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Signing Off
Studio album by
UB40
Released29 August 1980
Recorded21–24 December 1979, 31 March–10 April 1980, 16 June–1 July 1980, 18–20 July 1980
StudioBob Lamb's "Home of the Hits", Moseley, Birmingham
The Music Centre
GenreReggae, dub
Length66:22
LabelGraduate Records
ProducerBob Lamb, Ray "Pablo" Falconer, UB40
UB40 chronology
Signing Off
(1980) 		Present Arms
(1981)
Singles from Signing Off
  1. "King"/"Food for Thought"
    Released: 1 February 1980
  2. "My Way of Thinking"/"I Think It's Going to Rain Today"
    Released: 6 June 1980

Signing Off is the debut album by British reggae band UB40, released in the UK on 29 August 1980 by Dudley-based independent label Graduate Records. It was an immediate success in their home country, reaching number 2 on the UK albums chart, and made UB40 one of the many popular reggae bands in Britain, several years before the band found international fame. The politically-concerned lyrics struck a chord in a country with widespread public divisions over high unemployment, the policies of the recently elected Conservative party under Margaret Thatcher, and the rise of the National Front party, while the record's dub-influenced rhythms reflected the late 1970s influence in British pop music of West Indian music introduced by immigrants from the Caribbean after the Second World War, particularly reggae and ska – this was typified by the 2 Tone movement, at that point at the height of its success and led by fellow West Midlands act The Specials, with whom UB40 drew comparisons due to their multiracial band line-up and socialist views.

Still considered by many fans and music critics to be UB40's best album,[1][2] Signing Off was reissued for its 30th anniversary in 2010 as a "collector's edition" containing bonus tracks and a DVD of the videos for the singles plus television footage of the band from the time of the album's release.

Recording

[edit]

After forming in 1978, the members of UB40 made an agreement to spend the next year doing nothing more than learning their instruments and practising their songs until they felt they were good enough. Saxophonist Brian Travers said, "We commandeered a cellar and started rehearsing every day, nine till five. Our first experiences of playing an instrument started together, and we'd humiliate each other over mistakes. But we were very serious about our music. It was a year before we played our first gig. It was in an upper room at the 'Hare and Hounds' [a pub] in Kings Heath, Birmingham. We played the whole of Signing Off because they were the only songs we knew."[3]

Towards the end of 1979 the band felt confident enough to start recording their songs, and approached local musician Bob Lamb as he was the only person they knew with any recording experience. Lamb had been the drummer with the Steve Gibbons Band for much of the 1970s and was a well-known figure within the Birmingham music scene. He remembered that "'King' was the very first song they ever played to me, and it just blew my mind basically, to realise a bunch of kids could make a sound like that... it blew me away. And that was it for me, I was hooked, it was a bit like Elvis walks in or something, you know, it was one of those moments."[4] However, as the band were unable to afford a proper recording studio, the album was recorded in Lamb's own home at the time, a ground-floor flat in a house on Cambridge Road[5] in Birmingham's Moseley district that later became affectionately known as the "Home of the Hits". Lamb would later use the money he earned from the album's success to build a proper recording studio, Highbury Studio, in an old cricket bat factory in nearby Kings Heath, which remained under his ownership until his retirement in 2010[6] – during the 1980s and 90s he would go on to produce the early demos for Duran Duran and work on the debut albums by fellow Birmingham natives Ruby Turner, The Lilac Time and Ocean Colour Scene. However, in an interview to mark Signing Off's 30th anniversary, Brian Travers recalled just how basic the recording facilities of the original Cambridge Road "studio" really were:

"Because we couldn't afford a studio and he was the only guy we knew who knew how to record music, we did the album in his bedsit. I remember he had his bed on stilts. So underneath the bed was a sofa and mixing desk. And so we recorded the album there on an eight-track machine, with the same 50p coin going through the electric meter continually because we'd booted the lock off it. And, with it being a bedsit and us being eight in the band, we'd record the saxophone in the kitchen—because there was a bit of resonance off the walls, a bit of reverb—before putting the machine effects on it. While the percussion—the tambourines, the congas, the drums—we'd do in the back yard. Which is why you can hear birds singing on some of the tracks! You know, because it was in the daytime we'd be shouting across the fences 'Keep it DOWN! We're RECORDING!'"[7]

Producer Lamb described the somewhat relaxed recording process:

"We had a huge garden [...] that was completely overgrown with tall grass. There were various encampments out in the long grass [...] of UB40 posses, various bunches of people... They didn't just turn up at the studio alone, they always brought maybe 20 people with them, of all walks of life. So whilst we were in the studio working there was this kind of garden party going on at the same time, so whoever wasn't doing anything at the time was in the garden indulging in whatever, in the long grass in the hot summer. So the point is that everybody had a lot of fun making it, and you can hear it on the record. You can hear the summer... you can hear the birds singing."[8]

and also remembered how easy it was to make the album:

"Nothing was hard work about that album, it was a bit of a dream that sort of fell out of the sky... It was almost effortless to make in that they were so good at the time, and so happy at the time with the success that they got, there was no effort in it."[9]

The LP album was recorded in three separate sessions: four days in December 1979 just before Christmas which produced the songs "King" and "Food for Thought" for the debut single, and two longer sessions in March–April 1980 and June–July 1980 when the bulk of the album was recorded. The three tracks for the 12" record that came with the album were recorded during 18–20 July 1980 at The Music Centre with Ray "Pablo" Falconer, bassist Earl Falconer's brother, handling production duties.[10] Falconer would go on to produce the majority of UB40's subsequent records until his death in a car crash in 1987.

