Simon Cowell’s ‘Everybody Hurts’ All-Star Charity Single Premieres
The Simon Cowell-curated all-star rendition of R.E.M.‘s “Everybody Hurts” premiered this morning on U.K. radio, Reuters reports. The Haiti benefit single, which will be available for download this Sunday, February 7th, features Mariah Carey, Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Rod Stewart, Jon Bon Jovi and Miley Cyrus. Cowell’s version sticks pretty close to the Automatic For the People original, with all the stars involved each singing a line from the R.E.M. classic.
With Cowell’s involvement, “Everybody Hurts” aims more at a British audience than an American one, as several contestants from Cowell’s U.K. shows like The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent make appearances, including Joe McElderry and X Factor judge Cheryl Cole, and members of Brit boy bands Take That (including Robbie Williams). JLS and Westlife. Rounding out Cowell’s crew are Mika, Kylie Minogue, James Morrison, Michael Buble and James Blunt.
Check out photos of Justin Timberlake, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna and more stars from Hope for Haiti Now.
As Rolling Stone reported yesterday, producers Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie and RedOne rounded up 100-plus stars in a Los Angeles studio for a re-recording of “We Are the World” that will also raise money to help those struck by the earthquake in Haiti. So far, the entertainment industry has helped raise at least $64 million thanks largely to the “Hope For Haiti Now” telethon.
Related Stories:
• Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, Eminem Join “We Are the World” Remake for Haiti Relief
• Hope for Haiti Now: Rolling Stone Live Blogs the All-Star Telethon
• Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige Team for “SOS” Haiti Special