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.
Come Back Darling
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give me another try
I'll make you satisfied
Come back darling
Give me another try
Don't you know, I need you badly
And I'll give my poor heart gladly
I need your love like roses need the rain
Don't let me cry in pain
Come back darling
Give me another try
I'll make you satisfied
Come back darling
Give me another try
I'll make you satisfied
Can't you see the love still burning
Please return, relieve my yearning
A day without you is like a year of emptiness
Please return and bring me happiness
Come back darling
Give me another try
I'll make you satisfied
Come back darling
Give me another try
I'll make you satisfied
Come back darling
Give me another try
I'll make you satisfied
UB40's song Come Back Darling is a heartfelt plea from a lover to his partner who has left him. The song is an expression of his desperation and his promise to make things right if she would just come back to him. Throughout the song, the singer tries to woo his lover back, promising to satisfy her and make her happy. He reveals that he needs her love badly and that a day without her is like a year of emptiness. The lyrics of the song are full of emotion and express the pain, longing, and sadness that are typical of a love song.
The chorus of the song "Come back darling, give me another try, I'll make you satisfied" is repeated several times throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's desire for his lover to return to him. The verses have a distinct rhyming pattern that adds to the lyrical impact of the song. The use of the simile "I need your love like roses need the rain" is a classic example of a comparison that helps to amplify the singer's emotions. The song ultimately ends with the singer's plea for his lover to come back and give him another try.
Line by Line Meaning
Come back darling
The singer is pleading for their beloved to return to them.
Give me another try
The singer is asking for another opportunity to make their beloved happy.
I'll make you satisfied
The singer promises to do everything in their power to please their beloved.
Don't you know, I need you badly
The artist communicates how much they desire to be with their beloved.
And I'll give my poor heart gladly
The artist is willing to give their heart and all their love to their beloved.
I need your love like roses need the rain
The singer communicates how integral their beloved's love is to their existence.
Don't let me cry in pain
The singer fears that they will suffer if their beloved doesn't return.
Can't you see the love still burning
The artist communicates how their love for their beloved still exists and is strong.
Please return, relieve my yearning
The artist pleads for their beloved to help them quell their longing.
A day without you is like a year of emptiness
The artist communicates how bleak their life feels without their beloved.
Please return and bring me happiness
The singer communicates how much they believe their beloved is the key to their happiness.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOHNNY OSBOURNE, WINSTON RILEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@erickflash2546
Rest in peace my brother Chris you introduced me to this band in 1990s while I was in primary school in Nairobi kenya
@TheEddielomax
Hey
Sad to hear
Nobody should go trough such !
Take care brother 😟
@larrygyan3075
one of the best British bands of all time.......love UB40
@nicksomebody9532
Also one of the best Reggae bands of all time! 😎
@jordanallen1301
This songs older than me, UB40 are the only band I've known my WHOLE family to enjoy, a genre of their own!
@ivanmuwanguzi8243
Jordan Allen that was pure reggae
@ZachKopkaZake
You know this is johnny osbourne song right? Many versions...way tighter than this one
@dan5156
these people are from another planet....the way they hit the instruments plus the vocals is fascinating
@ronivalp
The Best Band of Reggae of the Planet. Come Back UB40, Please
@reti_cxlt
Legend always brings the vibe 2023 😢🥹