''Present Arms'' is the second album by
UB40 and was released in 1981. It spent 38 weeks on the UK album charts, reaching number 2. An album of original songs, it spawned two top 20 hits in "One in Ten" (number 7) and "Don't Let It Pass You By/Don't Slow Down" (16).
Like their first album ''
Signing Off
''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, ...
'', ''Present Arms'' contained many socially and politically charged lyrics, from the anti-military title track to "Sardonicus" which was linked to both
President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...
and ''
risus sardonicus
''Risus sardonicus'' or rictus grin is a highly characteristic, abnormal, sustained spasm of the facial muscles that appears to produce grinning. It may be caused by tetanus, strychnine poisoning, or Wilson's disease, and has been reported after j ...
'', an ironic smile on
tetanus victims' faces, The UK top-ten hit "One in Ten" was an attack on
Thatcherism. The album also touches on a subject very dear to UB40's heart: 'Lamb's Bread' and 'Don't Walk On The Grass' are written as part of the band's longstanding campaign for the legalisation of
cannabis. Musically, the album continued in the heavy, reverb-drenched, mellifluous style of the debut.
The title track has been used to open UB40 concerts from the mid 1990s onwards, usually with the blasting horn section beginning the concert.
As with ''
Signing Off
''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, ...
'', ''Present Arms'' was critically acclaimed and commercially successful in the UK.
A dub version of this album called ''
Present Arms in Dub'' was released soon after.
Track listing LP
All tracks composed by UB40
Disc One (album)
Side 1
#"Present Arms" – 4:08
#"Sardonicus" – 4:29
#"Don't Let It Pass You By" – 7:45
#"Wildcat" – 3:04
Side 2
#"
One in Ten
"One in Ten" is a song by British reggae band UB40, released in July 1981 as a single from their second album '' Present Arms''. It became the band's fourth top-ten hit, peaking at number seven on the UK Singles Chart.
Background and release
...
" – 4:32
#"
Don't Slow Down
"Don't Let It Pass You By / Don't Slow Down" is a double A-side single by British group UB40. It was released in 1981 as the first single from the band's second album '' Present Arms''. The single reached No. 16 on the UK Singles Chart
Th ...
" – 4:28
#"Silent Witness" – 4:15
#"Lamb's Bread" – 4:48
Disc Two (EP)
With the original 1981 release was a 12" single (7" single in some countries) containing two instrumental tracks. These were added to the CD album.
#"Don't Walk on the Grass" – 5:20
#"Dr X" – 5:07
Track listing CD
#"Present Arms" – 4:08
#"Sardonicus" – 4:29
#"Don't Let It Pass You By" – 7:45
#"Wildcat" – 3:04
#"
One in Ten
"One in Ten" is a song by British reggae band UB40, released in July 1981 as a single from their second album '' Present Arms''. It became the band's fourth top-ten hit, peaking at number seven on the UK Singles Chart.
Background and release
...
" – 4:32
#"Don't Slow Down" – 4:28
#"Silent Witness" – 4:15
#"Lamb's Bread" – 4:48
#"Dr X" – 5:07
#"Don't Walk on the Grass" – 5:20
Most if not all CD iterations of the album (including the 2014 Deluxe Edition) have the titles of "Don't Walk on the Grass" and "Dr. X" transposed; "Dr. X" is the shorter of the two tracks, and begins with a count-in.
Personnel
;UB40
*
Astro
Astro may refer to:
Entertainment and media
* Astro (South Korean band), a South Korean boy band
* Astro (UB40) (1957–2021), member of the British reggae band UB40
* Astro (Chilean band), a Chilean indie rock band
* Astro (Japanese band), ...
– trumpet, vocals, toasting
* Jimmy Brown – drums, vocals
*
Ali Campbell – vocals, guitar
* Robin Campbell – vocals, guitar
*
Earl Falconer
UB40 are an English reggae and pop band, formed in December 1978 in Birmingham, England. The band has had more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, and has also achieved considerable international success. They have been nominated for the ...
– bass guitar
* Norman Hassan – electronic drums, percussion, trombone
* Brian Travers – saxophone
* Michael Virtue – keyboards
with:
*Neil Black - violin on "Dr. X"
;Production
* Ray "Pablo" Falconer – producer
*Pete Wandless - engineer
*Neil Black - assistant engineer
Certifications
References
External links
Official site
{{Authority control
UB40 albums
1981 albums