Let's talk about that song. You know the one - it starts playing at a bar and suddenly everyone's swaying, half-remembering the words while holding a drink. I've always found it funny how "Red Red Wine" by UB40 feels like it's been around forever, woven into pub carpets and late-night parties. But here's the kicker - most people don't know the wild journey these lyrics took before becoming the reggae anthem we all mumble along to.
I remember this one time at a friend's wedding when the DJ played it. Half the crowd belted out "RED RED WIIIIIINE" like they wrote it themselves, then promptly forgot every other line. That got me digging into the actual story behind these lyrics. Turns out, it's way more interesting than I thought.
The Surprising Origins of Those Famous Lyrics
Okay, brace yourself - UB40 didn't write "Red Red Wine." Mind-blowing, right? The song was actually penned by Neil Diamond back in 1967. Yeah, the "Sweet Caroline" guy. His version was this slow, melancholic piano ballad about drowning heartbreak in alcohol. Completely different vibe.
Key Moments in the Song's Evolution
| Year | Artist | Style | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Neil Diamond | Piano Ballad | Original version peaked at #62 on Billboard charts |
| 1969 | Tony Tribe | Reggae | First reggae cover - hit #46 in UK |
| 1983 | UB40 | Reggae-Pop | Band thought it was traditional Jamaican song! |
| 1988 | UB40 (re-release) | Reggae-Pop | Topped charts in US after appearing in movie |
UB40 stumbled upon the lyrics through a reggae cover by Tony Tribe. Honestly, the band admitted they had no idea it was a Neil Diamond song until after they recorded it. They genuinely thought it was some old Jamaican classic. Can you imagine Neil Diamond's reaction when this British reggae group turned his somber tune into a party anthem?
The transformation of the lyrics through different versions is fascinating:
- Verse structure: Diamond's version had 4 verses, UB40 cut it to 2 repeated verses
- Chorus emphasis: UB40 made the "red red wine" hook more repetitive and catchy
- Ad-libs: Added "do do do" vocalizations throughout the track
- Outro: Extended the instrumental section significantly
Breaking Down the Actual Lyrics Meaning
Let's get into what those "red red wine" lyrics by UB40 actually say. On surface level, it seems like a happy drinking song. But really listen to the words:
Make me feel so fine
Keep me rockin' all of the time"
Seems cheerful enough, right? But then comes the gut punch:
Stay close to me
Don't let me be alone"
That's not celebration - that's desperation. The song's actually about using alcohol as a crutch after heartbreak. I've always thought it was genius how UB40 wrapped such melancholy lyrics in such upbeat packaging. Makes you wonder how many people are happily singing about emotional dependence without realizing it.
The Hidden Story in the Verses
The verses people forget tell the real story:
- He's reminiscing about a lost love ("I thought you were my friend")
- Acknowledging wine as an escape ("Forget about worries and strife")
- Admitting loneliness ("Don't let me be alone")
It's textbook self-medication through alcohol. Pretty heavy stuff for a song that gets played at beach parties.
Why UB40's Version Became Legendary
UB40's take on these lyrics changed everything. They:
- Sped up the tempo dramatically
- Added that iconic brass section
- Gave it a distinct reggae backbeat
- Made Ali Campbell's distinctive vocals the centerpiece
What's crazy is that the band almost dismissed the song. They recorded it quickly for their 1983 album "Labour of Love," thinking it was just an album filler. Then it unexpectedly blew up. Then it blew up again five years later when it was featured in the movie "Cocktail" with Tom Cruise.
The song's chart performance tells the story:
| Country | Peak Position | Year | Weeks Charting |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 1 | 1983 | 42 |
| United States | 1 | 1988 | 30 |
| Australia | 1 | 1983 | 27 |
| Canada | 1 | 1988 | 24 |
Avoiding Common Misconceptions
Let's clear up some persistent myths about the "red red wine lyrics by ub40":
Myth 1: It's a Jamaican Folk Song
Nope. As we covered, it's Neil Diamond's creation. UB40 learned it from Tony Tribe's cover version and assumed it was traditional. Can't blame them - Tribe's version sounds authentically Jamaican.
