UB40 - Food For Thought Lyrics

UB40 Lyrics

"Food For Thought"

Ivory Madonna dying in the dust
Waiting for the manna coming from the west
Barren is her bosom, empty as her eyes
Death a certain harvest scattered from the skies

Skin and bones is creeping, doesn't know he's dead
Ancient eyes are peeping, from his infant head
Politicians argue sharpening their knives
Drawing up their bargains, trading baby lives

Ivory madonna dying in the dust
Waiting for the manna coming from the west

Hear the bells are ringing, Christmas on it's way
Hear the angels singing, what is that they say?
Eat and drink rejoicing, joy is here to stay
Jesus son of Mary is born again today

Ivory Madonna dying in the dust
Waiting for the manna coming from the west
Ivory Madonna dying in the dust
Waiting for the manna coming from the west

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Writer(s): Terrence Oswald Wilson, Brian Travers, Jim Brown, Norman Hassan, Ali Campbell, Earl Falconer, Michael Virtue, Robin Campbell

This song was the band's first single. It was released as a double A-side with "King" that was the favorite with live audiences, but "Food For Thought" got the airplay and became their first hit.

Producer Bob Lamb once said that this song's original title had been "The Christmas Song", but then some of the crew suggested that "Food for Thought" would be a better one. The song tells about disproportion in the world, particularly about famine in North Africa and big celebrations, such as Christmases, of the Western World at the same time.

This track was released without any major-label marketing or promotion but still it could get to the charts.

Many listeners thought that Ali Campbell sung "I believe in Donna" whilst he was actually referring to an "Ivory Madonna".

This song was recorded in a very small room in Birmingham, so small that the drummer Norman Hassan recorded his percussion in the garden. That's why one can hear the birds singing in the background on some of the album tracks.

album: "Signing Off" (1980)

Tyler

King

12 Bar

(Instrumental)

Burden Of Shame

Adella

(Instrumental)

I Think It's Going To Rain Today

25%

(Instrumental)

Food For Thought

Little By Little

Signing Off

(Instrumental)

Madame Medusa

Strange Fruit

compilation: "The Very Best Of UB40 1980-2000" (2000)

The Earth Dies Screaming

If It Happens Again

Don't Break My Heart

(I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You

album: "UB45" (2024)

Gimme Some Kinda Sign

Kingston Town

Hope She'll Be Happier

Forever True

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"Food For Thought" lyrics

UB40 Lyrics