Simon Cowell is producing a record to raise funds for the earthquake recovery effort in Haiti. The single, a cover of R.E.M.’s ‘Everybody Hurts’, is a request from UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. According to various sites, the many participating artists will include Rod Stewart, Michael Bublé, Take That, Leona Lewis and James. Simon Cowell, has vowed to get the single out as soon as possible.
Update: According to James’ blog (see above), the single will be out on February 7 with proceeds going to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and The Sun‘s Helping Haiti Fund. BBC asked Mika, James and Rod Stewart about being part of the charity single, and you can watch that video here. James’ part starts at 0m38s. BBC also reported that the single is being recorded at Trevor Horn’s Sarm Studios this week, where each artist is coming in solo to sing a section of R.E.M.’s ‘Everybody Hurts’. James had the added bonus of knowing the producer Steve Robson, and was ecstatic with his pre-selected lines. “He (Steve) said that I’d have the middle eight and I was like, ‘Wicked!’ That’s one of the best bits in the song.” The video to accompany the song is being made simultaneously with the recording, so you can expect to see a lot of artists at the mic wearing headphones as they sing along.
Update 2: The song will be available for download on February 7 and on cd single the following day.
Update 3: The single will be played by various UK radio stations on February 2 from 8 AM. This is the line-up of the 21 participating artists, singing in the following order: Leona Lewis, Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Cheryl Cole, Mika, Michael Bublé, Joe McElderry, Miley Cyrus, James Blunt, Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Jon Bon Jovi, James Morrison, Alexandra Burke, Susan Boyle, Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams.
Update 4: Here is the video!
[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOa16P9kxHc width=208 height=156 /]
(credt: bourbonof80)
