Songfacts®:

• Written by the Isleys as a group effort, this song is an open-hearted call for equality across the planet. Guitarist and principle lyricist, Ernie Isley, told Uncut: "Harvest For The World refers to a peaceful gathering where every human being is invited, and where no-one will be hindered in any way from participating."
  
  Keyboardist Chris Jasper added: "At that time, Vietnam had just ended, a lot of people were still missing in action, the economy wasn't great. It was like it is now, there was a big difference between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots.' That's kind of what this song is talking about, asking a rhetorical question, 'When will there be a harvest for the world?' When will there a time that people have an equal share of what's going on, when will they have equality in their lives? Basically we know – the return of Christ, that's when it's going to be, because he's a God of equality so that's when it will ultimately occur. But the song is just asking that question."
• A cover released by Liverpool group The Christians reached #8 in the UK in 1988, two places higher than the original. All proceeds from their version went to charity.
• The Christians' version featured an animated video created by four leading animation companies, including Aardman of Wallace and Gromit fame, which won several awards.