The band, from London, UK, started out as The Dave Clark Quintet in 1957, with Dave Clark on drums, Dave Sanford on lead guitar, Chris Walls on bass, Don Vale on piano (and arranger) and a saxophone player. By 1962, the band had changed its name to The Dave Clark Five and settled on the line-up that continued until the band called it a day in 1970: Dave Clark (drums, vocals; born December 15, 1939), Lenny Davidson (guitar; born May 30, 1944), Rick Huxley (bass; born August 5, 1942; died February 11, 2013), Denis Payton (saxes, harmonica, vocals; born August 11, 1943, died December 17, 2006), Mike Smith (keyboards, vocals; born December 6, 1943, died February 28, 2008).
Between 1964 and 1967, the band had 17 records in the US Billboard Top 40, with 12 Top 40 United Kingdom hits.
The DC5 disbanded in 1970, having placed three singles on the UK chart that year, two of which reached the Top Ten. That same year, Davidson, Huxley and Payton left and Alan Parker and Eric Ford joined on lead guitar and bass; this line-up, renamed "Dave Clark & Friends", lasted until 1973.
Concentration Baby
The Dave Clark Five Lyrics
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(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Ahh! that's what you need
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Concentration baby
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) That's what you need
Can't you feel what I'm tryin' to do
I'm tryin' to get through to you
Won't you listen carefully
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Concentration baby
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Got-ta got-ta got-ta see
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Concentration baby
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Ahh! that's what you need
Everything that I do
Never seem to get through to you
Keep your mind open, let me know
If you feel somethin' baby, mmm, let it show
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Concentration baby
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Ahh! that's what you need
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Concentration baby
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Got-ta got-ta got-ta
Really try hard, baby I know
Pretty soon it's gonna have to show
Concentration pays in the end
Then you and me, honey child, won't have to pretend, no!
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Concentration baby
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Ahh! that's what you need
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Concentration baby
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Mmm, got to, got to
I'll tell you one more time baby
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Concentration baby
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Ahh! that's what you need
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Concentration baby
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) That's what you need
The lyrics to The Dave Clark Five's song Concentration Baby is about trying to communicate with a lover who seems distant and unresponsive. The singer is urging the lover to concentrate and pay attention to what he is saying in order for them to understand each other better. He implores the lover to open their mind and let him know if they feel something, suggesting that they both need to be more aware of their individual thoughts and feelings. The singer believes that concentration is a necessary element for understanding and communication in a relationship, and that it will eventually pay off in the end.
Overall, the song has a sense of urgency and frustration as the singer tries to reach out to the lover who seems distant and unresponsive. Yet, there is also a sense of hope that if they both concentrate and communicate better, they can find a way to be together authentically.
Line by Line Meaning
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Concentration baby
The singer is urging someone to concentrate
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Ahh! that's what you need
Concentration is exactly what the person needs
(Hey-eh-eh-eh) Got-ta got-ta got-ta see
The person needs to really see the importance of concentration
Can't you feel what I'm tryin' to do
The singer is trying to convey an important message
I'm tryin' to get through to you
The singer is trying to communicate with the person and make them understand
Won't you listen carefully
The singer is asking the person to pay close attention
Tell me baby, whatcha here to see
The singer is asking the person what they hope to accomplish
Everything that I do
The singer is putting in a lot of effort
Never seem to get through to you
The person is not understanding the message
Keep your mind open, let me know
The singer is encouraging the person to be receptive to the message
If you feel somethin' baby, mmm, let it show
The person should be open and honest about their feelings
Really try hard, baby I know
The singer knows it's difficult, but it's worth the effort
Pretty soon it's gonna have to show
The results will start to become apparent
Concentration pays in the end
Focusing on one thing will yield good results
Then you and me, honey child, won't have to pretend, no!
Once the person understands the message, they won't have to pretend anymore
I'll tell you one more time baby
The singer is re-emphasizing the importance of concentration
That's what you need
Concentration is what the person needs to succeed
Contributed by Lincoln B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.