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.
Love Is All Is Alright
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you left it a little to late
Love is all is alright
But you've got to find a little more hate
Take the man in the white cloak
A pointed mask to hide his face
Murders in the name of religion
Take the man in the black cloak
He's holding justice in his hands
Lets the man in the white cloak go
Calls it the law of the land
Love Is all is alright
But you left it a little to late
Love is all is alright
But you've got to find a little more hate
Take the man in the brown shirt
A burning hatred in his eyes
Fired by ignorant reaction
Fanned by political lies
Take the man in the blue cap
His back's against the wall
Links arms with the man in the brown shirt
He's trying to break his own fall
Love Is all is alright
But you left it a little to late
Love is all is alright
But you've got to find a little more hate
The lyrics of UB40's song Love Is All Is Alright are a commentary on societal and political issues that still plague us today. The song laments the fact that while love is important in the world, it alone cannot solve all of our problems. It expresses regret that by the time we realize this, it might already be too late.
The opening lines emphasize that love is important, but it has been neglected for too long. The next lines go on to describe several characters, each representing different forms of hate, who commit atrocities in the name of religion, color or race. These characters are the man in the white cloak who hides his face with a pointed mask; the man in the black cloak who holds justice in his hands but lets the man in the white cloak go, calling it the law of the land; the man in the brown shirt, who is filled with burning hatred and fueled by ignorant reaction and political lies; and finally, the man in the blue cap who links arms with the man in the brown shirt, trying to break his own fall.
The song's message is simple yet powerful: Love is necessary, but we also need to stand up to hate and fight against it. It warns us that if we don't do this, then it may be too late. Whatever the form of the hate, it needs to be overcome for the sake of human dignity and respect.
Line by Line Meaning
Love Is all is alright
Love is the ultimate solution
But you left it a little to late
But you have realized it too late
Love is all is alright
Love is still the only answer
But you've got to find a little more hate
But you also need to have a strong will to fight against injustice and inequality
Take the man in the white cloak
Take the person who hides behind their uniform or religion
A pointed mask to hide his face
A symbol of their cowardice and lack of accountability
Murders in the name of religion
Justifying killings with one's own faith
If you're not the right color or race
If you're not one of them
Take the man in the black cloak
Take the person who has the power to make decisions
He's holding justice in his hands
The person who has the authority to determine what is right and wrong
Lets the man in the white cloak go
Lets those who are guilty go free
Calls it the law of the land
Justifies it as something that the society accepts as right
Take the man in the brown shirt
Take the person who is fueled by hate and prejudice
A burning hatred in his eyes
Blinded by hate and anger
Fired by ignorant reaction
Motivated by ignorance and misinformation
Fanned by political lies
Strengthened by political rhetoric and propaganda
Take the man in the blue cap
Take the person who is struggling to survive
His back's against the wall
Their situation has become dire and hopeless
Links arms with the man in the brown shirt
Joins forces with the oppressor
He's trying to break his own fall
Desperately trying to stay afloat and survive
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
@iain3299
This is what I loved about this band. Beautiful music but with something to say.
@jimmyhall2138
Early to mid eighties i had a stereogram given by my uncle. Was a big old ugly thing in my bedroom, used to play the specials, madness and UB40 full blast. My mam used to go mad and tell me to turn it down, but not when UB40 were shaking the house! Great band, great track! 👍
@nickygolessa7685
Awwww u just brought some wicked memorys back i had a hipster cassette player cus mine didnt play loud .then my jamican nefhew patrick hayles bless him gave me a lead to make it louder .mom didnt like the noise i.e i was in the attick bedroom she all down stairs but wen i put the boys on she sent smoke signals to turn it up convinced the whole world to listen to UB40 then .wicked then even more so 40yrs on love to infinity and beyond one love 👍💖💖💖💖
@philipboucher8251
One of the best ever UB40 tunes ever
@RudyPrento
I've just lost my mum too (Monday 7 Jan 2013) . Music was her spiritual food. I'm touched by your comment. Big respects ..... RP
@stevemfmartin
One of my UB40 favs. the 12" version is amazing....was lucky to see them perform this live just as it came out ,,,
@henryhopkins1780
That's a rare privilege Stevie boy
@brigittesmedley9191
My older brother bought me this album man many years ago for my birthday.....Loved it then, love it still ..... still have it on vinyl
@henryhopkins1780
UB40 at their best,the sound of council estate summers
@rayvaughan3197
Possibly my fav UB40 tune ever....well this and Seasons ...and the Pillow from the Geffrey Morgan album