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.
Johnny Too Bad
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a pistol in your waist
Johnny you're too bad
Walking down the road
With a ratchet in your waist
Johnny you're too bad
[Chorus]
And lootin' and shooting'
You're too bad (repeat)
One of these day's
When you hear a voice say come,
Where you gonna run to?
One of these day's
When you hear a voice say come,
Where you gonna run to?
[Chorus]
You're gonna run to the rock
For rescue, there'll be no rock
You're gonna run to the rock
For rescue, there'll be no rock
UB40's song Johnny Too Bad is a reggae classic, telling the story of a notorious criminal named Johnny, who is feared and respected for his ruthless behavior. The lyrics describe Johnny walking down the road with a pistol and a ratchet in his waist, highlighting his dangerous reputation. The chorus then goes on to say that Johnny is just robbing, stabbing, looting, and shooting, giving an idea of the type of criminal activities that he is involved in. The repetition of the phrase "Johnny you're too bad" emphasizes his notoriety and the fear that he inspires in others.
The second verse is a warning to Johnny about the consequences of his actions. It speaks of a voice that will call out to him one day and ask him where he will run to when he has nowhere else to go. The chorus is repeated, reminding listeners once again of Johnny's violent nature. The song ends with the warning that Johnny will not be able to run to a rock for rescue; he will have nowhere to hide from the consequences of his actions.
In summary, the lyrics of Johnny Too Bad are a powerful commentary on the dark side of human behavior, highlighting the consequences of a life of crime and violence. The song speaks to the fear that such individuals can inspire and gives a warning that such behavior will ultimately lead to a tragic end.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking down the road
Just casually strolling along the pathway
With a pistol in your waist
Carrying a firearm tucked under your clothing around your waistline
Johnny you're too bad
Johnny, your behavior is unacceptable and wicked
Walking down the road
Yet again, leisurely walking along the street
With a ratchet in your waist
Hiding a tool used for violence (ratchet) inside your clothing at your waist
Johnny you're too bad
Johnny, your character is intolerable and malevolent
[Chorus]
Referring to the refrain of the song
You're just robbin' and stabbin'
Engaging in robbery and stabbing innocent people
And lootin' and shooting'
Also stealing and discharging firearms recklessly
You're too bad (repeat)
Reiterating that this type of behavior is atrocious and unacceptable
One of these day's
At some point in time
When you hear a voice say come,
When a voice beckons you
Where you gonna run to?
Where will you flee to?
You're gonna run to the rock
Suggesting that a person who finds themselves in trouble may turn to religion or belief for comfort
For rescue, there'll be no rock
A final statement that indicates even if one turns to religious salvation, it may not be able to save them from retribution for their wrongful acts
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DERRICK CROOKS, HYLTON BECKFORD, TREVOR WILSON, WINSTON BAILEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SAVEUS X29
Walking down the road
With a pistol in your waist
Johnny you're too bad (woah oh)
Walking down the road
With a ratchet in your waist
Johnny you're too bad (woah oh)
You're just robbin' and stabbin
Lootin' and shooting
You're too bad (too bad)
You're just robbin' and stabbin
Lootin' and shooting
You're too bad (too bad)
One of these day's
When you hear a voice say come
Where you gonna run to? (woah oh)
One of these day's
When you hear a voice say come
Where you gonna run to? (woah oh)
You're gonna run to the rock
For rescue, and there'll be no rock
You're gonna run to the rock
For rescue, and there'll be no rock
Walking down the road
With a pistol in your waist
Johnny you're too bad (woah oh)
Walking down the road
With a ratchet in your waist
Johnny you're too bad (woah oh)
You're just robbin' and stabbin
Lootin' and shooting
You're too bad (too bad)
You're just robbin' and stabbin
Lootin' and shooting
You're too bad (too bad)
One of these day's
When you hear a voice say come
Where you gonna run to? (woah oh)
One of these day's
When you hear a voice say come
Where you gonna run to? (woah oh)
You're gonna run to the rock
For rescue, and there'll be no rock
You're gonna run to the rock
For rescue, and there'll be no rock
You're gonna run to the rock
For rescue, and there'll be no rock
You say that you're bad
You run like you mad
You terrorize the people
And you make them sad, why why
You are the Babylon (woah oh)
You think that you're tough
You run like you're rough
Intimidate a man just to call him bluff
Why, why, you are the Babylon (woah oh)
You're just robbin' and stabbin
Lootin' and shootin
Boy you're too bad (too bad)
You're just robbin' and stabbin
Lootin' and shootin
Boy you're too bad (too bad)
You stop and you search
And you broke in on my house
You turn it upside down
Like a damn crabble louse
You set up a man anyway you can
You double cross the man
According into plan
Why, why you are the Babylon
Why, why you are the Babylon
You give a man weed, put him on the street
You get a 3 year stretch
Courtesy of the queen, why, why
Why you so wicked? (woah oh)
You come and dance, you will take chance
You better watch your step
Or you will get lanced why, why?
