UB40

Released: July 27, 1993

Songwriter: UB40

Producer: UB40

Are you wondering why
No-one talks anymore
And all you hear is the cry for war
Are you wondering if
There are people who
Hurt inside the same as you

There are grey-faced men always telling me
Things ain't like they used to be
You kids have got no self respect
Wake up old man to your neglect

It's dog eat dog
It's hand to mouth
It's east and west
It's north and south

Just like you drummed it into me
Things ain't like they used to be

I'll tell you why I can't afford
To hang my hopes upon your word
And when I'm done, I'll join the queue
And take my chance, no thanks to you

It's in or out
It's stop and go
It isn't what
It's who you know

I've heard you, now can you hear me
Things ain't like they used to be

Ancient rules for ancient men
But this is now and that was then
Don't lay your heavy hand on me
And sink me in your poison sea

It's us and them
It's me and you
It's guessing games
It's what to do

Exactly like you said to me
Things ain't like they used to be

Are you wondering why
No-one talks anymore
And all you hear is the cry for war
Are you wondering if
There are people who
Hurt inside the same as you

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

Things Ain’t Like They Used to BeUB40

UB40

Promises and Lies