Musical style and composition

[edit]
"Food for Thought"
Food for Thought audio sample
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Signing Off featured a mix of reggae and dub material which was lyrically politically charged and socially conscious, while musically it was reverb-heavy, doom-laden yet mellifluous, best exemplified in the hits "King" and "Food For Thought" as well as the searing "Burden of Shame". Four of the album's thirteen tracks were instrumentals—"Adella", "25%" (allegedly titled after the increase in wages demanded by the unions in the late 1970s to reflect a "living wage"[3]), "Signing Off" and "Reefer Madness"—all heavily influenced by dub reggae rhythms and effects such as reverb and echo, and led by Mickey Virtue's keyboard and Travers' saxophone melodies. Two tracks were cover versions: an early Randy Newman composition "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" and the blues classic "Strange Fruit" (made famous by Billie Holiday), two songs that dealt with compassion for fellow humans and racism respectively. The main theme in "Burden of Shame" is copied from Van Morrison's "Moondance". This track and the remaining five self-composed tracks were all concerned with social and political issues:

  • "Tyler" was written about the young black American Gary Tyler, who at the age of 17 was convicted by an all-white judge and jury of murdering a 13-year-old white boy, despite serious irregularities in the prosecution case and the lack of a murder weapon ever being found. UB40 intended "Tyler" to be their first single in the United States. The band revisited the subject on the song "Rainbow Nation" on their 2008 album TwentyFourSeven.
  • "King" was about the late Martin Luther King Jr., questioning the lost direction of the slain leader's followers and the state of mourning of a nation after his death.
  • "Burden of Shame" recounted the misdeeds performed in the name of British Imperialism.
  • "Food for Thought" was an attempt to publicise and condemn the famine in north Africa, comparing it with the Western over-indulgent celebration of Christmas, nearly five years before Band Aid brought the subject to widespread attention. Subsequently, it was also a prominent feature of UB40's 2005 Live 8 appearance in Hyde Park, London, 25 years after the song had been first released. Bob Lamb later revealed that the song's original working title had been "The Christmas Song" until one of the band's roadies suggested "Food for Thought" would be a better title.[11]
  • "Little by Little" highlighted the growing inequality between the rich and the poor.
  • "Madam Medusa" was a vivid description of Margaret Thatcher's rise to power depicted in a grotesque style, featuring some of the band's most impassioned and bitter lyrics.

Release and promotion

[edit]

The album's release was preceded by two double A-sided singles. The first, "King"/"Food For Thought", was released as UB40's debut single in February 1980. It topped the independent music chart for three months, reached number 4 in the main UK singles chart, and went on to sell nearly half a million copies, having been certified silver for sales of 250,000 copies in May 1980.[12] It was the first single on a completely independent label without the backing of a major record company to reach the top 10 of the UK singles chart. Upon the single's release "Food for Thought" gained more radio airplay than "King" – speaking about the single in 2010, Bob Lamb said, "'Food for Thought' was actually the B-side of 'King' originally: although it was a double A-side 'King' was always going to be the main song, but the DJs picked up on 'Food for Thought' because it was quicker and chirpier, more dancey, more of a radio track. So they played that a lot, and really that became the hit, 'Food for Thought', but whenever you bought the record it always said 'King'/'Food for Thought' – 'King' was always, like, the first name on the record, which I thought was pretty cool."[13]

The follow-up single "My Way of Thinking"/"I Think It's Going to Rain Today" peaked at number 6 on the UK charts in June 1980. Although this was the band's second single before the album was released, "My Way of Thinking" was not included on the album, despite gaining far more radio airplay and television exposure than "I Think It's Going to Rain Today": however, by the time of the album's release the group had come to dislike "My Way of Thinking", with singer Ali Campbell describing the song as "awful".[14]

The original 1980 vinyl release of Signing Off consisted of a ten-track LP (played at the standard 33 rpm) plus a three-track 12" record (played at 45 rpm) which contained the tracks "Madam Medusa", "Strange Fruit" and "Reefer Madness". On the cassette version all thirteen tracks were split over the two sides of the cassette. When the album was issued on CD for the first time in 1984, it contained all thirteen tracks of the LP and cassette versions.

In 1985 the album was repackaged as a double album under the title The UB40 File, with the addition of "My Way of Thinking", "The Earth Dies Screaming" and "Dream a Lie", thus collecting together on a single album all of UB40's output on Graduate Records, before the band's subsequent releases on their own DEP International label. The latter two songs were released as UB40's third single (another double A-side) two months after the release of Signing Off, and were written and recorded at the same time as the album. For a short time in 1981–82 in Australia, the original album was released with a bonus 45 rpm single containing these two tracks, packaged in an identical smaller version of the album cover. The UB40 File has subsequently also been released on CD.

In 2010, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the album's release Virgin Records reissued the album as a three-disc (two CDs and a DVD) "Collector's Edition", with extensive liner notes by Birmingham-born journalist Peter Paphides. The bonus tracks on the second CD included the 12" versions of all four sides of UB40's second and third singles, and the two sessions the band recorded at the BBC's Maida Vale Studios for the John Peel and Kid Jensen shows on BBC Radio 1. The DVD contained the videos made for five of the six songs on their first three double A-side singles, the band's first ever appearance on the BBC television programme Top of the Pops performing "Food for Thought", and the concert recorded at Keele University for BBC2's television series Rock Goes to College. To tie in with the 30th anniversary reissue, the band announced a concert tour where they would perform a first set of the album in its entirety, followed by a second set of other hits.[15]

Artwork

[edit]

The front and back covers of the album are a replica of the yellow British UB40 unemployment benefit attendance card from which the band took their name, emphatically stamped with the words SIGNING OFF in capital letters. It was a statement by the band of leaving behind the world of unemployment and of their arrival on the music scene. The artwork was created by brothers Geoffrey and David Tristram: Geoff went on to become an artist and novelist, while David became a comic playwright.

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[16]
Christgau's Record GuideB+[17]
Encyclopedia of Popular MusicStarStarStarStarStar[18]
MojoStarStarStarStar[19]
QStarStarStarStar[20]
Record CollectorStarStarStarStar[21]
Record MirrorStarStarStarStar[22]
SoundsStarStarStarStarStar[23]

The album was extremely well received and lauded by the UK music magazines at the time of its original release. Sounds awarded Signing Off five stars out of five, claiming that "it is an (almost) perfect album... It's rare to find a debut album so detailed, so excellently played and so packed with bite – I sometimes think it hasn't really happened since The Clash."[23] NME described the album as "a courageous debut... Their radical sentiments and trenchant lyrics are given all the more force by the soft-fist of UB40's measured musical delivery... The music might be mellow, but the hard-backed sentiments are hardly those of the nice reggae band you may have pigeonholed the UBs as."[24] Melody Maker said "The UBs, chirpy and still fully independent, have wrapped up their initial promise and persuasion and delivered a well-girthed winner of a debut album... Certainly the music of UB40 benefits far more in both quality and quantity from the exacting freedom of an LP than any of their close contemporaries... the band have broadened out the unique, shy commerciality of the two singles, "King" and "Food for Thought"... to an approach that sharpens the shape of their music and magnifies the message."[25] Record Mirror called the band "important" and observed that "their subtle dance music is opening up a lot of ears to the pleasures of British reggae".[22]

