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.
Style Mk 4
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Really on truly design to make you rock
Whether you white or black
In a pants or frock
Round a front or back
Down an bottom or on top
Is Pablo Ranks round the microphone a chat
Here them style ya now star
Ca me say if a don't Patton then a style
A me say is a don't Patton them a style (Smile)
A mi say if a don't Patton them a style (Wicked on wile)
Say if a don't Patton them a style
Mi young a say strong Jah know mi well virile
True mi eant everything them a say that spwile
Man mi run way left mi yard them a say that mi wile
Say mi lock the education but mi versatile, true mi
Sell the callie weel on them mi collect the kile
Babylon want fi hold mi it is just for a while
Say mi break out a jail a man use a file
Say mi head in a the mountain, under low profile
Mi say if a don't Patton them a style (right)
A me say if a don't Patton them a style (Flashitta)
Ca me say if a don't Patton then a style (Bubble)
A mi say if a don't Patton then a style
But a true say Pablo cool Pablo wasn't hostile
Mi rub down fi mi skin yes in a coconut oil
Me rap ip fi mi weed in a bacofile
Mi chat the rub a dub fi make the girls them smile
The blood in a them body (man) me want it fi boil
With swet a run them back like a engine oil
With the lyrics them a fire like any missile
Pablo Ranks around the mic as your disciplin child
Well mi fire fi mi lyrics for a million mile
All the girls them in the dance say him dea under profile
Ca me say if a don't Patton them a style
A me say if a don't Patton them astyle (wicked and wile)
Say if a don't Patton then a style (Gwan)
Ca me say if a don't them a style
You know say Pablo Ranks him a you cullicked yard child
A tell you that Patton that a Patton
Me say style a style
But a snake on a lizard on a crocodile
But a them dea creature me say call reptile
But anywhere you go, you know those a pure style
But a Pablo Rankin dea ya cause him wicked and wile
Come fi run down the rubadub in a yard style
Make the girls them in the dance hall feel fi smile
Make the blood in a them body (just) starte fi boil
Make the swet a run them back like a engine oil
Ca mi fire them ya lyric fire them not like missile
Me say if a don't Patton them a style
A me say if a don't Patton them a style (wicked on wile)
Say if a don't Patton then a style
Cause me say if a don't Patton then a style
I'm young I'm strong Jah know mi well verile
True mi want everything them a say that mispwile
But run a left mi yard them a say that mi wile
Say mi lack the education but me versitile
Cause me sell the collie weed on then collect kile
Babylon them want fi hold me it is just for a while
Say me break out a jail an 9 man use a file
Say me head into the mountain under low profile
True say 9 man did cool 9 was never hostile
9 man rub down my skin in coconut oil
On rap up my weed in bacofoil
And 9 chat the rubadub fi make the girls them smile
Cause the blood their body's - 9 want it to boil
An the swet should run their backs like engine oil
Me say if it's not fashion then it's style
A me say if a don't Patton them a style
A me say if a don't Patton them a style (Wile)
A mi say if a don't Patton them a style
A fire them ya lyrics like a god dam missile
A fire them hot for one million miles
On true them never know me was disaplin' child
Me go to the stadium an pass through the turnstile
But if 9 feel to walk 9 walk about five miles
Ca me say if a don't Patton then a style (right)
A me say if a don't Patton them a style (Gwan)
A me say if a don't Patton them a style (Kick up)
A me say if a don't Patton it's style
The song "Style Mk 4" by UB40 is a dancehall reggae track featuring artist Pablo Ranks. The lyrics describe the energy and excitement of a dancehall event, where everyone, regardless of their race, gender, or attire, comes to have a good time. Pablo Ranks is showcased as the star performer, who is full of style, confidence, and talent. He raps effortlessly about his experiences, whether it's his love for coconut oil or his ability to break out of jail with a file.
The song is full of Jamaican patois that may be difficult for some listeners to understand. However, one can still appreciate the lively beat and the joy in the voices of the singers. The song follows a traditional dancehall template with its catchy chorus and repetitive phrases. It creates an infectious energy that can make anyone feel like dancing.
