this is a political song, I make no apology for this, it's also far and away the best thing UB40 ever did
great tune and really beckoned well for the 80's it did, set a benchmark for bands and tune-smiths to measure up too IMO. it's deep Giles Cory, deep deep.
I've taken this from the compilation album the UB40 File from 1985 (Virgin UK)
it originally came out as a single on the Graduate Label in 1980
It was certainly a hit here in Aotearoa... it's a very early and pivotal bass memory for me
as with a lot of Reggae the feel is the deal and it implies swing
the tune is just an 8 bar progression
/: Am / Am / E / E / G / G / D / D :/
but listen to what the bass player does
/: Am / Am / G# / G# / G / G / F# / F# :/
this chromatic descent is a heavy bottom for the tune, IMO it makes it sound wider. The G# in bar 3 is the 3rd of E major and the F# in bar 7 is the 3rd of D major. By accenting this quite heavily bassist Earl Falconer shows the sort of skillz that would have him buying a Steinberger in no time at all.
HAVE A GO
UB40 - FoOd for Thought
Moderator: Capt. Black
-
- Vintage Post Junkie
- Posts: 7554
- meble-kuchenne.warszawa.pl
- Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2005 9:14 pm
- Location: South Brighton
- Has liked: 608 times
- Been liked: 946 times