UB40

Released: July 27, 1993

Songwriter: UB40

Producer: UB40

Now and then
I must admit I wonder if I had the chance
To vanquish foes with nothing more than just a glance
How perfect every single day would be

To never wait in driving rain
For the bus that never came
Not to be the one to blame
For anybody else's misery

Now and then
I contemplate a different way around this day
With nothing more than simple words, so I can say
I'm quite content and happy being me

Walking tall with peace of mind
To leave no childhood dreams behind
Arriving home to always find
Things just as I know they ought to be

Now and then
I must admit I wonder if I had the chance
To vanquish foes with nothing more than just a glance
How perfect every single day would be

To never wait in driving rain
For the bus that never came
Not to be the one to blame
For anybody else's misery

Now and then
I wake up, when it hits me like a ton of bricks
I realise it's me who has to take the licks
No angels up there looking after me

No rainbow with a pot of gold
No cloak to shield me from the cold
No pill to stop me growing old
Dreams fading into stark reality

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

Now and ThenUB40

UB40

Promises and Lies