Artists United for Nature was a benefit project initiated by the music producer Curtis Briggs. With the single Yes We Can released in November 1989, money was raised for the preservation of the rainforest . The song was written by Harold Faltermeyer and Chris Thompson ( Manfred Mann's Earth Band ), who together with Curtis Briggs also acted as producers.
The cast consisted of Ian Anderson ( Jethro Tull ), Carol Decker ( T'Pau ), Herbie Hancock , Stevie Lange , Maggie Reilly , Chris Thompson , Stefan Zauner ( Münchner Freiheit ), Sandra , Richard Page ( Mr. Mister ), Chaka Khan , Harold Faltermeyer, Joe Cocker , Tommy Johnson , Brian May ( Queen ), Jennifer Rush and Michael McDonald .
The single was released on Virgin Records as a 7``, 12 '' and maxi CD. In total there were four different versions, which differed only in the singing and the use of nature sounds. A video was also shot.
Yes We Can remained the project's only single. It was re-released in 1992 under the title Earthrise - The Rainforest Single .