More recent critical reviews show the album remains highly regarded. AllMusic said "Their rhythms may have been reggae-based, their music Jamaican-inspired, but UB40 had such an original take on the genre that all comparisons were moot... Their music was... revolutionary, their sound unlike anything else on either island [referring to Great Britain and Jamaica]... It's hard to believe this is the same UB40 that later topped the U.K. charts with the likes of 'Red Red Wine' and 'I Got You Babe'. Their fire was dampened quickly, but on Signing Off it blazed high, still accessible to the pop market, but so edgy that even those who are sure there's nothing about the group to admire will change their tune instantly."[16] In 2008 Mojo magazine's online website revisited the album as part of their "Disc of the Day" series, calling it "the Brum reggae institution's original and best" and going on to say that "Signing Off was a singular British take on Jamaican music, in some ways truer to the reggae source than 2-Tone but with a punky, multi-cultured sensibility of its own... it's a superb balance of lightness and weight, as spry, skanking tunes rub up against militant lyrics made soulful by vocalist Ali Campbell."[2] The print edition of the magazine also reviewed the 2010 reissue, stating that "Signing Off... has retained much of its fire... this is flinty, political and Britain-focused reggae, distinct from the later output of a band that... still acts as the form's global ambassadors."[19] Reviewing the 2010 Collector's Edition, BBC Music said "Signing Off is still believed by many to be the group's greatest album, and it remains the clearest window into what the band were all about... [it] has energy and intelligence that made it stand out from so much post-punk pop. This set sums up a bunch of young Brummies schooled in the West Indian blues dances of Balsall Heath, angry about the world around them and articulate enough to express that without simply ranting."[1]

Accolades

[edit]

Signing Off was placed at number 13 in the NME critics' list of the albums of the year for 1982, while the singles "King"/"Food for Thought" and "My Way of Thinking" were at numbers 14 and 18 respectively in the equivalent singles of the year list.[26] Sounds placed "King"/"Food for Thought" at number 8 in its end of year rankings for singles of the year,[27] while Melody Maker ranked the same single at number 22 in its own list.[28]

In June 2000 the British monthly music magazine Q placed Signing Off at number 83 in its critics' list of the "100 Greatest British Albums Ever".[29] The album is also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, the only UB40 album to feature.[30]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks written by UB40 except where noted. On some versions of the album, such as the US CD release, "Burden of Shame" is credited to UB40 and Van Morrison after the similarities to Morrison's own song "Moondance" had been noted, but on both the original 1980 release and the 2010 reissue the song is credited solely to UB40.

LP

[edit]

Side One

[edit]
  1. "Tyler" – 5:51
  2. "King" – 4:35
  3. "12 Bar" – 4:24
  4. "Burden of Shame" – 6:29

Side Two

[edit]
  1. "Adella" – 3:28
  2. "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" (Randy Newman) – 3:41
  3. "25%" – 3:31
  4. "Food for Thought" – 4:10
  5. "Little by Little" – 3:44
  6. "Signing Off" – 4:24

12" EP Side One

[edit]
  1. "Madam Medusa" – 12:52

12" EP Side Two

[edit]
  1. "Strange Fruit" (Lewis Allan) – 4:05
  2. "Reefer Madness" – 5:08

Cassette

[edit]

Side One

[edit]
  1. "Tyler" – 5:51
  2. "King" – 4:35
  3. "12 Bar" – 4:24
  4. "Burden of Shame" – 6:29
  5. "Adella" – 3:28
  6. "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" (Randy Newman) – 3:41
  7. "25%" – 3:31

Side Two

[edit]
  1. "Food for Thought" – 4:10
  2. "Little by Little" – 3:44
  3. "Signing Off" – 4:24
  4. "Madam Medusa" – 12:52
  5. "Strange Fruit" (Lewis Allan) – 4:05
  6. "Reefer Madness" – 5:08

CD

[edit]
  1. "Tyler" – 5:51
  2. "King" – 4:35
  3. "12 Bar" – 4:24
  4. "Burden of Shame" – 6:29
  5. "Adella" – 3:28
  6. "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" (Randy Newman) – 3:41
  7. "25%" – 3:31
  8. "Food for Thought" – 4:10
  9. "Little by Little" – 3:44
  10. "Signing Off" – 4:25
  11. "Madam Medusa" – 12:53
  12. "Strange Fruit" (Lewis Allan) – 4:05
  13. "Reefer Madness" – 5:08

30th Anniversary Collector's Edition

[edit]

CD1

[edit]
  1. "Tyler" – 5:51
  2. "King" – 4:35
  3. "12 Bar" – 4:24
  4. "Burden of Shame" – 6:29
  5. "Adella" – 3:28
  6. "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" (Randy Newman) – 3:41
  7. "25%" – 3:31
  8. "Food for Thought" – 4:10
  9. "Little by Little" – 3:44
  10. "Signing Off" – 4:25

CD2

[edit]
  1. "Madam Medusa" – 12:53
  2. "Strange Fruit" (Lewis Allan) – 4:05
  3. "Reefer Madness" – 5:08
  4. "My Way of Thinking" (12" Version) – 6:50
  5. "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" (12" Version) (Randy Newman) – 7:32
  6. "The Earth Dies Screaming" (12" Version) – 8:21
  7. "Dream a Lie" (12" Version) – 7:54

BBC Radio One John Peel Session 12/12/79 (first transmitted 02/01/80):

  1. "Food for Thought" – 4:49
  2. "25%" – 4:05
  3. "King" – 5:38

BBC Radio One Kid Jensen Session 11/02/80:

  1. "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" (Randy Newman) – 4:42
  2. "My Way of Thinking" – 2:54

DVD

[edit]

Promo Videos:

