“Food for Thought” by UB40
As has been pointed out on this website in the past, out of all the prominent countries involved in the mainstream music industry, British artists tend to be the most humanitarian. “Food for Thought”, a song which is meant to speak to hunger in Africa, is a further example of that phenomenon.
What is being basically implied in the lyrics is that the West, i.e. First World nations like the United Kingdom, possesses the wherewithal to mitigate situations like the one noted above. But instead, the powers that be are more interested in profiteering. They would rather make profit than help their fellow, disadvantaged man.
And herein there is a lot of religious terminology, if you will, being thrown about. For example, there are references to Christmas. The purpose of such, according to Robin Campbell, is to illustrate Western hypocrisy. Or viewed otherwise, Christmas is a holiday which – it can be said going back to its ideological origin – is supposed to be more about giving than receiving. But in contrast, during said season you have people in richer parts of the world chillin’, while those in other regions are visibly suffering.
This is actually a valid point being made. Why? Because the wealth of Western nations such as the UK was largely built upon exploitation of the Third World.
Ivory Madonna
With that in mind, there is an “Ivory Madonna” mentioned which, logically deduced, would be a reference to the Caucasian Virgin Mary as presented through religious institutions like the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has/does possess what some scholars deem as a colonial presence in places like Africa.
So what it appears the vocalist is saying here is that the Whiteman has gone about dominating the Third World, even compelling residents to adopt his spiritual beliefs. However, at the same time he is not supporting such constituents as a moral leader should. Or put otherwise the West’s presence is visible in the Third World, but the people therein are not practically benefitting from such.
Or, at least that’s one way of theoretically understanding the “Ivory Madonna” in context.
In any event, this piece is obviously critical of the current state of the world. And we won’t go as far as to conclude by saying that UB40 believes in wealth redistribution. But it is obvious, if nothing else, that they feel the privileged West has a responsibility to help those in other parts of the globe where life isn’t nearly as sweet.
When was “Food for Thought” released?
“Food for Thought” is the first single that UB40, a band that went on to become very famous, ever dropped. Well actually this track was released as a double A-side, along with “King”, on 29 August 1980.
As such it is from the group’s first studio album, a project titled “Signing Off”, which was issued by an indie label known as Graduate Records.
The two songs combined proved to be a notable success, peaking at number four on the UK Singles Chart in addition to being certified silver in UB40’s homeland of the United Kingdom.
UB40
UB40 was actually eight musicians’ deep at the time this track was dropped. To note four of those individuals are still down with the outfit to this day. They are:
- Robin Campbell (guitarist)
- Earl Falconer (bassist)
- Norman Hassan (percussionist)
- Jimmy Brown (drummer)
To further note, back then they were joined by the following:
- Ali Campbell (frontman)
- Astro (talk-over vocalist)
- Brian Travers (saxophonist)
- Michael Virtue (keyboardist)
More Facts about “Food for Thought”
The working title of “Food for Thought” was actually “The Christmas Song”. It has been reported that at the time this piece was put together UB40 was a struggling act, with the very name of the band being indicative of that fact. Owing to this, they didn’t record “Singing Off” in an actual studio but rather “in a Birmingham bedsit”.
But that said, the album still proved to be a major success. It ended up leading them down the road to becoming one of the most recognizable British bands of the late 20th century.
This song is known to be utilized, in part, as an anthem for Birmingham City FC (with UB40 itself originating from Birmingham, England).
UB40 produced this track with Bob Lamb, who is perhaps better known to some readers as a member of the Steve Gibbons Band.
According to some reports the entire band also wrote this piece. However, it has also been pointed out that it was more specifically written by brothers/bandmates Ali Campbell and Robin Campbell alongside their dad, Ian Campbell (1933-2012), who was a prominent musician in his own right.
