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.
Watchdogs
UB40 Lyrics
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And you try to close your eyes
But the blasphemies keep coming
Tempting you lies
[Chorus]
Give thanks for you protection
Your watchdogs of the night
And keep them out of sight, out of sight
You just don't understand it
But it strikes a distant chord
So you look for away of escaping
And sanity's restored
[Chorus]
Give thanks for your protection
Your
You focus your direction
Cloak tightly pulled around
But somewhere in the distance
You can hear a haunting sound
[Chorus]
Give thanks for your protection
Your
You're in danger of corruption
And you're always running scared
You cannot make decisions
You're completely unprepared
[Chorus]
Give thanks for your protection
Your
UB40's "Watchdogs" is a song that addresses the struggle between good and evil and how it affects every individual. The lyrics open with an acknowledgment of the temptation and lies facing people every day. The singer notes that a person can try to ignore the voices of temptation, but they never cease to exist. The chorus then goes on to give thanks for the protection of your watchdogs of the night, who hold the hungry wolves at bay and keep them out of sight, out of sight. This can be interpreted as a notion that people need to have safeguards in their lives to protect them from harm and to maintain their sanity, although they may not always be aware of what those safeguards are.
The third verse of the song sees the singer describe finding solace in something that is not easily understood. The words "But it strikes a distant chord/So you look for a way of escaping/And sanity's restored" could refer to finding peace in religion, meditation, or simply allowing oneself to escape from the outside world. The final verse talks about how difficult it can be to make decisions in life when one feels overwhelmed by outside influences. The chorus repeats, giving thanks for the protection of your watchdogs of the night.
Overall, the song seems to be about recognizing the need for protection and ways to maintain one's mental health. It acknowledges the harsh realities of the world while offering some hope for finding solace and inner peace.
Line by Line Meaning
You try to close your ears
You attempt to ignore certain sounds or messages that confront you.
And you try to close your eyes
You attempt to purposely not see what's in front of you.
But the blasphemies keep coming
The offensive messages continue regardless of your attempts to ignore them.
Tempting you lies
These messages are trying to lure you into believing untruths.
Give thanks for your protection
Be thankful for those who protect you from harm.
Your watchdogs of the night
The people who are watching and protecting you, especially during the night when you are vulnerable.
Who hold the hungry wolves at bay
These protectors keep the dangerous people or elements from harming you.
And keep them out of sight, out of sight
These protectors ensure that those who want to harm you cannot see you and avoid detection.
You just don't understand it
You do not comprehend what is happening.
But it strikes a distant chord
It generates remote, familiar feelings within you.
So you look for a way of escaping
You try to find a means of avoiding the troubles or difficulties.
And sanity's restored
Then you again regain mental composure.
You focus your direction
You concentrate your efforts and attention on the task at hand.
Cloak tightly pulled around
You assume a defensive posture.
But somewhere in the distance
From a place farther away
You can hear a haunting sound
You can perceive a disturbing noise or voice.
You're in danger of corruption
There is the threat that you may be influenced inappropriately.
And you're always running scared
You are continuously frightened or concerned.
You cannot make decisions
You have trouble in coming to conclusions or making choices.
You're completely unprepared
You are wholly unequipped mentally or psychologically.
Give thanks for your protection
Be grateful for the guardians that keep you safe.
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
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