While throwing benefit concerts(a.k.a. Michael Jackson and Friends) against the Korean civil war, Michael Jackson had a little chat with the South African Vice President.
In an intimate setting, both discussed issues of poverty, factions, and dictatorship. The prospect of uniting Korea was an idealistic dream between them. That's where the inspiration was conceived!
"we discussed the concept of giving, and the words 'what more can I give' kept coming into my mind... we all have to do what we can, to help end the needless suffering in the world".-Michael Jackson
But the sudden intrusion of terror on September 11th threw a wrench at the project. Plans were quickly arranged for the urgent. On October 21st, 2001 Michael hosted United We Stand: What More Can I Give. The benefit concert included the performance of "What More Can I Give". A song exclusively written and produced by Michael Jackson.
And so he invited a total of 35 artists for an all-star tribute. Tom Petty, Carlos Santana, N'SYNC, were among many who attended. Including Ricky Martin, Celine Dion, Beyonce Knowles, Usher, Maria Carey, The Hanson's, and fragments of The Backstreet Boys, and Boyz To Men.
Due to the faud between Sony and the pop star, the single got shelved without further consideration. However, you can't put all the weight on Mottola. The guy who was hired to distribute the record was found to have a shaky past handling gay pornography. Finally in 2003, whatmorecanigive.com gave away downloads to the track.
In my opinion, Cry and "What More Can I Give" are both some of the finest anthems he ever did. Without tooting his horn, Mr. Jackson is known to give more then Opera Winfrey.
"I'm not one to sit back and say, 'Oh, I feel bad for what happened to them'. I want the whole world to sing, to bring us together as a world, because a song is a mantra, something you repeat over and over. And we need peace, we need giving, we need love, we need unity".-Michael Jackson
What More Can I Give Lyrics
Michael Jackson: Ho ha ha
Oh no oh no oh no
no no no
Celine Dion: How many people will have to die before we will take a
stand?
Billy Gillman: How many children will have to cry, before we do
all we can?
Reba McEntire: If sending your love is all you can give
Nick Carter: To help one live
Ricky Martin: How many times can we turn our heads
And pretend we cannot see
Mariah Carey: Healing the wounds of our broken earth
We are one global family
Just sending your prayers
Beyonce: Is something you'll feel
Helping one heal
Chorus:
Michael Jackson: What have I got that I can give?
All: (What have I got that I can give?)
(Tell me)
Michael Jackson: What have I got that I can give?
Justin Timberlake: (Yeah, yeah, uh, uh)
All: To love and to teach you
To hold and to need you
What more can I give?
Now let's rather lay down our fears and reach out and make a
pact
Gloria Estefan: Show him the love that is in our hearts let us
bring salvation
back
Luther Vandross: Just sending your love has the power to heal
Usher: So let's all give
Chorus:
All: What have I got that I can give?
Luther Vandross: (Is not allowed to give just a little bit)
All: What have I got that I can give?
Luther Vandross: (Everyone should be a part of it)
All: To love and to teach you
To hold and to need you
What more can I give?
Michael Jackson: Say the words
I'll lay me down for you
Celine Dion: Just call my name
I am your friend
Michael Jackson: See, then why do they keep teaching us
Such hate and cruelty?
We should give over and over again
All: What have I got that I can give?
Michael Jackson: (We should give over and over again!)
All: What have I got that I can give?
Michael Jackson: (Oh my god, oh my god)
Boyz II Men: (Oh my Lord)
All: See, to love and to teach you
To hold and to need you
What more can I give?
All: What have I got that I can give?
Mariah Carey: Aahh...
All: What have I got that I can give?
Michael Jackson: (give you, give to you)
All: See, to love and to teach you
To hold and to need you
What more can I give?
All: What have I got that I can give?
Celine Dion: (What More Can I give?)
All: What have I got that I can give?
Michael Jackson: (I wanna give to you, give it to you)
All: See, to love and to teach you
To hold and to need you
What more can I give
Michael Jackson: (they think I'm crazy but I'm not!)
2nd Chorus:
All: What have I got that I can give?
Michael Jackson: (To give it to you)
Mariah Carey: Aahh..
Michael Jackson: (we wanna give to you!)
All: What have I got that I can give?
To hold and conceal you
(Oh, no, yeah, yeah, yeah)
All: To love and to heal you
What more can I give?
(Give me, give me one time more)
What have I got that I can give?
Gloria Estefan: (What I got, what have I got)
(Say your prayers)
What have I got that I can give?
(Show the world how much you really care)
To love and to teach you
Celine Dion: (To love you, teach you)
To hold and to need you
Celine Dion: (To hold you, to need you)
(What more?)
What more can I give?
All: What have I got that I can give?
3LW: (What can I give? Tell me what can I give you)
All: What have I got that I can give?
To hold and conceal you
To love and to heal you
What more can I give?
(Fading)
Contrary to tabloids, Michael did not endorse Scientology. One of the charities he supported just happened to be affiliated with that religion.
Thank you very much for visiting. Have a great weekend!
Next: Michael Jackson's 30th Anniversary Concerts!
