Red Red Wine, a song that transcends its origins and carries the weight of two musical titans. While the reggae rendition by UB40 in 1983 undeniably brought it to the forefront of popular consciousness, the story begins much earlier, in the introspective world of American singer-songwriter, Neil Diamond.
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Originally released in 1967 on Diamond’s second studio album, Just For You, Red Red Wine paints a melancholic picture. It’s a ballad, a heartfelt lament sung by a man for whom solace resides at the bottom of a glass. The acoustic guitar lays bare the vulnerability in Diamond’s voice as he croons about the woes that only red wine seems to soothe. This version, steeped in American folk tradition, resonates with a quiet desperation.
Fast forward to the early 1980s, and across the Atlantic, a different interpretation was brewing. UB40, a band hailing from Birmingham, England, were taking the world by storm with their infectious reggae beats. Known for their smooth blend of reggae and pop, they set their sights on Red Red Wine for their album Labour of Love, a collection of cover songs.
Here’s where the magic truly happens. UB40’s reggae makeover transformed the song entirely. The mournful ballad gave way to a swaying, almost celebratory groove. The acoustic guitar was replaced by the gentle skank of the rhythm guitar, characteristic of reggae.
The addition of brass and keyboards added a layer of warmth, while the unmistakable vocals of UB40 frontman Ali Campbell brought a new kind of heartache – a longing, a yearning, all delivered with a smooth, soulful lilt. An extra verse, sung by Astro of UB40, further emphasized the power of the beverage: “Red Red Wine, you make me feel so fine / You keep me rocking all the time.”
Red Red Wine by UB40 became a global phenomenon. It topped the charts in the UK and the US, a testament to the band’s ability to breathe new life into a classic song. The reggae version, both an homage and a departure from the original, became the definitive version for many listeners. Red Red Wine serves as a beautiful example of how a song can evolve, taking on new colors and meanings as it travels through time and across cultures.
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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
Memories won’t go
Memories won’t go
I’d have sworn that with time
Thoughts of you would 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 would 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, blue heart
Red red wine you make me feel so fine
You keep me rocking all of the time
Red red wine, you make me feel so grand
I feel a million dollars when you’re just in my hand
Red red wine, you make me feel so sad
Any time I see you go, it makes me feel bad
Red red wine, you make me feel so fine
Monkey back and ease up on the sweet deadline
Red red wine, you give me whole heap of zing
Whole heap of zing, you make me do my own thing
Red red wine, you give enough of love
You’re kind of loving like a blessing from above
Red red wine, I loved you right from the start
Right from the start, with all of my heart
Red red wine in an eighties style
Red red wine in a modern beat style
Yeah
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 pack him Rizla pon the sweet deep line
The line broke, the monkey get chocked
Bunjah, ganjapani, little rubber boat
Red red wine, I’m gonna hold on to you
Hold on to you cause I know you love truth
Red red wine, I’m gonna love you ’till I die
Love you ’till I die and that’s no lie
Red red wine, can’t get you off my mind
Wherever you may be, I’ll surely find
I’ll surely find
Make no fuss, just stick with 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 monkey get chocked
Bunjah, ganjapani, little rubber boat
Red red wine, you give me not awful love
You’re kind of loving like blessing from above
Red red wine, I loved you right from the start
Right from the start, with all of my heart
Red red wine, you give me whole heap of zing
Whole heap of zing, you make me do my own thing
Red red wine in an eighties style
Red red wine in a modern beat style
Yeah
Red red wine, you make me feel so fine
You keep me rocking all of the time
Red red wine, you make me feel so grand
I feel a million dollars when you just in my hand
Red red wine, you make me feel so sad
Any time I see you go
It make me feel bad