The Story of UB40 - “Red Red Wine“ (Signature Songs That Are Actually Covers)

Part of the series on “signature songs that are actually covers“... How a cover of a cover of a cover became Birmingham Reggae band UB40’s signature song. Birmingham Band UB40 took their name from Unemployment Benefit form 40 as all the members of the band were ou of work when they formed. Initially, their music was mostly political and social commentary inspired by the trials of living in 80s Britain under the leadership of “the iron lady“ Maggie Thatcher. Their albums sold very well, usually making the top 10 album charts but they lacked a bonafide hit single. So with pressure to release a new album, they decided to record an album of covers of what they thought were Reggae of the songs turned out be a relatively unknown Neil Diamond song and the rest, as they say, is history....