  1. "Food for Thought"
  2. "My Way of Thinking"
  3. "The Earth Dies Screaming"
  4. "Dream a Lie"
  5. "I Think It's Going to Rain Today"

Top of the Pops 20/03/80:

  1. "Food for Thought"

Rock Goes to College 19/01/81 (recorded at Keele University):

  1. "King"
  2. "Strange Fruit"
  3. "The Earth Dies Screaming"
  4. "Little by Little"
  5. "I Think It's Going to Rain Today"
  6. "Food for Thought"
  7. "Tyler"
  8. "Signing Off"

(total running time of DVD = 57:45)

Personnel

[edit]
UB40
  • Astro – talk-over vocal
  • Jim Brown – drums
  • Ali Campbell – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Robin Campbell – lead guitar, vocals
  • Earl Falconer – bass
  • Norman Lamont Hassan (misspelt as "Norman Lamount Hassan" on the credits of the original 1980 release) – percussion, congas
  • Brian Travers – tenor saxophone, melodica
  • Michael Virtue – keyboards, strings, organ
Production
  • UB40 – producers, all tracks
  • Bob Lamb – producer and engineer on LP/tracks 1 to 10 on cassette & CD versions
  • Ray "Pablo" Falconer – producer on "Madam Medusa", "Strange Fruit" and "Reefer Madness"
  • Rafe McKenna – engineer on "Madam Medusa", "Strange Fruit" and "Reefer Madness"
  • Neil Black – assistant engineer on "Madam Medusa", "Strange Fruit" and "Reefer Madness"

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1980–81) Peak
position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[31] 26
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[32] 4
UK Albums (OCC)[33] 2
UK Independent Albums (Record Business)[34] 1

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[35] Gold 7,500^
United Kingdom (BPI)[12] Platinum 300,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Label Format Catalog
United Kingdom 29 August 1980 Graduate Records LP + 12" vinyl GRADLP 2
cassette GRADMC 2
United Kingdom 1984 CD GRADCD 2
United States 8 February 1994 Virgin Records America 0777 7 88261 2 5
United Kingdom & Europe 1 November 2010 Virgin Records double CD + DVD 5099990687020

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Signing Off

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
is the debut studio album by the English and dub band , released on 29 August 1980 by the independent label Graduate Records. Recorded in a makeshift studio in Birmingham, the album draws its title and thematic focus from the "UB40" unemployment benefit form that inspired the band's name, encapsulating the socioeconomic struggles of post-industrial Britain amid rising under the Thatcher government. The record features ten original tracks blending with dub elements, including the hit single "Food for Thought," which addressed global hunger and peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart, propelling the album to number 2 on the where it resided for 72 weeks. Its cover art, designed to mimic an attendance card stamped "signed off," underscored the band's against economic policies exacerbating joblessness in their native West Midlands. Critically, Signing Off garnered for its authentic portrayal of working-class discontent and innovative production, launching 's career with over a million copies sold worldwide and influencing the second wave of British acts. While the band later faced internal disputes, the album itself encountered no major controversies, standing as a defining statement of politically charged music from the era.

Background

Band Formation and Early Context

Benjamin Paul Ballance-Drew, professionally known as Plan B, was born on October 22, 1983, in , , where he was raised primarily by his mother, who worked for a local authority, while his father performed in a punk rock band. Drew's early musical interests emerged in his teens, beginning with guitar playing and covering songs alongside friends, initially focusing on and R&B compositions. Recognizing the competitive landscape of the music industry, he shifted toward hip-hop, determining that offered a viable path to a professional career despite his foundational preference for singing. At age 15, Drew faced expulsion from school after throwing a chair at , leading to placement in a for excluded students, an experience that informed his raw, autobiographical lyrical approach addressing urban youth struggles. He began crafting hip-hop over beats, participating in freestyling sessions with local writers, which honed his storytelling style centered on themes of life, including underage , drug use, and . This period marked the genesis of the Plan B , which Drew "invented" as a deliberate artistic identity to navigate the hip-hop scene. In 2005, prior to his major-label debut, Drew self-released the mixtape Signing Off under the Plan B moniker, featuring gritty, narrative-driven tracks that showcased his production experimentation and vocal delivery, serving as a promotional tool to attract industry attention. The project, distributed independently, highlighted his solo creative control in its early stages and directly contributed to his signing with later that year, positioning him as a distinctive voice in British rap amid a scene dominated by grime influences.

Album Concept and Title Origin

Signing Off represents UB40's declaration of independence from the British welfare system, encapsulating their collective experience as unemployed youth in Birmingham during the late 1970s. Formed by a group of friends who shared the drudgery of signing on for —hence the band's name derived from Form UB40—the album's core concept revolves around empowerment through music as an alternative to state dependency. The tracks, largely original compositions, address politically charged themes such as social injustice, racial inequality, and economic disenfranchisement, reflecting the era's tensions including rising under and urban unrest. The title Signing Off directly originates from the act of "signing off" the dole queue, symbolizing the band's decision to commit fully to and thereby end their reliance on government assistance. This notion was not merely symbolic; upon the album's completion and release on August 29, 1980, via Graduate Records, effectively transitioned to full-time employment in the music industry, peaking at number 2 on the . The cover artwork reinforces this by replicating an actual UB40 unemployment card stamped with "Signing Off" in red, underscoring the personal and societal stakes involved. While the album blends influences with edges, its conceptual unity lies in rejecting victimhood narratives in favor of , a stance informed by the band's multi-ethnic lineup and origins. Critics have noted the raw, unpolished as a direct confrontation with systemic failures, prioritizing authenticity over commercial polish in an effort to amplify voices from the margins.

