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.
Oh America
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your flag is flying, but it looks dirty to me
Oh America, home of the brave
Anywhere you go you're leaving too many graves
The chest is so big but the brain is too small
The whole world's crying out 'just stop the wars'
Don't care about the climate, don't care about the poor
You say you're with God but you wield Satan's sword
With kangaroo courts you just make up your laws
No human rights oh yes we know the score
The bogey man is close, he may live next door
When the floods came down it showed all your old traits
Condemned your own people on the basis of race
Why leave vulnerable people in a vulnerable place?
It's a crying shame, it's a freaking disgrace
I say the government man, them seem to get it wrong
Them seem to make a whole heap of bad decision
Time fe good Americans to stand up strong
Like the friends over there we know for so long
Stand up firm, me say, stand up strong
Time fe mek a new day, we no love Babylon
Me say, stand up firm, me say, stand up strong
Time fe mek a new day, we no love Babylon
UB40's song, "Oh America," is a political commentary on the state of the United States of America, specifically focusing on the country's foreign policy, internal corruption, and lack of empathy for the environment and the poor. The song starts with the line, "Oh America, land of the free," which is a reference to the country's national anthem and the symbol of freedom that it represents. However, the next line, "Your flag is flying, but it looks dirty to me," is a metaphor that suggests that while America claims to be free, it is tarnished by its actions and decisions.
The song is critical of America's war policies and the violence that it perpetrates both within and outside its borders. The lyrics state that America is leaving too many graves everywhere it goes, suggesting that innocent civilians are being killed in the process. The line, "The chest is so big but the brain is too small," criticizes America's arrogant attitude and its failure to consider the consequences of its actions. The song also criticizes America's lack of concern for the environment and poverty, stating that the country "doesn't seem to care about too much at all."
The chorus of the song encourages Americans to stand up against their corrupt government and make a new day. The lyrics call for a change in America's policies and for the country to take responsibility for its actions. The song suggests that only when Americans rise up against their government and its wrongdoings can the country begin to move forward and make positive changes.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh America, land of the free
UB40 acknowledges America as the land of the free
Your flag is flying, but it looks dirty to me
However, UB40 thinks the flag of America looks dirty despite all its freedom
Oh America, home of the brave
America is the home of the brave in UB40's opinion
Anywhere you go you're leaving too many graves
But wherever Americans go, they leave too many dead bodies behind
The chest is so big but the brain is too small
UB40 thinks America has a huge chest but a small brain
The whole world's crying out 'just stop the wars'
The whole world urges America to stop their wars
Don't care about the climate, don't care about the poor
UB40 accuses America of not being concerned about climate change and poverty
You don't seem to care about too much at all
To UB40, it appears America doesn't care about much of anything
You say you're with God but you wield Satan's sword
UB40 believes that America is hypocritical and behaves like an agent of Satan despite claiming to be with God
With kangaroo courts you just make up your laws
UB40 accuses America of having biased and unfair legal systems
No human rights oh yes we know the score
UB40 thinks America violates human rights, which they are well aware of
The bogey man is close, he may live next door
UB40 believes America is paranoid and views its neighbors as potential threats
When the floods came down it showed all your old traits
America's response to natural disasters revealed their old bad habits
Condemned your own people on the basis of race
UB40 accuses America of being racist and condemnatory towards their own citizens
Why leave vulnerable people in a vulnerable place?
UB40 questions why vulnerable people are left in vulnerable situations
It's a crying shame, it's a freaking disgrace
To UB40, the situation in America is shameful and disgraceful
I say the government man, them seem to get it wrong
UB40 believes that the American government gets it wrong
Them seem to make a whole heap of bad decision
They seem to make a lot of bad decisions
Time fe good Americans to stand up strong
UB40 encourages good Americans to stand up strong
Like the friends over there we know for so long
Reminiscent of their longtime American friends
Stand up firm, me say, stand up strong
UB40 encourages Americans to stand up firmly and strongly
Time fe mek a new day, we no love Babylon
It's time to make a new day and move away from oppressive and unjust systems
Me say, stand up firm, me say, stand up strong
UB40 reiterates the need to stand up firmly and strongly
Time fe mek a new day, we no love Babylon
It's time for change and we don't accept oppressive systems
Contributed by Annabelle V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@natty-boo6547
Thank you Charlie for showing me this song ❤
@sumayyahbegum9768
Charlie got me here too
@natty-boo6547
@Sumayyah Begum What a gentlemen he is though 🥺❤
@CM-vz3pu
I thought I was the only one 😭😭💀
@anti4705
Dang 😂😂
@djfistoz
Came here Cz of the British guy on a bike 🚲 from tik tok 👋
@mysterygirl20101
I love this song. UB40 are fantastic. you guys rock. Hope to see you in Ireland
@izaakdechstein
ub 40 na zawsze!
@acjm14
anyone else came from the tiktok?🤣🤣
@rg1219
Me 🤣