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.

Lisa
UB40 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I admire you from afar
You've changed the way I see
I used to think that I
Should make you be like me
But after this short time
Watching what you do
I realize that I
Should strive to be like you

Whenever I am near you
I tread so awkwardly
Afraid someone may steal you
I guard you jealously

Then sing the world your praises
Let everybody know
That I just saw the future
A place I want to go

I admire you from afar
You've changed the way I see
I used to think that I
Should make you be like me
But after this short time
Watching what you do
I realize that I
Should strive to be like you

I hear you when you're talking
Untouched simplicity
Alive with expectations
In search of what might be

I admire you from afar
You've changed the way I see
I used to think that I
Should make you be like me
But after this short time
Watching what you do
I realize that I
Should strive to be like you

Then sing the world your praises
Let everybody know
That I just saw the future
A place I want to go

I hear you when you're talking
Untouched simplicity
Alive with expectations
In search of what might be

Then sing the world your praises
Let everybody know
That I just saw the future
A place I want to go

I hear you when you're talking
Untouched simplicity
Alive with expectations
In search of what might be

Then sing the world your praises
Let everybody know

That I just saw the future
A place I want to go

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to UB40's "Lisa" express the admiration of the singer towards a woman named Lisa from afar. He acknowledges that she has changed the way he sees things, as he used to think that everyone should be like him. However, after observing her behavior and actions, he realizes that he should strive to be more like her. Whenever he is near her, he becomes nervous and protective of her because she is special to him. He hears her when she talks and is inspired by her untainted simplicity and optimistic outlook on life.

The song is an introspective reflection on personal growth and self-improvement. The singer is humble enough to acknowledge that his initial mindset was flawed, and he's willing to learn from someone who embodies the qualities he admires. Lisa serves as a role model who inspires change in him through her actions, words, and persona. The singer understands that the best way to become a better person is to emulate those who possess qualities that he admires. The lyrics suggest that the future is full of possibilities and hope, and the singer wants to be a part of that bright future.

Line by Line Meaning

I admire you from afar
I respect and appreciate you from a distance

You've changed the way I see
You have influenced my perspective and outlook

I used to think that I
I previously believed that

Should make you be like me
You should conform to my ways

But after this short time
But since observing you recently

Watching what you do
Observing your behavior

I realize that I
I now understand that

Should strive to be like you
I should aim to emulate your admirable qualities

Whenever I am near you
Whenever I am in your presence

I tread so awkwardly
I am nervous and unsure of myself

Afraid someone may steal you
Worried someone may take you away from me

I guard you jealously
I protect you with possessive feelings

Then sing the world your praises
Tell the world how great you are

Let everybody know
Inform everyone

That I just saw the future
That I have found my future

A place I want to go
A destination I desire to reach

I hear you when you're talking
I actively listen to you when you speak

Untouched simplicity
A natural and unrefined attitude

Alive with expectations
Eager and full of anticipation

In search of what might be
Seeking what could potentially happen

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIM BROWN, ALI CAMPBELL, ROBIN CAMPBELL, EARL FALCONER, NORMAN HASSAN, BRIAN TRAVERS, MICHAEL VIRTUE, TERRENCE OSWALD WILSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS