no, I have to agree, 'food for thought ' was the better of all the albums and 'labour of love seemed to be the transition into the main stream then it was like they were churning out endless 'hymns' one after the other after that, bland comes to mind i'm afraid.
I'm sick and tired of all these "commercial stuff" comments. The "Labour of Love" songs were what they grew up with as kids. The band was formed because they wanted to play those songs. If they had their own way their first album would've been "Labour of Love" but they were told that they wouldn't have been taken seriously so they ended up writing their own material to start off with. Robin Campbell has even admitted that other people have written better songs which is why they've used them.
@Paulph04 i thats so true i remember at school in the early 80s listening to food for thought brill song and after labour of love came out they went a bit to commercial and they were not the same band
dude on the keyboard always looked a bit suspect to me....whats up with that hair man...he was rockin a jew-fro before we even knew what jews were...
The best band I've ever seen live. Bought everyone of their albums upto and including Promises and Lies in 1993. Just wish they didn't become so commercial, but I suppose it's natural to cash in at some point.
the problem why they lost control about their doing is the industry.. check "Misty in Roots" or "Steel Pulse" drummer in the year 2010 .. and check this drummer - the tune is nice.. but what will be more sustainable ? .. The industry didnt allow people playing "untouched" . and now its all about "information"
Like most groups I think the promoters and managers get the claws in and they lose the thing that made them special and original. I went to see them in 82 and will never forget it. Shame Ali left things will never be the same.
when this song came out england economically was a real mess 1983 84 were horribles years for pour people that is why the name UB40 unemployed benefits .
this guys knew about this and theirs song were so good,
@ galaxyblinds I have to say Went to City Hall last night to see them perform 30 years Signing off Ali not there but it was a fantastic night and his brother was great and i am not that easy pleased.
@08dawilliams congrats true love and true music go together lol I pinched it off my uncle and I was hooked from 12yrs
I REMEMBER GOING OUT BUYING THIS WHEN I WAS 14, ABOUT 3 WEEKS BEFORE I MET THE LOVE OF MY LIFE- JESUS NEARLY 30YRS AGO, AND THATCHERS HAND STILL CASTS HER EVIL SHADOW, TORIES BACK IN POWER. STILL IN LOVE THOUGH.
Its called Old age Simon....we all put weight on ....Dont forget though Ali the voice has left and been replaced by his older , not as talented brother .
Apparently it means Food for Thought, but I don't REALLY know... So don't rely on it. And why the heck this video has low views and little comments? One of the greatest reggae songs, in my opinion.
This whole song is a commentary on the suffering of Africans while the western world doesn't care. "Ivory madonna dying in the dust" alludes to starving africans, and other lines "skin and bones is creeping, doesn't know he's dead" mean the same.
I have a confession to make....I saw them in concert a few months ago, and I was singing prima donna then! The only saving grace was that I don't think anyone noticed. I'm utterly useless with most lyrics anyway!
By the way, if you get the chance to see them in concert, go for it. One of the best I've seen!!
@Paulph04 too true mate
marksnewhome 2 months ago
no, I have to agree, 'food for thought ' was the better of all the albums and 'labour of love seemed to be the transition into the main stream then it was like they were churning out endless 'hymns' one after the other after that, bland comes to mind i'm afraid.
marisewell123 4 months ago
Comment removed
marisewell123 4 months ago
I'm sick and tired of all these "commercial stuff" comments. The "Labour of Love" songs were what they grew up with as kids. The band was formed because they wanted to play those songs. If they had their own way their first album would've been "Labour of Love" but they were told that they wouldn't have been taken seriously so they ended up writing their own material to start off with. Robin Campbell has even admitted that other people have written better songs which is why they've used them.
Parknest 4 months ago
sibling rivalry
Nimaz99 6 months ago
@Paulph04 i thats so true i remember at school in the early 80s listening to food for thought brill song and after labour of love came out they went a bit to commercial and they were not the same band
takemetothehospital1 10 months ago
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dude on the keyboard always looked a bit suspect to me....whats up with that hair man...he was rockin a jew-fro before we even knew what jews were...
HOMEnHIGH 11 months ago
Comment removed
HOMEnHIGH 11 months ago
The best band I've ever seen live. Bought everyone of their albums upto and including Promises and Lies in 1993. Just wish they didn't become so commercial, but I suppose it's natural to cash in at some point.
