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.
Higher Ground
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The more I learn, the less I know about before
The less I know, the more I want to look around
Digging deep for clues on higher ground
Moon and stars sit way up high
Earth and trees beneath them lie
The wind blows fragrant lullaby
On the wing the birds fly free
Leviathan tames angry sea
The flower waits for honeybee
The sunrise wakes new life in me
Every hour of every day, I'm learning more
The more I learn, the less I know about before
The less I know, the more I want to look around
Digging deep for clues on higher ground
The fishes swim while rivers run
Through fields to feast my eyes upon
Intoxicated drinking from
The loving cup of burning sun
In dreams I'll crave familiar taste
Of whispered rain on weary face
Of kisses sweet and warm embrace
Another time, another place
Every hour of every day, I'm learning more
The more I learn, the less I know about before
The less I know, the more I want to look around
Digging deep for clues on higher ground
Every hour of every day, I'm learning more
The more I learn, the less I know about before
The less I know, the more I want to look around
Digging deep for clues on higher ground
Moon and stars sit way up high
Earth and trees beneath them lie
The wind blows fragrant lullaby
To cool the night for you and I
On the wing the birds fly free
Leviathan tames angry sea
The flower waits for honeybee
The sunrise wakes new life in me
Every hour of every day, I'm learning more
The more I learn, the less I know about before
The less I know, the more I want to look around
Digging deep for clues on higher ground
The fishes swim while rivers run
Through fields to feast my eyes upon
Intoxicated drinking from
The loving cup of burning sun
In dreams I'll crave familiar taste
Of whispered rain on weary face
Of kisses sweet and warm embrace
Another time, another place
Every hour of every day, I'm learning more
The more I learn, the less I know about before
The less I know, the more I want to look around
Digging deep for clues on higher ground
The lyrics of UB40's song Higher Ground express a desire for knowledge and experience, an urge to explore and understand the world around us. The singer talks about constantly learning more but discovering how much less they know about the world previous to their learning. As their curiosity intensifies, the singer seeks to keep searching for clues on higher ground, hoping to uncover more and more as they go.
The imagery in the song reflects this desire for exploration and wonder. The moon and stars sit high above the earth, while the trees and rivers lie beneath the sky. The wind blows a soothing lullaby, while the birds fly freely and the great beast Leviathan tames the angry sea. The sunrise brings new life, and the beauty of nature intoxicates the soul. The lyrics suggest that there is so much to learn and discover in the world, and that every moment spent seeking knowledge is an opportunity to find something wondrous.
Line by Line Meaning
Every hour of every day, I'm learning more
I am constantly growing and gaining knowledge
The more I learn, the less I know about before
The more I learn, the more I realize there is so much I don't know
The less I know, the more I want to look around
As I realize my limitations, I am motivated to explore and discover more
Digging deep for clues on higher ground
I am searching for deeper and more meaningful understanding and insight
Moon and stars sit way up high
The beauty and wonder of the world is all around us
Earth and trees beneath them lie
Nature provides a foundation for our existence
The wind blows fragrant lullaby
The natural world can be peaceful and calming
To cool the night for you and I
The natural world can provide comfort and relief
On the wing the birds fly free
Freedom and liberation are innate desires
Leviathan tames angry sea
Humans have the power to conquer and control the natural world
The flower waits for honeybee
Everything in the natural world is interconnected and has a purpose
The sunrise wakes new life in me
Every day is a new opportunity for growth and renewal
The fishes swim while rivers run
The natural world is constantly in motion and evolving
Through fields to feast my eyes upon
The natural world is a source of inspiration and beauty
Intoxicated drinking from
The beauty of the natural world can be overwhelming and intoxicating
The loving cup of burning sun
The sun provides warmth, light, and sustenance
In dreams I'll crave familiar taste
Our experiences and memories shape our desires
Of whispered rain on weary face
Nature can be soothing and restorative
Of kisses sweet and warm embrace
Love and connection are fundamental human needs
Another time, another place
The world is vast and full of possibilities
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jim Brown, Ali Campbell, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers, Michael Virtue, Terrence Wilson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paulinewhite3273
I adore this song, when my husband and I were young he loved UB40. We played this at his funeral seven years ago, he was only 63. I meet him in my dreams on higher ground. X
@VIJAY-qt9cz
May your husband's soul rest in peace God bless you with good health keep listening to the music
@tonybutler1517
It reminds me of my uncle, he use to play it for his wife.....every time i go cleaning the tomb, i always play this song 😢😢😢😢
@luneluneelune6321
Rip
@hemants5822
I am sorry for your loss ..May his soul rest in peace
@veronicaselvarajan4393
School memories
@nicko.barrett3826
The audio on this lyrics video is much better than the original music video.
@VibersVibin
hq songs are your friend, thanks for watching ;)
@shantovinod393
ub40 made my teenager days. ❤❤❤❤❤
@Midknightsun79
Back 1995, waa doing my school
Work experience.
Working in 🏞️ and gardens
Had this song on, may Walkman on repeat.
Bring back, so many memories.
Feeling that, make me smile.