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.
Dream A Lie
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why do I have to dream of you when I don't want to dream a lie?
There never was a better time
For trying to set the words to rhyme
Of when a golden love turns blue
And dreams of dreams that won't come true
We're still together just the same
A lonely room, an empty bed
It always seems that way
The lyrics to UB40's song, Dream A Lie, are a reflection on the pain of unrequited love. The singer is tormented by thoughts of their former lover and cannot seem to escape the memories of their time together. The opening lines pose a rhetorical question, "Why do I have to dream of you when I don't want to dream a lie?" which sets the tone for the whole song. The singer is struggling to come to terms with a breakup, and is forced to confront the fact that their dreams of reconciliation are just that - dreams.
The next two lines, "There never was a better time / For trying to set the words to rhyme" suggest that the singer is trying to find the right words to express their feelings. They are grappling with their emotions and are trying to make sense of what has happened. This is further reinforced in the following lines, "Of when a golden love turns blue / And dreams of dreams that won't come true." The singer is mourning the loss of a once-happy relationship, and the impossibility of reviving it.
As the song progresses, the singer admits to calling out their lover's name every night, even though they are no longer together. This highlights the emotional turmoil the singer is experiencing as they cannot seem to let go of their feelings. The final lines, "A lonely room, an empty bed / It always seems that way," underscore the singer's sense of isolation and loneliness - feelings that are not uncommon in the aftermath of a breakup.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do I have to dream of you when I don't want to dream a lie?
I don't want to have false hope or pretend that things are still the same when they're not.
There never was a better time
For trying to set the words to rhyme
Of when a golden love turns blue
And dreams of dreams that won't come true
This is a difficult time when a perfect relationship has soured, it hurts to see unfulfilled hopes and aspirations.
Every night I call your name
We're still together just the same
Despite the distance, I still long for you and wish we were still together.
A lonely room, an empty bed
It always seems that way
Even though I may be surrounded by people or things, without you here, it still feels like I'm alone and missing something.
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, 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
@bernieibekwem9588
Many of you here did not understand the message the video sent out at the time. Personally I feel it sent out a very strong message. Would it be acceptable today? Maybe not...but at the time it resonated what the Band UB40 stood for, truth, justice and equality for all...irrespective of colour...hence the "reverse skin tone!!"
@martinosullivan3591
Actually it's a Christmas tradition in Holland, going for a 100 years mate ๐
@lisavickers8938
Yeah much love
@MegaDiva1999
maybe it was a sign of those times but this video has not aged well.
@eltonlovell9898
It was a protest against the NF calling them the black and white minstrel showI recall
@BibtheBoulder
@@MegaDiva1999 The video has, people haven't.....
@emmab7239
Grew up with my mum listening to ub40 sat on our council house doorstep whole street joined in ,, now I'm 35 smoking a fat reefer while the memories all come flooding back ! Rip mother xxx
@Spoonbill_88
Ballistic missile of a tune. Makes me proud to be a British Jamaican. One love. ๐ฌ๐ง ๐ฏ๐ฒ
@brockit79
makes me proud to be a Brummie
@markfleming.4334
God i still love UB40. Some bands are so important you can't help but adore the message.