UB40

Released: September 2, 2013

Songwriter: Blind Alfred Reed UB40

Producer: UB40

Once the shops where filled with things that I could buy
But the prices up them all the guns got high
Don't suppose they're gonna drop
Gotta get used to the charity shop
Just tell me how can poor men
Stand such times and live

Seems like only yesterday food was so cheap
Now the cost of eating goes up every week
So you search for the best deals
Have to miss out on some meals
Just tell me how can poor men
Stand such times and live

Get that first foot on the ladder they all say
But I'm quite Adamant they know there's no way
Ain't no bank that's gonna lend
They got bonuses to spend
Just tell me how can poor men
Stand such times and live

Council housing something I will never get
Put my name down on the list I'm waiting yet
So I'm renting privately landlords profiting from me
Just tell me how can poor men
Stand such times and live

Getting round is getting harder everyday
Used to drive a car but lately there's no way
Trains are only for the rich
And the bus fares are a bitch
Just tell me how can poor men
Stand such times and live

And the doctors don't' come out no more at night
They won't treat you if the think you don't live right
Well they privatize the rest
Soon there'll be no NHS
Just tell me how can poor men
Stand such times and live

Keeping warm is something poor folks cannot do
Cause an oilmen need a driving yacht or two
Now the companies may grow as the pensioners grow cold
Tell me how can poor men
Stand such times and live
Tell me how can poor men
Stand such times and live
Just tell me how can poor men
Stand such times and live

UB40 are an English reggae and pop band, formed in December 1978 in Birmingham. The band has had more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart. 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 have sold over 70 million records. The ethnic make-up of the band’s original line-up was diverse, with musicians of English, Irish, Jamaican, Scottish and Yemeni parentage.

Their hit singles include their debut “Food for Thought”, “Red Red Wine” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. Both of these also topped the UK Singles Chart, as did the band’s version of “I Got You Babe”. Their two most successful albums, Labour of Love (1983) and Promises and Lies (1993), reached number one on the UK Albums Chart.

On January 24, 2008, it was announced that Ali Campbell would be leaving the group after 30 years. It was reported by some Birmingham newspapers on 13 March 2008, that Maxi Priest would be the new lead singer of UB40 and had recorded a cover of Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff” with the band.

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