“Red Red Wine” by UB40 – Lyrics
Red, red wine
Goes to my head
Makes me forget that I
Still need her so
Red, red wine
It’s up to you
All I can do, I’ve done
But memory’s won
Over me, ohh,
Red, red wine
Stay close to me
Don’t let me be in love
It’s tearing apart
My blue, blue heart
I have sworn, I will
Remember you
But you have turned away
And I am left
With a broken heart
Red, red wine
Stay close to me
Don’t let me be in love
It’s tearing apart
My blue, blue heart
Red, red wine
Stay close to me
Don’t let me be in love
It’s tearing apart
My blue, blue heart
Interpretation of the Song
“Red Red Wine” is a song about heartbreak, loneliness, and the temporary solace the narrator finds in alcohol. The central metaphor is the red wine, which the singer uses to numb the pain caused by a broken relationship. The repeated line “Red, red wine goes to my head” suggests that the wine is both a form of escape and a reminder of the singer’s emotional turmoil.
The song highlights the struggle of trying to forget someone (“Makes me forget that I still need her”) while acknowledging that it’s only temporary. Despite the wine’s effect, it doesn’t fully erase the feelings of longing and heartache (“It’s tearing apart my blue, blue heart”). The “blue, blue heart” can be interpreted as a metaphor for sadness or sorrow, reflecting the deep emotional wounds caused by the end of a relationship.
The narrator is caught between the hope that the wine might help them forget and the painful truth that it can’t replace or heal the emotional void. The repeated plea for the wine to “stay close” is also a cry for comfort, as the singer is struggling to hold on to anything that might offer a temporary sense of relief.
Background of UB40’s “Red Red Wine”
“Red Red Wine” was originally written and recorded by Neil Diamond in 1967. However, UB40’s reggae cover of the song, released in 1983, brought it to international fame. UB40 was a British reggae band, and their version of “Red Red Wine” is known for its distinctive reggae style, which contrasts with the more traditional pop sound of Neil Diamond’s original.
UB40’s cover was part of their album Labour of Love, a record that features covers of classic songs done in a reggae style. Their version of “Red Red Wine” reached the #1 spot on the UK Singles Chart in 1983 and again in the US in 1988, making it one of the band’s most iconic tracks. The success of the song helped UB40 solidify their place in the pop and reggae scene, blending Caribbean rhythms with mainstream pop appeal.
The band, formed in 1978 in Birmingham, UK, was known for their socially conscious lyrics and their fusion of reggae with other genres. Their name, UB40, refers to the “Unemployment Benefit, Form 40,” reflecting their working-class background and the economic struggles they sought to address through music.
The reggae influence in UB40’s version of “Red Red Wine” is particularly important because it helped popularize reggae in the mainstream UK and beyond, especially during the 1980s. Their laid-back, easy-going sound was a perfect complement to the melancholy of the original song, giving it a new life and making it a hit on both sides of the Atlantic.
UB40’s rendition of “Red Red Wine” is often remembered not just for its catchy tune but for its ability to blend pop, reggae, and social commentary. It stands as one of their most recognizable tracks and remains a favorite in both reggae and pop music circles.
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