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 ↴
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
with you
Please don't make me cry
Cause I can't say goodbye
The lyrics of UB40's song "Please Don't Make Me Cry" depict the desperation of an individual who is pleading with their significant other not to leave them. The song is sung by someone who knows that their lover is planning to leave them, and they are begging them to stay. However, they know that they cannot handle the situation if the other person decides to leave. The lines "You say you're gonna leave me, I'm begging you to stay, But baby, I can't get through it anyway, no I can't" highlights the desperation and helplessness that one feels when they know they will be left alone.
In the following lines, the song's narrator recalls the good times they had with their lover, and tries to remind them of how they promised to stay together. They feel heartbroken that their partner has decided to leave them, and they know they will be in pain. As the song progresses, the tone becomes more and more emotional as the singer's pleas for their lover not to leave become more desperate. The repetition of the line "Please don't make me cry" emphasizes the pain that the singer is going through and how much they want the other person to stay.
Overall, the lyrics of "Please Don't Make Me Cry" is a heartfelt song of someone who does not want to lose their love. It portrays the pain of a person who is about to lose the most important thing in their life and has no power to change it.
Line by Line Meaning
You say you're gonna to leave me, I'm begging you to stay
The singer's partner is indicating that they want to leave, but the singer is begging them to stay.
But baby, I can't get through it anyway, no I can't
Despite wanting their partner to stay, the singer knows that they likely won't be able to survive without them.
And when I wake up in the morning, you are gone
The singer wakes up to find that their partner has already left them.
Little pretty thing, you know I'll be all alone, you'll leave me crying
The artist knows that their partner is leaving them and they will be left feeling sad and alone.
Please don't make me cry
The artist is pleading with their partner to not make them feel sadness or sorrow.
Cause I can't say goodbye
The singer cannot emotionally handle saying goodbye to their partner.
Because I know there will be nothing left for me
The singer knows that if their partner leaves, they will be left with nothing.
All them good, good times we spent together
The artist reflects on all of the positive memories they shared with their partner.
You said it was me and no other, yeah
The artist's partner made promises of loyalty and commitment to the artist.
And now you want to make me be pained inside
The artist's partner now wants to leave, causing the artist to feel emotional pain.
Darling, I know you are going to make me cry, you'll leave me crying
The singer knows that their partner's departure will cause them to feel sad and alone.
All this pain I can't stand it, you're gonna leave
The artist is struggling to cope with the emotional pain that they feel as a result of their partner leaving.
You're gonna leave this poor man on his own
The singer will be left alone without their partner.
Please don't make me cry, Baby, I'm pleading
The singer is begging their partner to not leave them and to not cause them any emotional pain.
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.