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.

Legalize It
UB40 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Legalize it, yeah, yeah,
Don't criticize it
Legalize it, yeah, yeah,
And I will advertise it

Some of them call it tambi
Some of them call it deh weed
Some call it marijuana

Some of them call it ganja

Every man got to legalize it, yeah, yeah,
Don't criticize it
Legalize it, yeah, yeah,
And I will advertise it

Singers smoke it
And players of instruments too
Legalize it, yeah, yeah
That's the best thing you can do

Doctors smoke it, nurses smoke it
Judges smoke it, even the lawyer too
So you've got to legalize it, yeah, yeah
Don't criticize it
Legalize it, yeah, yeah,
And I will advertise it

Politicians smoke it, and their children too
Policeman smoke it, when them a steal it from you
We've got to legalize it, yeah, yeah
Don't criticize it

Legalize it, yeah, yeah,
And I will advertise it

Overall Meaning

In UB40's song "Legalize It," the lyrics celebrate the use of marijuana and advocate for its legalization. The chorus repeatedly urges listeners to "Legalize it, yeah, yeah, don't criticize it." The singer states that he will "advertise it" once it is legalized, suggesting that he wants the world to know that marijuana use is acceptable and should not be condemned.

The first verse of the song mentions different names for marijuana, including "tambi," "deh weed," "marijuana," and "ganja." The fact that there are so many different names for the drug suggests that it is widely used and accepted in different cultures around the world. The following verse states that even famous musicians and artists use marijuana, and that legalizing it would be the best thing to do. The next verse mentions that doctors, nurses, judges, and lawyers all use marijuana, highlighting the fact that people from all walks of life use the drug.

The final verse of the song is perhaps the most controversial, as it suggests that politicians and police officers also use marijuana. The line "policeman smoke it, when them a steal it from you" implies that police officers sometimes confiscate marijuana from citizens, but then use it for themselves. The song concludes by repeating the call to "legalize it" and stating that the singer will "advertise it" once it becomes legal.

Line by Line Meaning

Legalize it, yeah, yeah,
The singer advocates for the legalization of marijuana and repeats to emphasize his point.

Don't criticize it
The singer advises people to stop condemning marijuana use.

And I will advertise it
The singer promises to promote the legalization of marijuana further if it becomes legal.

Some of them call it tambi
The song mentions different names that marijuana goes by in different places and cultures.

Some of them call it deh weed
Another name given to marijuana is 'deh weed'.

Some call it marijuana
Marijuana is the scientific name of the drug.

Some of them call it ganja
Marijuana is often referred to as 'ganja'.

Every man got to legalize it, yeah, yeah,
The singer believes that everyone should work towards the legalization of marijuana.

Singers smoke it
Musicians use marijuana.

And players of instruments too
Musicians who play instruments also use marijuana.

That's the best thing you can do
The singer argues that legalizing marijuana would be beneficial.

Doctors smoke it, nurses smoke it
Medical professionals also use marijuana.

Judges smoke it, even the lawyer too
Even people who are involved in the legal system use marijuana.

Politicians smoke it, and their children too
Even politicians and their families use marijuana.

Policeman smoke it, when them a steal it from you
Even law enforcement officials sometimes use marijuana, especially when they confiscate it from others.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: OTIS MORRISON, DONOVAN KEITH BENNETT, NIGEL STAFF

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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