Celebrating UB40: All their massive top 5 singles of the 80s

Virgin Radio

31 Aug 2023, 11:32

On this day (31st August) 1983, UB40 made their very first stop at number one in the UK charts with Red Red Wine. 

All day today (Thursday 31st), Virgin Radio 80s Plus is celebrating the genre-leading band on the 40th anniversary of the smash-hit single. 

The Birmingham-based band, originally made up of Ali Campbell, Robin Campbell, Brian Travers, Mickey Virtue, Earl Falconer, Jimmy Brown, Norman Hassan and Astro, kicked things off when they formed in 1978, and were soon trailblazers in the Reggae and Pop space. 

Across the decades they’ve been together, UB40 have released over 50 singles, and have sold over 70 million records worldwide. 

But what other hits made their way to the top 5? And did they get another huge number one in the 80s? Here are all UB40’s top 5 hits of the 80s!

Food For Thought

UB40’s 1980 single Food for Thought might not be up there when it comes to their biggest hits, but the double A-side with King turned out to be their very first top 5 single. 

The inspiration for the track is supposedly came from the genocide in Cambodia, with the lyrics reportedly penned by former bandmate Ali Campbell while around the dinner table at Christmas.

After being released via local independent label Graduate Records, Food For Thought / King became the first single to make the top ten without the backing of a major record company, and found a home at number four. 

Red Red Wine

Originally written and performed by Neil Diamond, Red Red Wine found a new lease of life when covered by the Reggae masters.

Released in 1983, UB40’s cover featured a 'toasted' verse from Astro, but that was initially removed from the version that eventually went to number one in the UK charts. 

In 1988, UB40 performed the hit track at Nelson Mandela’s 70th Birthday Concert, and Diamond then gave the band the ultimate compliment - by stating the group's version of his song was his favourite, even opting to perform their version while on stage. 

I Got You Babe (ft Chrissie Hynde)

In 1985, UB40 had their second taste of number one with their cover of I Got You Babe with The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde. 

20 years after Sonny and Cher’s celebrated track, US singer Hynde jumped in the studio with UB40 for their sixth studio album, Baggariddim. 

The song shot up the UK charts to number one, and even made waves across the pond, making it to number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Don’t Break My Heart

The 1985 follow-up Don’t Break My Heart got a lot of love following the unexpected UB40/Chrissie Hyde duet. 

It was technically a B-side to I Got You Babe, but got its own release after being included in UB40’s sixth album, Baggariddim. It hit number three in the charts. 

Sing Our Own Song

UB40’s final top 5 hit single in the 80s came from Sing Our Own Song in 1986, taken from their seventh album, Rat in the Kitchen. 

An anti-apartheid anthem, the protest song reached number five in the UK, but was censored for its subject matter in South Africa. 

Tune in to Virgin Radio 80s Plus all day today (Thursday 31st August) to hear all of UB40’s massive 80s hits. 

You can listen to Virgin Radio 80 Plus HERE. You can also listen on DAB+ in London and Central Scotland and on smart speakers across the UK, as well as via the Virgin Radio UK app.