The Concerned – ‘Show Some Concern’

30 March 1985

Like the local versions of Bake Off or Strictly that are never as good as the real thing, when Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ became such a huge UK chart hit, other countries had to have their go. Of this global Eurovision of copycat charity singles, we’ll come to the best known next. Before that, here’s Ireland’s effort, a real ‘who’s that’ of the ’80s Irish music scene.

First, the positives. Paul Cleary gets to write and sing on an Irish number one single. The lyrics go for a commendable angle: instead of hand-wringing and guilt, let’s show some genuine concern for our fellow human beings. It has a memorable chorus. And there are ear-catching contributions by singers who wouldn’t normally be heard on pop records: country ‘n’ Irish troubadour Ray Lynam, cabaret trouper Red Hurley and trad balladeer Maura O’Connell have especially strong and likeable voices on this. The movers behind ‘Show Some Concern’ really should have leaned into that novelty concept a bit more.

As for the negatives, it starts with a cheesy MT-USA saxophone before switching rails to a cheesier reggae riff that overpowers the rest of the track. No internationally-known names like U2, Bob Geldof, Rory Gallagher or Phil Lynott, so the starlight here is dim; the group singalong at the end reveals such pop stars as Pat Kenny. Of the soloists, both Twink and Maxi emote gloopily straight to camera, thereby killing the recording studio vibe that gives the Band Aid video its ragged charm. Christy Moore is barely able to sing his line.

Before I leave ‘Show Some Concern’ behind me forever, I’ll say one other thing in its favour. It is light years ahead of the appalling attempt from Canada, ‘Tears Are Not Enough’ by a collective of Canuck stars called Northern Lights. If you’re feeling brave, look it up online. On a record featuring A-list songwriters like Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, guess which useless Canadian rocker actually wrote it.