Production

Recording Process

The recording of Signing Off occurred primarily at producer Bob Lamb's home studio in Birmingham, , dubbed "Home of the Hits," an improvised setup in his residence that served as an affordable alternative to commercial facilities given the band's limited budget. Bob Lamb, a local musician and the only contact the band had with access to equipment, handled production, engineering, and drum contributions, enabling the group to capture their debut over several intermittent sessions spanning late 1979 to mid-1980. Core tracks (sides A1 through B6 on the original LP) were laid down in three main blocks: December 21–24, 1979; March 31–April 10, 1980; and June 16–July 1, 1980, reflecting a piecemeal approach driven by financial constraints and the band's day jobs on the dole, which the album's title symbolically references as "signing off" from . Additional material for the extended edition (sides C–D2) followed in July 18–20, 1980, with the overall process characterized as low-cost and experimental, yielding a raw, hit-or-miss sonic quality that captured the band's live energy amid technical limitations like basic 8-track recording. The sessions emphasized collaborative , with horns, keyboards, and percussion often overdubbed in a relaxed, garden-adjacent environment at Lamb's home, fostering an "idyllic haze" that prioritized authenticity over polished production. This DIY ethos, reliant on Lamb's expertise rather than major-label resources, resulted in 13 tracks—including four instrumentals like "25%" and the title track—completed without extensive remixing, preserving the reggae-dub fusion's organic grit.

Technical Production Details

The production of Signing Off was handled primarily by the band in collaboration with Bob Lamb, a Birmingham-based , , and , for tracks 1 through 10 on the original LP configuration. Lamb's involvement provided essential professional oversight, as he engineered those same tracks, utilizing his home setup in Birmingham to accommodate the band's tight budget. For the concluding tracks ("," "Dream a Lie," and "Signing Off"), production and engineering shifted to alone, with Rafe McKenna as engineer and Neil Black assisting. Recording occurred at The Music Center in Birmingham, a local facility, supplemented by sessions in Bob Lamb's garden and improvised home studio, which fostered a relaxed, organic capture of the band's live energy amid financial limitations that precluded a full commercial studio rental. This DIY approach aligned with UB40's ethos as an eight-member collective from Birmingham's working-class scene, emphasizing collective jamming and minimal overdubs to preserve authentic reggae-dub textures through analog . Lamb's expertise, drawn from prior work with acts like , ensured technical viability despite the unconventional spaces, resulting in a raw sound characterized by prominent bass lines, live drum takes, and horn sections without extensive polish. The album's vinyl release incorporated a hybrid format: a standard RPM LP for the core tracks and a 45 RPM EP insert for the final three songs, reflecting resourceful packaging to maximize playability and dub-style extensions. Mastering details remain sparse in primary accounts, but the final product retained a lo-fi warmth suited to 's roots, avoiding heavy compression or effects that would dilute the ensemble's unrefined interplay of guitars, keyboards, and toasting vocals. This technical restraint contributed to the album's enduring appeal as a snapshot of early British reggae production under resource constraints.

Composition

Musical Elements and Genre Fusion

Signing Off primarily adheres to roots reggae conventions, featuring syncopated "skank" guitar rhythms on the off-beat, deep bass lines driving the one-drop drum pattern, and layered percussion including toms and rim shots for rhythmic propulsion. The band's —comprising , , and —adds punchy stabs and melodic fills, evoking classic Jamaican ensembles while delivering a brighter, more integrated sound suited to audiences. Keyboards provide subtle organ swells and bubble rhythms, enhancing the atmospheric depth without overpowering the core groove. Dub influences permeate the album through extensive use of , reverb, and delay effects on vocals and instruments, particularly evident in tracks like "25 Years" and "DUB 56," where production techniques strip back elements for focus and spatial experimentation. Producer Bob Lamb's engineering, recorded at The Music Centre in Birmingham between December 1979 and April 1980, captures a raw, analog warmth that fuses live energy with manipulation, distinguishing it from purer Jamaican dub by prioritizing melodic continuity over radical . The genre fusion arises from UB40's integration of ska-inflected upstrokes and 1970s roots reggae with British songwriting norms of the late 1970s, resulting in concise verse-chorus structures and accessible hooks that temper reggae's improvisational looseness with pop-rock precision. This hybrid yields a "whiteboy reggae" aesthetic—criticized by some for diluting authenticity but praised for broadening appeal—incorporating subtle harmonies in horn arrangements and soulful vocal harmonies from the multi-singer lineup, including Ali Campbell's licks and Astro's deejay toasting. Tracks such as "King" exemplify this by merging urgent pulses with anthemic choruses, prefiguring the band's later reggae-pop crossover success.

Lyrical Themes and Political Messaging

The lyrics of Signing Off, UB40's debut album released on September 12, 1980, predominantly address socio-economic hardships and systemic injustices in Thatcher-era Britain, reflecting the band's origins in Birmingham's multicultural, working-class communities amid rising unemployment rates that exceeded 2 million by mid-1980. Tracks such as "One in Ten" explicitly decry joblessness, with lead singer Ali Campbell drawing from personal experiences of claiming unemployment benefits—hence the band's name, derived from form UB40 used for such claims—portraying it as a dehumanizing statistic that encapsulated one in ten Britons facing poverty. This theme resonated amid public backlash against Margaret Thatcher's Conservative policies, including cuts to public spending enacted via the 1979-1980 budgets, which exacerbated industrial decline in areas like the Midlands. Racial tensions and feature prominently, as in "Tyler," which recounts the 1979 killing of 33-year-old Glendon "Junior" Cameron by during a raid, framing it as emblematic of institutional bias against black communities in Britain. The song's stark narration critiques excessive force and lack of accountability, aligning with broader 1980s unrest, including the 1981 Brixton and Handsworth riots, though predating them by a year. Similarly, "Burden of Shame" confronts Britain's imperial legacy, lambasting historical complicity in and —lyrics reference the transatlantic trade's profits funding national institutions—while rejecting national pride in events like the 1977 . Band members, including multi-racial founders like Campbell (of Jamaican descent) and Astro (of Antiguan heritage), positioned these as calls for reparative accountability rather than abstract guilt. International solidarity underscores tracks like "Your Lips Are Moving," which targets Western support for apartheid South Africa, echoing contemporaneous anti-racism campaigns such as the 1980 launch of the Anti-Apartheid Movement's broader pushes. "Food for Thought" extends domestic poverty critiques to global hunger, urging awareness of famine and inequality without prescriptive solutions, delivered in Campbell's emotive tenor over dub-reggae rhythms. While some cuts, such as the cover of Randy Newman's "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today," adopt a melancholic universality to temper overt polemics, the album's messaging remains unapologetically socialist, advocating class unity across racial lines against capitalist exploitation—a stance the band later claimed drew MI5 surveillance due to perceived subversive intent. This blend of local grievances and anti-imperial critique established UB40's early reputation for protest reggae, influencing subsequent acts amid Britain's polarized socio-political climate.

