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.
Who You Fighting For
UB40 Lyrics
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God & Glory, Do or Die
Propaganda, Spin and Lie
Who are you fighting for.
You do the shooting - they do the looting
You do the killing - they do the drilling
You do the dying - they do the lying
You can hear them crying
Sell the arms, suppress the truth
Create the fear, invent the proof
Wave the flag - don't tell the youth
Who they are fighting for
You do the shooting - they do the looting
You do the killing - they do the drilling
You do the dying - they do the lying
All the way to the Bank
You can hear them crying
Weapon dealing, profiteering
Country stealing, ethnic clearing
Asset stripping, oil dripping
Architects of War.
You do the shooting - they do the looting
You do the killing - they do the drilling
You do the dying - they do the lying
All the way to the Bank
You can hear them crying
The lyrics of UB40's "Who You Fighting For" criticize the actions of those who initiate wars for their own advantages, at the expense of their own soldiers and the civilians of the country they are invading. The song heavily mocks the political officials who create propaganda to justify their actions, and delight in the benefits of the war economy that results from their actions. The lyrics repeat the phrase "who are you fighting for", forcing the listener to question the true intention behind every war effort, and the sacrifices of innocent lives it entails.
The chorus of the song lists the harsh consequences faced by the soldiers who fight in the wars, compared to the profits gained by the leaders who enact them. It skillfully points out that while the soldiers lay down their lives with loyalty and bravery towards their country, the officials use the war as an opportunity to make money for themselves.
The verses highlight the crass nature of war industries, exposing how they resort to immoral and corrupt means such as weapon trading, fabricating lies to influence public opinion, and even annexation of land to reap full advantage of their spoils. The song concludes that the real culprits behind the creation of war are those who benefit from them, and that the youth should be educated about these realities to understand both the cost of war and their leaders' true intentions.
Line by Line Meaning
Queen & Country, freedom cry
Patriotism and liberty as motivations for war are frequently used to manipulate the public.
God & Glory, Do or Die
Religious fervor and ideas of honor are often employed as justifications for warfare that does not benefit the people fighting.
Propaganda, Spin and Lie
Governments and other organizations that support warfare typically use propaganda, misinformation, and outright lies to rally support and justify their actions.
Who are you fighting for.
The question posed in the chorus challenges listeners to consider whether the reasons they are being given for war are truly just and aligned with their own interests and values.
You do the shooting - they do the looting
Soldiers risk their lives in combat, while the organizations that sponsor war profit handsomely, often through exploitation of resources and people in the countries where the war is fought.
You do the killing - they do the drilling
Military personnel are asked to take life and make tremendous personal sacrifices, while wealthy corporations and their shareholders exploit resources and financial opportunities arising from conflict.
You do the dying - they do the lying
Many who lose their lives in war are not fighting for their own interests, but for the interests of those who profit from the conflict. These same organizations frequently avoid direct involvement in combat, instead hiding behind a veil of misinformation and propaganda.
All the way to the Bank
You can hear them crying
Regardless of the outcome of any particular conflict, those who benefit financially from war always come out ahead.
Sell the arms, suppress the truth
The arms industry is a major force in promoting conflict and has a vested interest in keeping the public, and sometimes even soldiers themselves, in the dark about the realities of warfare.
Create the fear, invent the proof
Governments and other organizations that promote conflict often use unfounded scare tactics to maintain public support for their actions, often fabricating evidence to support their claims.
Wave the flag - don't tell the youth
Who they are fighting for
Patriotic symbols such as the flag are often used to generate enthusiasm for war, with little regard for the underlying motives or consequences.
Weapon dealing, profiteering
Country stealing, ethnic clearing
Asset stripping, oil dripping
Architects of War.
The individuals and organizations that profit from war ultimately perpetuate its worst aspects, from destruction of cultures to exploitation of vulnerable populations.
Contributed by Mackenzie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DKcoyplays
it is July 11 2023, world has gone to crap😂😂😂 and we have songs like this that still hold true til this day😢 whoever you are, wherever you are, don't give up, fight, rage, REBEL AGAINST THE SYSTEM!!!