Line by Line Meaning
Now here comes a musical shack attack
Prepare yourself for an intense musical experience
Really on truly design to make you rock
Created specifically to make you dance and move with the beat
Whether you white or black
Regardless of your skin color
In a pants or frock
Wearing any type of clothing
Round a front or back
Dancing from any direction
Down an bottom or on top
Moving in any direction, including jumping or coming down
Is Pablo Ranks round the microphone a chat
Pablo Ranks is rapping on the microphone
On the musical shack attack seen (Dreadlocks)
Performing in the musical experience known as the shack attack, with dreadlocks hairstyle
Here them style ya now star
Listen to the unique style of music that is now being played
Ca me say if a don't Patton then a style
I say if I don't apply pressure, my style will not be as impressive
A me say is a don't Patton them a style (Smile)
I am saying that if I don't apply pressure, my style won't come through as clearly
A mi say if a don't Patton them a style (Wicked on wile)
I say that if I don't apply pressure, my style won't have the same energy and enthusiasm
Say if a don't Patton them a style
If I don't apply pressure, my style won't come through as strongly
Mi young a say strong Jah know mi well virile
I am young, strong, and God knows I have vitality
True mi eant everything them a say that spwile
I truly want everything that they say is fun
Man mi run way left mi yard them a say that mi wile
People think I am crazy for leaving my house
Say mi lock the education but mi versatile, true mi
Although I might not have a formal education, I am versatile and adaptable to any situation
Sell the callie weel on them mi collect the kile
I sell marijuana and make money from it
Babylon want fi hold mi it is just for a while
The government wants to arrest me, but it will only be temporary
Say mi break out a jail a man use a file
I broke out of jail using a file
Say mi head in a the mountain, under low profile
I am hiding in the mountains, maintaining a low profile
Mi say if a don't Patton them a style (right)
I say that if I don't apply pressure, my style won't be as good
A me say if a don't Patton them a style (Flashitta)
I say that if I don't apply pressure, my style won't be dynamic and exciting
Ca me say if a don't Patton then a style (Bubble)
I say that if I don't apply pressure, my style won't be energetic and lively
A mi say if a don't Patton then a style
I say that if I don't apply pressure, my style won't be as impressive
But a true say Pablo cool Pablo wasn't hostile
It's true that Pablo is cool and not hostile
Mi rub down fi mi skin yes in a coconut oil
I rubbed coconut oil on my skin
Me rap ip fi mi weed in a bacofile
I wrap up my weed in aluminum foil
Mi chat the rub a dub fi make the girls them smile
I sing reggae music to make girls smile
The blood in a them body (man) me want it fi boil
I want the blood in girls' bodies to boil
With swet a run them back like a engine oil
I want them to sweat so much that it runs down their backs like oil
With the lyrics them a fire like any missile
My lyrics are so powerful, they are like missiles
Pablo Ranks around the mic as your disciplin child
Pablo Ranks is a disciplined performer on the microphone
Well mi fire fi mi lyrics for a million mile
I am very enthusiastic about my lyrics and can perform for long periods of time
All the girls them in the dance say him dea under profile
All the girls at the dance know that Pablo Ranks is present and performing
Cause me say if a don't Patton it's style
If I don't apply pressure, my style won't come through as well
But a snake on a lizard on a crocodile
There are snakes, lizards, and crocodiles present
But a them dea creature me say call reptile
These creatures are known as reptiles
But anywhere you go, you know those a pure style
Everywhere you go, there is a unique style of music
But a Pablo Rankin dea ya cause him wicked and wile
Pablo Ranks is a standout performer because he's clever and talented
Come fi run down the rubadub in a yard style
Come and enjoy the reggae music in our style
Make the girls them in the dance hall feel fi smile
Make the girls at the dance smile by performing well
Make the blood in a them body (just) starte fi boil
Make the blood in their bodies become heated with excitement
Make the swet a run them back like a engine oil
Make them sweat so much that it runs down their backs like oil
Me say if it's not fashion then it's style
If we're not doing something because it's trendy, then it's because it's our style
A me say if a don't Patton them a style (Wile)
I say that I must apply pressure to perform well
A mi say if a don't Patton them a style
I say that I must apply pressure to perform well
A fire them ya lyrics like a god dam missile
I fire my lyrics like a powerful missile
A fire them hot for one million miles
I continuously fire my lyrics for long periods of time
On true them never know me was disaplin' child
They never knew I was a disciplined child
Me go to the stadium an pass through the turnstile
I go to the stadium and pass through the turnstile
But if 9 feel to walk 9 walk about five miles
If I have to, I'll walk five miles
A me say if a don't Patton then a style (Gwan)
I say that I must apply pressure to perform well
A me say if a don't Patton them a style (Kick up)
I say that I must apply pressure to perform well
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL FALCONER, 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