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't Help Falling In Love
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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.
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
UB40's cover of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" is a classic love song that speaks of the depths of emotions that one has no control over. The song is a conversation between the singer and their beloved, with the first stanza stating that wise men say only fools rush in, but the singer can't help but fall in love with their partner. They are aware of the potential consequences of this love but simply can't help themselves. The second stanza has a more religious tone, with the singer asking if it would be a sin to stay in love with their partner knowing that they can't resist their presence.
The second half of the song takes on a more contemplative tone as the singer acknowledges that some things are just meant to be, like a river flowing into the sea. They offer their life and hand to their partner, acknowledging that they can't help themselves from falling completely in love. The final line, "For I can't help falling in love with you," is repeated twice, emphasizing the singer's conviction that their love is inevitable.
Line by Line Meaning
Wise men say
The wise have expressed that caution is necessary when it comes to falling in love.
Only fools rush in,
It is foolish to rush into a deep-seated relationship like love, without adequate thought or consideration.
But I can't help falling in love with you.
Despite the above notion, I cannot seem to control myself when it comes to falling in love with you.
Shall I stay
Should I stay by your side?
Would it be a sin,
Is it a wrongdoing to continue loving you?
If I can't help falling in love with you.
It is not of my own volition that I have fallen deeply in love with you.
Like a river flows
Just like how a river flows naturally towards reaching its source, so is my love for you.
Surely to the sea
Without a doubt, my love for you will continue to flow and grow deep.
Darling so it goes
My dear, this is how it has always been.
Some things are meant to be
Certain events and occurrences are predestined and inevitable, like my love for you.
Take my hand
Come and hold my hand.
Take my whole life too,
My life and everything attached to it is yours, as a testament of my love for you.
For I can't help falling in love with you
Once again, I cannot seem to control my heart and my feelings towards you.
Lyrics © RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: George David Weiss, Hugo E Peretti, Luigi Creatore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@julioprofe
¡Temazo! 09 Ene 2022
@jorgeponton
Claro que sí estimado julio profe 👏🏼
@ELguayguayarenoSEXY
que buenos gustos julio 😍
@jennbalcazar4910
BH
@shervicjoepulpett5882
❤
@tatendajiri5521
2022
@mariawildman1299
This is one of best renditions of a classic I've ever heard. Absolutely perfect 💗🌷
@garycarr3857
UB40
@JackiePhillipsTheSocialPet
Agree!! Even better than Elvis and he is hard to top!!
@Maldoror200
@marjawildman1299 ..feel thee same..!!🌙🥀.., ~K~