Simon Cowell's aid song goes global

Feb 3, 2010, 10:15 GMT

Simon Cowell's Helping Haiti single will be released globally.

The song - a star-studded cover of R.E.M's 'Everybody Hurts' - will be available to download worldwide from Sunday (08.01.10) to help boost sales and raise relief funds for the earthquake-stricken nation.

The track - which features 21 artists, including Leona Lewis, Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Jon Bon Jovi and Susan Boyle - was aired for the first time on British radio stations yesterday (02.02.10) and is already tipped to be one of the biggest-selling songs of recent years.

A spokesperson for music retailer HMV said: "We're getting record levels of pre-orders for 'Everybody Hurts'.

"It is well on course to become a million seller, easily the biggest single for a decade."

R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe is thrilled the band - who will relinquish all royalty rights to the record - has been able to help the cause.

He said: "We are thrilled the song can help. Thanks from us to everyone involved and everyone who donates."

Mariah is hopeful the music will make a big difference.

She said: "I hope 'Everybody Hurts' helps raise a very large amount of funds."

Work on the track was completed on Sunday (31.01.10) after musicians flocked to recording studios in London and Los Angeles to set down their vocals.

Meanwhile, actor Johnny Depp is reportedly interested in releasing his own single for Haiti and has joined with Australian rocker Nick Cave and former Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan to work on a cover of 'I Put A Spell On You', which was originally recorded in 1956 by 'Screamin' Jay Hawkins and has been re-recorded by a number of other artists, including Nina Simone, Bryan Ferry, Sonique and Marilyn Manson.