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.
Sweat
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A-la-la-la-la-long
A-la-la-la-la-long
Long, long, le-long, long, long.
Come on!
A-la-la-la-la-long
Long, long, le-long, long, long.
Hey!
Standing across the room
I saw you smile
I said I want to talk to you-oo-oo
For a little while
But before I make my move
My emotions start running wild
My tongue gets tied
And that's no lie.
I'm looking in your eyes
I'm looking in your big brown eyes
Oo, yeah
And I've got this to say to you
Hey!
Girl, I want to make you sweat
Sweat 'til you can't sweat no more
And if you cry out
I'm gonna push it some mo-o-ore.
Girl, I want to make you sweat
Sweat 'til you can't sweat no more
And if you cry out
I'm gonna push it
Push it, push it some more.
A-la-la-la-la-long
A-la-la-la-la-long
Long, long, le-long, long, long.
Come on!
A-la-la-la-la-long
A-la-la-la-la-long
Long, long, le-long, long, long.
Oo.
So I said to myself
"If she loves me or not?"
But the dreads don't know
That love is his to get
With a little bit of this
And a little bit of that
The lyrics goes on the attack
My tongue gets tied
And that's no lie.
I'm looking in your eyes
I'm looking in your big brown eyes
Oo, girl
And I've got this to say to you
Hey!
Girl, I want to make you sweat
Sweat 'til you can't sweat no more
And if you cry out
I'm gonna push it some mo-o-ore.
Girl, I want to make you sweat
Sweat 'til you can't sweat no more
And if you cry out
I'm gonna push it
Push it, push it some more.
A-la-la-la-la-long
A-la-la-la-la-long
Long, long, le-long, long, long.
Oo, yeah!
A-la-la-la-la-long
A-la-la-la-la-long
Long, long, le-long, long, long.
One more time.
A-la-la-la-la-long
A-la-la-la-la-long
Long, long, le-long, long, long.
Sing it!
A-la-la-la-la-long
A-la-la-la-la-long
Long, long, le-long, long, long.
Hey!
Woo-woo-woo-woo-wee
Yeah.
Eyes
I'm looking in your big brown eyes
Oo, yeah
And I've got this to say to you
Hey!
Girl, I want to make you sweat
Sweat 'til you can't sweat no more
And if you cry out
I'm gonna push it some mo-o-ore.
Girl, I want to make you sweat
Sweat 'til you can't sweat no more
And if you cry out
I'm gonna push it
Push it, push it some more.
A-la-la-la-la-long
A-la-la-la-la-long
Long, long, le-long, long, long.
Yeah!
A-la-la-la-la-long
A-la-la-la-la-long
Long, long, le-long, long, long.
Push it, push it some more.
A-la-la-la-la-long
A-la-la-la-la-long
Long, long, le-long, long, long.
All right!
A-la-la-la-la-long
A-la-la-la-la-long
Long, long, le-long, long, long.
Push it, push it some more
The lyrics to UB40's song "Sweat" can be interpreted as a playful and seductive invitation to engage in a passionate and intense physical relationship.
The opening lines, "I've been watching you, A-la-la-la-la-long," create a sense of longing and desire. The repeated "la-la-la-la-long" suggests a rhythm and anticipation building up.
The singer describes seeing someone they are attracted to across the room, and their desire to talk and connect with them. However, the emotions become overwhelming, causing the singer's tongue to become tied. This can be seen as a representation of the nervousness and excitement that can arise when trying to make a move on someone.
The chorus, "Girl, I want to make you sweat, Sweat 'til you can't sweat no more, And if you cry out, I'm gonna push it some more," suggests a desire for an intense physical connection, where both partners explore and push each other's boundaries. The repetition emphasizes the singer's eagerness to engage in this experience.
The bridge acknowledges the uncertainty of whether the other person loves the singer, but their real intention is to use seduction to win their affection. The lyrics suggest that love can be attained through a combination of passionate physicality ("A little bit of this, And a little bit of that").
Overall, "Sweat" portrays a strong desire for physical intimacy and the willingness to push boundaries to achieve it. The repetitive chorus and energetic tone of the song serve to create a sensual and enticing atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been watching you
I have been observing you closely
A-la-la-la-la-long
I am expressing my excitement and anticipation
Come on!
Encouraging someone to take action or join in
Standing across the room
Being positioned on the opposite side of the room
I saw you smile
I noticed that you smiled
I said I want to talk to you-oo-oo
I expressed my desire to have a conversation with you
For a little while
Just for a short period of time
But before I make my move
However, before taking any action
My emotions start running wild
My feelings become intense and uncontrollable
My tongue gets tied
I struggle to find the right words or become speechless
And that's no lie
This is the truth
I'm looking in your eyes
I am gazing into your eyes
I'm looking in your big brown eyes
Specifically, your large, brown eyes
Oo, yeah
Oh, yes
And I've got this to say to you
I have something important to say
Girl, I want to make you sweat
I want to bring out intense emotions or make you desire me
Sweat 'til you can't sweat no more
Continue exerting physical effort until reaching exhaustion
And if you cry out
If you express any discomfort or displeasure
I'm gonna push it some mo-o-ore
I will increase the intensity or continue pushing you
So I said to myself
I had an internal conversation
"If she loves me or not?"
"Does she have feelings for me or not?"
But the dreads don't know
I am uncertain or unaware
That love is his to get
That love will be mine to receive or experience
With a little bit of this
By using some of this approach or method
And a little bit of that
Also incorporating some of that approach or method
The lyrics go on the attack
The words become assertive and forceful
Woo-woo-woo-woo-wee
Exclamatory sounds expressing excitement or satisfaction
Eyes
Referring to your eyes
Push it, push it some more
Continue applying pressure or intensity
All right!
Expressing agreement or approval
Push it, push it some more
Continue applying pressure or intensity
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@checkerknights3
this is about a killer :P