The band is one of the most culturally diverse dub Ska bands with musicians of English, Scottish, Irish, Yemeni and Jamaican parentage. The band is named from the paper form issued by the UK government's Department of Health and Social Security at the time of the band's formation for claiming unemployment benefit (UB40 = Unemployment Benefit, Form 40).
UB40 were influenced by the many Blues Parties they attended as teenagers in the multiracial Balsall Heath area of Birmingham, their love of ska and reggae inspired such original tracks as King, Madam Medusa, Food for Thought, Signing Off and One in Ten.
Their early music style was unique, with a heavy influence of analogue synthesizers, psychedelic rock guitar, saxophone and dub producer techniques which were later perfected by the late Pablo Falconer.
Ali and Robin Campbell have a musical heritage, being sons of Ian Campbell, a folk musician.
The band purchased its first instruments with compensation money Ali Campbell received after a bar fight. They have had a number of hits, most commercially and to amusement of the band, "Red Red Wine", a cover version of a Neil Diamond song (in an arrangement similar to that of Tony Tribe's version). Their most successful single release is the cover of the Elvis Presley ballad Can't Help Falling In Love which was intended to be the main title to the 1992 Sharon Stone movie Sliver and was a Number One hit across Europe and in the U.S.
Many of UB40's recordings were inspired by 1960s ska and early lovers rock songs that would have otherwise been forgotten in the public eye. Their new injection of life into so many old Jamaican hits has resulted in many musicians' and producers' renewed popularity and income.
UB40's early music often tackled social issues such as racism and unemployment.
Other artists that UB40 have collaborated with include: Pato Banton, Madness, Bitty McLean, Chrissie Hynde, Robert Palmer, Hunterz, Japanese artist Mikidozan, French artist Nuttea, Lady Saw and Afrika Bambaataa.
'Cause It Isn't True
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wouldn't that make me a better man
Elocution class to lend a hand
Get me a self-improvement plan
I don't know, it seems to me
Things I do best come easily
I don't feel the need to say to you
Exquisite verse to higher the tone
Performed in phrases not my own
To hide the truth to I'll tell a lie
With pictures from another's eye
I don't know, it seems to me
Things I do best come easily
I don't feel the need to say to you
I'm better 'cause it isn't true
If I sport the latest cut of cloth
Would you all assume I'd got some style
And wear my hair just long enough
To turn the heads of fashion for a while
A sports car sexy, slimline, fast
Quick enough to hide my past
Rich enough to open doors
I never could unlock before
I don't know, it seems to me
Things I do best come easily
I don't feel the need to say to you
I'm better 'cause it isn't true
The lyrics of "Cause It Isn't True" by UB40 is about society's obsession with appearances and how people often use material possessions, pretentious language or lies to portray themselves as better or more sophisticated than they are. The first verse is about how some people try to elevate their status by using big words or trying to sound intelligent, but in reality, it doesn't make them a better person. The second verse talks about how some people use fancy language and phrases to appear more cultured and sophisticated than they really are.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that the things one does best come naturally, without the need to try and prove anything to anyone. The last verse talks about the material possessions one can acquire to give the impression of having more wealth or status than is actually the case. The lyrics suggest that these symbols of success are not needed to be a better person, and in fact, they can often lead to a sense of emptiness and lack of fulfillment.
Overall, the song is a critique of society's obsession with appearance and material wealth, and a call to be true to oneself, and not to try and be something that we're not.
Line by Line Meaning
If I spoke in words you didn't understand
If I purposely used complex words to make myself sound smarter
Wouldn't that make me a better man
Does it not seem like I am an improved person because of the words I use?
Elocution class to lend a hand
Improving my pronunciation skills through lessons
Get me a self-improvement plan
Striving to enhance my abilities and personality
Exquisite verse to higher the tone
Using sophisticated sentences to sound more refined
Performed in phrases not my own
Reciting words that are not mine to appear more well-read
To hide the truth to I'll tell a lie
Lying to conceal my real self
With pictures from another's eye
Using imagery passed on to me from someone else to paint a fabricated picture
If I sport the latest cut of cloth
If I wear fashionable clothing
Would you all assume I'd got some style
Would you judge me as stylish based on my outfit?
And wear my hair just long enough
Maintaining a hair length trendy at the time
To turn the heads of fashion for a while
To draw attention from fashion forward individuals
A sports car sexy, slimline, fast
A flashy, sleek, high speed sports car
Quick enough to hide my past
Fast enough to evade my previous life's complications
Rich enough to open doors
Wealthy enough to attain opportunities that once lay out of reach
I never could unlock before
The ones that I couldn't access in the past
I don't know, it seems to me
I'm uncertain, but it appears as though
Things I do best come easily
The skills I excel in come instinctively to me
I don't feel the need to say to you
It's not necessary for me to express to you
I'm better 'cause it isn't true
That I am superior because that's not reality
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Agalava Tiumalu
One of my favorite song ❤❤❤👌
Maira Camargo
Todavía la escucho en el 2020...
Simione Balenivalu
love this album of UB40
lee moran
Better live , one of the best bands i've seen live
Claudia Gal
Love this💙💙💙
TheCongenital
love this song........
Vada Pilgram
I love this
Fire Dice
love UB40. this crying out for a speed garage mix watch this space!
Nisar Nav
Love the bongo in the background
Michael Dobson
Banger this is chav