The 70′s Band REM has confirmed that ‘Everybody Hurts’ has been chosen for Simon Cowell’s Haiti charity appeal single.

Bertis Downs told The Sun that the band would waive their royalties on the 1993 single, which originally featured on the chart-topping Automatic For The People.

Downs said: “We are deeply touched the song has been chosen for this Haiti campaign.

“It means a lot that the song the guys wrote all those years ago will be used for such an important appeal.”

Cowell said: “We are all working hard to make this single a success and to raise lots of money for Helping Haiti.

“We have a short time to do this and the people in Haiti need as much help as we can give them as soon as possible.”

He added: “I’d like to make this record with as many different types of singer as we can and I hope everyone in the industry comes together to get involved. The initial response has been fantastic.”


Artists lined up for the release include Leona Lewis, JLS, Rod Stewart and Michael Bublé, with George Michael, Paul McCartney, Coldplay, Take That and Robbie Williams also in talks to appear.

Sony have donated free studio time for the track, which will be produced by Steve Robson. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has confirmed that the single will be on sale free of VAT.