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.
Music So Nice
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But if you're with your woman or your man, it's pure excitement
When you see the girls groove, they get right in the mood for loving
And if the weedman in the place, there's no time for pushing and shoving
You see the DJ on the scene, he knows just what you mean about rubbing
And when you're feeling alright, he's right out of sight while he's dubbing
And the music so loud that to shout above it, you'd be left voiceless
The music so right
We could have danced all night
The feeling so nice
Operator play it twice
They have the reggae and soul and the ital vital dub plate riddims
They have revival 45, calypso, soca, and all kind'a riddim
You see the busy barman in the dance, he's used to dealing under nuff pressure
And after you've had your drink, you're gonna need another refresher
Everybody in the dance just grooving, looking laughing and smiling you see
So if you're feeling irie little darling come and have a dance over by me
The opening lines of UB40's "Music So Nice" suggests that a suitably crowded dancehall can either feel like freedom, with swaying bodies enacting pure excitement amidst the music or, alternatively, like a prison with the possibility for confinement lending itself to feelings of cramped restlessness. However, the lyrics suggest that the feeling of confinement or freedom depends on the presence or absence of either one's partner or weedman in the place.
The lyrics then focus on the girls in the dancehall, with the music getting them in the mood for loving. This is juxtaposed with what sounds like the aggression and chaos of a dancehall scene, with pushing and shoving, being prevalent. The DJ and his technical abilities then take center-stage, with the crowd being all praises for their ability to perfectly rub and dub.
The chorus of the song is filled with a sense of abandon, with everything being "so nice" that the euphoria of dancing continues all night. The song ends with an invitation to embrace the positive energy of the dance and the presence of the music that's present with lyrics like "Everybody in the dance just grooving, looking laughing and smiling you see, So if you're feeling irie little darling come and have a dance over by me"
Line by Line Meaning
When the dancehall jus' ram, some people call it confinement
When the dancehall is crowded, some people may feel confined
But if you're with your woman or your man, it's pure excitement
However, being with your significant other makes it an exciting experience
When you see the girls groove, they get right in the mood for loving
When you see the girls dancing, they get in the mood for romance and affection
And if the weedman in the place, there's no time for pushing and shoving
Furthermore, if the person selling marijuana is present, there's no need to rush and shove
You see the DJ on the scene, he knows just what you mean about rubbing
The DJ understands the sensual dancing and its effect on the dancers
And when you're feeling alright, he's right out of sight while he's dubbing
The DJ knows when the atmosphere is right and blends songs seamlessly
Well the dancehall jus' ram, so you see we're dealing with pure niceness
Overall, the crowded dancehall creates pleasant sensations and is a delightful experience
And the music so loud that to shout above it, you'd be left voiceless
The music is so loud that one cannot speak over it without being drowned out
The music so right
The music is perfect
We could have danced all night
We could have danced for hours
The feeling so nice
The feeling is wonderful
Operator play it twice
Play the song twice, please
They have the reggae and soul and the ital vital dub plate riddims
There is a variety of genres available, including reggae, soul, and dub plate riddims
They have revival 45, calypso, soca, and all kind'a riddim
They also have revival 45, calypso, soca, and different types of riddim
You see the busy barman in the dance, he's used to dealing under nuff pressure
The barman is accustomed to handling pressure in the crowded dancehall
And after you've had your drink, you're gonna need another refresher
After finishing a drink, one will want another to cool down
Everybody in the dance just grooving, looking laughing and smiling you see
All the attendees are dancing, laughing, and smiling
So if you're feeling irie little darling come and have a dance over by me
So if you're feeling good, come dance next to me
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
Edwin van Genk
Even after 30 years this music is still So Nice
Smithywick
nicely put.. love it...
Miss SAK
We like your songs very much,please make lyrics videos of at least your top most hits ,so that we can also sing with the original songs ,alone ,in the gatherings etc,happy Easter,prayers,love and respect from Rawalpindi,Islamic republic of Pakistan, South Asia, 10:45pm,Spring season prior to Summer ,4th of April 2021.
Steve Watts
Rip Astro and Brian Travers! U may be gone but your music will live on forever! Please put your differences aside and get back together!! Life's too short... #love ub40
LordNiko95
i love this song :D
Streetelite car club
Great tune xx
Chelle Foster
<3 tis song!!!
Daniel Jesus Jimenez Lunar
music so nice!!!!!
Shane Richards
Great vocals on this
R I P Astro xxxx
rachida zaoui
amazing soooooooong.