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.
Superstition
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Very superstitious, ladders bout' to fall
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass
Seven years of bad luck, the good things in your past
When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way
Rid me of the problem, do all that you can
Keep me in a daydream, keep me goin' strong
You don't wanna save me, sad is my song
When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way, yeh, yeh
Very superstitious, nothin' more to say
Very superstitious, the devil's on his way
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass
Seven years of bad luck, good things in your past
When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer, superstition ain't the way, no, no, no
The song Superstition by UB40 is about the dangers of blindly believing in superstition. The first verse talks about common superstitions such as writing on the wall and walking under ladders. These superstitions are believed to bring bad luck when they occur. The second line talks about a thirteen-month-old baby who broke the looking glass, which is another well-known superstition. Breaking a mirror is believed to bring seven years of bad luck to the person who broke it. The line, "seven years of bad luck, the good things in your past" implies that the good things that have happened in the past will be overshadowed by the bad luck brought about by the superstition. The chorus states that when you believe in things that you don't understand, you will suffer. It is warning against blindly following superstitions and beliefs without having a clear understanding of what they mean.
The second verse talks about trying to rid oneself of the problem caused by superstitions. Washing one's face and hands and keeping oneself busy with daydreams are seen as ways to keep oneself distracted from the negative effects brought about by superstitions. The line, "you don't wanna save me, sad is my song," suggests that the person is stuck in their superstitious beliefs, and no one can save them from it. The final verse is a repeat of the first verse, emphasizing once again the dangers of superstition and the belief in the devil coming to get you if you are superstitious.
Line by Line Meaning
Very superstitious, writing on the wall
It's very superstitious to believe that the writings on the wall can predict your future or influence your destiny.
Very superstitious, ladders bout' to fall
Being superstitious about ladders can lead to unnecessary fear of something bad happening when it is just a coincidence.
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass
The breaking of a looking glass by a thirteen month old baby is just an accident and not a bad omen, despite the superstitious beliefs around it.
Seven years of bad luck, the good things in your past
Believing in the superstition of bad luck can bring negative thoughts and energy that can obscure the positive experiences of the past.
When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer
Believing in superstitions without understanding them can lead to unnecessary anxiety and distress, causing one to suffer.
Superstition ain't the way
Superstitions are not based on evidence or logic and therefore should not be the basis for important decisions in life.
Very superstitious, wash your face and hands
The act of washing one's face and hands to ward off bad luck is a baseless superstition that has no real effect on one's fate.
Rid me of the problem, do all that you can
Attempting to rid oneself of bad luck, which is considered to be a problem or an obstacle, by adopting superstitious practices is ineffective and a waste of energy.
Keep me in a daydream, keep me goin' strong
Superstitions can be comforting illusions that allow people to stay in a false but comforting state of mind, even if it doesn't reflect reality.
You don't wanna save me, sad is my song
Believing in superstitious ideas can make one feel hopeless and helpless, as if they have no control over their fate and must rely on external forces to save them.
Very superstitious, nothin' more to say
Being too superstitious leaves little room for rational discussion or analysis, as decisions and actions are based on beliefs that have no basis in fact or reason.
Very superstitious, the devil's on his way
The idea that the devil is responsible for bad things happening is a superstition that has no basis in reality and should not guide one's beliefs or actions.
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass
Seven years of bad luck, good things in your past
The superstition surrounding breaking of a looking glass by a thirteen month old baby causing seven years of bad luck clashes with the idea of good things from the past, causing cognitive dissonance.
Superstition ain't the way, no, no, no
This line reiterates the main message of the song that superstitions are not the answer and relying on them can have negative consequences on one's thinking and behavior.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVLAND MORRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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