A reggae band formed 1978 in Birmingham, UK. The music grasps from roots re… Read Full Bio ↴A reggae band formed 1978 in Birmingham, UK. The music grasps from roots reggae and dub to lovers rock and pop. It is the second most commercial successful reggae band with +70 million sold albums. Many of their hits have been stylishly covers of early reggae and rocksteady hits from Jamaica. After success in UK, UB40's won USA with Labour of Love (1983), their first album of covers. UB40 was 1986 the first Western band to play behind the Iron Curtain, live in Moscow, Soviet Union. UB40 is known for hits as 'Food For Thought', (1980) 'Red Red Wine' (1983), 'Please Don't Make Me Cry' (1983), 'I Got You Babe' (1985) with frontman Ali Campbell in duet with Chrissie Hynde just like in 'Breakfast in Bed' (1988). Their most successful worldwide single release is their reggae/pop version of 'I Can't Help) Falling in Love With You' (1993).

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 Would Do For You
UB40 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I didn't mean to be so late
It's just that I got talking
I had a drink with a couple of mates
Missed my bus and wound up walking

I tried to call and let you know
It was busy and I couldn't get through
I didn't want to let you down

I know how much it hurts you

I don't know what came over me
It must have slipped my mind
I'll try and make it up to you
Let's leave the past behind

I promise that I'll do my best
To mend my wicked ways
And don't believe the things you hear
Don't listen to what they say

[Chorus]
I would do for you
All you'd have me do
All you have to do
Is ask me to
All you have to do
Is tell me when
And I'll come running back again

If there's something wrong then let me know
Don't bottle things inside
Your pretty eyes can melt my heart
Your sadness they can't hide

Please try and give me one more chance
To set the record straight
Meet me here tomorrow night
And I promise I won't be late

[Chorus]

I would do for you...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to UB40's song, "I Would Do For You," speak to the desire to make amends with a loved one after letting them down. The singer in the song is apologetic for being late and missing their plans, and expresses regret for not communicating this to their partner. They promise to change their ways and be more considerate in the future, pleading for a second chance to make things right. They assure their partner that they are willing to do anything for them, and the chorus repeats the message that all their partner needs to do is ask.

The song captures the sentiment of wanting to repair a relationship and make things right. It acknowledges the pain that comes with letting someone down and the importance of communication and honesty in a relationship. The lyrics also showcase the tenderness and devotion that one is willing to exhibit when in love. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the message of the song, that no matter what has happened in the past, the singer is willing to do whatever it takes to make things right.

Line by Line Meaning

I didn't mean to be so late
I apologize for being late

It's just that I got talking
I got carried away and lost track of time

I had a drink with a couple of mates
I had a few drinks with some friends

Missed my bus and wound up walking
I missed my bus and had to walk

I tried to call and let you know
I attempted to contact you

It was busy and I couldn't get through
I was unable to reach you due to a busy line

I didn't want to let you down
I didn't want to disappoint you

I know how much it hurts you
I'm aware it pains you

I don't know what came over me
I'm not sure why I acted that way

It must have slipped my mind
I forgot about it

I'll try and make it up to you
I'll make an effort to compensate

Let's leave the past behind
Let's not dwell on what happened

I promise that I'll do my best
I vow to give it my all

To mend my wicked ways
To correct my mistakes

And don't believe the things you hear
Don't trust what others say

Don't listen to what they say
Ignore the rumors

I would do for you
I would go to great lengths to help you

All you'd have me do
Anything you request of me

All you have to do
Your only responsibility is to ask

Is ask me to
Just ask and I'll be there for you

Tell me when
Let me know when you need me

And I'll come running back again
I'll drop everything and rush to your side

If there's something wrong then let me know
If something's troubling you, please share with me

Don't bottle things inside
Don't keep your emotions concealed

Your pretty eyes can melt my heart
Your attractive eyes have the power to touch me deeply

Your sadness they can't hide
Despite the attempt to mask it, your sorrow is still evident

Please try and give me one more chance
I plead with you to afford me another opportunity

To set the record straight
To clarify and rectify the issue

Meet me here tomorrow night
Let's meet up tomorrow evening

And I promise I won't be late
I boldly commit to being punctual

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

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