Artwork

Cover Design and Symbolism

The cover artwork of Signing Off replicates the British unemployment benefit card, Form , which claimants carried to sign on for dole payments. This form provided the origin of the band's name, reflecting their experiences as young, jobless Brummies in late 1970s Birmingham amid economic stagnation. Overlaid on the card is the album title, "Signing Off," stamped in bold red ink, mimicking an official endorsement. This element symbolizes the members' departure from reliance on , achieved through their musical success following the album's independent release on 29 August 1980 via Graduate Records. The design encapsulates the band's socio-political , highlighting themes of joblessness and systemic inequality prevalent in Thatcher-era Britain. By foregrounding the dole card, it critiques while asserting via art, aligning with the album's dub-reggae tracks addressing , , and authority. The stark, documentary-style aesthetic eschews glamour, emphasizing authenticity and collective struggle over individual stardom.

Packaging Variations

The original 1980 UK vinyl edition of Signing Off was packaged in a single-pocket designed to resemble a British unemployment benefit attendance card, or "dole card," aligning with the album's themes of economic hardship and social welfare dependency. This non-gatefold sleeve featured printed form-like details, including spaces for claimant information filled with band member names and mock signatures, pressed by Damont in . Some early international variants, such as the 1980 Italian limited edition, included a bonus 12-inch maxi-single EP attached to the LP, expanding the packaging to accommodate the additional three tracks ("Madam Medusa," "Reefer Madness," and a version of ") while retaining the core dole card aesthetic. Cassette versions from the era, released by labels like Graduate Records, utilized standard inlays with artwork echoing the vinyl's form motif, though specific production details vary by region and pressing; these were typically housed in clear plastic cases without additional inserts. CD reissues, beginning in the and continuing through the , generally employed jewel cases with replicated and , but lacked the tactile form simulation of vinyl editions. The 2010 30th anniversary collector's edition, a 2- + DVD set from /Virgin, offered expanded deluxe packaging including remastered audio, bonus tracks, and video content, though exact enclosure type (likely digipak) emphasized archival presentation over novelty design. Later vinyl reissues maintained the iconic packaging template: the 2021 40th anniversary 2-LP edition on translucent red vinyl used a wide-spine replicating the dole card, complete with a custom printed inner and digital code card, adding three bonus tracks to the original tracklist. Limited 180-gram pressings, such as those marketed as verified editions, incorporated hype stickers referencing first-edition authenticity but adhered to the same format.

Release and Promotion

Launch and Distribution

Signing Off was released on 29 August 1980 by Graduate Records, a small independent label based in , West Midlands, marking UB40's debut entry into the music market without major label backing. The initial launch focused on vinyl LP format, with early pressings produced in limited quantities to test reception amid the band's grassroots origins in Birmingham's reggae scene. This independent approach reflected the era's DIY ethos for reggae acts, prioritizing local and specialist retail outlets over widespread commercial chains initially. Distribution was handled through Graduate's modest network, targeting independent record shops and reggae specialists in the UK, which constrained availability but fostered organic demand via word-of-mouth and live performances. Despite these limitations, the album achieved rapid commercial traction, entering the UK Albums Chart on 2 October 1980 and peaking at number 2, where it remained for 71 weeks, demonstrating effective penetration via indie channels and radio play. It became the highest-selling independent UK album to that point, underscoring how targeted distribution amplified its reach among reggae enthusiasts and broader pop audiences. The launch's success prompted expanded re-pressings and eventual licensing deals, though retained primary control initially; terminated their contract by year's end, transitioning to their own DEP International label for future releases while leveraging Signing Off's momentum. Internationally, early distribution was negligible, with focus confined to the market until later reissues by labels like Virgin facilitated overseas availability.

Singles and Marketing Efforts

"Food for Thought" served as the lead double A-side single alongside "King", released on February 1, 1980, by the independent label Graduate Records prior to the album's launch. The track peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart, with its first chart entry on March 8, 1980, and topped the UK Independent Singles Chart for 12 weeks, reflecting strong grassroots appeal amid rising in Britain. Its lyrics critiquing global inequality and resonated with social realist themes, contributing to organic word-of-mouth promotion within and 2 Tone scenes. A second double A-side single, "My Way of Thinking" paired with a cover of Randy Newman's "I Think It's Going to Rain Today", followed on June 6, 1980, entering the UK Singles Chart on June 14 and reaching number 6. This release further built anticipation for the full album, emphasizing UB40's fusion of dub reggae with topical commentary on economic hardship, which aligned with the band's origins as unemployed Birmingham musicians. Marketing for the singles operated on a modest independent scale, relying on advertisements in music publications such as and targeted posters rather than large-scale national campaigns. The band's practice of signing actual unemployment benefit forms—echoed in the album title "Signing Off"—extended to promotional imagery, symbolizing their transition from dole recipients to recording artists and appealing directly to working-class audiences facing similar circumstances in Britain. Live performances and regional radio play amplified visibility, with the singles' indie chart dominance driving demand without major label backing.

Track Listing

Original Vinyl LP

The original vinyl LP edition of Signing Off, released in the United Kingdom on 29 August 1980 by the independent label Graduate Records, comprises ten tracks spread across two sides, emphasizing UB40's early influences with socially conscious lyrics and dub elements. This configuration reflects the band's debut recording sessions at The Music Centre in Birmingham, capturing a raw, collective band performance without extensive overdubs. Side A
  1. "Tyler" – 5:53
  2. "King" – 4:32
  3. "12 Bar" – 4:25
  4. "Burden of Shame" – 6:58
Side B
  1. "Adella" – 3:27
  2. "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" (Randy Newman cover) – 3:46
  3. "25%" – 3:34
  4. "Food for Thought" – 4:12
  5. "Little by Little" – 3:55
  6. "Signing Off" – 4:34
The track durations are as listed on the original pressing labels, with Side B accommodating six shorter songs to fit the vinyl format constraints, including the title track "Signing Off," a spoken-word piece addressing unemployment and social issues that bookends the album's themes. Unlike later reissues, this edition excludes extended dub versions such as "Madam Medusa," which appeared on subsequent compilations or deluxe formats.

