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.
Silent Witness
UB40 Lyrics
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The tribal sound of marching feet
Cuts through the gloom on cold dark nights
The tired and homeless roam the streets
The sirens wail the engines roar
A shadowed man just glances around
A victim of life's mindless toil
Lies cold and helpless on the ground
The window dummies silent stare
Bear witness on the nights
If they could move
What it would proved
To see them all take flight
The neon haze of city lights
The tribal sound of marching feet
Cuts through the gloom on cold dark nights
The tired and homeless roam the streets
The walls shout loud with angry words
The people air their views
The poor can scream but no-one hears
The concrete jungle sings the blues
The lyrics of UB40's "Silent Witness" poetically describe the harsh reality of urban life, where the neon lights of the city illuminating the streets and the sound of marching feet, contrast with the darkness and the despair of the homeless, tired and vulnerable who wander aimlessly throughout the night. The song depicts a scene of a crime, where a shadowed man walks past a victim lying helpless on the ground, without noticing or stopping to help, a reflection of the indifference that characterizes city life. The window dummies' witnessing, with their silent stare, adds a surreal quality to the scene, as if the lifelessness of the city has permeated everything, leaving no hope for change. The chorus repeats the juxtaposition of the lively and the sorrowful, with the tribal sound of marching feet providing the rhythm to the hopeless wandering of the homeless, and the walls surrounding them shouting with angry words, yet, no one is listening. The concrete jungle comes to life through its despair, singing its blues, a melancholic symphony of modern life that offers no redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
The neon haze of city lights
The bright and colorful lights of the city form a foggy and unclear atmosphere.
The tribal sound of marching feet
The rhythmic footsteps of many people walking creates a tribal-like beat.
Cuts through the gloom on cold dark nights
The sounds break through the darkness and sadness of cold nights.
The tired and homeless roam the streets
People who are exhausted and have nowhere to live wander the roads.
The sirens wail the engines roar
Loud emergency vehicle sirens and loud engine noises fill the air.
A shadowed man just glances around
A man in the shadow quickly looks around cautiously.
A victim of life's mindless toil
Someone who is the unlucky subject of life's meaningless suffering.
Lies cold and helpless on the ground
He is lying down and not able to move, feeling helpless and cold.
The window dummies silent stare
Mannequins in the shop window look at the street with blank, expressionless faces.
Bear witness on the nights
They see and experience what happens on the streets during the night.
If they could move
If the mannequins could walk and talk,
What it would proved
It would show something that would be significant.
To see them all take flight
To see them all leave and escape from the city.
The walls shout loud with angry words
The walls of the buildings seem to express the anger of the people.
The people air their views
The people express their opinion on the current state of affairs.
The poor can scream but no-one hears
Poor people could protest but their voice will not be heard or taken into consideration..
The concrete jungle sings the blues
The city is like a jungle, made of concrete, where people feel sad and depressed.
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
Paul M
on reckless
Does anyone know who the singer on the mic is with the hat? Also the two that come in with Bam? Thanks
Ian Fulton
on My Way of Thinking
Best band in the stratosphere
Rosie Contreras
on Red Red Wine
Awesome song