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.
LAMB
UB40 Lyrics
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Ah who seh, lambsbread I till ya
Ah who seh, sensimilla The wicked man, the wicked man deh'pon the street
A whole heap of wind-ups deh'pon the street
Thiefing, looting, lying, me seh dep'pon the street
A hustling, a hustling deh'pon the street
Me seh a flat-foot hustling deh'pon the street
The drug squad seh them dep'pon the street.
B-line, mash it, me seh mash it, me seh
B-line, rock it, me seh shock it, me seh
B-line, rub it, me seh dub it, me seh
B-line, under heavy manners, me seh
B-line, rock it, me seh shock it, me seh
B-line, mash it, me seh crash it, me seh
B-line.
The lyrics of UB40's song "Lamb's Bread" are deeply connected to the Rastafarian culture and the use of marijuana as a sacrament. The first verses refer to two different types of marijuana: Sensimilla and Lamb's Bread. Sensimilla, meaning "without seeds" in Spanish, is a type of marijuana renowned for its high potency, and Lamb's Bread is a variety believed to have been Bob Marley's favorite strain, said to bring spiritual enlightenment. These two types of weed are mentioned in a tone of superiority and pride, as if the Rastafarian culture and its sacrament of marijuana hold the key to a higher state of being.
The second part of the song addresses the wickedness of the street life, with references to violence, deceit, and illegal hustling. The lyrics suggest that the police (or "drug squad") are also present on the street, keeping a close eye on the illegal activities. The chorus sets the tone of the song, calling for a "B-line" rhythm, which is a specific bass-heavy beat style used in reggae music. The lyrics imply a call to arms, suggesting the desire to fight back against the oppression of the street life, while also encouraging people to dance and express themselves through music.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah who seh, sensimilla
Who said sensimilla?
Ah who seh, lambsbread I till ya
Who said I cultivate lambsbread?
Ah who seh, sensimilla The wicked man, the wicked man deh'pon the street
Who said sensimilla is for the wicked man? The wicked man is out there on the streets.
A whole heap of wind-ups deh'pon the street
There are many imposters on the streets.
Thiefing, looting, lying, me seh dep'pon the street
Stealing, looting, and lying is prevalent on the streets.
A hustling, a hustling deh'pon the street
Everyone is trying to make a living on the streets.
Me seh a flat-foot hustling deh'pon the street
Even the police are hustling on the streets.
The drug squad seh them dep'pon the street.
The drug squad is present on the streets.
B-line, mash it, me seh mash it, me seh
Let's hit some hard bass, I mean hit it hard.
B-line, rock it, me seh shock it, me seh
Let's groove to some heavy beats, I mean let it shake us up.
B-line, rub it, me seh dub it, me seh
Let's feel the rhythm, I mean let it echo.
B-line, under heavy manners, me seh
The bass is so heavy that I can feel it in my bones.
B-line, rock it, me seh shock it, me seh
Let's enjoy the music, I mean let it surprise us.
B-line, mash it, me seh crash it, me seh
Let's go crazy with the bass, I mean let it shatter our senses.
B-line.
Keep the bass coming!
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
Ian Fulton
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Rosie Contreras
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Awesome song