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.
Mi Spliff
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can't dep on mi spliff because mi spliff dep already
You can't dep on mi spliff mi have the hash-ish leb and sensi
Yes people smoke the herb yeah all over the world some bway
Name Peter and girl name pearl.
Name Peter and girl name pearl.
It isn't man made it is here naturally
It isn't man made it is here naturally
[Chorus]
A man a fix him price so then a man a loose him life
A man loose him life because a man a fix him price
A man fix his price so then a man a loose him life
The police will say no it is pure pappy show well their the
Best ina the business
[Chorus]
For centuries and centuries man has used the herb for leisure
For pleasure do not disturb.
For pleasure do not disturb.
Various parts of the world it is called by many names such as
Pot, grass, sensimila, trush-en-peng, marijuana, hear me now
Cannabis
Rock me now lambs bread save me now green weed (repeat) green weed
[Chorus]
So mek me bun up a draw you don't't have to go far but when it
Lick you you will baul out lord,
Lick you you will baul out lord,
Yes we bun it in a pipe yes we bun it in a pipe have two draw
A new meaning of life
A new meaning of life
[Chorus]
Now we well satisfied we both gone slant eyed its a wonderful
Feeling and I tell you no lie
Feeling and I tell you no lie
[Chorus]
Now we well satisfied we both gone slant eyed its a wonderful
Feeling and I tell you no lie
Feeling and I tell you no lie
And we walk and a trot we a chat bout this and that if you have
A good draw nothing nah beat that
A good draw nothing nah beat that
[Chorus]
The lyrics to "Mi Spliff" by UB40 are a commentary on the use and enjoyment of marijuana. The title is a reference to a type of rolled marijuana cigarette, also known as a spliff. The chorus repeats the message that others should not depend on the singer's own marijuana supply because he has already consumed it himself. He lists the different types of marijuana he has smoked, including hashish, Lebanese, and sensimilla. The second verse contains a cautionary message about the dangers of drug trafficking, stating that some people have died trying to set prices for the drug. However, the police often downplay these incidents.
The third verse is a tribute to the long history of marijuana use for recreational purposes. The final verse is a celebration of the pleasure derived from smoking marijuana. The lyrics use various slang terms and nicknames for marijuana, such as pot, grass, and cannabis, reinforcing its widespread use and the universality of its enjoyment. The song represents a countercultural perspective on drug use, seeing it as a harmless and enjoyable pastime rather than a societal problem.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't dep on mi spliff because mi spliff dep already
My joint is already depleted, so you can't count on it to get high.
You can't dep on mi spliff mi have the hash-ish leb and sensi
I have the best weed, so you can't rely on my joint to give you the same high.
Yes people smoke the herb yeah all over the world some bway
Name Peter and girl name pearl.
People from all over the world smoke weed, and it doesn't matter if they're male or female.
All the weed ina the world belongs to you and me
It isn't man made it is here naturally
Weed is a natural plant that belongs to everyone.
A man a fix him price so then a man a loose him life
A man loose him life because a man a fix him price
A man fix his price so then a man a loose him life
The police will say no it is pure pappy show well their the
Best ina the business
People get into fights and even die over the price of weed, but the police won't acknowledge it.
For centuries and centuries man has used the herb for leisure
For pleasure do not disturb.
Weed has been used for pleasure for centuries and should be left alone.
Various parts of the world it is called by many names such as
Pot, grass, sensimila, trush-en-peng, marijuana, hear me now
Cannabis
Weed has many names depending on the country or culture.
Rock me now lambs bread save me now green weed (repeat) green weed
Different types of weed have different effects.
So mek me bun up a draw you don't't have to go far but when it
Lick you you will baul out lord,
Lick you you will baul out lord,
Yes we bun it in a pipe yes we bun it in a pipe have two draw
A new meaning of life
A new meaning of life
Smoking weed can be life-changing and provide a new perspective.
Now we well satisfied we both gone slant eyed its a wonderful
Feeling and I tell you no lie
Feeling and I tell you no lie
Being high feels great and is something worth experiencing.
And we walk and a trot we a chat bout this and that if you have
A good draw nothing nah beat that
A good draw nothing nah beat that
When you have good weed, nothing can beat the feeling that comes with it.
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
Paul M
on reckless
Does anyone know who the singer on the mic is with the hat? Also the two that come in with Bam? Thanks
Ian Fulton
on My Way of Thinking
Best band in the stratosphere
Rosie Contreras
on Red Red Wine
Awesome song