy, something that he acknowledged might never happen again, while Wyclef Jean revealed feeling like a kid in the candy store.

The gathering, a “famous-face fundraising” as the LA Times called it, had the artists themselves awestruck to be in the presence of their own favorite stars that they whipped out their cameras to snap photos. Good vibes for a good cause, indeed.

The reworked version of the track promises to have a new “swagger,” owing to a new generation hip-hop feel. Whether the single is received as well as its mighty predecessor, “We Are The World 25” nevertheless still proves something truly important, and hopeful—that people from diverse beliefs and backgrounds can work together for a common goal and champion humanity.

Then: “We Are The World”

-  The timing: Many of the participants then came straight from an American Music Awards ceremony, which had been held that same night.

- The recording: The first night of recording was on Jan. 22, 1985 at Kenny Rogers' Lion Share Recording Studio, attended by Richie, Jackson, Jones and Stevie Wonder. Richie and Jackson laid down the vocal guides on this night. The final night of recording with the rest of the artists was on Jan. 28, 1985 at A&M Recording Studios in Hollywood.

- The participants: Aside from Jackson and Richie, there were Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Kenny Rogers, Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, Billy Joel, Steve Perry, Cyndi Lauper, Smoke Robinson, Bette Midler and Huey Lewis, among many others; Band Aid’s spiritual leader, Bob Geldof ("Do They Know It's Christmas"), also showed up in support.

- The release: March 7, 1985, in both 7” and 12” format (this, kids, was at a time when vinyl records were still pressed and sold).

- The distinction: Reportedly holds the record for the fastest-selling  American pop single in history, with its initial shipment of 800,000 units sold out within three days of release.

- The achievement: "We Are The World" was eventually cited as the biggest selling single in both US and pop music history. However, Elton John’s 1997 version of “Candle in the Wind”—his tribute to Princess Diana after she died in a car accident blamed on paparazzi in Paris—would later claim this status.

Now: “We Are The World 25”

- The timing: Jones and Richie recruited participants at this year’s 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.

- The recording: Feb. 1, 2010 in the same soundstage (which is now called Henson Recording Studios) as the original version.

- The participants: A reported 81 stars from wildly diverse genres (with the full official list yet to be released), among them: Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Gladys Knight, P!nk, Kanye West, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Harry Connick Jr., Jordin Sparks, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, and even actors Jeff Bridges, Jamie Foxx, and Vince Vaughn.

- The release: The video for the song will premiere on Feb. 12, 2010, during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.

- The next level: The video was filmed in 3D, with “Entertainment  Tonight” reporting Richie as saying, “You can put yourself in the ‘We Are The World’ family.”

- Interesting note: Reportedly at the request of Katherine Jackson, Maya Angelou penned a poem to be read at the end of the song. It has also been reported that Quincy will speak to Jackson’s children about reading that narration. The Jackson kids were also supposed to join the recording but no confirmation had been given yet of their participation.

- Represent: Wyclef Jean, a Haiti native whose family migrated to the US when he was a kid, reportedly got producing help from RedOne (who worked with Lady Gaga, and Micheal Jackson prior to his death) and Will.I.Am.