As lead singer with the world-renowned group UB40, Ali Campbell has sold over 60 million records worldwide, toured across the globe, notched up four number No. 1 world-wide singles, over 40 Top 40 UK singles, released 18 studio albums and received an Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement. At this years Grammy awards UB40 were nominated for best reggae album, for their most recent album released in 2006.
A whole generation has grown up listening to Ali’s infectious vocals on classics like “One in Ten”, “Red Red Wine”, “Don’t Break My Heart” and “Can’t Help Falling In Love”. Ali has stayed true to his love of reggae and its ongoing capacity for innovation. The music that first inspired him has never lost its edge or vitality, and sharing this belief, there are still eight original band members of UB40 performing today.
Ali has recently completed a new solo album featuring special guest artists, with Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, which is due for release in October 2007.
Reggae Music
Ali Campbell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Anytime we play you know they just can't refuse it
Over other type of music their gonna choose it
People all around the world love reggae music
Come on come on let the action begin
We love to party and party again
Go tell your family go tell your friends
The party don't stop till it ends
Cool people everywhere love rock steady
Anytime we play you know the people are ready
See the baldhead sight the natty dready
All the man dem love rock steady
All cool people love the reggae vibe
Drums and bass make you glad to be alive
Don't worry bout the motion come enjoy the ride
Cool people everywhere love the reggae vibe
All the gyal them love rub a dub
Play it in a party bust it in a club
With a dutty bassline that a what them love
All the gyal them love rub a dub
Come on come on let the action begin
We love to party and party again
Go tell your family go tell your friends
The party don't stop till the music ends
All cool people love reggae music
Anytime we play you know they just can't refuse it
Over other type of music their gonna choose is
People all around the world love reggae music
The lyrics to Ali Campbell's song "Reggae Music" celebrate the universal appeal and rhythmic power of reggae music. The song opens with the declaration "All cool people love reggae music," emphasizing the sense of communal belonging and shared enthusiasm that defines reggae's culture. The upbeat tone, reinforced by the repeated invitation to party, reflects the contagious joy and sense of liberation that reggae music inspires in its listeners.
The lyrics also point out the distinctiveness of reggae within the music industry, as it is preferred over other music genres. The lines "Anytime we play you know they just can't refuse it/Over other type of music they're gonna choose it" alludes to the fact that reggae is the preferred music of choice for most people around the world. The lyrics also highlight the reggae sub-genres, referencing rock steady and rub a dub, which further emphasizes the stylistic variety within the genre. Overall, the song celebrates the global reach and enduring power of reggae music.
Line by Line Meaning
All cool people love reggae music
People who are considered cool love reggae music.
Anytime we play you know they just can't refuse it
Whenever reggae music is played, cool people cannot resist dancing to it.
Over other type of music their gonna choose it
Cool people will always choose reggae music over any other type of music.
People all around the world love reggae music
Reggae music is loved by people from all over the world.
Come on come on let the action begin
Let's start dancing to the reggae music.
We love to party and party again
We enjoy dancing to reggae music.
Go tell your family go tell your friends
Spread the word about the fun we're having dancing to reggae music.
The party don't stop till it ends
We will keep dancing to reggae music until it stops playing.
Cool people everywhere love rock steady
People who are considered cool love the rock steady genre of reggae music.
Anytime we play you know the people are ready
Whenever rock steady is played, people are ready to dance to it.
See the baldhead sight the natty dready
People with different hairstyles (bald and dreadlocked) all love rock steady.
All the man dem love rock steady
Men also love rock steady music.
All cool people love the reggae vibe
Cool people love the overall feeling and sound of reggae music.
Drums and bass make you glad to be alive
The drum and bass elements of reggae music bring a feeling of joy and liveliness.
Don't worry bout the motion come enjoy the ride
Don't stress about dancing perfectly, just enjoy dancing to reggae music.
Cool people everywhere love the reggae vibe
Cool people love the overall feeling and sound of reggae music across the world.
All the gyal them love rub a dub
Women love the rub a dub subgenre of reggae music.
Play it in a party bust it in a club
Rub a dub music is fun to play at parties and clubs.
With a dutty bassline that a what them love
The dirty, heavy basslines present in rub a dub music are especially popular with women.
Writer(s): ROBIN CAMPBELL, TERRENCE OSWALD WILSON, JIM BROWN, BRIAN TRAVERS, ALI CAMPBELL, MICHAEL VIRTUE, NORMAN HASSAN, EARL FALCONER
Contributed by Julia V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.