Always There
UB40 Lyrics


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I'm running away
I've got to get home
I'm lost in a crowd
But I'm still on my own
I'm looking ahead
So I'm staying behind
I'm not being cruel
I'm just being kind
I close my eyes
It's no surprise
I'm always there
Can't count the times
I've tried to hide
And found nowhere

I'm trying to lay low
But I keep getting high
My feet on the ground
Got my head in the sky
My eye on the future
That's stuck in the past
I find I can't lose
When I aim to come last

I realize
It's no surprise
That nothing's clear
That black is white
That day is night
And there is here

I'm right on the ball
But I'm missing the mark
I burn in the sun
I'm scared of the dark
Got an ivory tower
With a bird's eye view
Got plenty of time
But nothing to do

The best disguise
It's no surprise
Is disappear
Can't count the times
I've tried to hide
And found nowhere

I'm running away
I've got to get home
I'm lost in a crowd
But I'm still on my own
I'm looking ahead
So I'm staying behind
I'm not being cruel
I'm just being kind

I realize
It's no surprise
That nothing's clear
That black is white
That day is night
And there is here

The best disguise
It's no surprise
Is disappear
Can't count the times
I've tried to hide
And found nowhere

I close my eyes
It's no surprise
I'm always there
Can't count the times
I've tried to hide
And found nowhere

I realize
It's no surprise
That nothing's clear
That black is white
That day is night
And there is here

The best disguise
It's no surprise
Is disappear
Can't count the times




I've tried to hide
And found nowhere

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to UB40's song Always There are about feeling lost and disconnected from the world, despite being surrounded by people. The first verse describes the singer trying to find their way home but feeling lost in a crowd. They are torn between wanting to move forward and needing to stay behind. The chorus reflects the theme of feeling lost and invisible, with the singer expressing that they are "always there" but still unable to be seen. The second verse continues with the theme of feeling like an outsider, with the singer trying to keep a low profile but always ending up standing out. They feel both stuck in the past and focused on the future, unable to find a clear path. The best disguise, as the chorus repeats, is disappearing because there seems to be nowhere to hide.


The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and loneliness, with the singer feeling like they don't belong anywhere. Despite their efforts to fit in, they still feel detached and invisible. This can be interpreted as a commentary on the human experience of feeling lost or disconnected, even in the midst of a crowd. The lyrics capture a sense of longing for something that feels out of reach, despite efforts to attain it.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm running away
I'm trying to escape from my problems


I've got to get home
I want to return to a place of comfort and familiarity


I'm lost in a crowd
I feel anonymous and unimportant in a large group of people


But I'm still on my own
Even though I'm surrounded by others, I still feel lonely


I'm looking ahead
I'm focused on the future


So I'm staying behind
I'm not taking any risks to move forward


I'm not being cruel
I'm not intentionally hurting anyone


I'm just being kind
I'm prioritizing the feelings of others over my own desires


I close my eyes
I'm escaping reality for a moment


It's no surprise
My actions and feelings are expected


I'm always there
I'm always present, even when I try to hide


Can't count the times
I've tried to escape my problems many times


And found nowhere
I can't find a safe place to hide from my problems


I'm trying to lay low
I'm trying to avoid attention


But I keep getting high
I keep getting caught up in excitement and losing sight of my goals


My feet on the ground
I'm practical and realistic


Got my head in the sky
I'm dreaming big and hoping for a better future


My eye on the future
I'm focused on my goals ahead


That's stuck in the past
I can't move forward because I'm holding onto the past


I find I can't lose
I feel like I can't fail


When I aim to come last
When I put other's needs before my own desires, I end up winning


That nothing's clear
I'm confused and uncertain about the future


That black is white
I'm experiencing a lot of contradictions and confusion


That day is night
I'm experiencing the unexpected and unexplainable


And there is here
I feel disoriented and lost


I'm right on the ball
I'm confident and capable


But I'm missing the mark
I'm not achieving the results I want, despite my efforts


I burn in the sun
I'm uncomfortable in direct attention and criticism


I'm scared of the dark
I'm afraid of the unknown


Got an ivory tower
I have a position of privilege and power


With a bird's eye view
I have a broad perspective and can see things clearly


Got plenty of time
I have a lot of freedom to do whatever I want


But nothing to do
I'm bored and unfulfilled


The best disguise
The best way to escape my problems


Is disappear
Is to leave and go unnoticed




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JIM BROWN, ALI CAMPBELL, ROBIN CAMPBELL, EARL FALCONER, NORMAN HASSAN, BRIAN TRAVERS, MICHAEL VIRTUE, TERRENCE OSWALD WILSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Vailima49 Aston

I love this track UB40 Forever!!! Love from Samoa 🇼🇸

GeorgeV. Illustrations

I`m pretty sad, honestly...I grew up with these folks, and I remember my childhood and my parents that were once young, and now now I see them old, like the band members. Everything comes to an end, sadly, and I`m also sad cause Brian and Astro are gone, and Ali left alone...I really hope to resolve their differences and make some last shows together, remembering the bright past.

Kelly Trueman

It is sad!!

Isabel Rey

Exactly.They all together are unique. This band is not the same being separated.😢 I wish the same to be in a concert with them all together.

Dalia Moreno

I love this song, increíble to see Brian here and in the last shows looked so different, I’ll miss you Brian, Astro and Ali came back please guys resolve the problems

Daniela A. Rodriguez

Love this ♥♥♥

Sorin George Casandroiu

Este o melodie pentru toate verile care au trecut și care vor fi ever and ever

Yovanny Almanzar

Excelente Melodia.

RoseQuartz

I love this ...played often
Rip BT and Astro x

Lee Williams

Bloody like this song

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