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.

Promises and Lies
UB40 Lyrics

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All the sorrow and the pain
All the sacrifice in vain
I was much too blind to see
You make a loser out of me
You put me down for oh so long
While you sang your serpent's song

[Chorus]

The rest is history
You can do no more to me
I've been down so low
Had nowhere left to go
I could see it in your eyes
All your promises were lies
Promises and lies

Your cut was quick and deep
But then you thought you'd never need a friend
But all things change, and tides must turn
And you let all your bridges burn
Too many fatal wounds to heal

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of UB40's "Promises and Lies" tell a story of betrayal and heartbreak. The singer admits to being blind to the lies and deceit of a person who made promises that were never fulfilled, and instead caused them pain and suffering. The words "All the sorrow and the pain, all the sacrifice in vain" speaks to the emotional toll that the betrayal took on the singer. Despite being put down and manipulated for so long, the singer has come out on the other side and will no longer be hurt by this person's lies. The chorus references the end of the relationship, saying that the rest is history and the person can do no more harm to the singer.

The second verse continues the theme of betrayal, describing how the person made a deep cut and betrayed the singer in such a way that they never thought they would need a friend. However, as time goes on, things change and the person is left alone with "too many fatal wounds to heal." This verse acknowledges the consequences of betraying someone and leaving them alone, showing that the wrongdoer eventually suffers the consequences of their actions.

Overall, "Promises and Lies" is a powerful song about the pain of betrayal and the eventual triumph over it. The lyrics are relatable to anyone who has ever been deceived or misled by someone they trusted, and the chorus is a reminder that the past is in the past and the singer has moved on from the hurt caused by the lies.

Line by Line Meaning

All the sorrow and the pain
The past is filled with hurt and suffering

All the sacrifice in vain
Efforts made have led to no progress or success

I was much too blind to see
I failed to recognize the truth or deception

You make a loser out of me
Your actions have caused me to feel defeated and worthless

You put me down for oh so long
You have consistently criticized and belittled me for a significant period of time

While you sang your serpent's song
You deceived and manipulated me with your false promises and flattery

[Chorus]
The situation has reached a point of no return

The rest is history
The events that followed cannot be changed

You can do no more to me
Your power over me has diminished

I've been down so low
I have experienced extreme lows and struggles in life

Had nowhere left to go
I reached a dead end with no options left

I could see it in your eyes
I could sense the insincerity and deceit in your expressions

All your promises were lies
Every assurance you made was untrue

Promises and lies
The actions and words of deception cannot be ignored

Your cut was quick and deep
Your betrayal caused great harm and pain

But then you thought you'd never need a friend
You believed you didn't require support or companionship

But all things change, and tides must turn
The situation shifts and turns unexpectedly

And you let all your bridges burn
You ruined all relationships and connections with those you previously trusted

Too many fatal wounds to heal
The damage inflicted is too severe to recover from

[Chorus]
The consequences of actions cannot be reversed

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIM BROWN, ALI CAMPBELL, ROBIN CAMPBELL, EARL FALCONER, NORMAN HASSAN, BRIAN TRAVERS, MICHAEL VIRTUE, TERRENCE OSWALD WILSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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