Cassette Version

The cassette edition of Signing Off was released simultaneously with the vinyl LP on 29 August 1980 by Graduate Records in the , catalogued as GRAD C2. Unlike the standard 10-track vinyl configuration, the cassette incorporated three additional tracks sourced from the B-side dubs of the band's 12-inch single "Food for Thought" (released earlier in 1980), resulting in a 13-track program divided across two sides for balanced playback duration of approximately 28 minutes per side. These bonus inclusions—"Madam Medusa" (a dub-oriented track clocking in at 12:51), "", and "Reefer Madness"—extended the album's exploration of dub reggae elements, aligning with UB40's early fusion of and studio experimentation. The track listing prioritized longer instrumental and dub pieces on Side A to accommodate the format's sequential playback, while Side B housed the core vocal tracks from the LP alongside the closing instrumentals: Side A
  • Tyler – 5:53
  • King – 4:32
  • 12 Bar – 4:25
  • Burden of Shame – 7:00
  • Madam Medusa – 12:51
Side B
  • Adella – 3:27
  • I Think It's Going to Rain Today – 3:46
  • 25% – 3:34
  • Food for Thought – 4:12
  • Little by Little – 3:44
  • Signing Off – 4:28
  • – 4:02
  • Reefer Madness – 5:09
Pressings varied by region, such as the edition (GRADMC 2), but maintained the same expanded sequencing; some featured a white cassette shell with yellow paper labels. This configuration distinguished the cassette as a more comprehensive release for portable listening, reflecting early 1980s adaptations in album distribution where tape formats often bundled single exclusives to enhance value.

CD Reissues

The first edition of Signing Off appeared in 1994 via , faithfully replicating the original 10-track vinyl configuration without additional content or remastering notes specified in release documentation. This standard reissue targeted collectors and mainstream audiences, maintaining the album's raw, dub-influenced production from its 1980 sessions at The Music Centre in Birmingham. A more expansive reissue followed in 2010 for the album's 30th , issued by as a deluxe edition with digital remastering applied to the original tapes for improved fidelity and . This version expanded the track listing to 22 selections, incorporating bonus material such as the 12-inch single "Madam Medusa" (with dubs and versions) and select B-sides, providing deeper insight into the band's early recording output and single promotions. The packaging included updated and artwork enhancements, positioning it as a collector's item amid UB40's anniversary touring in the UK. Subsequent digital platforms have propagated this remastered content, though physical CD availability has varied by region post-2010.

30th Anniversary Edition

The 30th Anniversary Edition of Signing Off was released on 1 November 2010 by Universal Music as a deluxe three-disc set consisting of two remastered CDs and a DVD. This edition commemorates the album's original issuance by incorporating the core tracks alongside previously released B-sides, 12-inch extended versions, dub mixes, and session recordings, which expand the original vinyl's content that bundled an eight-track LP with a three-track 12-inch EP. The DVD features promotional videos and live performance footage from the era, including clips for singles like "Food for Thought." Disc 1 presents the remastered original album sequences, augmented by select bonus material:
  1. Tyler
  3. 12 Bar
  4. Burden of Shame
  5. Adella
  6. I Think It's Going to Rain Today
  7. 25%
  8. Food for Thought
  9. Little by Little
  10. Signing Off
  11. Madam Medusa
  13. Reefer Madness
  14. My Way of Thinking (12" Version)
  15. I Think It's Going to Rain Today (12" Version)
Disc 2 focuses on dub versions, alternate mixes, and radio sessions, including renditions captured during appearances that highlight the band's early live energy and instrumentation. Tracks encompass dub interpretations of key singles and rarities such as extended sessions for "King" and "Burden of Shame," providing insight into UB40's production techniques under Ray "" Falconer. This reissue restores audio fidelity through digital remastering while preserving analog-era artifacts, appealing to collectors by aggregating material scattered across prior formats like the original Graduate Records vinyl and early cassettes.

Credits

Performing Personnel

The performing personnel on UB40's debut album Signing Off (1980) consisted of the band's core members, who handled vocals, guitars, bass, drums, saxophone, trumpet, percussion, and keyboards. provided lead vocals and , while his brother Robin Campbell contributed and backing vocals. Earl Falconer played and supplied backing vocals. Brian Travers performed on and . James "Jim" Brown handled drums, with Michael "Mickey" Virtue on keyboards, organ, and string arrangements. Arthur "Astro" Lloyd delivered toasting (talk-over vocals) and played trumpet. Norman Hassan contributed percussion, including congas, along with backing vocals. , who joined the band during the recording sessions as an honorary eighth member, added keyboard textures essential to the album's dub-reggae sound. No guest performers are credited on the original release beyond the band's lineup.

Production and Technical Staff

Signing Off was produced by UB40 alongside Bob Lamb, a local Birmingham musician and recording engineer known for his home studio setup, with Lamb also engineering the majority of the album's tracks recorded between December 1979 and July 1980 at his Home of the Hits facility. These sessions, spanning 21–24 December 1979, 31 March–10 April 1980, and 16 June–1 July 1980, captured the core tracks amid the band's constrained budget and nascent recording experience. Select additional material, including bonus tracks on later reissues, was produced by band bassist Earl "Ray Pablo" Falconer and , engineered by Rafe McKenna during sessions at The Music Center in from 18–20 1980. Lamb's involvement extended beyond technical roles, as his accessible studio enabled the group's debut without reliance on commercial facilities. No separate mixing or mastering credits are attributed in primary release documentation, reflecting the album's DIY ethos.

Commercial Performance

Chart Achievements

Signing Off peaked at number 2 on the following its entry on 2 October 1980, where it remained for a total of 71 weeks. This performance marked UB40's breakthrough as one of Britain's leading acts, driven by strong domestic sales and airplay for tracks like "Food for Thought," which supported the album's chart longevity. Outside the , the album saw no significant chart entries in major markets such as the , where its 1984 re-release via failed to register on the 200. Limited international data reflects its primary appeal within the reggae scene rather than broader global penetration at the time.

