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.

Nothing Without You
UB40 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When I'm with you I'm valuable
Original and fashionable
I'm totally formidable
When I'm with you

When you're with me invincible
I'm bullet-proof unsinkable
A one off individual

That's why you're with me

When I caught you unmissable
So lovable and kissable
Completely irresistible
That's why I caught you

Without you I am miserable
Unconfortable in principle
I think that we're inseparable
I'm nothing without you

Now you got me reliable
Flexible and pliable
You see its undeniable
That's where you got me

I'm nothing without you
A man without a goal

The last one waiting
A lost and lonely soul

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of UB40's song "Nothing Without You" are about how being with someone makes an individual feel empowered, unique and special. The first verse speaks of how the presence of the person the singer is addressing makes him valuable, original, and formidable - all of which are attributes that make him feel confident, strong and unbreakable. The second verse, however, reveals that the person he is with also feels invincible, unsinkable, and unique, and they are together because they complement each other so well. The chorus talks about how miserable and incomplete the singer feels when he's not with his significant other, and how being together makes them a team, with him now reliable and flexible.

Overall, the lyrics convey a deep sense of love, trust, and partnership. The artist is suggesting that their partner brings out the best in them and that they are nothing without the person they care about. The bond between the two is intense and unbreakable, and they both bring out unique and positive qualities in each other, making them everything and complete.

This song's lyrics reflect a common theme of unconditional love and commitment, building solid companionship bonds around trust, empathy, support, and appreciation.

Line by Line Meaning

When I'm with you I'm valuable
I feel important and worthwhile when I'm in your company

Original and fashionable
My personality shines through when I'm with you, and I feel confident in being myself

I'm totally formidable
I feel strong and capable when I'm with you

When you're with me invincible
You make me feel unbeatable and unstoppable

I'm bullet-proof unsinkable
With you by my side, I feel like nothing can harm me or bring me down

A one off individual
I am unique and special, just like our relationship

That's why you're with me
You're drawn to me because of the way we complement each other and make each other better

When I caught you unmissable
You were impossible to overlook or ignore when I first met you

So lovable and kissable
Your charm and affectionate nature made you irresistible to me

Completely irresistible
I couldn't help but fall for you because of how amazing you are

That's why I caught you
I knew from the start that you were someone special and I had to have you in my life

Without you I am miserable
I feel unhappy and unfulfilled when you're not around

Unconfortable in principle
My core beliefs and values feel uncertain and shaky without your support and guidance

I think that we're inseparable
I believe that our bond is so strong that we can never truly be apart

I'm nothing without you
You are the missing piece of my life that makes everything else worthwhile

Now you got me reliable
Your influence has made me dependable and trustworthy

Flexible and pliable
You've taught me to be adaptable and open-minded in ways I never thought possible

You see its undeniable
It's clear to both of us that our relationship has changed me for the better

That's where you got me
You've won my heart and my loyalty because of the way you've supported and cared for me

A man without a goal
Without you, I would lack purpose and direction in life

The last one waiting
I would feel perpetually alone and without hope if I didn't have you in my life

A lost and lonely soul
I would be incomplete and unfulfilled, wandering aimlessly through life

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CAMPBELL, FALCONER, HASSAN, TRAVERS, VIRTUE, W

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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