Released: June 30, 1997

Songwriter: UB40

Producer: UB40

I admire you from afar
You've changed the way I see
I used to think that I
Should make you be like me
But after this short time
Watching what you do
I realise that I
Should strive to be like you

Whenever I am near you
I tread so awkwardly
Afraid someone may steal you
I guard you jealously

Then sing the world your praises
Let everybody know
That I just saw the future
A place I want to go

I admire you from afar
...

I hear you when you're talking
Untouched simplicity
Alive with expectations
In search of what might be

I admire you from afar
...

Then sing the world your praises
...

I hear you when you're talking
...

Then sing the world your praises
...

I hear you when you're talking
...

Then sing the world your praises
...

UB40

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.