I admit it.

I watched the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver last Friday night, but not for the Parade of Nations, the stirring anthem lip-synched by Bryan Adams and Nelly Furtado, or even to see that snowboarder leap through the Olympic rings amid a hail of pyrotechnics (although that was pretty cool).

I watched the opening ceremonies because I wanted to see the world premiere of "We Are The World 25 for Haiti."

There is no doubt that "We Are The World" is both one of the corniest and most inspiring songs ever written. The 1985 version was as formative to my teenage years as Pizza Rolls and Oxy 5.

The original video—headlined by Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Cyndi Lauper and just about every major American music headliner of the mid-80s—was played on MTV every hour for months.

(For those who don't remember MTV before dreck like Jersey Shore and 16 and Pregnant started clogging its airways, that "M" stands for "Music" and the station played music videos 24 hours a day. It was a simple, mesmerizing concept that made America a better place. Then The Real World and Jackass came along and ruined everything.)

When the "We Are The World" remake was announced, I couldn't help but feel nostalgic titillation over the prospect of a new generation of music all-stars singing that goofy ditty that has done so much good for so many in need around the world. For the most part I wasn't disappointed.

See the official "We are the World 25 for Haiti" video below:

This entire new cast of vocalists (the only holdover from 1985 is a video of Michael Jackson singing the first chorus in harmony with new vocals by his sister, Janet) actually improve the song by sharpening the group choral. And the all-star rap, highlighted by Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, will.i.am and LL Cool J, is an awesome update.

There are a few quibbles (Lil' Wayne singing the part originally mumbled by Bob Dylan? And why the hell is Vince Vaughn there at all?), but the only major misstep was having teen sensation Justin Bieber open the song.

The magic of "We Are the World" has always been its collective star power. The original video is still fascinating because of all the icons gathered in the same room.

Bieber's star is rising fast right now, but it's a shooting star. Twenty-five years from now, I'm pretty sure most will be asking, "Who's that kid with the bad combover singing the Lionel Richie part?"

Any one of the following groups playing Houston this week would have been a better choice to lead-off "We Are The World 25 For Haiti."

Friday

The Soundtrack of Our Lives, 9 p.m. at Warehouse Live

Should Robbie Coltrane ever wish to give up the role of loveable, lumbering, hairy Hagrid in the Harry Potter movie series, Soundtrack lead singer Ebbot Lundberg would be a natural for the part.

Not only is he a dead ringer (complete with out of control whiskers), but his around-the-house clothes appear to be the same sort of medieval tunics and Renaissance robes favored by Hogwarts's favorite half-giant.

Until he gets an audition call, however, he will continue to deliver space age love songs and neo-psychedelic warbles as the frontman for Swedish alt-rock darlings, The Soundtrack of Our Lives.

T.S.O.O.L. haven't released a new full album since late 2008, but a just released digital EP, "The Immaculate Convergence," hints at a focus on European folk rock. It is available at your local digital music store.

Tickets $17-$19

Saturday

Gov't Mule, 8 p.m. at House of Blues

If you love the grand southern rock tradition, but have grown tired of singing "Free Bird" and waiting for The Allman Brothers band to put out a new album, Gov't Mule is your ticket to a paradise south of the Mason-Dixon line.

Blues guitarist Warren Haynes and the late Allen Woody got tired of waiting for The Allman Brothers Band to release a new album, too, and they were members of the band. They formed Gov't Mule as a way to kill time. Now the Mule finds itself as a torchbearer, tasked with bringing southern rock into the new millennium.

Haynes has kept the band together without Woody with the help of like-minded friends. New album "By A Thread," opens with an electric, blues song titled "Broke Down on the Brazos" featuring ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons on guitar.

Hey, doesn't he live in Houston? I wonder if he knows where the House of Blues is?

No promises, but the planets do seem to be aligning for something special in Houston that night.

Tickets $17.50-$55

Monday

Jay-Z, 7 p.m. at Toyota Center

I've seen a lot of shows at the Toyota Center, but none have been as loud, electric and ready to burst into pure energy as Jay-Z's set during his "Best of Both Worlds" tour just over five years ago.

When the whistling prelude and thumping bass loop of "Big Pimpin'" began to echo through the building, the returning roar from the audience made the place feel ready for liftoff.

He managed all that despite touring and traveling with a guy he can't stand—R. Kelly.

Imagine what will happen when he brings the beats on a tour of his liking, playing new hits like "Run This Town," and "Empire State of Mind," from former No. 1 album, The Blueprint 3.

If only Rihanna and Alicia Keys could be at the show to recreate their parts on those tracks.

Oh wait, Jay-Z is married to Beyoncé. Doesn't she live in Houston? I wonder if she knows where the Toyota Center is?

You getting the picture?

Tickets $49.50-$129.50