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.
Kiss And Say Goodbye
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's just so many things to say
Please don't stop me till I'm through
This is something I hate to do
We've been meeting here so long
I guess what we've done, oh, was wrong
And please, darling, don't you cry
Many months have passed up by
(I'm gonna miss you)
I'm gonna miss you I can't lie
(I'm gonna miss you)
I've got ties and so do you
(I'm gonna miss you)
I just think this is the thing to do
It's gonna hurt me, I can't lie
Maybe you'll meet, you'll meet another guy
Understand me, won't you try, try, try, try, try, try, try
Let's just kiss and say goodbye
Ooh, yeah
(I'm gonna miss you)
Let's just kiss and say goodbye
(I'm gonna miss you)
Yeah, yeah
(I'm gonna miss you)
It's gonna hurt me, I can't lie
Maybe you'll meet, you'll meet another guy
Understand me, won't you try, try, try, try, try, try, try
Let's just kiss and say goodbye
Ooh, yeah
(I'm gonna miss you)
I'm gonna miss you, I can't lie
(I'm gonna miss you)
Understand me, won't you try
(I'm gonna miss you)
It's gonna hurt me, I can't lie
(I'm gonna miss you)
Take my handkerchief and wipe your eyes
(I'm gonna miss you)
Maybe you'll find, you'll find another guy
(I'm gonna miss you)
Woh, woh, woh
(I'm gonna miss you)
Let's just kiss and say goodbye
The song "Kiss And Say Goodbye" by UB40 is about two lovers who have been meeting secretly for a while, but have decided to end their relationship. The singer expresses his reluctance to do this but knows it is the right thing to do. He tells his partner that they have been meeting for too long, and what they've done is wrong. Although he doesn't want to hurt her, he knows it's time to move on. He hopes that someday they will both be able to look back on their relationship fondly, but for now, they must say goodbye.
The lyrics also allude to the pain of letting go, as the singer acknowledges that it will hurt, but takes solace in the possibility that they will meet other people. He encourages his partner to understand his decision, and suggests that they "just kiss and say goodbye." This phrase serves as a goodbye to their past relationship, and a way for them to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
I had to meet you here today
I needed to see you today
There's just so many things to say
There are a lot of things I need to say to you
Please don't stop me till I'm through
Please don't interrupt me until I'm finished
This is something I hate to do
I don't want to do this but it's necessary
We've been meeting here so long
We have been meeting here for a long time
I guess what we've done, oh, was wrong
I think what we've been doing is wrong
And please, darling, don't you cry
And please, my love, don't cry
Let's just kiss and say goodbye
Let's just kiss and say goodbye
Many months have passed up by
Many months have gone by
(I'm gonna miss you)
(I'm going to miss you)
I'm gonna miss you I can't lie
I am going to miss you, I can't deny
I've got ties and so do you
I have obligations and you do too
I just think this is the thing to do
I think breaking up is the right thing to do
It's gonna hurt me, I can't lie
Breaking up is going to hurt me, I can't deny
Maybe you'll meet, you'll meet another guy
Maybe you'll meet someone else
Understand me, won't you try, try, try, try, try, try, try
Please try to understand me
Let's just kiss and say goodbye
Let's just kiss and say goodbye
Ooh, yeah
Oh, yes
(I'm gonna miss you)
(I'm going to miss you)
Yeah, yeah
Yes, yes
Take my handkerchief and wipe your eyes
Take my handkerchief and wipe your tears
(I'm gonna miss you)
(I'm going to miss you)
Maybe you'll find, you'll find another guy
Maybe you'll find someone else
(I'm gonna miss you)
(I'm going to miss you)
Woh, woh, woh
Woah, woah, woah
Let's just kiss and say goodbye
Let's just kiss and say goodbye
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul M
on reckless
Does anyone know who the singer on the mic is with the hat? Also the two that come in with Bam? Thanks
Ian Fulton
on My Way of Thinking
Best band in the stratosphere
Rosie Contreras
on Red Red Wine
Awesome song