Originally written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager and recorded by Rod Stewart in 1982 for the Night Shift soundtrack, “That’s What Friends Are For” was later a one-off collaboration headed by Dionne Warwick, featuring Gladys Knight, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder in 1985.

Profits from its sales were donated to The American Foundation for AIDS Research. Over $3 million was raised by the single for that cause.

The song peaked at #1 for three weeks on the soul chart and four weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1986, becoming the final US number one for all performers except John, and became Billboard’s #1 single of the year (1986). In the U.S. it was certified Gold on January 15, 1986 by the RIAA.

Elton John played piano and Stevie Wonder played harmonica on the track.