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.
Homely Girl
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the boys used to say,
You looked better in the dark.
But now they'd give all they learnt in school
To be somewhere in the dark with you
The teacher would ask the questions
And you, would always raise your hand
And my eyes would fill with water, inside I'd burn
[Chorus]
Homely girl, you used to be so lonely
You're a beautiful woman oh yes you are
Homely girl you used to be so lonely
You're a beautiful woman oh yeah
There was a boy who used to sit beside you
Who'd like to hold that place his whole life through
Ooh you were beautiful to me
You had a heart no one could ever see, oh yes you did
[Chorus]
Homely girl, you used to be so lonely
You're a beautiful woman oh homely girl
I was the only one who offered
To carry your books
Took all the stares and laughter
And the dirty looks
Cause I saw then what they see now
They all want to ask you for a date
They don't know how, they don't know how
[Chorus]
Homely girl, you used to be so lonely
You're a beautiful woman oh yeah
Homely girl you used to be so lonely
You're a beautiful woman, ooh yea, ooh hoo
You're a beautiful woman
The song "Homely Girl" by UB40 tells the story of a woman who was once considered homely but has now blossomed into a beautiful woman. In the opening lines, it's suggested that she was bullied when she was younger, and that the boys used to tease her by saying that she looked better in the dark. However, the tables have now turned, and the boys are attracted to her beauty and would be happy to be with her in the dark.
In the second verse, the song talks about how she was always eager to answer the teacher's questions in class, but never got the chance to do so. The singer of the song, who appears to have had feelings for her, would get emotional inside thinking about how she never got to share her knowledge. In the chorus, the song makes a point that despite being lonely and overlooked in the past, she's now become a beautiful woman and should be celebrated.
The third verse touches on how there was a boy who always liked sitting beside her and wanted to hold that place next to her for the rest of his life. He saw her beauty that no one else saw at that point in time. Finally, the last verse is about the singer of the song being the only person to offer to carry her books and being able to see her inner beauty from a young age.
Overall, "Homely Girl" is a powerful message about the transformation of someone who was once considered homely to becoming a beautiful and confident person. The song also touches on bullying and how it can have far-reaching effects on people's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
It must have broke your poor little heart
The comments from boys about your appearance must have really hurt you
When the boys used to say, You looked better in the dark.
Boys used to make insulting comments about your appearance, particularly saying that you only looked good in dim lighting
But now they'd give all they learnt in school, To be somewhere in the dark with you
Those same boys would now do anything to be with you, even go back to school and give up everything they have learned, to be with you in the dark
The teacher would ask the questions, And you, would always raise your hand
You were always eager to participate in class, raising your hand to answer the teacher's questions
But somehow you never got your turn, And my eyes would fill with water, inside I'd burn
Despite your eagerness to participate, you were always overlooked and never given the opportunity to answer. This made me sad and angry on the inside
Homely girl, you used to be so lonely, You're a beautiful woman oh yes you are
You were once lonely and felt unattractive, but now you are a beautiful woman
There was a boy who used to sit beside you, Who'd like to hold that place his whole life through
There was a boy who used to sit next to you in class, who would have wanted to be with you forever
Ooh you were beautiful to me, You had a heart no one could ever see, oh yes you did
To me, you were always beautiful, and you had a great heart, but no one else was able to see it
I was the only one who offered, To carry your books, Took all the stares and laughter, And the dirty looks
I was the only one who offered to help you by carrying your books and took all the insults and mocking stares from others who did not see your beauty
Cause I saw then what they see now, They all want to ask you for a date, They don't know how, they don't know how
I saw your true beauty before anyone else did, and now that others see it too, they want to ask you out, but don't know how to do it properly
You're a beautiful woman
Overall, you are a beautiful woman both inside and out
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EUGENE RECORD, STANLEY WAYNE MCKENNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joJo-df6hr
It must have broke your poor little heart
When the boys used to say,
You looked better in the dark.
But now they'd give all they learnt in school
To be somewhere in the dark with you
The teacher would ask the questions
And you, would always raise your hand
But somehow you never got your turn
And my eyes would fill with water, inside I'd burn
[Chorus]
Homely girl, you used to be so lonely
You're a beautiful woman oh yes you are
Homely girl you used to be so lonely
You're a beautiful woman oh yeah
There was a boy who used to sit beside you
Who'd like to hold that place his whole life through
Ooh you were beautiful to me
You had a heart no one could ever see, oh yes you did
[Chorus]
Homely girl, you used to be so lonely
You're a beautiful woman oh homely girl
I was the only one who offered
To carry your books
Took all the stares and laughter
And the dirty looks
Cause I saw then what they see now
They all want to ask you for a date
They don't know how, they don't know how
[Chorus]
Homely girl, you used to be so lonely
You're a beautiful woman oh yeah
Homely girl you used to be so lonely
You're a beautiful woman, ooh yea, ooh hoo
You're a beautiful woman
@lahrelsammiuels5923
Grew up listening to UB40 thanks to my dad ♥️now that he's passed my siblings and I never stop pumping their music. A huge reminder of beautiful memories and our dad😊thank you UB40 for the cherished memories 💞
@davidoffski28
Thats beautiful, keep those memories going forevermore ❤
@joshuafaafua176
Keep blasting his jamz and turn it up hard🤙🏽🍻💯
@TodosCortess
somos dois
@liamirvin2084
My wife showed me them much love ❤️
@DADEMANA
@@liamirvin2084😮😂😅
@chrisjoyce3235
I was born in 83 and I've been listening to UB40 since I can remember. Their music was always playing when I was little and I've always had the labour of love albums.
@spotlessleopard3603
Old school reggae music always put me in a good mood. I frequently listen to 70's and 80's roots jams and just feel mellow.
@leahchadwick4377
Absolutely love UB40 the songs never grow old kids these days don't actually know what music is ❤️
@paulbryan9276
This is a Shi Lites song