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.

Someone Like Me
UB40 Lyrics

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We don't need to make excuses
Together we are free
To throw away the rule book
And start with ABC
We can go to all the places
We always wanted to be
It takes a bad girl like you
To love someone like me

If you're looking for a daddy
You won't get that from me
There are things I want to do to you
That he should never see
You will never scare me baby
You can try anything with me
It takes a bad girl like you
To love someone like me

Don't need no little woman
A wallflower's not for me
The only way I want you girl
Is independently
won't lock you up in prison
And throw away the key
It takes a bad girl like you
To love someone like me

Not looking for redemption
It's much too late for me
The two of us together girl
Can set each other free
Children need a mother
Buts it's not the same for me

It takes a bad girl like you
To love someone like me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of UB40's Someone Like Me highlight the freedom that comes from being with someone who is not bound by societal norms or expectations. Together, they will forsake the rule book and be free to do what they want. They can visit any place they have always desired, and there is no need for excuses. The chorus speaks of the bad girl who will love someone like the singer, and this could be interpreted as someone who does not fit into the regular mold, someone who is not afraid of taking risks or exploring new things, and someone who lives life on their terms.

The second verse, however, speaks of the limits of this freedom. If the listener is searching for someone who will take on the role of a father, then the singer is not that guy. He's not looking for a woman who will be a wallflower or a meek person. He wants someone who will be independent, and not someone who will be locked up. The singer knows that the only way they can be together is if they trust each other and remain truthful. The final verse recognizes that everyone has their own needs, and for the singer, he has no desire for redemption or the traditional roles that people play in society.

Line by Line Meaning

We don't need to make excuses
We don't have to explain ourselves or justify our actions

Together we are free
We are liberated when we are with each other

To throw away the rule book
To disregard established norms and conventions

And start with ABC
To begin with the basics and build from there

We can go to all the places
We have the ability to explore anywhere we choose

We always wanted to be
We can fulfill our desires and aspirations

It takes a bad girl like you
It requires a daring and rebellious woman like you

To love someone like me
To be able to develop romantic feelings towards someone like me

If you're looking for a daddy
If you seek a father figure or a provider

You won't get that from me
I cannot offer that to you

There are things I want to do to you
I have intimate desires for you

That he should never see
Things that should remain private and not be shared with a father figure

You will never scare me baby
Your boldness and courage will not intimidate me

You can try anything with me
You can experiment and take risks with me

Don't need no little woman
I don't want a meek or submissive partner

A wallflower's not for me
I am not attracted to someone who is shy or elusive

The only way I want you girl
The only way I desire you

Is independently
Is as an equal and self-sufficient individual

won't lock you up in prison
I won't restrict or confine you

And throw away the key
Permanently trapping you in a situation

Not looking for redemption
I am not seeking salvation or forgiveness

It's much too late for me
I have already made my mistakes and lived with the consequences

The two of us together girl
We are able to support each other

Can set each other free
We can liberate and empower each other

Children need a mother
Kids require maternal care and nurturing

Buts it's not the same for me
But that is not what I am looking for in a partner

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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