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.
Cherry Oh Baby
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cherry oh, cherry oh, baby
Don't you know I'm in love with you
If you don't believe it's true
What else is there for me to do?
Look how long I've been waiting
For you to come right in
And now that we are together
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Cherry, oh, cherry, oh, baby
Don't you see I'm in love with you?
If you don't believe I do
Then why don't you try me?
I will never let you down
I will never make you wear no frown
If you say that you love me madly
Well babe I'll accept you gladly
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh Cherry, oh, cherry, oh, baby
Don't you see I'm in love with you?
If you don't believe I do
Then why don't you try me?
I will never let you down
I will never make you wear no frown
If you say that you love me madly
Well babe I'll accept you gladly
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah,yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah,yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah,yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah,yeah
The lyrics to UB40's song "Cherry Oh Baby" describe the singer's love and devotion to their romantic partner. The repeated "Cherry oh, cherry oh, baby" serves as a term of endearment, expressing the singer's affection for their lover. The lyrics implore the lover to believe in the singer's love for them and to reciprocate those feelings. The singer has been waiting for their lover to come into their life, and now that they are together, the singer wants them to make all their joys come over.
The second verse expresses the singer's commitment to their lover. If their lover chooses to love them, the singer promises to never let them down or make them wear a frown. The tone of the song is optimistic and determined, with the singer asking their lover to trust them and give them a chance to prove their love.
Overall, "Cherry Oh Baby" is a classic love song that expresses the depths of romantic feelings and the desire for a reciprocal relationship based on trust and commitment.
Line by Line Meaning
Cherry oh, cherry oh, baby
Addressing the person they love and expressing affection with the repetition of their nickname, Cherry oh baby.
Don't you know I'm in love with you
Asking if Cherry can see and understand their deep love for them.
If you don't believe it's true
Acknowledging the possibility that Cherry may not believe their love is genuine.
What else is there for me to do?
Asking what other actions they can take to prove their love if Cherry doesn't believe their words.
Look how long I've been waiting
Expressing the time and patience they have put into waiting for Cherry to reciprocate their love.
For you to come right in
Waiting for Cherry to enter their life.
And now that we are together
Acknowledging that they are currently in a relationship with Cherry.
Please make all my joys come over
Asking Cherry to bring happiness and positivity into their relationship.
If you don't believe I do
Repeating the acknowledgement that Cherry may doubt their love.
Then why don't you try me?
Inviting Cherry to test their love and see that it is genuine.
I will never let you down
Promising to never disappoint or hurt Cherry.
I will never make you wear no frown
Promising to always bring happiness and positivity to Cherry's life.
If you say that you love me madly
If Cherry also has strong feelings of love, they will happily accept and reciprocate those feelings.
Well babe I'll accept you gladly
Expressing their willingness to accept and love Cherry no matter what.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Continuing the repetitive, joyful tone of the song and expressing excitement.
Yeah, yeah, yeah,yeah
Continuing the repetitive, joyful tone of the song and expressing excitement.
Yeah, yeah, yeah,yeah
Continuing the repetitive, joyful tone of the song and expressing excitement.
Yeah, yeah, yeah,yeah
Continuing the repetitive, joyful tone of the song and expressing excitement.
Yeah, yeah, yeah,yeah
Continuing the repetitive, joyful tone of the song and expressing excitement.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ERIC DONALDSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jennygraham5797
This song reminds me of my dad, he used to always play this song as he cooked dinner. He passed from cancer a few years ago and all I want to listen to, are the songs he used to love. This is definitely one of those ❤️ if ur reading this then thank you and I truely hope you find happiness after losing someone you loved. The pain never goes away but it kind of gets easier with time. One Love peeps ❤️
@jasminemsuya7311
Im so sorry for your loss. May you find strength every time you listen to this song. Im sending you love❣️❣️❣️
@Bollthorn
My condolences for your loss. Just know your dad is smiling down at you from somewhere beyond the veil. I hope this song fills you with the same joy now as it did then ❤
@jennygraham5797
Thankyou deeply ❤
@jennasilson4572
Absolutely beautiful babe hope you find peace babe
@sarahellis3908
❤️♥️🙏🏼
@MpumiVilakazi
Dad used to play this when taking me to day care, now I am 32 and still play it till this day. UB40 MUST COME TO SOUTH AFRICA PLEASE!!!!!!
@abomu5353
Not sure the band is still on...
@scifyry
When I was ten, I heard "Red, Red Wine" on the radio and mowed a few yards so I could get the album it was on (Labour of Love I think). The bad thing was that my mom would take it half the time so she could listen to it at work LOL. My mom passed away two years ago but UB40 always reminds me of her and how we shared our love for the band.
@superwout
+scifyry my condolences