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.

So Destructive
UB40 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's so destructive
Counter productive
How we gonna make it
When we do not know where love lives [2x]

I'm not seeing what you're saying
All the games that you are playing
Look like tactics for delaying

While we're on our knees and praying
Making and breaking
Sitting and debating
The art of speculating
Then accumulating

I'm not buying what you're selling
All your shouting and a yelling
And the lies that you are telling
Don't strike me as compelling
Picking and choosing
Winning and losing
Cutting and bruising
Using and abusing

I'm not taking what you're giving
The elections you are rigging
From your penthouse living
The deals that you are fixing
Creeping and crawling
Running and falling

Stopping and stalling
Crying and bawling

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to UB40's "So Destructive" speak to the destruction of society caused by counterproductive behavior and a lack of love. The first verse touches on how our inability to locate love is causing destruction and counterproductive behavior. The second and third verses delve deeper into this notion by discussing the negative actions that people take in order to accumulate power and wealth. The song suggests that people often choose to inflict pain on one another in order to gain an advantage, rather than working together to find a common solution. The chorus repeats that this behavior is counterproductive and destructive and asks the question of how we can move forward.

The lyrics of "So Destructive" are a commentary on the state of society and human behavior. UB40 takes a critical perspective on the way people interact with one another, and the impact this behavior has on the world. The song encourages listeners to think more deeply about their own actions and how they contribute or detract from a more positive, loving world.

Line by Line Meaning

It's so destructive
The current situation is causing harm and damage.

Counter productive
The actions being taken are working against their intended purpose.

How we gonna make it
How will we be able to survive and overcome this situation?

When we do not know where love lives [2x]
It is difficult to find love and compassion in the current state of the world.

I'm not seeing what you're saying
I do not understand or agree with what you are trying to communicate.

All the games that you are playing
Your actions and behavior resemble deceitful tactics or maneuvers.

Look like tactics for delaying
Your behavior appears to be designed to delay progress or change.

While we're on our knees and praying
We are in a vulnerable position and seeking guidance and help.

Making and breaking
Creating and destroying, often in a cyclical pattern.

Sitting and debating
Engaging in discussions and arguments while not taking action.

The art of speculating
Engaging in conjecture and assumptions instead of seeking facts.

Then accumulating
Collecting and gathering possessions or wealth.

I'm not buying what you're selling
I do not believe or agree with what you are promoting or advocating.

All your shouting and a yelling
Your loud and forceful behavior is not persuasive or effective.

And the lies that you are telling
Your deceptive and untruthful communication is not believable or trustworthy.

Don't strike me as compelling
Your behavior and communication do not make me want to follow or support you.

Picking and choosing
Selecting or deciding between options or choices.

Winning and losing
Succeeding or failing in a competition or conflict.

Cutting and bruising
Hurting or harming someone or something physically or emotionally.

Using and abusing
Misusing or mistreating someone or something for personal gain or pleasure.

I'm not taking what you're giving
I do not want or accept what you are offering or providing.

The elections you are rigging
You are manipulating and controlling the outcome of political events for your own benefit.

From your penthouse living
Living in luxury and extravagance, detached from the struggles of the common people.

The deals that you are fixing
You are arranging or manipulating transactions or agreements for personal profit or advantage.

Creeping and crawling
Moving slowly and carefully, often in a deceptive or sneaky manner.

Running and falling
Moving quickly and recklessly, often resulting in failure or injury.

Stopping and stalling
Hindering or delaying progress or movement.

Crying and bawling
Expressing strong emotion or pain through tears and loud noises.

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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