Ali wasn’t one to miss a trick so decided to record the video on the cheap, even having the audacity to use the shopping centre’s own CCTV to record it on.
This meant Ali Campbell had taken on a night time security job which entailed patrolling the labyrinth of hidden corridors in the Peacocks Centre which at the time had a rodent problem, Ali was offered the job due to his previous experience, although like the A-Level results on my CV he did exaggerate his level of involvement. At this time UB40 were struggling financially, as the petrol bill for the mopeds in the video for the 808 State collaboration had run into millions. I’m not going to go on about the lyrics as they’re more to do with Elvis than UB40, the vocals are great though, Ali Campbell at his best with Robin and the rest of the boys providing more than adequate backing vocals, production isn’t particularly ambitious but the original is such a classic it’s been nicely Neggaefied without going over the top. This is what Neggae cover versions are all about, respectful to the original yet still with that distinct Neggae sound which wouldn’t sound out of place in the bar at ‘Sandals’ (take note Suggs).
The ethereal intro is pure Clannad then someone hits the reggae button on the Casio keyboard and it’s all systems go, and just before it starts sounding like Dubstep the horns kick in and the soothing wave of Brum Neggae washes over you like a swell from the Grand Union Canal. ‘ Elvis was a hero to most but he never meant shit to me’, same here Chuck, fortunately this wasn’t the case with Ali Campbell.
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