Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Kingston Town — This track showcases UB40's signature blend of smooth reggae and romantic lyrics, becoming one of their most beloved hits. Its melodic hooks and heartfelt delivery resonate deeply with listeners, capturing the essence of the album.
-
→
Here I Am (Come and Take Me) Start here — A standout cover that highlights the band's ability to infuse classic songs with a contemporary reggae twist, making it both accessible and engaging. Its catchy chorus exemplifies UB40's knack for creating singalong moments.
-
→
Homely Girl — This song features poignant storytelling paired with soulful instrumentation, reflecting themes of love and longing. The emotional depth presented here is a hallmark of UB40's musical style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively blends reggae and pop but relies heavily on covers, impacting its originality.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of laid-back reggae rhythms paired with pop melodies across nearly all tracks.
- The first half of the album maintains a steady mid-tempo pace, while the latter half introduces more varied tempos and styles.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- warm nostalgic vibes
- easygoing background listening
- short, engaging tracks
- uplifting feel-good moments
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Solidified UB40's status as a major force in reggae music during the late 1980s.
- Themes
- Kingston romance· nostalgic warmth· soulful storytelling
- Career context
- Released in 1989, Labour of Love II marked UB40's fifth studio album, following their successful Labour of Love in 1983. At this point, UB40 had firmly established themselves as leaders in the reggae-pop genre, enjoying significant commercial success and a growing international fanbase.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Steel Pulse· Toots and the Maytals· Jimmy Cliff
Tracklist
- 1 Here I Am (Come and Take Me) Start here 4:17
- 2 Tears from My Eyes 3:50
- 3 Groovin' 3:50
- 4 The Way You Do the Things You Do 3:02
- 5 Wear You to the Ball 3:31
- 6 Singer Man 3:53
- 7 Kingston Town 3:51
- 8 Baby 3:20
- 9 Wedding Day 3:11
- 10 Sweet Cherrie 3:18
- 11 Stick by Me 3:44
- 12 Just Another Girl 3:34
- 13 Homely Girl 3:25
- 14 Impossible Love 5:12
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.