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.
Madam Medusa
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Comes a dreadful sight
Lady with the marble smile
Spirit of the night
See the scourge of innocence
Swinging in her hand
Hear the silent suffering
From the tombs of ignorance
Of hate and greed and lies
Through the smoke of sacrifice
Watch her figure rise
The sick the poor the old
Basking in her radiance
Men of blood and gold
In her bloody footsteps
Speculators prance
Men of dreams are praying
For that second chance
Round her vacant features
Gilded serpents dance
Her tree of evil knowledge
Sprouts a special branch
Madam Medusa
Madam Medusa
Madam Medusa
Knock her right down
And then she bounce right back
Knock her right down
And then she bounce right back
She gone off her head
We've got to shoot her dead
She gone off her head
We've got to shoot her dead
Run for your life before she eat you alive
Run for your life before she eat you alive
Move out of the way 'cause's you're blocking out the day
Move out of the way 'cause's you're blocking out the day
UB40's "Madam Medusa" is a social commentary on the corrupt and cruel nature of those in power. The song tells the story of a ruthless woman who comes from the "land of shadows" and is the "spirit of the night." She carries a "scourge of innocence" in her hand and causes "silent suffering" through the land. The lyrics suggest that she represents the worst aspects of human behavior such as hate, greed, and lies.
The song is centered around the idea of corruption and the consequences it can have on society. Madam Medusa is seen as a symbol of this corruption and her influence is apparent in the lives of the sick, poor, and old, who seem to bask in her radiance. The speculators and men of blood and gold are also drawn to her, hoping to benefit from her power and influence.
The chorus of the song is a call to action, urging listeners to "knock her right down" and "shoot her dead." The lyrics suggest that Madam Medusa is beyond redemption and that the only way to save oneself from her influence is to run for your life. The song is a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of corruption and the desperate need for change.
Line by Line Meaning
From the land of shadows
The source of the dreadful sight that follows is from a dark and secretive place
Comes a dreadful sight
A terrible and frightening figure emerges from the darkness
Lady with the marble smile
This figure is a woman with an expressionless face like a statue
Spirit of the night
She is a representation of the mysterious and eerie atmosphere surrounding the night
See the scourge of innocence
She carries a whip that symbolizes the punishment of the innocent
Swinging in her hand
She is ready to use the whip against those who cross her path
Hear the silent suffering
Her victims experience extreme pain but are unable to voice it
That echoes through the land
The sound of their torment resonates throughout the entire region
From the tombs of ignorance
Her influence stems from the depths of people's lack of knowledge and misunderstanding
Of hate and greed and lies
These negative qualities are also factors contributing to her power
Through the smoke of sacrifice
She is also associated with religious ceremonies that involve burning offerings
Watch her figure rise
As a result of these practices, her power and authority continue to grow
The sick the poor the old
Despite the fact that her actions cause immense suffering, some vulnerable individuals are attracted to her
Basking in her radiance
They seem to enjoy being in her presence and are mesmerized by her appearance
Men of blood and gold
Those who hold positions of power and are wealthy also benefit from her actions
In her bloody footsteps
She leaves a trail of misery and destruction wherever she goes
Speculators prance
People who look to profit from the misfortune of others flock to her
Men of dreams are praying
Some individuals, however, hope for a better future and pray for a way out of their situation
For that second chance
They long for another chance to live a life free from suffering
Round her vacant features
Despite her lack of expression, something about her is captivating
Gilded serpents dance
Serpents, which are often associated with deceit, are drawn to her, and her influence spreads like a disease
Her tree of evil knowledge
She has access to a tree of knowledge that is corrupted and perverse
Sprouts a special branch
From this tree comes a branch that is particularly corrupt and dangerous
Madam Medusa
The woman in question is known as Madam Medusa
Knock her right down
To bring an end to her reign of terror, someone must stop her
And then she bounces right back
Despite efforts to defeat her, Madam Medusa is resilient and will not go down easily
She gone off her head
Madam Medusa has lost touch with reality
We've got to shoot her dead
Drastic measures are required to stop her, and someone must rise to the challenge
Run for your life before she eats you alive
Madam Medusa is so dangerous that it is necessary to flee for one's survival
Move out of the way 'cause you're blocking out the day
Madam Medusa's presence is so dark and oppressive that light cannot penetrate it; people must get out of her way to let the light in
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Jim Brown, Ali Campbell, Ian Charles Campbell, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Brian Travers, Michael Virtue, Terrence Oswald Wilson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@123jamiekay
First album I ever bought, still one of the best 40 years on.
@annetteforeman8060
Rest easy Astro and Brian,both are exceptional on this album and track! Lovely to meet you❤️💛💚
@alfonsoquinonez4234
Great sax, percussions, drumming, bass, guitars, keys, everything is a fine piece of album, love it !
@christianlopez534
Excelente canción, de lo mejor de UB40 👍
@castawayconcepts
This album is so underated
@garymason4450
Great band, still think their first album signing off is their best
@preving
agreed. Food For Thought is an amazing tune....
@DylanFowler
@preving ironically many of us will never sign off from listening to UB40 in our lives.
@ryanjonestownmassaker5943
A Masterpiece.
@jeffdavis5225
You know