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.
Fight Fe Come In Mk 2
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What a bam bam round the mike m.c.
James bond buck up general c.p.
We ram dance hall cork house party
People come from all about just fe hear we
Them just a fight fe come in
Fight fe come in
Them just a fight fe come in
Them just a fight fe come in
Fight fe come in
As me open the door me get a face full of steam
Session ram like a tin a sardine
Just make sure seh you kerchief clean
Else you face would a full up a green
What a fight fe come in
Fight fe come in
What a fight fe come in
Fight fe come in
As me go through the crowd jab man me hear a scream
Me I dren freddy him still a day dream
Me dip up and down like a submarine
Twice as fast as the one barry sheene
A good job me pants have a solid seam
A good job me kercheif nice and clean
What a fight fe come in
Fight fe come in
What a fight fe come in
Fight fe come in
Fight fe come in (cont`d)
James bond and general c.p.
Some a them a scream some a them a shout
Me really want you know people come from all about
Some a them a woman
Some of them a man
The whole a them want come this yak session
Them just a fight fe come in
Fight fe come in
Them just a fight fe come in
Fight fe come in
Natty fight fe come in
Fight fe come in
Them just a fight fe come in
Fight fe come in
Natty dread in a the dance him a bun him collie
Baby mother deh a dance with pregnant belly
Bad boy deh a road him a fire remi
Dutty nigger deh a road them a chat shegri
But is I james bond telling every body
What a fight fe come in
Fight fe come in
What a fight fe come in
Fight fe come in
Them want inside inside and no one want outside outside
Me seh the people outside want come in the session
Them want to hear james bond and cp the general
Them just a fight fe come in
Fight fe come in
Them just a fight fe come in
Fight fe come in
"Fight Fe Come In Mk.2" by UB40 describes a lively dancehall party with MCs James Bond and General CP hyping up the crowd. The song opens with the MCs introducing themselves and acknowledging their large following. The chorus repeats the line "Them just a fight fe come in" which suggests that despite the venue being packed, people are still trying to get in to be part of the party. The lyrics describe the frenzied atmosphere inside, with the tense struggle to advance through the crowd to the dance floor. The second verse talks about how crowded the party is, with people packed like sardines. The singer reminds people to have clean kerchiefs or else they will end up with green faces.
Line by Line Meaning
What a bam bam round the mike m.c.
The singer is remarking on the hype surrounding the emcee's performance.
James bond buck up general c.p.
James Bond and General C.P. are present at the event.
We ram dance hall cork house party
The venue is packed with people and the party is in full swing.
People come from all about just fe hear we
The attendees are excited to hear the performers and have come from various locations.
Them just a fight fe come in
There are people outside the venue trying to get in, causing a commotion.
As me open the door me get a face full of steam
Upon opening the door, the singer is met with a cloud of smoke.
Session ram like a tin a sardine
The party is extremely crowded, likened to a can of sardines.
Just make sure seh you kerchief clean
The performers want everyone to be hygienic so as not to spread germs.
Else you face would a full up a green
If one's kerchief is not clean, they may get sick or nauseous from the surroundings.
As me go through the crowd jab man me hear a scream
The artist bumps into someone in the crowd and they yelp in response.
Me I dren freddy him still a day dream
The singer brushes off the person they bumped into, as they do not pose a threat.
Me dip up and down like a submarine
The artist moves through the crowd in a playful, fluid manner.
Twice as fast as the one barry sheene
The singer moves quickly through the crowd, likened to a famous motorcycle racer.
A good job me pants have a solid seam
The singer's pants have a strong seam that can withstand their movements.
A good job me kercheif nice and clean
The singer is relieved that their kerchief is clean and functional in the crowded environment.
Some a them a scream some a them a shout
The excitement of the attendees is palpable, with some shouting and yelling.
Me really want you know people come from all about
The attendees have come from all over to attend the party.
Some a them a woman
Some of the attendees are women.
Some of them a man
Some of the attendees are men.
The whole a them want come this yak session
All of the attendees are eager to participate in the party and enjoy the music.
Natty dread in a the dance him a bun him collie
A Rastafarian attendee is burning his marijuana while dancing.
Baby mother deh a dance with pregnant belly
A pregnant woman is dancing with her baby bump.
Bad boy deh a road him a fire remi
A gangster is smoking a type of cigarette called Remi.
Dutty nigger deh a road them a chat shegri
Another person is speaking in vulgar language and causing a nuisance.
But is I james bond telling every body
The singer identifies themselves as James Bond and addresses the attendees.
Them want inside inside and no one want outside outside
The people outside want to come inside and join the party.
Me seh the people outside want come in the session
The singer confirms that the people outside want to join the event.
Them want to hear james bond and cp the general
The attendees are eager to hear the artists, James Bond and General C.P.
Natty fight fe come in
The Rastafarian, or 'Natty', is among those trying to get inside the venue.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GOLVI COTERELL, BRYAN RHYMIE, 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