MacIntosh wrote the song "Give, Give, Give" and asked Paul Hardcastle to produce the song with him. Walsh and Hardcastle sent MacIntosh a demo of the song and it was then agreed to use the song to move ahead with the project. Phil Fearon, MacIntosh's the Cool Notes, Mel & Kim and Hazell Dean were some of the British dance and soul acts involved, alongside comedian Lenny Henry. American acts such as Jean Carne, Odyssey, Steve Mancha, Kenny G and Edwin Starr also took part.
The first version was released in the autumn of 1986 under the name Disco Aid. It was a minor hit on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 85.
In 1987, the song was re-produced together with British producers Stock Aitken Waterman. This time it was released under the act name Dance Aid. Other participants included Sinitta, Ruby Turner and Pepsi & Shirlie. It failed to chart in the UK, but was a top 40 hit in Belgium.