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.
Please Don
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But baby, I can't get through it anyway, no I can't
And when I wake up in the morning, you are gone
Little pretty thing, you know I'll be all alone, you'll leave me crying
Please don't make me cry
Cause I can't say goodbye
Please don't make me cry
All them good, good times we spent together
You said it was me and no other, yeah
And now you want to make me be pained inside
Darling, I know you are going to make me cry, you'll leave me crying
All this pain I can't stand it, you're gonna leave
You're gonna leave this poor man on his own
Yes, you are
All this pain, I can't stand it, you're gonna leave
You're gonna leave this poor man on his own
Yes, you are
Please don't make me cry
Baby, I'm pleading
The lyrics of UB40's song "Please Don't Make Me Cry" express a man's desperate plea for his lover not to leave him. He confesses that despite his efforts, he cannot get through to her and in the morning, he wakes up to find her gone, leaving him alone. The chorus, with its repeating line "Please don't make me cry," conveys his intense anguish at the thought of losing her. He recalls the good times they had and her promise that it was only him for her, but now she wants to cause him pain. The pain of separation is too much to bear, he can't stand it, and begs her not to make him cry, pleading with her to stay.
The lyrics of the song evoke a deep sense of sadness, desperation, and heartbreak. They portray the loneliness and vulnerability of the male protagonist, who is left to deal with the aftermath of a break-up that he doesn't want. The sentiment expressed in the song is universal and resonates with anyone who has ever been in love and experienced the pain of separation.
Line by Line Meaning
You say you are going to leave me
You are telling me that you want to end our relationship
I'm begging you to stay
I am pleading with you not to leave me
My baby I can't get through any way
I am unable to convince you to change your mind or listen to my feelings
And when I wake up in the morning
During the start of each day
You are gone
You have already left
Little pretty thing
My affectionate term for you, highlighting your beauty
You know I'll be all alone
I will be left by myself without you next to me
Chorus
The repeated lines in the song
All them good good times
All the happy memories we shared
We spent together
Sharing moments of time with each other
You said it was me and no other (yeah)
You once promised that we were meant to be together no matter what
And now you want to make me pain inside
You are trying to hurt me emotionally
Darlin' I Know you are going to make me cry
I am confident that this will only lead to me crying
All this pain I can't stand it
The emotional agony is too much for me to bear
You're going to leave
You have plans of ending our relationship
You're going to leave this poor man on his own
You will cause me so much hurt and damage
Please don't make me cry
I am asking you not to do something that will hurt me so much
Baby I'm Pleading
I am begging you to change your mind and reconsider your decision to leave
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Winston Groovy Tucker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@austinsteven3939
I was little when I heard of UB40, I'm 32 now and still feel their vibes. Bless up legends ✌️🔥
@kellybird618
Omg i turned 32 in August and i was a baba when i was played ub40 and im still a massive fan and always will be
@333Eriana
i was 22 when this came out . . .and was breaking up my first 5 year relationship - this song had meaning for sure.
@christophergarcia536
UB40. Part of the soundtrack to my first years of college. Such great music.
@petebuchanan1764
This song won't ever disappear iam 53 and still love it.i worked in Asda blackpool when they played at Bloomfield Rd and they came in Asda ub40s managers and filled a van fulll of beer cause they ran out at the ground.great band and great song up the ub40 fans
@danielgodsave1492
Decades don’t discriminate, good music will survive no matter what!!! I never expected to listen to music older than me but they just don’t make them like they used to............. these boys prove a music genre overcomes colour, race & religion!
@kellybird618
This comment deserves more likes 👍
@marvinharms1891
I grew up with this music .! Ali love your family man.
@refuseresist4230
You can tell that’s UB40 miles away with that unique voice, love it.!!
@brianblack8787
Brings back a lot of great memories every time I hear this song.