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.

Just What's Killing Me
UB40 Lyrics

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I intend to do me some forgetting
It’s gonna take some time, don’t contact me
I don’t intend on doing much regretting
I just need to drink away the agony

I’ve been spending all my waking hours
Walking through a happy memory
I don’t remember grey skies raining showers

And I’m pretty sure that’s
Just what’s killing me

I can’t say I’m not gonna miss you
I fell for you almost instantly
I can’t take this feeling, it’s too blue
Right now this is an emergency
And I’m pretty sure that’s
Just what’s killing me

I can’t go, I’m staring at your picture
It only serves to make me miss you more
If this old heart tries beating any quicker
I don’t believe I’ll make it through the door

There’s so many things I have to tell you
Little things on which we could agree
Like who we are and how
We’re gonna get through
And I’m pretty sure that’s
Just what’s killing me

I can’t say I’m not gonna miss you
I fell for you almost instantly
I can’t take this feeling, it’s too blue
Right now this is an emergency
And I’m pretty sure that’s
Just what’s killing me

I intend to do me some forgetting
It’s gonna take some time, don’t contact me
I don’t intend on doing much regretting
I just need to drink away the agony

I’ve been spending all my waking hours
Walking through a happy memory
I don’t remember grey skies raining showers
And I’m pretty sure that’s
Just what’s killing me

I can’t say I’m not gonna miss you
I fell for you almost instantly
I can’t take this feeling, it’s too blue
Right now this is an emergency

And I’m pretty sure that’s
Just what’s killing me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of UB40's song "Just What's Killing Me" delve into the pain and struggle of heartbreak. The singer expresses their intention to forget and move on from the relationship, but acknowledges that it will take time. They don't want any contact or regret, instead they turn to drinking to numb the agony they are feeling.

The song reflects the experience of constantly replaying memories of the past relationship in their mind. They mention walking through a happy memory and not recalling any negative moments. This obsession with the past and the inability to let go is what they believe is causing their current distress.

The singer admits that they will miss their partner and confesses that they fell for them quickly. The feeling of missing them is overwhelming, portraying the situation as an emergency. The mention of staring at a picture emphasizes the longing and the pain it brings.

There is a strong desire to communicate with the person they miss and share the things they have to say. The lyrics imply that these conversations could potentially help both of them find understanding and a way to move forward. However, the singer acknowledges that dwelling on these thoughts is only adding to their suffering.

In summary, "Just What's Killing Me" captures the struggle of moving on from a past relationship and the inner turmoil it can create. The lyrics express the intense emotions of loss, longing, and the desperate need to find a way to heal.

Just What's Killing MeUB40 Lyrics

Ian Fulton

on My Way of Thinking

Rosie Contreras

on Red Red Wine

Just What's Killing Me
UB40 Lyrics