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.
I've Been Missing You
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not as if I planned this
I didn't give a single thought
One big misunderstanding
I see how things look from your side
I see how you're hurting
The reason that I didn't hide
One big misunderstanding
It's too late for sorry, this much is true
I did what I did
Just to make my way through
One more day far away from you
And I've been missing you
It's not the first won't be the last time
I've been caught red-handed
To tell the truth I cannot lie
One big misunderstanding
I haven't got an alibi
And I can't stop them talking
Cross my heart and hope to die
One big misunderstanding
So I blew it again just like I always do
For the things that I did I'm saying sorry to you
But I did what I did and I paid my dues
I've been missing you
It's not the first won't be the last time
I've been caught red-handed
To tell the truth I cannot lie
One big misunderstanding
I haven't got an alibi
And I can't stop them talking
I cross my heart and hope to die
One big misunderstanding
So I blew it again just like I always do
For the things that I did I'm saying sorry to you
But I did what I did and I paid my dues
I've been missing you
The lyrics of "I've Been Missing You" by UB40 depict a story of a regretful man who has been caught in a misunderstanding with his partner. He acknowledges his mistake and takes responsibility for his actions, but it seems that the damage has already been done. He explains that his behavior was not premeditated and that he didn't realize the gravity of the situation until it was too late. The song exhibits remorse and a desire to reconcile with the lost lover.
The chorus, "So I blew it again just like I always do, It's too late for sorry, this much is true" intensifies the theme of a helpless man trying to make amends for his misdeeds but finds it challenging to do so because they have already thrown everything away. The verse, "Just to make my way through, One more day far away from you, And I've been missing you" expresses his longing to be with his beloved and conveys the profound remorse he is experiencing.
Overall, "I've Been Missing You" is a poignant portrayal of a love story's tragic ending due to a misunderstanding. The song's lyrics highlight the emotions of a man who wants to apologize and get back together but feels helpless as he has already lost the trust.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not because I've just been caught
I didn't do it out of fear of being caught
It's not as if I planned this
I didn't intend for this to happen
I didn't give a single thought
I didn't think about the consequences
One big misunderstanding
It was all just a big mistake
I see how things look from your side
I understand how you're feeling
I see how you're hurting
I see that I've caused you pain
The reason that I didn't hide
I didn't try to hide because there's nothing to hide
So I blew it again just like I always do
I messed up again, like I usually do
It's too late for sorry, this much is true
I know it's too late to apologize
I did what I did
I can't change the past
Just to make my way through
I did what I thought I had to do at the time
One more day far away from you
I've been away from you for too long
And I've been missing you
I really miss you
Lyrics © 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
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