Listen: Simon Cowell Premieres All-Star Haiti Single, 'Everybody Hurts'
02/05/2010,Popeater
X17online/Associated Press
'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell's new charity song for Haitian earthquake victims featuring artists as varied as Susan Boyle, Jon Bon Jovi and Mariah Carey hit airwaves today.
The song is a cover of REM's classic ballad 'Everybody Hurts.' Cowell quickly recorded more than 20 stars in hopes of raising money on behalf of survivors of a devastating earthquake which has claimed the lives of up to 200,000 people in Haiti. Michael Buble, Rod Stewart and Kylie Minogue are also on the record. Give It a Listen:
The song can be ordered online at www.hmv.com, www.play.com and www.amazon.co.uk.
Other celebs are making similar efforts to help Haiti victims. Cowell's song coincides with the news that Quincy Jones is overseeing a new version of 'We Are the World,' 25 years after the original song put a spotlight on the tragedy of famine in Africa. Barbra Streisand, Kanye West and Miley Cyrus are among 70 stars who have contributed to that project.
George Clooney and U2's Bono were featured in a multi-network telethon that raised more than $61 million. Also, the 'Hope For Haiti Now' charity album opened at the number 1 position on the U.S. charts.
Simon Cowell, 50, is infamous as the acid-tongued judge on Fox's top-rated musical competition 'American Idol.' In the wake of the stunning departure of Paula Abdul, Cowell has also formalized his intentions to leave 'Idol' to start production of the 'X-Factor,' an American equivalent of his hit British music show. The new show is slated to begin production in fall 2011.
