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 Can
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Only fools rush in"
But I can't help falling in love with you
Wise men say
"Only fools rush in"
But I can't help falling in love with you
Would it be a sin?
I can't help falling in love with you
As a river flows
Gently to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things were meant to be
Take my hand
Take my whole life, too
I can't help falling in love with you
As a river flows
Gently to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things were meant to be
Take my hand
Take my whole life, too
I can't help falling in love with you
I can't help falling in love with you
I can't help falling in love with you
I can't help falling in love with you
UB40's rendition of "Can't Help Falling in Love," originally sung by Elvis Presley, can be interpreted as a love song that acknowledges the inevitability of falling in love despite the risks that come with it. The first two lines of the song draw from a common adage that warns against rushing into love, stating that wise men say that only fools rush in - setting up a juxtaposition between sound advice and uncontrollable emotion. The chorus repeats this line twice, highlighting the fact that the singer cannot help falling in love, despite the warning.
Line by Line Meaning
Wise men say
People who are considered wise often say
"Only fools rush in"
The idea that only naive people would dive head first into a situation without considering the consequences
But I can't help falling in love with you
Despite the potential risks, I find myself deeply in love with you and cannot prevent these feelings
Shall I stay?
Should I remain with you?
Would it be a sin?
Is it morally inappropriate or wrong to continue loving you?
I can't help falling in love with you
My profound love for you makes it difficult for me to move on
As a river flows
Waterways, like rivers, have a natural flow and direction
Gently to the sea
The river gradually moves along towards the larger body of water
Darling, so it goes
This is just the way things are supposed to happen, my love
Some things were meant to be
Certain things in life are destined to happen no matter what
Take my hand
Please accept my hand and the love it represents
Take my whole life, too
I'm offering you all of me, not just my love, but my entire life
I can't help falling in love with you
No matter what happens, my love for you will endure
I can't help falling in love with you
My profound love for you cannot be prevented or stopped
I can't help falling in love with you
My feelings for you continue to be strong and unwavering
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: George Weiss, Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@guendalinazamperla4080
Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you?
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
For I can't help falling in love with you
@opisina04
It's 2023 and here we are, still listening to this beautiful rendition.
@tulua11
Damned right!
@mburugeorge__1592
And its still sounds new
@MickyAM
30 years and going 😊
@j.d.contreras392
They don't make music like this anymore. I agree with you.
@ladykatewarrior
Such a tuneeeeeeeeeeeee ❤️
@RahelEid
Lets see how Many people are listening to this ni 2021💜😁
@edwardgallagher8932
Yes all the lads in Northern Ireland
@M9JayJayy
👍🏾
@nmarinasweet5854
UB40 FOREVER