UB40

Released: July 11, 1988

Songwriter: UB40

Producer: UB40

He used to think that it was neat
When he hung out on the street
Now that it's his daily beat, he's not so sure
'Cause he's come to depend
On a street with a dead end
And he'll sell you his best friend, so he can score

[Chorus]
Boys and girls come out to play
The junk mans on the streets to say
He'll make your dreams feel real today
And steal your minds tomorrow

Now his thoughts don't seem so clear
His whole life is filled with fear
His habit cost him dear in every way
His girl can't take the heat

But his friends all cross the street
Still the needle keeps him sweet
If he can pay for one more day

His bones have got no meat
He's unsteady on his feet
And he doesn't get to eat, not every day
What started out for kicks
Has become a daily fix
And his girlfriend's turning tricks to pay his way

[Chorus]
Boys and girls come out to play
The junk man's on the streets to say
He'll make your dreams feel real today
And steal your minds tomorrow

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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