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.
The Buzz Feeling
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sa live the life you love and love the life you live
Cause what is in my hart is design to give
But special request is to all back stabber should be stuck in asieve
When I and I smoke senisman give thanks and praise to the full causes what
[Chorus]
The buzz feeling lord
Have You ever had the Buzz Feeling
My brethren
Have you ever had the buzz feeling you take out you rizla
You start rolling seh three or five sheet me
Seh what you deeling with you take piece of cigarette
Start breaching open up you Giangi bag you start
Sprinkling you stick out you tongue and you start fe licking
You lean against a speaker box take you matches lighting
Seh man have you ever had the Buzz Feeling
[Chorus]
When your head is spinning you knees wobbling you belly rolling
And your eyes shutting fe you head would of blow off
Like a car engine most people in the dance dem start laughing
Some of them cannot explain mysterious feeling so you sit on de stair
Gaze pon de ceiling you hand pon you belly
You start fe rubbing a little after that you a little vomiting
So you run down the stairs like a streak of lightening you move
Through the crowd like you hustling you brethen
Shout you start reasoning about thing and time and the flat
Him move in the operatir play a tune them start bubbling
It make it even harder fe you passing as you reach out side start
Slow breathing you sit pon de wall and start thinking never again
Would I get that feeling dread
[Chorus]
Well you head stop spinning you knees stop wobbling you belly stop roll
Start crave fe dumpling
[Chorus]
You I dren shout you roll up a splif
Me I dren temptation it is great but
Remember that funny feeling
[Chorus]
But wen me seh you shouldn't rump with the general
Shouldn't rump with the general
Me seh Don't rump with general
Don't play with the general
Don't fool with the general
Don't walk with the general
Don't talk with the general
Don't eat eighth the general
[Chorus]
The UB40 song "The Buzz Feeling" is a reggae tune with lyrics that describe the sensations and experiences of being under the influence of marijuana. The lyrics contain references to rolling and smoking a joint, as well as the physical and mental effects that the drug can have on a person. The title of the song refers to the "buzz feeling" that someone can experience when they are high.
The song begins with a message of positivity, urging listeners to "live the life you love and love the life you live." It then takes a sharper turn, with a warning to "back stabbers" that they should be avoided. The chorus repeats the title phrase, emphasizing the theme of enjoying the feeling that the drug provides.
The second verse describes a scene at a party, where someone is feeling the effects of smoking weed. The lyrics describe the physical and emotional sensations, as well as the reactions of other people in the room. The final verse contains a cautionary message, warning against excessive use of the drug.
Overall, the song celebrates the enjoyment that can come from using marijuana, while also acknowledging the potential risks and drawbacks.
Line by Line Meaning
Well the man Like General Slinger
The man behaves like General Slinger, a strong and influential figure
Sa live the life you love and love the life you live
Be true to yourself and enjoy life to the fullest
Cause what is in my hart is design to give
I am naturally inclined to be generous and kind-hearted
But special request is to all back stabber should be stuck in asieve
I have a request for all those who betray and deceive, may they suffer and be trapped in their own trap
When I and I smoke senisman give thanks and praise to the full causes what
When I smoke marijuana, I feel grateful and offer praise to the creator for this experience
The buzz feeling lord
The sensation of feeling buzzed and high
Well have you ever had the buzz feeling my sisthren
Have you ever experienced the sensation of being high, my sisters?
Have You ever had the Buzz Feeling
Have you ever felt high?
My brethren
My brothers
Have you ever had the buzz feeling you take out you rizla
Have you ever felt high while preparing to smoke marijuana, unpacking your rolling paper, and getting ready to smoke?
You start rolling seh three or five sheet me
You begin rolling three or five sheets of marijuana
Seh what you deeling with you take piece of cigarette
You take a small piece of cigarette and mix it with marijuana
Start breaching open up you Giangi bag you start
You open up your large bag of marijuana
Sprinkling you stick out you tongue and you start fe licking
You sprinkle the marijuana on the rolling paper and lick it to help it stick
You lean against a speaker box take you matches lighting
You lean against a speaker box and light the joint with a match
Seh man have you ever had the Buzz Feeling
As you smoke, you ask your friends if they have ever felt this high before
When your head is spinning you knees wobbling you belly rolling
As you become high, you may experience dizziness, shaky knees, and a rolling stomach
And your eyes shutting fe you head would of blow off
You may feel like your head is going to explode
Most people in the dance dem start laughing
People at the party will laugh at your behavior when you are high
Some of them cannot explain mysterious feeling so you sit on de stair
Some people cannot explain the feeling of being high, so you sit on the stairs
Gaze pon de ceiling you hand pon you belly
You gaze at the ceiling and put your hand on your stomach
You start fe rubbing a little after that you a little vomiting
You start rubbing your stomach, and then you may vomit a little
So you run down the stairs like a streak of lightening you move
You quickly run down the stairs
Through the crowd like you hustling you brethen
You weave your way through the crowd like a hustler, with your friends following you
Shout you start reasoning about thing and time and the flat
You shout and start reasoning and talking about various topics like time and the apartment
Him move in the operatir play a tune them start bubbling
The DJ plays a great song, and the crowd starts dancing feverishly
It make it even harder fe you passing as you reach out side start
It becomes harder for you to leave the party as you reach outside
Slow breathing you sit pon de wall and start thinking never again
You breathe slowly, sit on the wall, and contemplate not getting high again
Would I get that feeling dread
Would I feel this dreadful again?
Well you head stop spinning you knees stop wobbling you belly stop roll
As the high wears off, your head stops spinning, your knees stop shaking, and your stomach calms down
Start crave fe dumpling
You start craving dumplings
You I dren shout you roll up a splif
You shout to your friends and roll up another joint
Me I dren temptation it is great but
I am tempted to smoke again, but
Remember that funny feeling
I remember the strange feeling of being high and may not want to experience it again
Me seh Don't rump with general
I say, do not mess with powerful people like General Slinger
Don't play with the general
Do not joke around or take lightly the conniving ways of people like General Slinger
Don't fool with the general
Do not try to deceive or trick someone like General Slinger
Don't walk with the general
Do not associate or hang out with General Slinger
Don't talk with the general
Do not engage in conversation or disclose information to General Slinger
Don't eat eighth the general
Do not accept anything from General Slinger or other powerful people, as they may use it as leverage later on
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PATRICK CUNNINGHAM, ERIC EVERARD DONALDSON
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