Simon hopes his song beats 'We Are the World'

Posted: Feb 6, 2010 8:50 AM by MSNBC

Not even a good cause can quell Simon Cowell's competitive drive. The "American Idol" judge and music exec recently coordinated an all-star single to benefit Haitian earthquake victims. Now he's ready to take on his next challenge: ensuring that his production of R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts," featuring Susan Boyle, Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus and many others, outsells Quincy Jones' new star-studded rendition of "We Are the World."

"Simon is competitive about everything he does," a friend revealed to PopEater.com. "He has to clean his teeth better than anyone, he has to earn more money than anyone - and he is determined that his single to benefit Haiti has to outsell Quincy Jones' record."

Of course, in the case of a charity challenge, a good-natured contest simply means more of a good thing. But Cowell's quick to admit crushing the competition is just as important to him with or without a cause.

"I don't like the idea that other people in this business might be doing better than me," Cowell confessed in an interview with New! Magazine. "That really bugs me - I mean really bugs me. If you are happy to see someone who does the same thing as you do well - even someone within your own company - then you haven't got it, it's as simple as that!"