UB40

Released: July 28, 1986

Songwriter: UB40

Producer: UB40

Chorus:
I jus' a tell it like it is, yeah
I jus' a tell it like it is, oh yeah
(I've got to be blatant in this time
Jus' like I know 1 and 1 no make 9) (repeat)

Now what was I saying about being blatant
You got to be blatant in an argument
You got to make sure your feelings are felt
Perfect example for you from me
Watch lying polititians me seh on me TV
Pay big big money for the licence fee
(At the same time them a try fe fool we) (repeat)

Repeat Chorus

Now let me tell you more about being blatant
You have to be blatant with the product you invent
If you don't patent it you nah see a cent
You have no money fi go pay up your rent
If you crash fi your car or your in an accident
(If it's not your fault you be blatant) (repeat)

Repeat Chorus

Now I get serious about being blatant
Police come and mess with me pon the pavement
They say oi' where you going, what you doing here?
I just leave mi house fi go buy a tin of beer
Another example of being blatant
South Africa police a kill the innocent
Fire live ammunition me seh into the crowd
When the crowd disperse there are kids on the ground
(If that's not blatant murder then murder can't be found)
(repeat)

Repeat Chorus

Repeat last verse until 'beer'

Repeat Chorus to fade

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.

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