That's What Friends Are For

When Rod Stewart first recorded That's What Friends Are For in 1982 for the soundtrack of the comedy film Night Shift, the song was a standard pop entry that failed to make a major splash. The track came from the songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, who crafted a melody designed to sound warm and inviting. While Stewart's version found its place in that movie, it was the 1985 recording that truly defined the song's legacy. This later iteration brought together four of the biggest names in pop music: Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder.

Billed as Dionne Warwick & Friends, the group released the single as a charity effort to support AIDS research and prevention through the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR). The collaboration turned into a cultural moment, dominating radio waves throughout 1986. It climbed to number one on the US charts and stayed there long enough to become the year's top-selling single. Critics took notice as well, awarding the track Grammy honors for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Song of the Year at the 29th Annual Grammy Awards in 1987.

The project succeeded beyond just awards; it raised over $3 million for the cause while proving that star power could drive meaningful change. Notably, the song played a crucial role in destigmatizing AIDS, with Dionne Warwick later revealing that her performance helped President Ronald Reagan feel comfortable enough to publicly use the word "AIDS" for the first time. Listeners can access the 1985 version on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, and YouTube Music today. [edit]