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.
Kingston Town
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the moonlight lingers on
There are wonders for everyone
The stars shine so bright
But they're fading after dawn
There is magic in Kingston Town
Oh Kingston Town
If I had the whole world
I would give it away
Just to see, the girls at play
And when I am king
Surely I would need a queen
And a palace and everything, yeah
And now I am king
And my queen will come at dawn
She'll be waiting in Kingston Town
Oh Kingston Town
The place I long to be
If I had the whole world
I would give it away
Just to see, the girls at play
Yeah
When I am king
Surely I would need a queen
And a palace and everything, yeah
And now I am king
And my queen will come at dawn
She'll be waiting in Kingston Town
She'll be waiting in Kingston Town
Right now
She'll be waiting in Kingston Town
Oh yeah
She'll be waiting in Kingston Town
The lyrics of UB40's song "Kingston Town" describe a longing for a place full of joy and magic, where wonders and stars shine bright, and where the singer would like to be with the girls who play there all day long. He dreams of being a king with a queen and a palace, and he imagines that in this place of happiness, his queen would be waiting for him at dawn. The song is a celebration of the singer's desire for love, joy, and freedom, and it connects these desires to the magic of Kingston Town.
The chorus of the song is especially memorable, as the simplicity and catchiness of the melody and lyrics create a sense of longing that is universal. The repetition of the phrase "Kingston Town" is not only rhythmically infectious but also emotionally resonant. The Town becomes an abstract concept of a place where dreams come true and where happiness is easily found; it's almost mythical.
Overall, the lyrics are an invitation to imagine a place of great joy and love, and they remind the listener that the power of our dreams is strong and real, and we should not be afraid to pursue them.
Line by Line Meaning
The night seems to fade
The darkness of the night seems to slowly diminish
But the moonlight lingers on
However, the light provided by the moon remains in existence
There are wonders for everyone
The world provides various spectacular experiences for each individual
The stars shine so bright
The stars emit a radiant light that is strong
But they're fading after dawn
Unfortunately, the stars gradually disappear when the sun rises
There is magic in Kingston Town
A sense of extraordinary enchantment exists in Kingston Town
Oh Kingston Town
Exclamation that emphasizes the previously mentioned Kingston Town
The place I long to be
A location where I desire to reside
If I had the whole world
If I possessed the entire universe
I would give it away
I would willingly surrender it to someone else
Just to see, the girls at play
All I desire is to observe the girls having a good time
And when I am king
Once I obtain nobility and power
Surely I would need a queen
I would certainly require a female ruler beside me
And a palace and everything, yeah
Furthermore, I would need a grand estate in addition to everything that comes with the position
And now I am king
The present time signifies that I have acquired the power I once desired
And my queen will come at dawn
My female ruler shall arrive at the time the sun rises
She'll be waiting in Kingston Town
She shall be anticipating my arrival in Kingston Town
Right now
Currently
Oh yeah
Exclamation signifying agreement or an affirmative answer
She'll be waiting in Kingston Town
She will anticipate my presence in Kingston Town
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kenrick Patrick
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@daryasmith7387
The night seems to fade,
But the moonlight lingers on
There are wonders for everyone
The stars shine so bright,
But they're fading after dawn
There is magic in Kingston Town
Oh Kingston Town,
The place I long to be
If I had the whole world
I would give it away
Just to see, the girls at play
Ooh, ooh, ooh
And when I am king,
surely I would need a queen
And a palace and everything, yeah
And now I am king,
And my queen will come at dawn
She'll be waiting in Kingston Town
Oh Kingston Town,
The place I long to be
If I had the whole world
I would give it away
Just to see, the girls at play
Ooh, ooh, ooh
And when I am king,
surely I would need a queen
And a palace and everything, yeah
And now I am king,
And my queen will come at dawn
She'll be waiting in Kingston Town
@kaninimutete5740
My dad used to love this song ❤...Every time I listen to it reminds me so much of him 💔😭.I miss you daddy.
@VibersVibin
❤🎶❤🎶❤🎶 big love to you and your dad hope you think of all the happy times thanks for sharing 😁👍
@faridmusa7485
sorry
@akshayr4138
The exact same reason I am here listening to this song 🙏❤️
@michikat6399
🥺🥺🥺💔
@jack_dylan7401
Make that me aswel… right in the feels it’s good to be able to look listen to music and it brings back the good old times 😞
@moniqueteona8464
My parents used to listen to UB40 when I was a child. Now I am 37. Rest in peace dad!
@VibersVibin
Nice big love homie make him proud 🎄🎅🦌👍❤
@kkhan7862
🥲🥲
@nicoleruth6181
Be strong