TV review: ‘We Are the World’ documentary contains juicy stories about Bob Dylan and Prince

Anyone who grew up on ‘80s music remembers the recording of “We Are the World.” It’s a sappy ballad — Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote it under a daunting deadline — made memorable by bringing together some of the biggest names in music history.

“The Greatest Night in Pop,” now streaming on Netflix, takes you behind the scenes of that event, capturing all the creativity and chaos that ensued over the very long session. There are some tense moments. An intoxicated Al Jarreau struggled with his solo. Stevie Wonder’s campaign to include a chorus in Swahili caused Waylon Jennings to walk out. Cyndi Lauper’s bracelets gave the sound engineer headaches.

But Minnesota viewers will be most captivated by the anecdotes about local legends. Director Bao Nguyen doesn’t shy away from footage of Bob Dylan looking like a nervous wreck, seemingly aware that his voice wasn’t as powerful as the others. It’s Wonder who comes to the rescue, plunking Dylan’s solo parts on piano while doing a masterful impersonation of his elder. A laughing Dylan instantly relaxes.

Sheila E., one of the participants who sat for a new interview, remembers how she was promised a solo, only to realize that she was recruited as bait to hook Prince, who ultimately decided to pass. (Huey Lewis took over the part reserved for the Purple One.)

“We Are the World” is not a great song. But this is a great documentary, and one that shows how impossible it is for great artists to truly check their egos at the door.

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