Simon Cowell Releases "Everybody Hurts"

As promised, Simon Cowell released a star-studded song for Haiti. The cover of R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” features Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Rod Stewart, Jon Bon Jovi, Michael Buble, Susan Boyle, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Cheryl Cole, Leona Lewis, Mika, and James Blunt. The track is downloadable starting Sunday, and proceeds will be split between the Disasters Emergency Committee and the Helping Haiti campaign. All this on the day that the megastars of music convened in a Hollywood studio to remake the 25-year-old anthem “We Are the World.” That effort, led by mega-producer Quincy Jones and performer Wyclef Jean, featured tens of artists such as Kanye West, Enrique Iglesias, Robin Thicke, Usher, Celine Dion, Tony Bennett, Lil’ Wayne, Carlos Santana, and Gladys Knight. Video of the recording session, directed by Paul Haggis, of Crash fame, will premiere February 12 on NBC during the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.