UB40 Songs Ranked

UB40 is an English reggae and pop band, formed in December 1978 in Birmingham, England. The band has had more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart and has also achieved considerable international success. They have been nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album four times, and in 1984 were nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Group. UB40 has sold over 70 million records worldwide. The ethnic make-up of the band’s original line-up was diverse, with musicians of English, Welsh, Irish, Jamaican, Scottish and Yemeni parentage. The band’s line-up was stable for nearly 29 years, from March 1979 until January 2008, when frontman Ali Campbell left the band, followed shortly thereafter by keyboardist Mickey Virtue. Another member, Astro, remained with the band until November 2013, when he departed the original band to team up with Campbell and Virtue in a new version of UB40. In 2014, legal advice was sought by the original band (now consisting of remaining co-founding members drummer Jimmy Brown, guitarist Robin Campbell, bassist Earl Falconer, percussionist Norman Hassan, and saxophonist Brian Travers, along with new vocalist Duncan Campbell) who took action against the group containing Campbell, Virtue, and Astro over usage of the band name, due to its being used by both parties. Here are all of the UB40 songs ranked.

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20. Who You Fighting For (Who You Fighting For, 2005)

“Kudo’s to UB40 for another stellar album. They have always kept reggae old school while still sounding fresh and vibrant. Beautiful rhythmic melodies and great lyrics. Even the classic reggae tracks like “good situation” aka Groovy situation sound updated but still retain old reggae charm.Ali campbell never sounded better. I look forward to more from this great group.”

19. Come Back Darling (Labour of Love III, 1998)

“They are professional to the core and would never produce a rip-off album. Everything they do is a true labour of love, and much as I oppose their pro-drug stand I hope they continue to produce a mixture of original music and cover versions for many years to come.”

18. Don’t Break My Heart (Baggariddim, 1985)

“This release was obscured when some DJ in California turned Red Red Wine into a coast-to-coast sensation just as this self-titled gem hit the markets. Sales were slow and that’s a real shame as this is easily some of Cambell’s brother’s best songwriting, full of catchy hooks and infectious rhythms that never grow old. Buy, put it in your player, you’ll be tapping your foot and singing along within minutes.”

17. King (Signing Off, 1980)

“Unforgettable debut by a band who (at the time) showed every indication of being indie one hit wonders. A cumbersome line-up, no discernable image, white-reggae and a tiny indie label wouldn’t generally spell long-term success, but as we’re all too painfully aware, UB40 embarked on a seemingly endless run of tedious pop-reggae hits and are still droning on to this day.”

16. I Would Do for You (UB40, 1988)

“UB 40 has great songs and I like the remakes they make on the CD. These songs have been around for a long time and they never lose their appeal.”

15. Sing Our Own Song (Rat in the Kitchen, 1986)

“UB40 is a group which value human dignity and freedom. They are open minded and their love for humanity is uncompromised. They are freedom fighters without borders”

14. Bring Me Your Cup (Promises and Lies, 1993)

“I love, love this song. It’s one of my favorite UB40 songs. Was introduced to this group by my husband; he is a die-hard fan. If you love the strong beat of the music and clear lyrics; then I recommend this song.”

13. Many Rivers to Cross (Labour of Love, 1983)

“It’s become popular and fashionable to malign the boys from Birmingham for being lightweight, poppy, inauthentic, etc, etc, but if you actually listen to the versions here you find solid reggae rhythms, soulful vocals and some interesting echo and other effects. To me the band are more in the rocksteady tradition if anything.”

12. Food for Thought (Signing Off, 1980)

“Food for Thought” raised a topic hardly anybody in the west cared tuppence about until Bob Geldof had his epiphany and wrote “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” with Midge Ure. The B-side laments (Martin Luther) King having to die for a dream that failed to materialize. There were a lot of artists with a lot more cred, but with far less to say.”

11. Kiss and Say Goodbye (Who You Fighting For?, 2005)

“When I head this song on YouTube. I had to buy it. absolutely beautiful. again UB40 what can I say amazing. Love you to the max”

10. The Way You Do the Things You Do (Black Rain, 1989)

“America, being America, only cared about UB40 when they did cover versions. (There are probably a fair number of Yanks who think they were exclusively a cover band.) Here they adapt a fairly well-known Motown/”Big Chill” number, and were rewarded with their second American top ten. As these things go, it’s one of their better covers, and the soul transforms to reggae-light fairly smoothly. That being said, I’m never sorry to hear this song come to an end.”

9. Please Don’t Make Me Cry (Labour of Love, 1983)

“Ooh,so many memories from my late teen age.my second favorite after homely girl.UB 40,always delivering excellent, “clean” music. Quality is great. One of their best songs ever, this track is legendary, give it a try, I’m sure you will love it!!!!”

8. Groovin’ (Out on Life) (Labour of Love II, 1989)

“If there is, or ever was a great album by UB40, it is definitely this one. This album is covered from top to bottom, song to song with great reggae music. I have had the great privilege of having this album in my collection since 1990. “

7. Homely Girl (Labour of Love II, 1989)

“If you love UB40 then you will love this album, but even if you don’t know much about them – just flirting with them – then I would recommend this album as a good place to jump in with both feet.”

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6. (I Can’t Help) Falling in Love with You (Blue Hawaii, 1961)

“It’s not the best version of this great song out there, but it is worth a 3.00 if only for nostalgia value. If you want to dabble in the musical releases of UB40, this would probably, despite its enormous commercial success, be the best place to star”

5. Cherry Oh Baby (Labour of Love, 1983)

“If the ultra-famous ‘Red Red Wine’ is the rarely found good side of pop UB40, ‘Cherry Oh Baby’, taken from the same album (the misleadingly titled ‘Labour of Love’), is its bad counterpart. Never a great song to begin with, the tune benefits nothing from the slick production it’s given, the cheesy vocal arrangement standing out as particularly vulgar. By 1983 the band was already finished as a creative force in reggae, and the best that could be expected from now on was a nice pop tune from time to time. Which this isn’t.”

4. Here I Am (Come and Take Me) (Labour of Love II, 1990)

“Besides maybe Red Red Wine this is my favorite track by UB40, just perfect for summer with a great bassline, and stuff. The lyrics are lame and cheesy but the song makes you get up and move.”

3. I Got You Babe (Now That’s What I Call Music! 6, 1985)

“O.K. Everyone has heard Sonny & Cher’s version. This version is a reggae arrangement that features Chrissy Hynde. That should be enough to justify my rating. I believe Ali Campbell (From UB40) and Chrissy Hynde were together when this was made. I do not know if they are still together, but the track is a milestone of the Punk/ska/New Wave era, and is about five thousand times better than most of what is presented as new today. So enjoy it!”

2. Kingston Town (Labour of Love II, 1989)

“Original from 1970 by Lord Creator (according to wiki). But he’s rather unknown so we got the famous UB40 and this cover is for me ‘their’ most known song and one of few Reggae songs I can actually slightly enjoy. (maybe cuz it’s more poppy side of the genre)”

1. Red, Red Wine (Labour of Love, 1983)

“Red Red Wine’ actually represents the best of that pop style. With a song as immediately catchy as this originally was, the only thing that could be asked from the band is that they don’t ruin it with overproduction or a lazy performance. “