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.
Dubmobile
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Echo: "Talking about the reel the reel the reel...." in reverse!)
Dubmobile
Now I'm the main man at the microphone stand
I chat two words just to make you understand
I'm the main man at the microphone stand
I chat two words just to make you understand
I see a set of wheels and I like the touch an' feel
I got ambition an' den me find ignition
then the dealer ask me if I like electric transmission
The dealer asks if me like plenty of vision,
Yes me boss I want no collision
No collision
Now I'm the main man at the microphone stand
I chat two words just to make you understand
I'm the main man at the microphone stand
I chat two words just to make you understand
So I take a test drive and eat everything alive
when I clock the needle move, I couldn't believe me eyes
it touched 140 to my surprise
Then I stop an' think this car is for me
When me come back him wan' talk 'bout money
Me wan' buy the car on H.P.
Long term credit and interest free, five year warranty, guarantee.
The dealer asks me like a power steering
dealer asks me like overdrive thing. Yes me boss but what is
that thing? That me boss a de turbo sintin'
Oi me boss you have a deal and at long last I find my dubmobile.
Dubmobile.
Everywhere I go, just rockin' and swing, just rockin' and swing
Now I'm the main man at the microphone stand
I chat two words just to make you understand
I'm the main man at the microphone stand
I chat two words just to make you understand
Me put in cassette and equalizer
anywhere me go me can listen reggae star
Now me just cruise to party and thing
everywhere me go it's just rockin' and swing
Rockin' and swing
Everywhere I go, just rockin' and swing, just rockin' and swing
Everywhere I go, just rockin' and swing, just rockin' and swing
The dealer asks me like power steering
dealer asks me like overdrive thing. Yes me boss but what is
that thing? That me boss a de turbo sintin'
Oi me boss you have a deal and at long last I find my dubmobile
Me put in cassette and equalizer
anywhere me go me can listen reggae star
Now me just cruise to party and thing
everywhere me go it's just rockin' and swing
rockin' and swing
Everywhere I go, just rockin' and swing, just rockin' and swing (repeat till end)
The lyrics to UB40's song Dubmobile speak to the joy and freedom of owning a car, specifically a dubmobile - a car decked out in dub reggae style. The singer, the main man at the microphone stand, describes the thrill of test driving the car and ultimately choosing to purchase it on long-term credit with interest-free financing. He revels in the car's features, including power steering and a turbo engine, all while listening to reggae music on his cassette player with an equalizer.
The song is not just about the material pleasure of owning a car, but also about the sense of community and belonging within the reggae culture. The repeated refrain of "rockin' and swing" suggests the way in which music connects people, and the joy of cruising through the streets in your own dubmobile while listening to reggae is both personal and communal.
In a larger sense, the song speaks to the power of music to bring people together and to create a sense of joy and freedom, even in the midst of difficult financial circumstances. The car may have come with credit and interest payments, but the joy it brings is beyond measure.
Line by Line Meaning
Talking about the reel the reel the reel....
The artist is introducing the song and giving emphasis on something of significance.
Dubmobile
The artist is referring to his car as a dubmobile, which is decked out with audio equipment to facilitate the playing of his music.
Now I'm the main man at the microphone stand
The artist is the main person at the microphone stand, in charge of the music and setting its mood.
I chat two words just to make you understand
The artist uses two words to convey the message he wants to share with his audience.
I see a set of wheels an' I like the touch an' feel
The artist is attracted to the car and is enjoying its physical properties.
Me love it even better when me sit behind the wheel
The artist's love for the car is deepened when he sits in the driver's seat and is in control of the vehicle.
I got ambition an' den me find ignition
The artist has found the motivation to seek out the car he wants to buy.
then the dealer ask me if I like electric transmission
The dealer is trying to figure out what type of car the artist wants to buy.
The dealer asks if me like plenty of vision,
The dealer asks if the car has a sufficient range of vision while driving.
Yes me boss I want no collision
The artist wants a car that is safe and has low risk of collision.
No collision
The artist reiterates the importance of having a car that is relatively safe to drive.
So I take a test drive and eat everything alive
The artist took the car for a test drive and thoroughly enjoyed it.
when I clock the needle move, I couldn't believe me eyes
The artist is impressed with the speed of the car and cannot believe the speedometer's reading.
it touched 140 to my surprise
The artist realizes the car has a top speed of 140 miles per hour, which surprises him.
Then I stop an' think this car is for me
After considering the car's features and performance, the artist realizes that it's the perfect car for him.
When me come back him wan' talk 'bout money
Upon returning to the dealership, the dealer wants to discuss the car's price.
Me wan' buy the car on H.P.
The artist wants to purchase the car using a 'higher purchase' system, that is, paying for it over time.
Long term credit and interest free, five year warranty, guarantee.
The dealer offers the artist long-term credit with no interest, a five-year warranty, and a guarantee on the car's performance.
The dealer asks me like a power steering
The dealer is checking if the artist wants a car with power steering.
dealer asks me like overdrive thing. Yes me boss but what is that thing?
The dealer asks about a specific feature in the car, and the artist is curious to know more about it.
That me boss a de turbo sintin'
The feature the dealer mentioned is a turbocharger.
Oi me boss you have a deal and at long last I find my dubmobile.
The artist and dealer agree on the terms and price of the car, and the artist finally acquires his dubmobile.
Me put in cassette and equalizer
The artist installs a cassette player and equalizer in the car.
anywhere me go me can listen reggae star
The artist can listen to reggae music wherever he goes in his car.
Now me just cruise to party and thing
The artist can now drive his car to parties and other events.
everywhere me go it's just rockin' and swing
The artist's car is equipped to play music, and thus, wherever he goes, there's music and good vibes.
Everywhere I go, just rockin' and swing, just rockin' and swing
The car provides the artist with the ability to listen to music while also providing a means of transportation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIM BROWN, ALI CAMPBELL, ROBIN CAMPBELL, EARL FALCONER, NORMAN HASSAN, BRIAN TRAVERS, MICHAEL VIRTUE, TERRENCE OSWALD WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul M
on reckless
Does anyone know who the singer on the mic is with the hat? Also the two that come in with Bam? Thanks
Ian Fulton
on My Way of Thinking
Best band in the stratosphere
Rosie Contreras
on Red Red Wine
Awesome song