The new version of “We Are the World” went up on iTunes last night, and you can see it everywhere at 2 p.m. Saturday. Get all the info at www.world25.org.

Justin Bieber opens the song, but is followed in quick succession by Jennifer Hudson – who just about steals the whole recording. Quickly we see and hear Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, Josh Groban, Tony Bennett, and of course Barbra Streisand.

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Tonight everyone will get to hear the new edition of “We Are the World,” 25 years after Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, and Quincy Jones made history.

It’s an ironic moment for Michael Jackson, whose alleged murderer was arraigned this week. It’s ironic especially since it features Celine Dion.

Dion was one of the singers whom Jackson enlisted in October 2001 for his “What More Can I Give” single. With a panoply of stars, Jackson tried to re-create the “We Are The World” vibe for the people who’d been affected by Sept. 11.

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Less than 48 hours before “We Are the World 25″ premieres on the Olympics, I can tell you that the finished version has a duet of sorts with Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.

It comes at the midpoint of the Quincy Jones produced record. Just like in the original version from 1985, Michael sings the bridge, with Janet joining in. The vocal and the video of Michael are taken from the original version of the record. On the new video, Michael’s image pops up from the old video, followed by Janet’s from the new one.

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“We Are the World 25″ is a go for Monday, Feb. 1, at Henson A&M Studios, the same place where it was recorded in 1985.  Quincy Jones and AEG Live’s Randy Phillips are putting the finishing touches on the big recording session.

Among the names I’ve heard so far: Elton John, Celine Dion, Wyclef Jean, Gladys Knight, and possibly Aretha Franklin will join a huge number of younger stars.

Some of the stars from Quincy Jones’ upcoming album, “Soul Bossa Nostra,” may join in as well. They would include Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Akon, Bebe Winans, Usher, Robin Thicke, LL Cool J, and Tevin Campbell.

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Oscar winning writer-director Paul Haggis (”Crash,” “Million Dollar Baby”) is tentatively signed to film Quincy Jones’ 25th anniversary edition of “We Are the World.”

I told you last week that Jones and Lionel Richie were hoping to pull this effort off on Feb. 1 at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. The plan is still moving forward, although there’s an outside chance of a change of date due to a scheduling conflicts with the dozens of artists who want to participate.

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EXCLUSIVE: This column has learned that Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie are planning a massive 25th anniversary re-recording of “We Are the World.”

The timing couldn’t be better, sadly enough.

The duo is summoning lots and lots of talent from Grammy weekend to stay an extra night — Monday Feb. 1 — and come to the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. There, they will celebrate a quarter century since Ken Kragen, Richie and Michael Jackson organized the original “We Are the World” with Quincy.

This time the artists invited include Usher, Natalie Cole, and John Legend. But you can bet that more names will be added shortly and that all the Grammy nominees and participants will be asked to come as well. Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich will produce the event, which will then be turned into a video and single just like it was in 1985. Don’t be surprised if Wyclef Jean joins in, along with Sting, Fergie, Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake and other distinctive voices.

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Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder are going to make their album together, at long last.

I wrote in my old column back on February 18th that this was going to happen. The legendary Quincy Jones will produce. Recording should start this fall.

Last night, Bennett signed an unprecdented new contract with Sony. He’s been on Columbia Records since McKinley was president. But recently the contract expired. I’m not sure Sony even knew that for a while. Tony could have gone anywhere. But the 83 year-old Bennett must have figured it’s one of those Devil You Know scenarios.

Anyway, we love Tony Bennett, we love Stevie Wonder, and Quincy Jones is the greatest, even if the Rock Hall of Fame won’t induct him. Who cares! This should be a landmark recording. And it’s going to be full of classics, although I do hope Stevie throws a couple of his own songs in there, too.