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.
Hold Your Position Mk 3
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rastathem style ya a just levelment uncle seen
Hold me position just a hold me position
I yea hold me position just a hold me position
Go on hold me position just a hold me position
Just like Jesus Christ in the valley of decision
Devil come along and true to deceive man through him
Him had to hold him position had to hold him position yeah
Hold him position had to hold him position
Well rhythm like this makes me and me daughter
Go down at the dance bubble on the corner
When the rhythm is sweet we a go hold tighter
Rub-adub like this makes you go one
So you hold your position
Say you hold you position aya
Hold your position say hold your position
Things and time was a getting slow let off the rhythm
Let the good time roll
Don`t bother go a slow and stay a back row
I man come to make the rhythm
Just a rock and flow because me hold me position
Just a hold me position
Special request to 39 acker tree front line everyman on kime
Ub40 say come and rhyme
Yes daddy stone me in the dance hall style
So we really come to make it versatile
Because one of a kind we come to blow your mind
So you should hold you position
Yes hold your position aya
Hold your position hold your position hold your position
Stones
Skank steadyskank steady
I tell you rock the rhythm
You should skank down steady
You know you say it heavier than lead
Kinda tougher than tough
You know that jab jab overs
Since he stands over us
So hold your position
Hold your position
Move to the east and you could a move to the west
Lyrics like this jab know never go jest
Say chunk ice water say right to your chest
Intercity outer city everywhere the best you better
Hold you position just hold your position
Hold you position say hold your position
Well rhythm like this is really so hot
Let off the vilse because a legal shot
Because we hold our position
Yes we hold our position aya
Hold our position yes hold our position
Hold on tight never let go
Teetateesay them all in a row
Donkey want water you should hold him
Joe hold on tight and never let go
Hold your position just hold your position
Hold your position a yajust hold your position
Wah dat hold your position
I say hold your position settle hold your position john
Hold you position aunty hold your position
Say hold your position go on
Hold your position tell them rhythm so crucial
Rhythm so nice like sugar like a spice
Cause when we a come a dance give you rough nough choice
A youth like me should a drive rolls royce
Sugar my tea
The lyrics to UB40's song Hold Your Position Mk 3, at first glance, may appear to be strictly about dancing and having a good time. However, a closer analysis reveals that there is much more to the lyrics than meets the eye. The first line of the song, "Now here comes the great musical thing called 'hold your position'," sets the tone for the entire song, as the song is ultimately about hanging tough and persevering through life's challenges.
The lyrics mention Jesus Christ facing temptation in the valley of decision, but ultimately holding his position and staying true to himself. The devil, or forces of evil, represent the challenges and temptations that we all face in life, and holding our position means staying true to ourselves and not giving in to those temptations. The lyrics also encourage listeners to move to the east or west, suggesting that the message of holding one's position applies no matter where one is in the world.
Overall, Hold Your Position Mk 3 is a call to resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. The song reminds listeners that everyone goes through tough times, but we must hold our ground and stay true to ourselves to overcome those challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Now here comes the great musical thing called "hold your position"
The start of a song called "hold your position" that expresses a message about holding one's ground and not being deceived
Rastathem style ya a just levelment uncle seen
The song is in the style of Rastafarianism and promotes equality
Hold me position just a hold me position
Repeating the idea of holding one's position and not backing down
I yea hold me position just a hold me position
Repeating the idea of holding one's position and not backing down
Go on hold me position just a hold me position
Encouragement to continue to hold one's position and not back down
Just like Jesus Christ in the valley of decision
Comparing the decision to hold one's position to Jesus' decision in the Bible
Devil come along and true to deceive man through him
Warning about the Devil and his attempts to deceive people
Got him plan from the older one
The Devil has plans that were passed down from his predecessors
Him had to hold him position had to hold him position yeah
The Devil also holds his position and does not back down
Hold him position had to hold him position
Repeating the idea of the Devil holding his position and not backing down
Well rhythm like this makes me and me daughter
The upbeat rhythm of the song puts the singer and his daughter in a dancing mood
Go down at the dance bubble on the corner
They dance to the song on the street corner where people gather
When the rhythm is sweet we a go hold tighter
They dance more intensely when the rhythm of the song is particularly good
Rub-adub like this makes you go one
The rub-a-dub style of the song makes people dance
So you hold your position
The title of the song is repeated, emphasizing the importance of not backing down
Say you hold you position aya
Repeating the phrase "hold your position"
Things and time was a getting slow let off the rhythm
When things start to slow down, they let the rhythm of the song take over
Let the good time roll
They want to enjoy themselves and have a good time
Don`t bother go a slow and stay a back row
Don't hold back and stay in the back of the crowd
I man come to make the rhythm
The singer is there to make good music
Just a rock and flow because me hold me position
The singer continues to hold his position and make music
Special request to 39 acker tree front line everyman on kime
A special request to a specific group of people at the event
Ub40 say come and rhyme
The band, UB40, invites them to join in the singing and dancing
Yes daddy stone me in the dance hall style
A reference to being stoned in a popular dance hall style
So we really come to make it versatile
The band wants to show off their versatility in making music
Because one of a kind we come to blow your mind
Their style of music is unique and will leave an impression on the listener
So you should hold you position
Repeating the idea of holding one's position and not backing down
Yes hold your position aya
Repeating the phrase "hold your position"
Stones
A word used to emphasize the importance of holding one's ground
Skank steadyskank steady
Instructions to dance to the steady beat of the song
I tell you rock the rhythm
Encouragement to dance and enjoy the beat of the song
You should skank down steady
Encouragement to continue dancing to the steady beat of the song
You know you say it heavier than lead
The beat of the song is strong and powerful
Kinda tougher than tough
The beat of the song is really tough and strong
You know that jab jab overs
A reference to a popular dance move
Since he stands over us
The singer is referring to the Devil and his influence over people
Move to the east and you could a move to the west
The song is universal and can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of location
Lyrics like this jab know never go jest
The lyrics of the song are serious and should not be taken lightly
Say chunk ice water say right to your chest
A phrase that emphasizes the powerful effect of the song
Intercity outer city everywhere the best you better
The song is popular and enjoyed by people from all regions
Repeating the idea of holding one's position and not backing down
Repeating the title of the song
Well rhythm like this is really so hot
The singer loves the rhythm of the song and it makes him feel good
Let off the vilse because a legal shot
The song is a legal high and is enjoyable to listen to
Hold our position
Repeating the idea of holding one's position and not backing down
Hold on tight never let go
Encouragement to hold on and not let go of anything important
Teetateesay them all in a row
A repeating phrase that emphasizes the importance of order
Donkey want water you should hold him
A reference to a popular Jamaican saying about helping those in need
Joe hold on tight and never let go
Joe is encouraged to hold on tight to whatever is important to him
Repeating the idea of holding one's position and not backing down
Repeating the title of the song
Wah dat hold your position
Repeating the phrase "hold your position"
I say hold your position settle hold your position john
Repeating the idea of holding one's position and not backing down
Hold you position aunty hold your position
Repeating the idea of holding one's position and not backing down
Say hold your position go on
Encouragement to hold one's position and not back down
Hold your position tell them rhythm so crucial
The rhythm of the song is crucial and should be recognized
Rhythm so nice like sugar like a spice
The rhythm is sweet and enjoyable like sugar and spice
Cause when we a come a dance give you rough nough choice
The band gives people no choice but to dance to the music
A youth like me should a drive rolls royce
The singer dreams of being successful and driving a Rolls Royce
Sugar my tea
A phrase that is used when something is sweet or enjoyable
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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