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.
Reggae Music
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And that's why I decided to put it in a song
So listen crowd of people and throw up unnu hands
If you love dem their style and you love dem pattern
Reggae music can't refuse it
So give us what we want and mek we gwan
I man Thriller E. And all me best best friends
I know most of dem from age eleven
And some of dem even before then
We travel the whole world, think it could never end
But don't get me wrong it a no big problem
'cause reggae what we love and that's what we defend
And that there love that could a never end
Reggae music can't refuse it
So give us what we want and mek we gwan.
So let me get back to the subject of me friends
'cause me respect and love love the whole of them.
And that there love that could a never end.
And now it is time to hail the whole of them
Me love me Mickey V. Him in a category.
Robin on guitar him just a nice up every bar.
Me love me Astro because him deh pon de go
Me love me Norman 'cause him a don gorgon
Me love me Ali C. with his golden voice
Him nice up every dance nice up every party.
Me love me Brian T. Pon the saxophone
Buttons pon the bone, Patrick him a hit the high see
Them bad pon their own or in a section of three
And that only leaves me and Jimmy
Jimmy a the drummer me a the base
And that is the whole of UB40
Reggae music can't refuse it
So give us what we want and mek we gwan.
The lyrics of UB40's song "Reggae Music" speak about the band's friendship and their love for reggae music. The first stanza talks about the band's commitment towards their bond and their decision to honour their friendship by putting it in a song. The lines "Reggae music can't refuse it, so give us what we want and mek we gwan" stress on their love for reggae music and how it has been a constant source of joy and inspiration for them.
The second stanza is a tribute to the band's members, who have been a part of their journey since a young age. The lyrics mention their travels, but also explain how reggae music has been their constant companion, and it is what they defend and stand for. The last stanza is a shoutout to each member, highlighting their strengths and skills. The chorus "Reggae music can't refuse it, so give us what we want and mek we gwan" is repeated thrice, underscoring their passion for reggae music.
Overall, the song is an ode to friendship and music that has helped their band grow and bond as a family. The lyrics are simple and easy to understand, making it relatable and enjoyable for people across generations, cultures and geographical borders.
Line by Line Meaning
I said we friendship come first, the band did come second
The band's friendship is more important than anything else
And that's why I decided to put it in a song
The song is a tribute to the band's friendship
So listen crowd of people and throw up unnu hands
The song is a call to action for fans of reggae music
If you love dem their style and you love dem pattern
If you appreciate the band's style and music
Reggae music can't refuse it
Reggae music is irresistible
So give us what we want and mek we gwan
Give us what we want and let us carry on
I said yes crowd of people we come back again
The band is back and ready to perform
I man Thriller E. And all me best best friends
Thriller E is a member of the band and close friends with all the other members
I know most of dem from age eleven
Many of the band members have known each other since childhood
And some of dem even before then
Some of the band members have been friends since before age eleven
We travel the whole world, think it could never end
The band has traveled globally and felt as if it would never stop
But don't get me wrong it a no big problem
However, there are no issues with it stopping
'cause reggae what we love and that's what we defend
The band's love and defense is towards reggae music
And that there love that could a never end
The love for reggae music will never end
So let me get back to the subject of me friends
Returning to the topic of the band's friendship
'cause me respect and love love the whole of them
The band has respect and love for each other
And now it is time to hail the whole of them
It is now time to acknowledge and recognize the band's members
Me love me Mickey V. Him in a category.
The band loves and respects member Mickey V
Robin on guitar him just a nice up every bar.
Robin is an excellent guitarist and livens up every performance
Me love me Astro because him deh pon de go
The band loves Astro for his energy and upbeat nature
Me love me Norman 'cause him a don gorgon
The band loves Norman for his leadership and dominance
Me love me Ali C. with his golden voice
The band loves Ali C for his beautiful singing voice
Him nice up every dance nice up every party.
Ali C adds life and energy to any concert or event
Me love me Brian T. Pon the saxophone
The band loves Brian T for his saxophone skills
Buttons pon the bone, Patrick him a hit the high see
Buttons and Patrick are talented musicians who add depth to the band's sound
Them bad pon their own or in a section of three
The band members are skilled enough to perform alone or in smaller groups
And that only leaves me and Jimmy
The last two band members mentioned are the songwriter and drummer
Jimmy a the drummer me a the base
Jimmy is the drummer and the songwriter is the bassist
And that is the whole of UB40
Those are all the members of the band
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
@adriancarelse3703
UB40 best reggae band ever. Great music, great lyrics. Just groovin' 💛❤💚💯
@thebrush7
i couldnt agree more
@user-pn7lt5zt1n
Very good melody.. ❤Nice to hear this song.
@leighannemete9347
Anyone else still listening to ub40 in 2024? Was brought up in it and now in 37 Going through a break up and the music is helping me cope 🎉 happy new year 🎉
@suniljoshi4816
Yes enjoying very very short often!!!
@naeemapatel5259
If you're going thru a break up listen to Bonny Tyler : It's a Heartache
@naeemapatel5259
Hope you meet your soulmate soon
@Maria-zf6lo
Yhea , from teenage years .I’m 48 now and still love ub40
@Kayleigh-mw3ds
Yeh me ha always hav at least 1 ub40 on everytime am listening to anything. Totally live them
@nailsbyolusesi3805
I absolutely adore UB40!! Bursting with excitement for the concert in April 2024