Red Red Wine by UB40 Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Emotional Tapestry of a Reggae Classic
Lyrics
Makes me forget that I still need her so
Red, red wine, it’s up to you
All I can do I’ve done
Memories won’t go, memories won’t go
I’d have sworn that with time
Thoughts of you leave my head
I was wrong, now I find
Just one thing makes me forget
Red, red wine, stay close to me
Don’t let me be alone
It’s tearing apart my blue heart
I’d have sworn that with time
Thoughts of you leave my head
I was wrong, now I find
Just one thing makes me forget
Red, red wine, stay close to me
Don’t let me be alone
It’s tearing apart my blue heart
Red red wine, you make me feel so fine
You keep me rockin’ all of the time
Red red wine, you make me feel so grand
I feel a million dollar when you’re just in my hand
Red red wine, you make me feel so sad
Any time I see you go, it make me feel bad
Red red wine, you make me feel so fine
Monkey pack him Rizla pon the sweet Dep line
Red red wine, weh give me whole heap of zing
Whole heap of zing, make me do my own thing
Red red wine, you really know how fi love
Your kind of lovin’ like a blessing from above
Red red wine, I loved you right from the start
Right from the start, and with all of my heart
Red red wine inna eighties style
Red red wine inna modern beat style
Yeah
Give me a likkle time, let me clear up mi mind
Give me a likkle time, let me clear up mi mind
Give me red wine, the kind make me feel fine
You make me feel fine all of the time
Red red wine, you make me feel so fine
Monkey pack him Rizla pon the sweet Dep line
The line broke, the money get choked
Bun bad ganja pon him likkle rowing boat
Red red wine, I’m gonna hold on to you
Hold on to you ’cause I know yuh love truth
Red red wine, I’m gonna love you til’ I die
Love you ’til I die, and that’s no lie
Red red wine, can’t get you out mi mind
Wherever you may be, I’ll surely find
I’ll surely find, make no fuss, just leave us
Give me a little time, let me clear out my mind
Give me a little time, let me clear out my mind
Give me red wine, the kind make me feel fine
You make me feel fine all of the time
Red red wine, you make me feel so fine
Monkey back and ease up on the sweet deadline
The line broke, the money get choked
Bun bad ganja pon him likkle rowing boat
Red red wine, you really know how fi love
Your kind of lovin’ like a blessing from above
Red red wine, I loved you right from the start
Right from the start, and with all of my heart
Red red wine, weh give me whole heap of zing
Whole heap of zing, make me do my own thing
Red red wine inna eighties style
Red red wine inna modern beat style
Yeah
Red red wine, you make me feel so fine
You keep me rockin’ all of the time
Red red wine, you make me feel so grand
I feel a million dollar when you’re just in my hand
Red red wine, you make me feel so sad
Any time I see you go, it make me feel bad
UB40’s ‘Red Red Wine’ is not just a song; it’s a haunting portrayal of love, loss, and the coping mechanisms we lean on when faced with the unfathomable depths of heartache. In its smooth reggae rhythms, the track finds a universal anthem – for those who have sought solace at the bottom of a glass and the redemptive power of music itself.
But this hit carries more than just a catchy tune. It’s loaded with lyrical complexities that paint an emotional saga worth exploring. The British band may have popularized the Neil Diamond-penned song in the 80s, but it’s their unique infusion of reggae energy and plaintive longing that turned it into a cultural touchstone.
The Euphoric Escape: Red Wine as a Heartache Remedy
Delving into the chorus lines, ‘Red, red wine goes to my head, Makes me forget that I still need her so,’ UB40 captures the paradoxical euphoria and amnesia provided by intoxication. The song isn’t just discussing a penchant for the drink but the desire to escape from the all-consuming thoughts of a love that’s slipped away.
This escapism theme resonates with anyone who’s tried to find solace in temporary solutions, revealing the song’s understanding of human vulnerability. It’s a musical confession that acknowledges the strength and, more poignantly, the limits of human endurance when it comes to matters of the heart.
The Poignant Paradox: Freedom in Chains
The lyrics of ‘Red Red Wine’ play on a bittersweet juxtaposition where the narrator finds freedom from pain in the very thing that binds them. ‘Red, red wine, stay close to me, Don’t let me be alone,’ serves as a desperate plea, punctuating the solitude that accompanies lost love.
It sheds light on the crippling co-dependence developed with coping mechanisms, emphasizing how we often embrace our chains in search of relief. UB40 captures this dichotomy with a reggae flair that both soothes and saddens, embodying the complexity of human emotion.
Lost in Translation: The Hidden Reggae Roots
‘Red Red Wine’ may be widely recognized as a UB40 icon, but few might dig into its reggae roots. While Neil Diamond’s original version might have inspired the song’s rebirth in the 80s, UB40’s rendition pays homage to the genre’s Jamaican influences – as hinted by phrases like ‘monkey pack him Rizla on the sweet Dep line.’
This linguistic playfulness and cultural nod underscore a hidden meaning: the blending of influences to create a narrative that feels both personal and universal. The global reggae beat becomes the heartbeat of the song, connecting diverse listeners through a shared sentiment.
Climbing the Grapevine: Memorable Lines that Stick
UB40’s lyrical craftsmanship shines in its memorable lines, such as ‘I feel a million dollar when you’re just in my hand.’ Not only does it eloquently speak to the transformative power of red wine, but it encapsulates the momentary richness that comes with numbing the pain of longing.
Such lines have cemented the song’s legacy, allowing it to resonate with listeners decades later. They evoke a sentiment that transcends time, acting as lyrical anchors that hold fast against the tide of change, making the song an enduring relic in the music world.
A Toast to Love: The Universality of UB40’s Ode
Ultimately, ‘Red Red Wine’ is an ode to the enduring battle with love’s scars. It touches on a universal human experience, the struggle to let go, and the search for something, anything, to dull the sharpness of heartache.
UB40 managed to convert a simple song about wine into an anthem for the lovelorn, a testament to the group’s ability to weave mundane threads into an emotional tapestry. Amidst the rhythm and rhyme, there lies a story of love, loss, and the red, red wine that symbolizes both.
