“Better Man” Robbie Williams In addition to having created his own charity, Give It Sum, in his hometown of Stokeon-Trent, England, the magnanimous Mr. Williams is not only patron of the children’s charity The Donna Louise Trust, but also works as a national ambassador for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Sticking true to his title, Williams released a live, acoustic version of his 2000 track “Better Man,” for UNICEF, complete with a music video.
“Love Today” Mika Deliciously flamboyant Mika offered his song “Love Today” to Bono’s organization RED in order to promote the purchase of RED products over the 2006 holiday season. And who better to star in the commercial than former SNL cast member Chris Kattan, who danced in uber-red skivvies with Romanian model Alina Puscau using a host of props ranging from light sabers to bongo drums.
“I Run For Life” Melissa Etheridge When Melissa Etheridge performed at the 2005 Grammys having recently lost her hair from chemotherapy, it brought one woman’s experience with breast cancer to the forefront, and made it a stark reality for many viewers. That same year, Ford approached Etheridge about writing a song to document her journey, the proceeds of which would go to two major breast cancer charities. The result is the piercing “I Run For Life,” which vividly documents Etheridge’s journey.
“Farm Aid Song” Neil Young
In an age of corporate farming, genetic engineering, and chemically modified food, the now archaic family farmer seems to have been thrown by the wayside. But family farming is still prevalent, and people like Neil Young, John Mellencamp, and Willie Nelson took it upon themselves back in 1985 to host a benefit concert called Farm Aid to raise money for family farmers and support homegrown food that doesn’t have industrially altered DNA. Young even wrote a song about it, aptly titled “Farm Aid Song,” where he cautions: “I’d hate to say the farmer/Was the last of his kind.”
“Absolutely Fabulous” Pet Shop Boys feat. Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley Pairing dance legends Pet Shop Boys with Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, the stars of the hit British comedy Absolutely Fabulous, was nothing short of a match made in gay heaven. All proceeds went to Comic Relief, whose aim is to relieve famine in Ethiopia.
“Don’t Give Up” Peter Gabriel feat. Kate Bush
Already a massive hit for Elton John back in 1974, John and George Michael enjoyed an even bigger success with “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me,” when they released a live version in 1991. Recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, the live single went on to top both the British and American charts. More importantly, all proceeds were split up amongst ten charities that benefited children in need, AIDS research, and education.
“Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” Elton John and George Michael
Recently named Ambassador of Conscience on behalf of Amnesty International, Peter Gabriel has spent over twenty-five years working side by side with Amnesty International through tours such as 1988’s Human Rights Now! It was no surprise then, when Gabriel’s heartfelt duet with Kate Bush, “Don’t Give Up,” with the always relevant message to not give up hope, was aired on US ads for Amnesty International.
