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.
Stick By Me
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stick by me and I'll stick by you
My life here on earth would be useless can't you see
If I didn't have you to stick by me
I love you darling and that's no lie
Stick by me and I'll stick by you
When you cry I cry too
Friends may try to hurt us
Scandalise our name
But no one (no-one) can tear us apart
You have a place in my heart
I love you darling and that's no lie
Stick by me and I'll stick by you
Remember my heart and love belongs to you
Stick by me and I'll stick by you
When you cry I'll cry too
Stick by me and I'll stick by you
Friends may try to hurt us
Scandalise our name
But no one (no-one) can tear us apart
You have a place in my heart
I love you darling and that's no lie
Stick by me and I'll stick by you
Remember my heart and love belongs to you
Stick by me and I'll stick by you
When you cry I'll cry too
Stick by me and I'll stick by you
The song "Stick By Me" by UB40 is a romantic ballad that expresses the importance of standing by one another in a relationship. It begins with the repeated phrase "stick by me and I'll stick by you," emphasizing the commitment to support each other through thick and thin. The singer goes on to describe how his life would be useless without his partner, and vows to always be there for her when she needs him, even if that means sharing in her tears.
Throughout the song, the singer acknowledges that there may be people who try to come between them, and that their reputation may be scandalized, but he remains convinced that no one can truly tear them apart. He underscores the importance of their connection, reassuring his partner that she has a place in his heart, and that his love belongs to her.
Overall, "Stick By Me" is a heartfelt declaration of loyalty and devotion, delivered in UB40's signature reggae style. The lyrics highlight the importance of standing by one another in the face of adversity, and the deep bond that can develop between two people in a loving relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Stick by me and I'll stick by you
I promise to be loyal to you if you promise to be loyal to me
Stick by me and I'll stick by you
Reaffirming my loyalty to you
My life here on earth would be useless can't you see
Without you, my life would be meaningless
If I didn't have you to stick by me
You are the reason why life is worth living
I love you darling and that's no lie
My love for you is sincere and true
Stick by me and I'll stick by you
Again, reaffirming my loyalty to you
When you cry I cry too
I feel your pain and will share it with you
Friends may try to hurt us
Other people may try to come between us
Scandalise our name
They might spread rumors or gossip about us
But no one (no-one) can tear us apart
Our love is strong enough to withstand any outside forces
You have a place in my heart
You hold a special and significant place in my life
Remember my heart and love belongs to you
My heart and love is all yours
Stick by me and I'll stick by you
Yet again, promising my loyalty to you
When you cry I'll cry too
I will be there with you in both good times and bad
Stick by me and I'll stick by you
To emphasize that our loyalty to each other is the most important thing
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SHANE SHEPPARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@billmcgoon9991
(Song of Songs 7: 10🔥)
The Spirit🤍Dove🕊 Revelation 22: 17
Stick by me (your Laughter) and I’ll Stick by you (my Juliet)!
Stick by me (your Artist) and I’ll Stick by you (my Colours💜💛💚❤️💙🤎🧡)!
My (your Faith) life on earth will be useless, can’t you (my Hope) see!
If I (your Presence) didn’t have you (my Shadow), so Stick by me (your Mystery)!
I (Song of Songs 6: 8 - 9) LOVE you (Sweetheart) Darling and that’s no lie!
Stick by me (your Admirer) and I’ll Stick by you (my Wonder)!
When you (your Gardener) cry, I (my House) cry too (Song of Songs 6: 2 - 3)!
Stick by me (your Truth) and I’ll Stick by you (my Glory)!
No one❤️!
No one can tear us (John 1: 32 - 34) apart!
You (my Future) got a place in my (Spirit) Heart!
I (Song of Songs 8: 13 - 14) LOVE you (Tweety💜) Darling and that’s no lie!
Stick by me (your Protector) and I’ll Stick by you (my Companion)!
Remember my (Joy) Heart!
My L(D)OVE belong to you (my Lewa)!
Stick by me (your Shield) and I’ll Stick by you (my Reward)!
When you (my Queen) cry, I (your Crown) cry too (Song of Songs 7: 5 - 6)!
Stick by me (your Key) and I’ll Stick by you (my Lock)!
Melt (Complete Surrender To DIVINE PASSIONATE (Song of Songs 7: 10 - 13) INTIMACY (Song of Songs 6: 2 - 3) in my (arms) LOVE (Song of Songs 8: 6 - 7), Gorgeous (Song of Songs 7: 6 - 8)!
The (Unique) Mysterious (Lewa) LOVE💙🧡💚🤎💛!
Like the sun rays that melts the ice from coldness to warmness!
From low temperature to high temperature!
From bondage to freedom!
From lost to found!
From death to life!
From physical to spiritual!
From captured to rescued!
From thirst to satisfaction!
From shyness to serving!
From caring to sharing!
From encouragement to compliment!
From Dove Eyes to One Heart!
From flirtation to intimacy!
From touch to taste!
From desire to pleasure!
From passion to joy!
From Mystery to LOVE (1 John 4: 16)!
From you say Romeo to I say Juliet!
From me (Ezekiel 37: 24 - 25) to you (L(D)ove), my (Household) Divine (Bride) Joy!
(Joshua 24: 15🔥)
@manjichambeshi7746
Jesus is telling you this, he loves you so much, stick by him, you're the reason he came on earth, he cares about your struggles and situations, stick by him and he'll stick by you, God bless you.
@poldeluo5810
love from South Sudan
@anouargoldhand
LOVE FROM MOROCCO
@partof2559
Hello! I would like to say the Holy Spirit is in control! God has a purpose for everything!
@lloydieranks5081
My life on earth would b useless cant u see if i didnt have you to stick by me
@kalindachinjila7174
on a personal level, loving the song.
@dennisbarzola7063
Lima PerĂş diciembre 2018. Full reggae. UB40 GRAN BANDA.
@ravenstar7708
Like the rythm
@frankoliver6448
Listening to this now straight from Cape Town, South Africa on this lovely Sunday morning. Time to whip out the Braai Meat and cold beers :) How uplifting UB40 is. I was unemployed for 8months until recently and I just listened to UB40.
@clintonshamis476
Love this one, it's a Classic 💖🎤🎶