"Red, Red Wine" by UB40, 1983
Lyrics: AZ Lyrics
UB40's iconic song, "Red, Red Wine," is well known by many - especially our parents and other "old people" who lived in the 1980's. The lyrics themselves are pretty simplistic - a boy who was recently dumped by his girlfriend finds that the only way that he can get over her is by getting drunk, specifically by drinking red wine. But who, then, was this girl? Who could have been so important that a popular UK band made an entire song dedicated to her?
The answer may not be as simple as you think.
UB40 recorded their version of "Red, Red Wine" in 1983 on their Labour of Love album (Songfacts). The song hit #1 in the UK in 1983 and '84, and hit #1 in the US in 1989, making it the iconic and most recognizable version of the song. However, UB40 did not write the song themselves.
In 1969, a band called Tony Tribe released their reggae song, "Red, Red Wine." This version reached #46 in the UK (Songfacts). UB40 based their song off of this reggae classic - and, as tribute to the reggae genre, they eventually added a toasted verse, which is a sort of reggae rap ballad that is spoken to a rhythm, similar to a rap (AllMusic). UB40's toast is to red wine, which the DJ describes as his replacement for love and his broken heart, asking the wine to never leave him as his woman has.
Tony Tribe's "Red, Red Wine," 1969
UB40's "Red, Red Wine" with toast section (starts at 2:25)
After UB40's song skyrocketed to #1, they were asked to give credit where credit was due. However, credit was not owed to Tony Tribe.
In an interview, UB40's Terence "Astro" Wilson recalls, "Even when we saw the writing credit which said N. Diamond, we thought it was a Jamaican artist called Negus Diamond or something." Lead singer Ali Campbell says, "The funny thing about the song is we only knew it as a Reggae song. We had no idea that Neil Diamond wrote it" (Songfacts).
So, there you have it. The original version of the song, written and performed by Neil Diamond. The song was released on his album, Just For You, in 1967. Its highest peak in 1968 was at #62.
Neil Diamond's original version of "Red, Red Wine," 1967
In 1969, two other popular versions of the song were released as well. One cover was a soul rendition by Jimmy James and the Vagabonds, and another was done by Vic Dana.
Jimmy James and the Vagabonds, "Red, Red Wine," 1969
Vic Dana, "Red, Red Wine," 1969
So the question still remains: Who, exactly, is worth drinking so much red wine to get you so drunk that you forget who that person is? The answer is probably no one. Neil Diamond is just an alcoholic.
Works Cited
AZ Lyrics. "Red, Red Wine." http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/ub40/redredwine.html
Songfacts. http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2632
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