Present Arms

Present Arms is the second album by UB40 and was released in 1981. It reached #2 and spent 38 weeks on the UK album charts. An album of original songs, it spawned two top 20 hits in 'One In Ten' (#7) and 'Don't Let It Pass You By/Don't Slow Down' (#16).

Like their first album Signing Off, Present Arms contained many socially and politically charged lyrics, from the anti-militant title track to 'Sardonicus' which was about Risus sardonicus, the 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 long standing campaign for the legalization of cannabis. Musically, the album continued in the heavy, reverb-drenched, mellifluous style of the debut.

The title track had been used to open UB40 concerts from the mid 90's onwards, usually with the blasting horn section beginning the concert.

As with Signing Off, Present Arms was critically acclaimed and commercially successful in the UK.

Track listing

1. "Present Arms"
2. "Sardonicus"
3. "Don't Let It Pass You By"
4. "Wildcat"
5. "One in Ten"
6. "Don't Slow Down"
7. "Silent Witness"
8. "Lamb's Bread"

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.

1. "Don't Walk On The Grass"
2. "Dr X"

External links

• Official site