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.
Things Ain't Like They Used To Be
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you wondering why
No one talks any more
And all you hear
Is the cry for war
Are you wondering if
There are people who
Hurt inside the same as you
There are grey-faced men always telling me
Things ain't like they used to be
You kids have got no self respect
Wake up old man to your neglect
It's dog eat dog
It's hand to mouth
It's east and west
It's north and south
Just like you drummed it into me
Things ain't like they used to be
I'll tell you why I can't afford
To hang my hopes upon your word
And when I'm done, I'll join the queue
And take my chance, no thanks to you
It's in or out
It's stop and go
It isn't what
It's who you know
I've heard you, now can you hear me
Things ain't like they used to be
Ancient rules for ancient men
But this is now and that was then
Don't lay your heavy hand on me
And sink me in your poison sea
It's us and them
It's me and you
It's guessing games
It's what to do
Exactly like you said to me
Things ain't like they used to be
[Chorus]
Are you wondering why
No one talks any more
And all you hear
Is the cry for war
Are you wondering if
There are people who
Hurt inside the same as you
The song "Things Ain't Like They Used To Be" by UB40 is an insightful commentary on the changing times, both socially and politically. The chorus questions why there is a lack of communication and increasing violence, asking whether people can understand one another's pain.
The verses criticize the older generation who constantly tell the younger ones that things aren't the same as they used to be, accusing them of neglecting the youth. The lyrics highlight a sense of frustration and disillusionment with the current state of affairs, where it seems that one must constantly fight for survival in an increasingly cutthroat world.
The bridge addresses the idea that the world is divided into factions, that it's all about knowing the right people, and that there is no clear path to follow. The song's message is a plea for understanding, empathy, and compassion, and serves as a warning that if we continue along the path of violence and lack of communication, we'll only create more pain for ourselves and those around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you wondering why
Do you question the reason why
No one talks any more
People do not communicate anymore
And all you hear
The only thing you hear
Is the cry for war
Is people asking for conflict
Are you wondering if
Do you wonder whether
There are people who
There exist individuals who
Hurt inside the same as you
Experience the same emotional pain as you
There are grey-faced men always telling me
The artist encounters gloomy men who constantly say
Things ain't like they used to be
The world is not similar to how it was before
You kids have got no self respect
The youths have no self-esteem
Wake up old man to your neglect
The singer admonishes an old person for their negligence
It's dog eat dog
The world is competitive and ruthless
It's hand to mouth
People live in poverty and adversity
It's east and west
There are conflicting ideologies and cultures
It's north and south
Disparities exist in terms of power and wealth
Just like you drummed it into me
Similar to what the artist was taught
Things ain't like they used to be
The world has undergone significant changes
I'll tell you why I can't afford
The singer explains why they cannot afford
To hang my hopes upon your word
To put trust in someone's promise
And when I'm done, I'll join the queue
The artist will follow the crowd
And take my chance, no thanks to you
Without the help of the other person
It's in or out
A matter of choosing one option or another
It's stop and go
Prospects are unpredictable
It isn't what
It is not about
It's who you know
Connections are essential for success
I've heard you, now can you hear me
The singer listened to the other person, can they do the same?
Things ain't like they used to be
Things have transformed drastically
Ancient rules for ancient men
Old-fashioned principles for previous generations
But this is now and that was then
Times have moved on
Don't lay your heavy hand on me
Do not oppress me
And sink me in your poison sea
To poison me with your influence
It's us and them
Division between certain groups
It's me and you
A relationship between two people
It's guessing games
A situation in which people are uncertain
It's what to do
A decision that must be made
Exactly like you said to me
Just as you told me
Things ain't like they used to be
Things are no longer similar to how they were
Are you wondering why
Do you question the reason why
No one talks any more
People do not communicate anymore
And all you hear
The only thing you hear
Is the cry for war
Is people asking for conflict
Are you wondering if
Do you wonder whether
There are people who
There exist individuals who
Hurt inside the same as you
Experience the same emotional pain as you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIM BROWN, ALI CAMPBELL, ROBIN CAMPBELL, EARL FALCONER, NORMAN HASSAN, BRIAN TRAVERS, MICHAEL VIRTUE, TERRENCE OSWALD WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sophia Aubyn
I love this song soo much, I would help with the lyrics.
Are you wondering why
No one talks any more
And all you hear
Is the cry for war
Are you wondering if
There are people who
Hurt inside the same as you
There are grey-faced men always telling me
Things ain't like they used to be
You kids have got no self respect
Wake up old man to your neglect
It's dog eat dog
It's hand to mouth
It's east and west
It's north and south
Just like you drummed it into me
Things ain't like they used to be
I'll tell you why I can't afford
To hang my hopes upon your word
And when I'm done, I'll join the queue
And take my chance, no thanks to you
It's in or out
It's stop and go
It isn't what
It's who you know
I've heard you, now can you hear me
Things ain't like they used to be
Ancient rules for ancient men
But this is now and that was then
Don't lay your heavy hand on me
And sink me in your poison sea
It's us and them
It's me and you
It's guessing games
It's what to do
Exactly like you said to me
Things ain't like they used to be
Are you wondering why
No one talks any more
And all you hear
Is the cry for war
Are you wondering if
There are people who
Hurt inside the same as you
Source: LyricFind
ventasfebeca 118
El álbum completo es excelente la portada del disco es.genial y la calidad del sonido es brillante
DJ Ant
Love you UB40 💖❤️
Sophia Aubyn
I love this song soo much, I would help with the lyrics.
Are you wondering why
No one talks any more
And all you hear
Is the cry for war
Are you wondering if
There are people who
Hurt inside the same as you
There are grey-faced men always telling me
Things ain't like they used to be
You kids have got no self respect
Wake up old man to your neglect
It's dog eat dog
It's hand to mouth
It's east and west
It's north and south
Just like you drummed it into me
Things ain't like they used to be
I'll tell you why I can't afford
To hang my hopes upon your word
And when I'm done, I'll join the queue
And take my chance, no thanks to you
It's in or out
It's stop and go
It isn't what
It's who you know
I've heard you, now can you hear me
Things ain't like they used to be
Ancient rules for ancient men
But this is now and that was then
Don't lay your heavy hand on me
And sink me in your poison sea
It's us and them
It's me and you
It's guessing games
It's what to do
Exactly like you said to me
Things ain't like they used to be
Are you wondering why
No one talks any more
And all you hear
Is the cry for war
Are you wondering if
There are people who
Hurt inside the same as you
Source: LyricFind
Micah Jared
Bomb. Fire. Old's Cool never stops hitting you hard. They dont make music like they used to.....
Laura Ronczyk
Great band , easy listening
rafallica2002
that voice is a classic
Ronald Max Griqua
Thinking about my late brother and his love for UB40.
I share that love...
DJ Ant
I love you UB49 💖
Pauline Mavros
Folowed then since they started love them to bits
Ricardo Cervantes
que. buen disco señores