When megaproducer Simon Cowell brings in all-stars to sing R.E.M.'s Everybody Hurts for Haitian relief, you know the song will be heart-rending. But four minutes and twenty seconds into the official video, it becomes more than that. It becomes an image of pure love.
A child is pulled from the rubble with his arms lifted to the sky. The camera pans from the cheering crowd to a crying relief worker and the iTV 1 announcer says, "Sometimes human endurance and the human spirit are quite something."
American Idol's Cowell produced the all-star benefit download For the Disasters Emergency Community and The Sun's Helping Haiti Appeal. Before taping, Rod Stewart said, "I can't think of a more fitting song than 'Everybody Hurts' to convey the unimaginable tragedy that is Haiti. I hope the record sales raise a lot of money because the country certainly needs it."
In its first week, the song is pushing the million download mark. R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe told The Sun:
"How could we not say "absolutely yes!" to this appeal to help the terrible situation in Haiti? We are honored to play even a small role in trying to help. This song, since its release, has clearly taken on a life of its own. The message is very simple, and very human; and that simplicity resonates with people. It points towards our fragility and our strength, be it physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual."
The "Help for Haiti - Everybody Hurts" $1.29 single is available on iTunes at:
Everybody Hurts by R.E.M.
Lyrics and Vocalists:
Leona Lewis
When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,
Rod Stewart
When youre sure you've had enough of this life, well hang on
Mariah Carey
Don't let yourself go, cause everybody cries and everybody hurts
Cheryl Cole
Sometimes.... sometimes everything is wrong.
Mika
Now its time to sing along
Michael Buble
When your day is night alone,
Joe McElderry
hold on, hold on
Miley Cyrus
If you feel like letting go
James Blunt
If you think you've had too much of this life, well hang on..
Gary Barlow
Cause everybody hurts..
Mark Owen
Take Comfort in your friends
Jon Bon Jovi
Don't throw your hand, oh no
James Morrison
Don't throw your hand.
If you feel like you're alone, no, no, no, you are not alone
Susan Boyle
If you're on your own in this life, the days and nights are long,
Aston Merrygold
When you think youve had too much of this life to...
Marvin Humes
...hang on
Shane Filan
Everybody hurts, sometimes,
Mark Feehily
Everybody cries
Kylie Minogue
And everybody hurts... sometimes
Robbie Williams
And everybody hurts... sometimes, so hold on, hold on
Chorus
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on