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.
Couvre La
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With loving protection
Guard your love
In every direction
[Chorus:]
Don't give up
For fear of rejection
Run away my sister and brother
Be afraid of love when the lover
[Verse 1:]
Tries to read the book by the cover
Wrapped up in the arms of another
[Chorus]
Don't give up
For fear of rejection
Stand your ground and voice an objection
Cover up prolonging the yearning
Just ahead the fires are burning VERSE 2
Swim for shore the tides are now turning
Love the ones you love with your learning
[Chorus]
Don't give up
For fear of rejection
Stand your ground and voice an objection
Look ahead the futures depending
On the brave to now start defending VERSE 3
Tell the world the message you're sending
We don't need an unhappy ending
[Chorus]
Don't give up
For fear of rejection
Stand your ground and voice an objection
Got to be safe if you want to be free BRIDGE
To sit in the shade of the family tree
[Verse 1:]
Tries to read the book by the cover
Wrapped up in the arms of another
[Chorus]
Don't give up
For fear of rejection
Stand your ground and voice an objection
Got to be safe if you want to be free
To sit in the shade of the family tree
The lyrics to UB40 and Nuttea's song "Couvre-la" are a call to protecting one's love and standing up for it. The chorus urges the listener to not give up due to fear of rejection and to voice their objections. The first verse uses the metaphor of reading a book by its cover to caution against being so wrapped up in the arms of another that one is blinded to the true nature of the relationship. The second verse encourages loving fearlessly and learning from past mistakes. The third verse calls for bravery in defending love and advocating for a better future.
The message of "Couvre-la" is one of self-love, honesty, and vulnerability. It highlights the importance of protecting oneself and one's relationships while also being willing to take risks in love. The song's title means "cover her" in French, which adds to the theme of protection.
Line by Line Meaning
Cover up
Protect yourself and your love
With loving protection
Use love as a shield
Guard your love
Protect your love
In every direction
From all angles
Don't give up
Don't quit
For fear of rejection
Because you're afraid of rejection
Stand your ground and voice an objection
Don't back down, speak up
Run away my sister and brother
Don't be afraid of love
Be afraid of love when the lover
Be cautious when someone is interested in you
Tries to read the book by the cover
Judges you by appearance
Wrapped up in the arms of another
Being held by someone else
Cover up prolonging the yearning
Hiding your feelings only makes them stronger
Just ahead the fires are burning
Trouble is coming
Swim for shore the tides are now turning
It's time to take action
Love the ones you love with your learning
Use your experiences to love better
Look ahead the futures depending
The future is in our hands
On the brave to now start defending
We must be brave to protect our future
Tell the world the message you're sending
Speak out, be heard
We don't need an unhappy ending
We don't want a bad outcome
Got to be safe if you want to be free
Protect yourself to have freedom
To sit in the shade of the family tree
To feel secure with family
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gensericaguidissou4947
J'ai le coeur meurtri,
Je n'ai plus de patrie,
Sinon celle d'un peuple banni
D'un système ou l' amour est un luxe
Sing UB40 Nuttea
Wouah Wouah try
Cover up with loving protection
Guard your love in every direction
Don't give up for fear of rejection
Stand your ground and voice an objection
Run away my sister and brother
Be afraid of love when the lover
Tries to read the book by the cover
Wrapped up in the arms of another
Cover up with loving protection
Guard your love in every direction
Don't give up for fear of rejection
Stand your ground and voice an objection
Cover up prolonging the yearning
Just ahead the fires are burning
Swim for shore the tides are now turning
Love the ones you love with your learning
Couvre là de toute ton affection
Protège là dans toute les directions
Garde là dans ses grandes ambitions
Ecoute là de toute ton attention
Les chants s'élèvent
Tels des oriflammes
Comme un message qui toucherait les âmes
La presse est là pour pourrir le drame
Mais qui se doute du piège qui se crame
Couvre là de toute ton affection
Protège là dans toute les directions
Garde là dans ses grandes ambitions
Ecoute là de toute ton attention
Nuttea UB40 exclusively
100 pour 100 raggae music pour la bonne cause
Got to be safe if you want to be free (Got to be safe if you want to be free)
To sit in the shade of the family tree (To sit in the shade of the family tree)
Je vois partir mes frères et mes soeurs
Et c'est comme toute une nation qui meurt
Que ma voix se fasse l'écho des pleurs
Ne laissons pas dominer nos peurs
Couvre là de toute ton affection
Protège là dans toute les directions
Garde là dans ses grandes ambitions
Ecoute là de toute ton attention
X3
Got to be safe if you want to be free (Got to be safe if you want to be free)
To sit in the shade of the family tree (To sit in the shade of the family tree)
Got to be safe if you want to be free (Got to be safe if you want to be free)
To sit in the shade of the family tree (Oh oh...)
Got to be safe if you want to be free (Got to be safe if you want to be free)
@eabdellatif
2020 et je l'ecoute encore. si vous en etes fan stationnez à coté de moi
@vainuitavi237
🤩2k21
@dox0wallisian933
Eh bon Dieuuuu je surkiff ce son, Svnr sur mon p'tit Fenua Uvea Fkgalogata'a 🥺🔥🔥🤍🤍🌺
@marceltiemtore8692
J'ai chanté avec mes élèves cette chanson et ce fut un grand moment d'émotion
@tonydeuuz8904
❤️❤️❤️
@TheLoulounedu13
👍👍👍
@cedricm.2813
UB40 my group. I still keep the cassette I was playing when I was a kid.
@tetuarevafaehau2954
🎼 Couvre-la de toute ton affection 🎶
Protège-la dans toutes les directions ❤
✊ Garde-la dans ses grandes ambitions 🎶
Écoute-la de toute ton attention 💘
@jerabinka3839
May 2019 30 yrs older, still love UB40!!!!
@KingMyron23
Same here from the corner of the pacific. One love!