UB40

Released: July 27, 1993

Songwriter: UB40

Producer: UB40

You tell me there's no darkness
While the sun shines down on you
And just because your life is peaceful
There's no fighting left to do
For every cup that runneth over
Many more are filled with pain
You talk to me of sunshine
When it's pouring down with rain

Just because you can't see it
Doesn't mean it isn't there
Just because it can't touch you
Doesn't mean you shouldn't care

For every life that's lit with love
Many more are racked with pain
You talk to me of sunshine
When it's pouring down with rain

(chorus)
It's a long black night, good people
Descended on our land
Share your light
Make a flower grow
In the desert sand

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

Promises and Lies

From the album

Promises and Lies (1993)

UB40 popular songs

Desert SandUB40

UB40

Promises and Lies