Because you’re so wicked
You're just robbin' and stabbin
Lootin' and shootin
Boy you're too bad (too bad)
You're just robbin' and stabbin
Lootin' and shootin
Boy you're too bad (too bad)
In the daytime you smile
In the night time you snarl
You get equip-ment
Forget in a brawl
You let loose your dogs
To set upon the wogs
You come in disguise but everyone get wise
Why, why you are the Babylon
You're gonna run
You're gonna run
But you cannot hide no, no
Oh no, but you cannot hide
But you cannot hide no, no
You're gonna run
You're gonna run
But you cannot hide no, no
showoff2006
[Verse 1]
Walking down the road with a pistol in your waist
Johnny, you're too bad
Woah oh!
Walking down the road with a ratchet in your waist
Johhny, you're too bad
Woah oh!
You're just robbin' and stabbin', lootin' and shooting
Boy, you're too bad
Too bad
You're just robbin' and stabbin', lootin' and shooting
Boy, you're too bad
Too bad
[Verse 2]
One of these days when you hear a voice say, "Come"
Where you gonna run to?
Woah oh!
One of these days when you hear a voice say, "Come"
Where you gonna run to?
Woah oh!
You're gonna run to the Rock for rescue and there'll be no rock
No Rock
You're gonna run to the Rock for rescue and there'll be no rock
No Rock
[Musical Interlude]
[Verse 1]
Walking down the road with a pistol in your waist
Johnny, you're too bad
Woah oh!
Walking down the road with a ratchet in your waist
Johhny, you're too bad
Woah oh!
You're just robbin' and stabbin', lootin' and shooting
Boy, you're too bad
Too bad
You're just robbin' and stabbin', lootin' and shooting
Boy, you're too bad
Too bad
[Verse 2]
One of these days when you hear a voice say, "Come"
Where you gonna run to?
Woah oh!
One of these days when you hear a voice say, "Come"
Where you gonna run to?
Woah oh!
You're gonna run to the Rock for rescue and there'll be no rock
No Rock
You're gonna run to the Rock for rescue and there'll be no rock
No Rock
You're gonna run to the Rock for rescue and there'll be no rock
No Rock
[Verse 3]
You say that you're bad, you gwan like you're mad
You terrorize the people and you make dem sad
Woii woii, you are the Babylon
You think that you're tough, you gwan like you're rough
Intimidate a man just to call him bluff
Woii woii, you are the Babylon
[Verse 1]
You're just robbin' and stabbin', lootin' and shooting
Boy, you're too bad
Too bad
You're just robbin' and stabbin', lootin' and shooting
Boy, you're too bad
Too bad
[Verse 4]
You stop and you search, and you bruk inna mi house
You turn it upside down like a damn crabble house
You set up a man anyway you can
You double cross the man according to plan
Woii woii, you are the Babylon
Woii woii, you are the Babylon
[Musical Interlude]
[Verse 5]
You thief a man weed, put it pon the street
You get a 3 years stretch curtesy of the Queen
Woii woii, why you so wicked?
You come a man dance, you a take chance
You better watch your step or you will get lost
Woii woii, because you're so wicked
[Verse 1]
You're just robbin' and stabbin', lootin' and shooting
Boy, you're too bad
Too bad
You're just robbin' and stabbin', lootin' and shooting
Boy, you're too bad
Too bad
[Verse 6]
In the daytime you smile
In the night time you snarl
You get equipment fi get inna brawl
You let loose your dogs to set upon the wogs
You come in disguise, but everyone get wise
Woii woii, you are the Babylon
[Outro]
You gonna run, you gonna run, but you cannot hide, no no
Oh no, but you cannot hide...
But you cannot hide, no no
You gonna run, you gonna run, but you cannot hide, no no...
Ahmer Khan
I didn't think that a song about a bad guy could be so groovy. One of my favorites from UB40.
Neil O'brien
It's about police
Melanie Power
Grow up listening to theses . Just pure classic . Always will be x UB40 4 ever ❤️
Dalaker Daniel
there's a much better version from Anti Nowhere League nice Video ☠️💣☠️
Davidnumber23
✌
jim freeth
Us Brummies always supported them.
No Hunz Allowed 🥰
Not heard this song in a long long time. Reminds me when I was a kid and my dad use to play it with all his ragga music back in the day. X
Jim Mullan
I grew up with elder brothers that were proper naughty boys! They used carry around a ghetto blaster in the summer, robbing Stella and SUPER T,getting steamed out there nut. Basically they was a hardcore crew and used to bang this tune out, buju blanton, beres Hammond, sanchez ect.... Reggae isin my DNA! Oh the memories!! Im a big searcher of lovers rock reggae
0o0o0o0
Same. It's mad how music can blast you back to a specific minute decades ago
Danny Boy
Same here except it was my mum playing it when I was home from school, I get great comfort in listening:) takes me back to those worry free days wondering how I could get the next day off school which I hated!