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.
Where Did I Go Wrong
UB40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leaving tomorrow was what you had planned
No point in pretending, I know that it's ending
I just wanna know where the ending began
Where did I go wrong to make it like this?
No warmth in your body, no touch in your kiss
Holding you now, hurts more than it should
I thought you had saved me, the love that you gave me
The sweetest loving in all of the land
But you've taken my heart, and you've torn it apart
And it's crumbled to dust in the palm of your hand
Where did I go wrong to make it like this?
No warmth in your body, no touch in your kiss
Holding you now, hurts more than it should
If I let you go, girl, you'll be gone for good
There's nothin' worth sayin', I know you're not staying
Might as well face it, it's out of my hands
No point in pretending, I know that it's ending
I just wanna know where the ending began
Where did I go wrong to make it like this
No warmth in your body, no touch in your kiss
Holding you now, hurts more than it should
If I let you go, girl, you'll be gone for good
Where did I go wrong to make it like this?
No warmth in your body, no touch in your kiss
Holding you now, hurts more than it should
If I let you go, girl, you'll be gone for good
Where did I go wrong to make it like this?
No warmth in your body, no touch in your kiss
Holding you now, hurts more than it should
If I let you go, girl, you'll be gone for good
Where did I go wrong to make it like this?
No warmth in your body, no touch in your kiss
Holding you now, hurts more than it should
If I let you go, girl, you'll be gone for good
In UB40's "Where Did I Go Wrong," the singer grapples with a failed relationship, desperately trying to understand where it all fell apart. He's praying that his partner's departure isn't final, but he knows he's just pretending, as deep down he understands that it's over. He longs to know where the ending began and where he went wrong as he can't seem to find any warmth or tenderness in the relationship anymore. He's in pain holding her in his arms as he knows if he lets go of her, she'll be gone forever.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is deeply hurt and questioning where he went wrong in the relationship. It's evident that he has been relying on the relationship for his happiness, but it's now falling apart. The repetition of the lines "Where did I go wrong to make it like this? No warmth in your body, no touch in your kiss" emphasizes the pain and confusion he's going through. The lyrics also suggest that despite the end of the relationship, the singer still has feelings for his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sitting here praying that you weren't just saying
I am anxiously hoping that your words about leaving tomorrow were not true
Leaving tomorrow was what you had planned
You had already decided to leave me tomorrow
No point in pretending, I know that it's ending
There is no use in pretending that our relationship is not coming to an end
I just wanna know where the ending began
I want to understand when and how our relationship began to fade away
Where did I go wrong to make it like this?
What did I do to cause our relationship to become so distant and cold?
No warmth in your body, no touch in your kiss
You no longer show me physical affection or emotional intimacy
Holding you now, hurts more than it should
Even being close to you is painful because I feel like we are already apart
If I let you go, girl, you'll be gone for good
If we break up, our relationship will be over forever
I thought you had saved me, the love that you gave me
I believed that your love had rescued me from a difficult past
The sweetest loving in all of the land
Your love was the best thing that ever happened to me
But you've taken my heart, and you've torn it apart
Now, you have broken my heart and shattered my sense of security
And it's crumbled to dust in the palm of your hand
My heart has been destroyed and reduced to nothing in your hands
There's nothin' worth sayin', I know you're not staying
There is nothing left to say, as I know that you have already decided to leave
Might as well face it, it's out of my hands
I must accept that there is nothing I can do to make you stay
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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