A reggae band formed 1978 in Birmingham, UK. The music grasps from roots re… Read Full Bio ↴A reggae band formed 1978 in Birmingham, UK. The music grasps from roots reggae and dub to lovers rock and pop. It is the second most commercial successful reggae band with +70 million sold albums. Many of their hits have been stylishly covers of early reggae and rocksteady hits from Jamaica. After success in UK, UB40's won USA with Labour of Love (1983), their first album of covers. UB40 was 1986 the first Western band to play behind the Iron Curtain, live in Moscow, Soviet Union. UB40 is known for hits as 'Food For Thought', (1980) 'Red Red Wine' (1983), 'Please Don't Make Me Cry' (1983), 'I Got You Babe' (1985) with frontman Ali Campbell in duet with Chrissie Hynde just like in 'Breakfast in Bed' (1988). Their most successful worldwide single release is their reggae/pop version of 'I Can't Help) Falling in Love With You' (1993).

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.

Get Along Without You Now
UB40 Lyrics

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Aha mhmm gonna get along without you now*
Aha mhmm I’m gonna get along without you now
You told me I was the latest thing
You even asked me to wear your ring
You ran around with every girl in town
You didn’t even care if it got me down
Aha mhmm gonna get along without you now
Aha mhmm I’m gonna get along without you now

Got along without you before I met you
Gonna get along without you now
Thought I’d find somebody who was twice as cute
'cos I didn’t like you anyhow
You told everybody that we were friends
But this is where our friendship ends
'cos all of a sudden you changed your tune
You haven’t been around since way last June
Aa-ha-oo-hoo gonna get along without you now
I got along without you before I met you
Gonna get along without you now
So long my honey
Goodbye my dear
Gonna get along without you now
Oo-hoo
Get darling without you now
Get darling without you now
Get darling without you now
Aha aha gonna get along without you now
Got along without you before I met you
Gonna get along without you now
So long my honey
Goodbye my dear
Gonna get along without you now
Oo-hoo hoo hoo
So loong my honey
Goodbye my dear

Gonna get along without you now
Oo-hoo hoo hoo hoo

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of UB40's song "Get Along Without You Now" depict a person who is ending a toxic relationship and moving on with their life. The opening line of the song, "Aha mhmm gonna get along without you now," sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The singer had been with someone who did not treat them well and was not faithful. Despite being given false promises of commitment, the partner was not reliable and left the singer feeling down. Eventually, the singer resolved to leave the relationship and find someone who will appreciate them.

The rest of the song highlights this resolve, with the singer declaring that they had gotten along fine without their ex-lover before they met them and could continue to do so. The person also asserts that they will find someone new who is "twice as cute" as their previous partner. The song ends with a bittersweet goodbye to their former partner, recognizing that they had been through a difficult time together but that it was time to move on.

Overall, "Get Along Without You Now" is a song about letting go of a toxic relationship and moving forward to find happiness elsewhere. The lyrics express this resolve with a hint of sadness, as the singer says goodbye to something familiar but ultimately negative.

Line by Line Meaning

Aha mhmm gonna get along without you now
I will be able to manage myself without you in my life anymore.

You told me I was the latest thing
You flattered me by saying that I was the most recent and fashionable thing you have encountered.

You even asked me to wear your ring
You went so far as to propose marriage to me and offered me a ring to wear.

You ran around with every girl in town
You went around and had relationships with every girl in our area.

You didn’t even care if it got me down
You didn't even care if your actions hurt me emotionally.

Got along without you before I met you
I already lived and managed without you before I met you.

Thought I’d find somebody who was twice as cute
I had the opinion that I would find someone more attractive than you.

You told everybody that we were friends
You described to everyone our relationship as being that of mere acquaintances or friends.

But this is where our friendship ends
But now our friendship abruptly concludes.

'cos all of a sudden you changed your tune
Because you suddenly changed your behavior or attitude towards me.

You haven’t been around since way last June
You have not been present in my life since last June.