UB40

Released: May 29, 1981

Songwriter: UB40

Producer: Bob Lamb Ray “Pablo” Falconer UB40

A human statue made of living stone
A paradox etched in human bone
If you could look behind his thin disguise
There's a hidden glint of madness in his eyes

Many men are fooled by his smile
His superficial grace his charm his style
Sardonicus is everybody's friend
Sardonicus keeps smiling to the end

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.

more tracks from the album

Present Arms

From the album

Present Arms (1981)

UB40 popular songs

SardonicusUB40

UB40

Present Arms