Michael Jackson released “Heal the World” on his 1992 album, Dangerous. In a 2001 internet talk with fans he called it the song he was most proud of. Along with the tune, Jackson created the Heal the World Foundation, a charitable organization which was designed to improve the lives of children, especially in areas plagued by civil unrest.
The video features many images of children trying to play and be kids around soldiers and areas devastated by war. The images of innocence amidst war-torn horrors are striking and poignant. But, eventually the love of children leads the soldiers to drop their guns and give in to peace.
“Heal the World” was performed at Jackson’s memorial service. The song was performed as rehearsed by Jackson at the same venue just weeks earlier, in preparation for his “This Is It” tour. The song was also played at the funeral of James Bulger, a UK boy who was murdered in 1993. Jackson donated the tune to become the anthem for the James Bulger Red Balloon Center, a school for children with learning disabilities to escape bullying.
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And today we celebrate...