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´t Make Me Cry
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Makes me forget that I
Still need you so
Red, red wine, it's up to you
All I can do, I've done
But memories won't go
No, memories won't go
I'd have thought that with time
Thoughts of you would leave my head
I was wrong, now I find
Just one thing makes me forget
Red, red wine, stay close to me
Don't let me be alone
It's tearing apart
My blue, blue heart
I'd have thought that with time
Thoughts of you would leave my head
I was wrong, now I find
Just one thing makes me forget
Red, red wine, stay close to me
Don't let me be alone
It's tearing apart
My blue, blue heart
The lyrics to UB40's song "Please Don´t Make Me Cry" express the pain of a broken heart that seeks solace in red wine. The opening line "Red, red wine, goes to my head" paints a clear picture of the intoxication and escapism that the singer seeks, to forget about the person they still love. The chorus "Red, red wine, stay close to me, Don't let me be alone, It's tearing apart, My blue, blue heart" is a desperate plea for the wine to keep them company and numb the pain.
The song also explores the theme of memory and how it can be both a blessing and a curse. The line "But memories won't go, No, memories won't go" showcases the singer's struggle to move on from the past and how every sip of wine reminds them of what they have lost. The verse "I'd have thought that with time, Thoughts of you would leave my head, I was wrong, now I find, Just one thing makes me forget" depicts the singer's failed attempts to forget, and how the memories of their lover linger on.
In conclusion, "Please Don´t Make Me Cry" is a poignant ballad that captures the pain of a broken heart and the desperate search for escape. The lyrics are emotive and universal, and the use of red wine as a metaphor for pain and solace is both clever and relatable.
Line by Line Meaning
Red, red wine, goes to my head,
The consumption of red wine makes me lose my senses or judgment.
Makes me forget that I
It strips me of the capacity to remember something essential.
Still need you so
Even though I want to forget you, I still need you badly.
Red, red wine, it's up to you
The control over my emotions depends on the red wine.
All I can do, I've done
There is nothing more I can do.
But memories won't go
Despite all my efforts, I can't get rid of the memories.
No, memories won't go
The memories seem to be stuck permanently.
I'd have thought that with time
I assumed that as time goes by,
Thoughts of you would leave my head
my thoughts of you would gradually disappear.
I was wrong, now I find
However, I was wrong, and it's utterly different from what I thought.
Just one thing makes me forget
There is only one thing that lets me escape or forget.
Red, red wine, stay close to me
I beg the red wine to be with me always.
Don't let me be alone
Please don't leave me to solitude.
It's tearing apart
The situation is causing immense distress or pain.
My blue, blue heart
It's affecting my very soul or existence.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NEIL DIAMOND
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.