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Don’t Do the CrimeUB40

Released: September 27, 1982

Songwriter: UB40

Producer: UB40

Don't do the crime
If you can't do the time
It's said that it just don't pay
But what good's working hard
When all they give you is your cards
And you know there's not much you can say

So you take what they give
You've no money to live
And your family don't understand
After all these years
They will end up in tears
With a mountain of bills in their hands

(chorus)
Now your lesson is learned
There's nowhere to turn
And it's no use pleading for help
When you're left on the heap
When you're left on the heap
There is nothing to keep you
From going and helping yourself
From going and helping yourself

The dilemma you've found
Is you're morally bound
Now your morally bound
Now your moral code needs a review
So what do you care
You know life isn't fair
And for years they've been stealing from you

UB40

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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