Reflecting on Quincy Jones and the lessons I learned…

Working on "We Are The World" was one of the greatest blessings of my life and career, and I learned a lot of lessons watching him, Michael Jackson, and Lionel Richie put together that legendary song from beginning to end. I think this might be helpful to others too.

Quincy Jones was not a legend by accident. Everything he did, from what I observed, was based on immense talent, deep insights, and life lessons that made him look beyond the surface for what touches the soul. This goes way beyond just musical skills. It's a way of looking at all things.

From the first day of tracking I was like a fly on the wall listening to the conversations he and Michael would have about what they wanted people to FEEL when they heard the song. It was way beyond the notes. It had to touch the heartstrings and tap into us all being one, no matter what color, nationality, enthnicity, or religion. To make that happen via sound was very intentional.

Watching and listening why they cast certain musicians, find the right sounds, modify the feeling of different parts, and craft the lyrics was amazing. Listening to them explain why things like the bass part and sound had to be changed to not draw too much attention to it ,or be too funky was an incredible insight. The song should always be about "We" and never "I" am the world. Mind-blowing!

Watching Michael Jackson pull out the original lyrics and then they all zeroed in on certain lines like changing it to "there's a CHOICE we're making. We're saving OUR OWN LIVES" instead of (and I'm paraphrasing) "there's a chance we're taking. We're saving all their lives" was so eye opening because they always wanted the song to be INCLUSIVE so that it's not a separate US vs THEM thing, even though the song was about saving starving children. We are all in this together and that was their purposeful mission. Changing little lyric phrases like that made the song a masterpiece, so MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!

There were so many lessons I learned during that time that I will always carry with me and I still use to this day. So dig DEEP beyond the surface of all aspects of your music and never stop short.

~ Khaliq (Khaliq-O-Vision) Glover

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