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.
Riddle Me
UB40 Lyrics
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Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who owns the chains that bind your wrists?
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who built the machine that washed your brain?
Like parents did before them
Your parents did the same
They said do your best, you must pass the test
They scrimped and saved and suffered
To send you off to school
But if they'd had the cash they could've bought the class
And a different set of rules
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who owns the chains that bind your wrists?
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who built the machine that washed your brain?
They taught a simple system
Why they had and you had not
They said know your place, you can't win the race
Life's an auction you're the lot
If you'd ever thought to question
They would never answer why
When they buy your sweat, your are in their debt
And they own you till you die
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who owns the chains that bind your wrists?
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who built the machine that washed your brain?
You took hook line and sinker
Everything they fed
Worked day and night, for most your life
To earn their daily bread
Now you're old and weary,
And you lay you down to sleep
With body worn and spirit torn
What's left is yours to keep
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who owns the chains that bind your wrists?
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who built the machine that washed your brain?
UB40's "Riddle Me" is a song that challenges listeners to evaluate their relationship with power and authority. The chorus poses three questions that demand answers: "Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this, who owns the chains that bind your wrists? who built the machine that washed your brain?" The song is a critique of the societal machinery that reinforces oppression and conformity, encouraging people to question the power structures that bind them.
The song talks about how working-class parents spend their lives and resources saving up for their children's education, yet some rich people may easily buy classes and knowledge. It emphasizes that the current education system is benefiting the elite class and not enhancing social mobility. It also touches on the dangers of blindly accepting societal norms that limit and control people's lives, rendering them obedient and docile.
The song ends on a somber note, highlighting the heavy toll of a lifetime spent subservient to the system. The final verse states that people have given their all to work, but in the end, they are left with weariness and an unfulfilled life. Listeners are left to consider their existence and determine for themselves whether they are victims of the machine that washed their brains.
Line by Line Meaning
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Please tell me, who and why, give me an answer.
Who owns the chains that bind your wrists?
Who has control over your life and limits your freedom?
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Please tell me, who and why, give me an answer.
Who built the machine that washed your brain?
Who created the system that shaped your thoughts and beliefs?
Like parents did before them
Just as previous generations have done,
Your parents did the same
Your own parents did exactly that.
They said do your best, you must pass the test
They instructed you to try your hardest and succeed in their standards.
You must learn to play the game
You must understand how the system works and play it accordingly.
They scrimped and saved and suffered
They worked hard, made sacrifices, and endured hardships.
To send you off to school
To provide you an education,
But if they'd had the cash they could've bought the class
But if they were wealthy, they could've bought their way into a higher social status.
And a different set of rules
And they would've been governed by a different set of expectations.
They taught a simple system
They instructed on a straightforward system.
Why they had and you had not
Why they were successful and you were not.
They said know your place, you can't win the race
They told you to accept your current status because you cannot succeed in their system.
Life's an auction you're the lot
Life is a competition where you are the item being bid upon.
If you'd ever thought to question
If you had ever considered questioning their system,
They would never answer why
They would never have given you a clear answer.
When they buy your sweat, your are in their debt
When they benefit from your hard work, you owe them for it.
And they own you till you die
They have control over your life until you pass away.
You took hook line and sinker
You accepted everything they said uncritically and completely.
Everything they fed
Everything they told you.
Worked day and night, for most your life
You worked tirelessly for most of your life.
To earn their daily bread
To earn a living for yourself within their system.
Now you're old and weary,
Now that you are old and tired,
And you lay you down to sleep
And as you rest for the night,
With body worn and spirit torn
With your body weakened and your soul feeling defeated,
What's left is yours to keep
All that is left to you is your own thoughts and beliefs.
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
コイワカメラ
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who owns the chains that bind your wrists?
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who built the machine that washed your brain?
Like parents did before them
Your parents did the same
They said do your best, you must pass the test
You must learn to play the game
They scrimped and saved and suffered
To send you off to school
But if they'd had the cash they could've bought the class
And a different set of rules
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who owns the chains that bind your wrists?
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who built the machine that washed your brain?
They taught a simple system
Why they had and you had not
They said know your place, you can't win the race
Life's an auction you're the lot
If you'd ever thought to question
They would never answer why
When they buy your sweat, your are in their debt
And they own you till you die
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who owns the chains that bind your wrists?
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who built the machine that washed your brain?
You took hook line and sinker
Everything they fed
Worked day and night, for most your life
To earn their daily bread
Now you're old and weary,
And you lay you down to sleep
With body worn and spirit torn
What's left is yours to keep
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who owns the chains that bind your wrists?
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who built the machine that washed your brain?
コイワカメラ
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who owns the chains that bind your wrists?
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who built the machine that washed your brain?
Like parents did before them
Your parents did the same
They said do your best, you must pass the test
You must learn to play the game
They scrimped and saved and suffered
To send you off to school
But if they'd had the cash they could've bought the class
And a different set of rules
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who owns the chains that bind your wrists?
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who built the machine that washed your brain?
They taught a simple system
Why they had and you had not
They said know your place, you can't win the race
Life's an auction you're the lot
If you'd ever thought to question
They would never answer why
When they buy your sweat, your are in their debt
And they own you till you die
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who owns the chains that bind your wrists?
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who built the machine that washed your brain?
You took hook line and sinker
Everything they fed
Worked day and night, for most your life
To earn their daily bread
Now you're old and weary,
And you lay you down to sleep
With body worn and spirit torn
What's left is yours to keep
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who owns the chains that bind your wrists?
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this,
Who built the machine that washed your brain?
Andrew Flood
i love this band ub40 !!!
R.O.G!
Just pure brilliantly album one there best from UB40 in the 1984 Geoffrey Morgan. It sounds abit like Little By Little taken from there debut album Signing Off,that was a success too..actually I've got there original albums beat that...
Vincent Kerr
Superb.
Ernesto Arce
UB40, at one time, was a VERY political band. Political not as in liberal/conservative but as in militant/revolutionary and poor people power.
Lynn Baker
Militant, where'd you get that?
Ralph Jackson
@cohenhaywood10 Interesting info about their music from 1997 onwards. Thanks from one ancient enough to remember when their first hit,the double A sided King/Food For Thought came out; even heard it on evening-time radio a month or two before it charted.
fred lybarger
Correct. What happened , why aren't there active groups...trying. Its sad.
johnegg Muldoon
Ernesto: So they helped promote the Labour Party.
Ray Vaughan
Ernesto Arce They were a voice for the disenfranchised the oppressed the wronged....... when youre a working class band it shapes your ideals.....then comes fame & fortune and it all changes and youre now privileged ....and it shows in your music....youre almost unrecognizable to the band you started out as!
UB40 throughout the 80s - their finest time , the UB40 of today pale by compairison