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.
Bring It On Home To Me
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
About leaving, leaving me behind
Baby bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring It On Home To Me yea
(yeh) yeh (yeh) yeh (yeh)
I know I laughed when I left
But now I know I only hurt myself
Bring your sweet loving
Bring It On Home To Me yea
(yeh) yeh (yeh) yeh (yeh)
Ill give you jewelry and money too
That aint all, all Id do for you
If you bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring It On Home To Me yea
(yeh) yeh (yeh) yeh (yeh)
You know Ill always be your slave
The lyrics of Bring It On Home to Me by UB40 express the idea of a man pleading desperately with his partner not to leave him. He is aware of the mistake he has made in laughing when he left before and now wants her to know that he only hurt himself in the process. He is willing to make amends by offering her jewelry, money, and anything else she wants, as long as she brings her sweet loving back to him. The man acknowledges her power over him by saying that he will always be her slave.
The tone of the song is soulful, profound and shows vulnerability in the man's character. His deep yearning to be reconciled with his lover is evident in the passion he puts into the song. The first two lines, in particular, bring out the feeling of desperation, as he tells his partner that he wants her to bring her love back to him. The repetition of the phrase "Bring it on home to me" throughout the song emphasizes the urgency of the man's plea.
Line by Line Meaning
If you ever change your mind
If you reconsider and decide not to leave me
About leaving, leaving me behind
About ending our relationship and leaving me alone
Baby bring it to me
Come back to me and give our relationship another chance
Bring your sweet loving
Bring back the affection and care you used to show me
Bring It On Home To Me yea (yeh) yeh (yeh) yeh (yeh)
Bring your love back to me, yeah yeah yeah
I know I laughed when I left
I thought leaving you was a joke and didn't realize how much it would hurt
But now I know I only hurt myself
Now I realize that my decision to leave hurt me more than it hurt you
Ill give you jewelry and money too
I am willing to offer you material things as a way of showing my love and remorse
That aint all, all Id do for you
I am willing to do more than just offer gifts to win back your love
If you bring it to me
If you come back to me and give me another chance
Bring your sweet loving
Bring back the love and tenderness we once shared
Bring It On Home To Me yea (yeh) yeh (yeh) yeh (yeh)
Bring your love back to me, yeah yeah yeah
You know Ill always be your slave
I am willing to do anything to make you happy and keep you by my side
Writer(s): Sam Cooke
Contributed by Ella B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Josh Shields
Yet another great cover for ub40 can listen to them all day,what a voice what a group,but sadly will never be the same now Ali Campbell has gone👍
Paul Simpson
7¹❤0⁰⁰w1q00
Claudia Gal
Love very much this song 💖💖💖
Olga Knybel
They still sound amazing in concert, 2018!!❤️
Mercy Ngan-Woo
2022 & this beautiful music lyrics still hit a soft spot!
Black Arse
I love this version. This song is my chill out song. ❤️ When I'm frustrated angry this song is what I listern to to bring me back down to earth. ❤️😊❤️😊❤️😊. And I'm here today to listern to this song cause Iv got anger issues.
Tel Beent
My fav band for over 40 years...never get bored ...especially after a few rum and cokes...
Towfique Nowshad
Regardless of the lead singer ,their music has been always fantastic.
Levantine
Excellent version, Sam Cooke would be proud, rest in peace forever x
tracy ayers
This song is a tune I love ub40 songs they are great