STUKAY 1 year ago
@Paulph04 Couldn't agree more mate. Somehow they got lost along the way.
bathamsbottom 1 year ago
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Before they sold their soles....
iiistuiii 1 year ago
eran otros tiempos... maravillosos, duros, rebeldes, intensos e ilusionados tiempos... ¿verdad?
ujuruujuru 1 year ago
@ujuruujuru Me leiste el pensamiento.
direstrait22 1 year ago
0 dislikes. Just how it should be.
amna114 1 year ago 2
this is what i wake u to every morning. so my day is already on a good track!!
aua1894 1 year ago
the problem why they lost control about their doing is the industry.. check "Misty in Roots" or "Steel Pulse" drummer in the year 2010 .. and check this drummer - the tune is nice.. but what will be more sustainable ? .. The industry didnt allow people playing "untouched" . and now its all about "information"
Dubconferencedotorg 1 year ago
Like most groups I think the promoters and managers get the claws in and they lose the thing that made them special and original. I went to see them in 82 and will never forget it. Shame Ali left things will never be the same.
moonmiester 1 year ago
when this song came out england economically was a real mess 1983 84 were horribles years for pour people that is why the name UB40 unemployed benefits .
this guys knew about this and theirs song were so good,
kumatosky 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
you've been there Ginewally?
Nice place ain't it?
wehatemillwall 1 year ago
@ galaxyblinds I have to say Went to City Hall last night to see them perform 30 years Signing off Ali not there but it was a fantastic night and his brother was great and i am not that easy pleased.
@08dawilliams congrats true love and true music go together lol I pinched it off my uncle and I was hooked from 12yrs
tribegirl69 1 year ago
sold out
izsbroud 1 year ago
but what i can't understand is...they went from this....perfection
to doing "I got you babe" which was a crap hack attempt at a dull song just for taking the greedy money:(
why?:(
jagdpanther1944 1 year ago 17
@jagdpanther1944 aint that the truth
indicahybryd 11 months ago
@jagdpanther1944 It's hard to let music when inpiration is over and get back to a normal boring job, I guess. Cheers.
leondenis00 2 months ago
I REMEMBER GOING OUT BUYING THIS WHEN I WAS 14, ABOUT 3 WEEKS BEFORE I MET THE LOVE OF MY LIFE- JESUS NEARLY 30YRS AGO, AND THATCHERS HAND STILL CASTS HER EVIL SHADOW, TORIES BACK IN POWER. STILL IN LOVE THOUGH.
08dawilliams 1 year ago
@08dawilliams Haha this is probably the best Youtube comment I've ever read! Good for you :)
CapnKirkus 1 year ago
sends shivers down my back....Watched UB40 27 times over the last 30 years ....absoluteley fantastic !!!!
galaxyblinds 1 year ago
what happened to ub40? This band is unrecognisable from the later, bloated version
simonsimonsimonism 1 year ago
@simonsimonsimonism
Its called Old age Simon....we all put weight on ....Dont forget though Ali the voice has left and been replaced by his older , not as talented brother .
galaxyblinds 1 year ago
im 19 and have been to see them twice... if they can still be loved by people as young as me then they must be great!!!!
chloefletcher6 1 year ago
Oh yes. The days when musicians actually played instruments!
Great stuff as usual by ub40
rodchristopher 1 year ago
BRRIILLLLLLLLLiant
smoolet 1 year ago
love it except for the advert.... :)
MadnotMad79 1 year ago
Love it xxxxxxx
rouxnikki 1 year ago
I saw them for the first time in Paradiso Amsterdam many many years ago.
This is the best album they've ever made. Brilliant!!!! Best British BAND EVER!!!!!
wehatemillwall 1 year ago 3
@wehatemillwall
Oh - my beloved Paradiso!!
Ginewally 1 year ago
The saxophone is the MOST UNDERRATED instrument in a band's arsenal.
Truly amazing perfomance!
KittensGotTalent 1 year ago 3
OLD school ub40 ragamuffin..
Uxmuz 1 year ago
Oh for gods sake,,where you not alive in the 80;s......best of british ,,,shaped my life
tillarocks 2 years ago 3
probably some sculpture made from ivory.
forestgumpaed 2 years ago
what does ivory madonna mean??
SDE2490 3 years ago
Maybe parts of Madonna are made of ivory?
roger7918 3 years ago
Apparently it means Food for Thought, but I don't REALLY know... So don't rely on it. And why the heck this video has low views and little comments? One of the greatest reggae songs, in my opinion.
luneproducts 2 years ago 2
yeah, love the SAX in this song
iborrada 2 years ago 2
This whole song is a commentary on the suffering of Africans while the western world doesn't care. "Ivory madonna dying in the dust" alludes to starving africans, and other lines "skin and bones is creeping, doesn't know he's dead" mean the same.
EmperorJDI 2 years ago 2
simply you're the best guys...cheers
kennydalo 3 years ago
Great song. I used to think the opening line was "I'm a prima donna" instead of "Ivory Madonna"!
roger7918 3 years ago 2
lol you're not the only one... I used to think that too... I also used to sing "I've got big pyjamas"
BringBackTheEighties 2 years ago
I have a confession to make....I saw them in concert a few months ago, and I was singing prima donna then! The only saving grace was that I don't think anyone noticed. I'm utterly useless with most lyrics anyway!
By the way, if you get the chance to see them in concert, go for it. One of the best I've seen!!
roger7918 2 years ago 2