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.
Here I Am
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The way that you make me feel
A burning deep down inside
A love that I cannot hide
I know it's you and me babe
That makes the world go round
Ah keeping you in love with me baby
Here I am babe, come and take me
Here I am babe, won't ya come and take me
Take me by the hand, ooh show me
Here I am babe, oah
It always ends up this way
Me begging you every day
A love that I cannot have
You broke my heart in two halves
Ooh I know it's you and me babe
That makes the world go round
Ah keeping you in love with me baby
Laying all my troubles down
Here I am babe, come and take me
Here I am babe, won't ya come and take me
Take me by the hand, ooh show me
Here I am babe, oah
Here I am babe, come and take me
Here I am babe, won't ya come and take me
Take me by the hand, ooh show me
Here I am babe, oah
UB40's "Here I Am" is a love song that beautifully encapsulates the feelings of longing and desire that one has for their significant other. The singer admits that they are unable to believe that what they feel is real, and they cannot hide the burning love they feel inside. The lyrics suggest that the singer knows that the love they share with their partner is something special, that it is what makes the world go round. The singer desires to keep their love alive, even in the face of the troubles that life throws at them.
The chorus of the song speaks loudly to the singer's yearning for his partner to take him, to show him the way, to guide him through their love. The verses of the song, on the other hand, suggest that the relationship may not be going as well as the singer hopes. The lines "It always ends up this way, me begging you every day, a love that I cannot have, you broke my heart in two halves" could suggest a more complex relationship than one of pure, unadulterated love. However, despite the challenges, the singer keeps coming back, begging his partner to take him.
In conclusion, "Here I Am" is a love song that captures the essence of a passionate relationship. The lyrics hint at the complexities of being in love, but ultimately, the desire for love to prevail is what shines through.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't believe that it's real
I find it hard to believe that this feeling of love is actually happening
The way that you make me feel
I feel so special and loved by the way you treat me
A burning deep down inside
There is a strong and intense passion within me for you
A love that I cannot hide
I cannot suppress the love I have for you, it is always present
I know it's you and me babe
I believe that we are meant to be together and make everything in the world go round
That makes the world go round
Our love is so powerful that it has the ability to create positivity and good things in the world
Ah keeping you in love with me baby
I strive to make sure you continue to love and cherish me, even through any issues we may face
Laying all my troubles down
I let go of any problems or worries I have when I am with you
Here I am babe, come and take me
I am here, fully open and vulnerable for you to love and accept me
Take me by the hand, ooh show me
Lead me towards a deeper level of love and commitment, I am ready and willing
It always ends up this way
Our love story keeps repeating itself, with me constantly begging for your love
Me begging you every day
I continuously plead with you to give me your love and affection
A love that I cannot have
I feel as though I can't fully experience or have the love that I desire from you
You broke my heart in two halves
My heart is broken and split apart because I cannot have your love the way I want it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Al Green, Mabon Hodges
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kazamedia655
I can't believe that it's real
The way that you make me feel
A burning deep down inside
A love that I cannot hide
I know it's you and me baby
That makes this world go round
And keeping you in love with me babe
Laying all my troubles down
Here I am baby, come and take me
Here I am baby, come on and take me
Take me by the hand, ooh show me
Here I am baby
It always ends up this way
Me begging you every day
A love that I cannot have
You broke my heart in two halves
I know it's you and me baby
That makes this world go round
And keeping you in love with me babe
Laying all my troubles down
Here I am baby, come and take me
Here I am baby, won't ya come on and take me
Take me by the hand, ooh squeeze me
Here I am baby, ooh
Oh, here I am baby, come and take me
Here I am baby, won't ya come and take me
Take me by the hand, ooh show me
Show me what you can
Here I am baby, ooh won't ya take me
Take me by the hand
Take me by the hand
Ooh show me
Show me what you can
Here I am baby
Won't you take me by the hand
Take me by the hand
Take me while you can
Here I am baby
@resksmith8265
Whos listening in 2024
@Randomstaruni
Me
@hank_hdz
Me I do
@shoryt86
Me
@achmadadriadysyarsitaadi5695
Me....from Indonesia.
@chrisbyars4422
Yessiree! Still listening and loving this band!
@beautifulwatamu445
Damn, UB40, this guys could sing.......their music is timeless....
@FutureTrackZ86
Yuuppp.. ive listened to them since I was a child. I am now 34💪
@JamesNautica
💯
@m.rivers9201
so timeless in fact, that it was even better when I heard this song the first time performed by the original artist AL Green.