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.

Man Next Door
UB40 Lyrics

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There is a man that live next door
In my neighborhood in my neighborhood
And he gets me down

He gets in so late at night
Always a fuss and fight
Always a fuss and fight
All through the night

I’ve got to get away from here
This is not a place for me to stay
I’ve got to take my family
We’ll find a quiet place

Hear the pots and pans they fall
Bang against my wall bang against my wall
No rest at all

He gets in so late at night
Always a fuss and fight
Always a fuss and fight
All through the night

I’ve got to get away from here
This is not a place for me to stay

I’ve got to take my family
We’ll find a quiet place

Overall Meaning

"Man Next Door" by UB40 is a song that speaks of the frustration and desire for escape from a troublesome neighbor. The singer describes the man who lives next door in their neighborhood, emphasizing the negative impact he has on their life. The constant noise and disturbance caused by this man's late-night arrivals and the ensuing fights and arguments disrupt the peace and tranquility of the singer's home.

The lyrics convey a sense of weariness and exhaustion, as the singer laments the lack of rest and peace they experience. The refrain, "Always a fuss and fight, all through the night," emphasizes the ongoing nature of the disturbances, suggesting that this has been a recurring issue.

In response to the constant turmoil, the singer expresses the need to escape and find a better place for themselves and their family. They recognize that their current environment is not suitable for them and feel compelled to seek out a quieter and more peaceful place to live.

Overall, "Man Next Door" captures the frustration, annoyance, and desire for a better living situation that can arise from dealing with problematic neighbors. It portrays a universal theme of seeking solace and tranquility in one's own home while highlighting the impact that a disruptive neighbor can have on one's overall well-being.

Line by Line Meaning

There is a man that live next door
In close proximity to where I reside, there exists an individual of the male gender

In my neighborhood in my neighborhood
Within the vicinity of my immediate surroundings, precisely within the area where I reside

And he gets me down
He causes me to feel disheartened and unhappy

He gets in so late at night
During the late hours of the night, he arrives at his place of dwelling

Always a fuss and fight
Without fail, there is a consistent commotion and conflict occurring

All through the night
Continuously throughout the duration of the night

I’ve got to get away from here
I urgently need to escape from this current location

This is not a place for me to stay
The present setting is unsuitable and inadequate for me to remain in

I’ve got to take my family
It is imperative that I bring along my loved ones

We’ll find a quiet place
Together, we shall seek out a calm and peaceful environment

Hear the pots and pans they fall
Perceive the sound of kitchen utensils, specifically pots and pans, colliding and descending