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.
Guns In The Ghetto
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just stay home till morning light
Me and mama don't feel right
Please hold us tight
Daddy why did you go to work
When you know just how much we love you so
Please come back tomorrow
They're giving out guns in the ghetto
They're saying they will set you free
One day I'll have children of my own
But I'm afraid they won't have me
Mama, is Daddy home
Why are you crying all alone
Grandma's tears have turned to stone
And I'm all alone
Mama isn't daddy back
I'm getting scared and that's a fact
Why are we all dressed like that
All in black
[Chorus]
Daddy don't go out tonight
Please stay home till morning light
Me and mama don't feel right
Please hold us tight
Daddy why did you go to work
When you know just how much we love you so
Please come back tomorrow
[Chorus]
Mama, is Daddy home
Why are you crying all alone
Grandma's tears have turned to stone
And I'm chilled to the bone
Mama isn't daddy back
I'm getting scared and that's a fact
Why are we all dressed like that
All in black
[Chorus: x4]
The lyrics of "Guns in the Ghetto" by UB40 paint a picture of a family living in a dangerous and unstable neighborhood. The singer, a child, pleads with their father to stay home because they are afraid of the violence outside. The family is grieving, and the child is confused about why they are all dressed in black. The chorus suggests that the government is providing weapons to the people in the ghetto as a means of liberation, but the singer is skeptical of this and expresses fear for their own future children.
The song speaks to the dangers of living in a violent area where firearms are readily available. It reflects a sense of hopelessness felt by those trapped in poverty and violence, as well as the frustration felt by those who witness the systemic injustice that causes it.
Overall, "Guns in the Ghetto" is a powerful and emotional piece of social commentary that sheds light on the struggles faced by marginalized communities around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Daddy don't go out tonight
Father, please stay home tonight and do not go out.
Just stay home till morning light
Remain home until daytime.
Me and mama don't feel right
Mother and I are feeling uneasy.
Please hold us tight
We need your embrace to feel secure.
Daddy why did you go to work
Father, why did you leave for work.
When you know just how much we love you so
You are aware of how much we love you.
Please come back tomorrow
Please return home tomorrow.
They're giving out guns in the ghetto
Firearms are being distributed in the impoverished area of town.
They're saying they will set you free
The belief is that these weapons will bring about liberation.
One day I'll have children of my own
In the future, I will have my own offspring.
But I'm afraid they won't have me
I am fearful that my children will not have me, due to potential dangers caused by the distribution of guns.
Mama, is Daddy home
Mother, has Father arrived back home?
Why are you crying all alone
What is the reason for your solitary tears?
Grandma's tears have turned to stone
Grandmother's sadness has become constant and unchanging.
And I'm all alone
I am by myself with no one else around.
Mama isn't daddy back
Mother, has Father returned to us?
I'm getting scared and that's a fact
I am becoming increasingly frightened.
Why are we all dressed like that
What is the reason for everyone's attire being black?
All in black
Everyone is wearing clothing of the color black.
Chorus: x4
The refrain repeats four times throughout the song.
Lyrics Β© 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
Robbie Chinyerere
"Guns In The Ghetto"
Daddy don't go out tonight
Just stay home till morning light
Me and mamma don't feel right
Please hold us tight
Daddy why did you go to work
When you know just how much we love you so
Please come back tomorrow
[Chorus:]
They're giving out guns in the ghetto
They're saying they will set you free
One day I'll have children of my own
But I'm afraid they won't have me
Mamma, is Daddy home
Why are you crying all alone
Grandma's tears have turned to stone
And I'm all alone
Mamma isn't daddy back
I'm getting scared and that's a fact
Why are we all dressed like that
All in black
[Chorus]
Daddy don't go out tonight
Please stay home till morning light
Me and mamma don't feel right
Please hold us tight
Daddy why did you go to work
When you know just how much we love you so
Please come back tomorrow
[Chorus]
Mamma, is Daddy home
Why are you crying all alone
Grandma's tears have turned to stone
And I'm chilled to the bone
Mamma isn't daddy back
I'm getting scared and that's a fact
Why are we all dressed like that
All in black
[Chorus 4x]
Robbie Chinyerere
"Guns In The Ghetto"
Daddy don't go out tonight
Just stay home till morning light
Me and mamma don't feel right
Please hold us tight
Daddy why did you go to work
When you know just how much we love you so
Please come back tomorrow
[Chorus:]
They're giving out guns in the ghetto
They're saying they will set you free
One day I'll have children of my own
But I'm afraid they won't have me
Mamma, is Daddy home
Why are you crying all alone
Grandma's tears have turned to stone
And I'm all alone
Mamma isn't daddy back
I'm getting scared and that's a fact
Why are we all dressed like that
All in black
[Chorus]
Daddy don't go out tonight
Please stay home till morning light
Me and mamma don't feel right
Please hold us tight
Daddy why did you go to work
When you know just how much we love you so
Please come back tomorrow
[Chorus]
Mamma, is Daddy home
Why are you crying all alone
Grandma's tears have turned to stone
And I'm chilled to the bone
Mamma isn't daddy back
I'm getting scared and that's a fact
Why are we all dressed like that
All in black
[Chorus 4x]
Det Berdon
Ty!
Bondidog
Probably one of the best UB40 songs I have ever heard.
kevin ska'd 4 life
Absolutely and I myself have been a big fan from the start, one of their very very Best, it's so powerful.
rachida zaoui
THIS SONG NEVER GETS OLD
JosΓ© Mancilla
ππππ
Black Jack
rachida zaoui ...reaggie music never dies
andrew jones
Love it. The voice that will never die β€οΈβ€οΈ
kevin ska'd 4 life
Right with you there bro
Turbopascal
I get lost, every time I get through all songs of them ... and this is definetely one of my favourite songs. But honestly, its Ali's voice in combination with this specific sound thar made them famous - live concerts (the orig. UB40 ) opened a part in my soul, that I was not aware of before. AND: My mum told me, she always heard UB40 when she was pregnant with me (one time at a live concert - on top of a trashcan :-) ). Maybe thats why Im so addicted :-)