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.
Sorry
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Presuming a respect for what you say
If in your heart you mean it
Then you'll understand me feeling
You must prove it; sign the check without delay
Most humbly yours, four hundred years back pay
I'm not begging charity
Give me what belongs to me
Give me what belongs to me
Just don't say sorry
As if that can excuse this tyranny
No value in your talking
Money speaks and bullshit's walking
Round in circles re-inventing history
Trying to erase our memory
I'm not begging
If you say sorry
Can I assume you've realized the shame
The seeds of your oppression
Fall and ripen with aggression
You can't hold us any longer with your chains
Time to compensate us for our claims
Don't bother wi' no sorry
Don't bother wi' delay
A four hundred years
Is not just the other day
I'm not begging charity
Don't confuse up your mind
Payment overdue
Fe a long long time
You come a we gate
No bother hesitate
You tek away we tings
Like a damn pirate
The song "Sorry" by UB40 is a powerful protest against centuries of racial oppression and discrimination. The lyrics express a demand for reparations, highlighting the injustice of slavery and colonialism that have stripped Black people of their autonomy and dignity. The song opens with a plea not to say sorry, as words alone cannot bring back what was taken from them. The singer tells the listener not to presume a respect for what they say and to understand the feeling behind the request for reparations. The song moves on to demand that the listener prove their sincerity by signing a check for four hundred years back pay, a way of acknowledging the centuries of injustice.
In the second verse, the singer insists that they are not begging for charity, but rather asking for what rightfully belongs to them. The lyrics criticize the use of apologies which cannot excuse the past tyranny and oppression, and call for action and compensation instead. The repetition of the phrase "I'm not begging" emphasizes the singer's firmness in their stance and the need for justice. The final verse challenges the listener to realize the shame of their oppression and to compensate for the claims of Black people. The song ends with a call to action, urging the listener to not hesitate in returning what was taken.
Overall, "Sorry" is a powerful anthem of resistance and justice that highlights the need for reparations and recognition of past injustices.
Line by Line Meaning
Please don't say sorry
Don't apologize without sincerity and respect for what you have done.
Presuming a respect for what you say
You assume that I will accept your apology simply because of your status or position.
If in your heart you mean it
You need to genuinely feel remorseful for your actions.
Then you'll understand me feeling
Only then will you really comprehend the depth of pain you have caused me.
You must prove it; sign the check without delay
Your commitment to reparations must extend beyond empty words. You need to pay us back immediately.
Most humbly yours, four hundred years back pay
We are owed compensation for four centuries of oppression and exploitation.
I'm not begging charity
I am not asking for a handout or donation.
Don't confuse the things I say
Do not misinterpret my words or intentions.
Give me what belongs to me
I am demanding what is rightfully mine.
Just don't say sorry
Your apologies are not enough to excuse the atrocities that were inflicted upon me and my ancestors.
As if that can excuse this tyranny
You cannot erase centuries of oppression just by uttering a simple word.
No value in your talking
Your words are meaningless without meaningful action.
Money speaks and bullshit's walking
Only actual monetary reparations will show that you are serious in your apology.
Round in circles re-inventing history
You are attempting to change history and erase the terrible wrongs that were inflicted upon people of color.
Trying to erase our memory
You are trying to forget and whitewash the crimes committed against us.
If you say sorry
If you are truly apologetic.
Can I assume you've realized the shame
Do you understand the magnitude of what you have done and the shame it brings upon you?
The seeds of your oppression
The actions of your ancestors that led to our oppression.
Fall and ripen with aggression
The consequences of your actions are still being felt with great force.
You can't hold us any longer with your chains
We have broken free from the chains of oppression and will no longer tolerate being held down.
Time to compensate us for our claims
It's time to right the wrongs of history and provide appropriate compensation for the damage done.
Don't bother wi' no sorry
Your apologies are empty and hold no value.
Don't bother wi' delay
Don't stall and delay in compensating us.
A four hundred years
Four centuries of oppression and exploitation.
Is not just the other day
It's not just a recent event that we can easily forget.
You come a we gate
You came to our land.
No bother hesitate
Don't hesitate or waste time in compensating us.
You tek away we tings
You stole our possessions.
Like a damn pirate
You acted like a pirate who pillaged and plundered with no regard for others.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE BROWN, ROBERT BELL, CLAYDES SMITH, DENNIS THOMAS, KHALIS BAYYAN, SENNIE RUDOLF III MARTIN, CURTIS FITZGERALD WILLIAMS, SHAWN MC QUILLER, CLIFFORD ALANZA ADAMS, TIMOTHY REYNARD HORTON, DON TITTLE, CHRISTINA GINGER BERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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