Sales Figures and Certifications

Signing Off attained platinum certification from the (BPI) in the on 11 June 1981, signifying shipments of 300,000 units. This certification reflected the album's strong initial domestic performance following its August 1980 release, driven by hits like "Food for Thought." The album also received gold certification in New Zealand, awarded by Recorded Music NZ for sales exceeding 7,500 copies. No certifications have been reported from major markets such as the or , where UB40's breakthrough occurred with later releases. Worldwide sales figures specific to Signing Off remain unverified beyond certified thresholds, though the band's overall has exceeded 70 million units sold globally.
CountryCertifying BodyCertificationCertified Units/Sales
New ZealandRMNZGold7,500
United KingdomBPIPlatinum300,000

Reception

Initial Critical Reviews

Signing Off, UB40's debut album released on 29 August 1980, received largely positive reviews from UK music critics upon its launch, with praise centered on its raw reggae-dub style, dub-heavy production, and lyrics addressing unemployment, racism, and social inequality amid the early Thatcher era. Reviewers noted the band's self-produced sound—recorded in a makeshift Birmingham studio—as remarkably polished for newcomers, featuring echoing effects, horn sections, and toasting by Astro that evoked Jamaican roots while grounding the music in British urban discontent. The title track's sampled dole office dialogue and tracks like "Food for Thought" were highlighted for their direct critique of poverty and food banks, positioning the album as a timely political statement. Music weeklies such as Sounds reviewed it favorably in early September 1980, commending its authenticity and groove despite the band's inexperience. NME similarly recognized its quality by ranking Signing Off 13th among the best albums of 1980, amid competition from established acts like and , reflecting critical consensus on its fresh contribution to the British reggae scene. While some noted the occasional instrumental indulgence, the prevailing view was that had crafted a debut of immediate relevance and sonic innovation, free from the commercial polish that would characterize their later work.

Accolades and Awards

Signing Off achieved platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on June 11, 1981, for exceeding 300,000 units sold in the United Kingdom. This sales-based honor reflected the album's breakthrough appeal amid the band's grassroots emergence on an independent label. The release did not secure competitive industry awards, including Grammy or Brit Award nominations specific to its tracks or overall package. UB40's formal recognitions, such as later Grammy nods for Best Reggae Album, pertained to subsequent works rather than their debut. Retrospective honors for Signing Off have been limited, though its enduring status as a foundational reggae album in British music history is affirmed by reissues, including a 30th anniversary deluxe edition in 2010 and a 40th anniversary colored vinyl pressing.

Retrospective Evaluations and Criticisms

Retrospective assessments of Signing Off consistently highlight its status as UB40's most authentic and politically incisive recording, emphasizing the album's raw depiction of working-class struggles, , and racial tensions in early Britain. Critics have lauded tracks such as "Food for Thought" and "Burden of Shame" for their direct lyrical confrontations with systemic injustice, crediting the band's eight members—formed in Birmingham's diverse immigrant communities—for fusing Jamaican influences with dub experimentation and subtle jazz undertones. This debut, self-produced on a modest budget at The Music Centre in Birmingham, captured a pre-commercial UB40 unburdened by major-label polish, resulting in a sound that propelled it to No. 2 on the upon release and sustained its reputation through reissues. The album's instrumental prowess, evident in dub-heavy cuts like "12 Bar" and "Adella," has drawn praise for Earl Falconer's prominent basslines and Brian Travers' flourishes, which provided a gritty counterpoint to the era's revival acts like . Retrospective analyses often contrast Signing Off's urgency—rooted in the band's experiences with dole queues and —with UB40's subsequent pop-oriented hits such as "," arguing that the debut's edge eroded as commercial success diluted its radicalism. Re-mastered editions for the 30th anniversary in and 40th in 2020-2021 have amplified these qualities, with expanded content including BBC radio sessions underscoring the band's early versatility in and socio-political anthems. Criticisms, though limited, focus on the album's relative lack of refinement compared to UB40's later productions, with some reviewers noting uneven pacing and instrumental dominance occasionally overshadowing vocal clarity. The cover "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" received early backlash for its perceived sentimentality amid the record's otherwise confrontational tone, though this has softened in hindsight as an example of the band's range. Production constraints—evident in the lo-fi mixes—have been cited as a flaw by those preferring the slicker sound of successors, yet these same elements are often reframed as strengths preserving the album's proletarian authenticity.

Legacy

Cultural and Musical Influence

Signing Off blended with dub-heavy production and British soundsystem influences, incorporating elements of and punk-inflected rhythms that distinguished it from Jamaican originals and helped adapt the to urban contexts. This approach, evident in tracks like and "Burden of Shame," emphasized bass-driven grooves and echoing dub breakdowns, laying groundwork for UK reggae's evolution beyond pure imitation of or revivalists. The album's self-produced, lo-fi aesthetic—recorded on a tight in 1980—prioritized raw energy over polish, influencing later acts in blending political dub with accessible pop structures. Culturally, the record captured the alienation of Thatcher's early Britain, with lyrics confronting , , and class divides amid rising dole queues and factory closures; its title track explicitly "signed off" from as an . UB40's multiracial lineup—seven white and two Black members from Birmingham's diverse Handsworth area—symbolized cross-community solidarity against National Front agitation and economic strife, amplifying 's role in British youth subcultures as a voice for the marginalized. By peaking at number 2 on the upon release, it boosted 's visibility in mainstream pop, paving the way for bands like and while embedding West Indian musical traditions deeper into UK soundscapes. The album's enduring resonance is seen in its platinum certification in the UK (over 300,000 copies sold) and continued citations as a blueprint for politically engaged, homegrown .

Reissues and Recent Recognition

The album Signing Off received a deluxe in to mark its 30th anniversary, featuring remastered audio and additional content as a collector's edition. This edition, released on , , highlighted the album's enduring appeal among fans and critics, who continued to regard it as 's strongest work. In 2021, a 40th edition was issued as a limited double LP on 180-gram translucent red vinyl, including the original 10 tracks plus three bonus tracks: "Madam Medusa," "," and "Reefer Madness." This re-release, available from March 2021, underscored the album's foundational role in UB40's catalog and its influence on reggae-infused music. Recent acknowledgments include celebrations of the album's 45th anniversary in August 2025, with reflecting on its memories and tracks via official channels, affirming its lasting cultural resonance. Contemporary reviews of these reissues have praised Signing Off for its politically charged content and innovative blend of dub and , maintaining its status as a critical benchmark in the band's .

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