Myth 2: It's Pro-Drinking
Actually listen to the song. The narrator's using wine to numb emotional pain. That's not exactly a celebration of alcoholism. Though I'll admit - it sure gets played like one at parties.
Myth 3: UB40 Changed the Lyrics Significantly
They actually kept most of Diamond's original words. The big changes were musical, not lyrical. The structure got simplified, but the core lyrics about heartbreak and dependency remained intact.
Lyric Comparison: Key Differences
| Lyric Section | Neil Diamond (1967) | UB40 (1983) |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Line | "Red, red wine" | "Red, red wine" |
| First Verse | "Goes to my head" | Omitted entirely |
| Chorus | "Red, red wine / Makes me feel so fine" | Identical phrasing |
| Bridge | "What a way to spend the time" | Replaced with "Stay close to me" |
| Outro | Simple fade-out | Extended "do do do" vocalizations |
Practical Info for Fans
If you're hunting for the "red red wine lyrics by ub40" for karaoke or learning purposes, here's what you need to know:
- Official Lyrics Source: UB40's official site has accurate lyrics sheets
- Karaoke Versions: Key of F major, 100 BPM tempo
- Guitar Chords: Simple progression: F - Bb - C7 - F
- Hardest Part: That brass solo - good luck finding sheet music!
For covers, remember the song's in 4/4 time with a distinctive offbeat reggae rhythm. The vocal pacing is deceptively tricky - Ali Campbell slides between notes in that signature style. I tried covering it once at an open mic and completely botched the timing.
Why This Song Still Matters
There's a reason "red red wine lyrics by ub40" still get searched millions of times annually. Beyond being catchy, it represents:
- Musical Adaptation: Showcases how genre transformation creates new art
- Cross-Generational Appeal: Hits different age groups simultaneously
- Catharsis: Lets people acknowledge sadness through upbeat music
I've noticed something interesting at concerts. When UB40 plays it live now, the crowd reaction changes halfway through. Starts as this drunken singalong, then when they hit "don't let me be alone," you see people get quiet for a second. That emotional whiplash is powerful.
FAQs: Answering Your Burning Questions
It's literally about red wine as an emotional painkiller after a breakup. The color emphasis ("red red") adds poetic intensity. Some interpret it as blood symbolism, but Diamond confirmed it was just about cheap wine.
They shortened verses but kept core lyrics intact. The musical treatment transformed it from a ballad to reggae, making the same words feel completely different. Diamond actually preferred UB40's version!
That was improvisation in the studio. The band felt the original lyrics were too sparse for their arrangement. Those ad-libs became the song's most recognizable hook after the chorus.
Official sources like UB40's website or verified music publishers. Avoid crowd-sourced lyric sites which often misrepresent the ad-libs and phrasing.
The brass section (trumpet/sax) is crucial, plus reggae-style guitar skanks, harmonic vocals, and that pulsing bassline. Modern covers often miss the brass and sound hollow.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
You can't overstate how these lyrics permeated culture. "Red Red Wine" became:
- A sports stadium chant globally
- Featured in 50+ films/TV shows
- Translated into 15+ languages
- Sampled by hip-hop artists (NAS, Lil Wayne)
What's fascinating is how the meaning shifted with context. Played at weddings? Celebration. At a dive bar at 2am? Cry for help. I once heard it in a grocery store wine aisle - that felt uncomfortably meta.
The song's endurance proves great lyrics adapt. Diamond wrote personal heartbreak poetry. UB40 accidentally turned it into communal catharsis. Neither version is "correct" - they're different chapters of the same story.
So next time you hear those opening notes, listen beyond the "red red wine" hook. There's real pain in those verses. Or don't - sometimes a great song is just a great song. Either way, understanding the journey behind these lyrics makes that pub singalong feel different, doesn't it?
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