"This Is the World Calling" by Bob Geldoff

Song#:  2963
Date:  12/13/1986
Debut:  97
Peak:  82
Weeks:  6
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  With his charitable projects such as Live Aid in the rearview mirror, Geldoff decided to return to music. However, he wanted to do it on his own and left behind The Boomtown Rats, the band he led and co-founded. Geldoff wrote songs for a solo debut that would be titled Deep in the Heart of Nowhere. He would work with producer Rupert Hine on the album and for this lead single he would get writing assistance from Eurythmics' Dave Stewart. The track would make a minor impact at Rock getting to #23. It would cross over to the Pop chart, but the tune wouldn't stick around for long. A second single, "Love Like a Rocket," wouldn't chart. Without much to promote it, the album stalled at a low #130.

ReduxReview:  Even though Geldoff's name became recognized worldwide due to his charitable ventures, it didn't necessarily lead to folks being interested in his music. He still needed a solid performing single to draw folks in and help sell albums. Even with the all-star help (see below), this just wasn't the song to do it. I actually thought it was a good effort. I like the Dave Stewart influence and the production is pretty sweet. Geldof doesn't necessarily have a good voice, but he doesn't sound too bad on the track. The tune is Euro-flavored and that probably didn't help it here in the States, although it wasn't a major hit in the UK either only getting to #25. I wouldn't peg this for a major hit, but it could have done better on the chart.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Thanks to Dave Stewart's involvement on this track with songwriting and production (along with some help from Jimmy Iovine on production), a few guest stars show up singing background vocals. Foremost is Annie Lennox, Stewart's partner in Eurythmics. Also on board was Alison Moyet and Lone Justice's Maria McKee. Other big names appeared on the LP as well including Bono, Jools Holland, Brian Setzer, Midge Ure, and Eric Clapton who provided guitar work on a couple of tracks including the second single "Love Like a Rocket."

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