UB40 - Signing Off - 12" Vinyl LP and Maxi-Single Album

- Roots reggae from di streets of Birmingham – conscious vibes, rebel sound, an' dubwise fire!

UB40 Signing Off album cover mimicking a yellow UK unemployment benefit attendance card with typed instructions, blank fields for personal details, and a red rubber-stamped 'Signing Off' diagonally across the form. Includes boxed weekday labels and instructions for benefit claims.

"Signing Off" be UB40's first fire drop—straight outta Brum town inna ’80, full up a roots riddim, heavy bass, an’ righteous lyrics. Dem tune blaze truth ’bout hard life, system pressure, an’ unity. Dis one nah just music, it a message—real rebel sound fi di people. A reggae heartbeat from Babylon’s backyard!

Album Description: Signing Off

In the vibrant landscape of reggae music, few bands have made as profound an impact as UB40. Their debut album, "Signing Off", released on 29 August 1980 by the independent label Graduate Records, stands as a testament to the band's unique sound and social consciousness.

"Signing Off" showcased UB40's masterful fusion of reggae, pop, and rock, captivating listeners with its distinctive sound. The album blended traditional reggae elements, such as deep basslines, skanking guitars, and vibrant horns, with contemporary influences. UB40's ability to infuse their music with a range of genres, including soul, dub, and punk, created a captivating and innovative sonic experience.

Beyond its musical excellence, "Signing Off" carried a potent sociopolitical message. The album tackled themes of unemployment, social unrest, and racial inequality, reflecting the band's deep-rooted concerns about the state of society. UB40's lyrics provided a voice for the marginalized, shedding light on the struggles faced by the working class and disenfranchised communities.

"Signing Off" was a commercial success, reaching number two on the UK Albums Chart. The album's release marked the beginning of UB40's long and illustrious career, which would span decades and earn them a devoted global fanbase. Moreover, "Signing Off" solidified UB40's reputation as a socially conscious band that used their platform to shed light on pressing issues. Their ability to create music that resonated with diverse audiences while maintaining their unique identity is a testament to their talent and vision.

The vinyl LP and maxi-single format of "Signing Off" added to its allure. Vinyl records offered a tactile and immersive listening experience, allowing fans to savor the richness and warmth of the music. The larger format of a 12" LP provided space for album artwork that enhanced the overall aesthetic appeal and served as a visual representation of the band's identity and message.

UB40: Reggae Revolution from Birmingham

UB40 is a British reggae and pop band formed in Birmingham in 1978, known for blending Caribbean rhythms with socially conscious lyrics. Their smooth, horn-driven sound brought reggae to the mainstream with hits like Red Red Wine, Kingston Town, and Can't Help Falling in Love. Named after a UK unemployment form, the band reflected working-class struggles while celebrating unity and multiculturalism. UB40 sold over 70 million records worldwide, becoming one of the UK’s most iconic reggae groups.

Bob Lamb: The Bedroom Producer Behind UB40’s Breakthrough

Bob Lamb played a pivotal role in UB40's early success. As a local musician and producer in Birmingham, he offered his modest bedsit—dubbed the "Home of the Hits"—as a recording space when the band couldn't afford a professional studio. There, Lamb co-produced their debut album Signing Off, capturing its raw, politically charged reggae sound. His belief in the band's potential and his hands-on approach provided UB40 with the platform to launch their career, leading to chart-topping hits and international acclaim.

Production & Recording Information
  • Producers: Bob Lamb, Ray "Pablo" Falconer
  • Sound/Recording Engineers: Bob Lamb, Neil Black, Rafe McKenna
  • Recording Dates: 21–24 December 1979, 31 March–10 April 1980, 16 June–1 July 1980
  • Recording Studios: The Music Centre; Bob Lamb's "Home of the Hits"
  • Album Cover Design: David Tristram
Music Genre:

British 1980s Reggae

Label & Catalognr:

Graduate Records – GRADLP 2

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" LP and 12" Maxi-Single Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Records
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 460 gram  

Year & Country:

1980 Portugal

Musicians:
  • Ali Campbell – Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
  • Robin Campbell – Vocals, Lead Guitar
  • Brian Travers – Melodica, Saxophone
  • Earl Falconer – Bass Guitar
  • Jim Brown – Drums
  • Michael Virtue – Keyboards
  • Norman Lamont Hassan – Percussion, Congas
Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Tyler
  2. King
  3. 12 Bar
  4. Burden Of Shame
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Adella
  2. I Think It's Going To Rain Today
  3. 25%
  4. Food For Thought
  5. Little By Little
  6. Signing Off
Tracklisting Side C:
  1. C Madam Medusa
Tracklisting Side D:
  1. Strange Fruit
  2. Reefer Madness
High Resolution & Quality Photos
UB40 Signing Off album cover mimicking a yellow UK unemployment benefit attendance card with typed instructions, blank fields for personal details, and a red rubber-stamped 'Signing Off' diagonally across the form. Includes boxed weekday labels and instructions for benefit claims.

Front Cover Photo of UB40 - Signing Off

This album cover is a faithful visual replica of a 1980s British government unemployment benefit attendance card, printed in a vivid yellow tone. The top section includes blank form fields labeled Surname, Initials, NI Number, and Post Office, designed to resemble bureaucratic paperwork. The card is divided into segments with thick black lines and blue numbered headings.

Section 1 titled “Important Notice About Claiming Benefit” contains tightly packed instructional text, outlining when and how unemployment benefits must be claimed. Days of the week—MON through FRI—are listed in a vertical box to the right, and a blank square labeled “Signing box” is also visible.

The lower section, marked with a large 2, provides instructions for claiming outstanding benefit, including a statement to be signed by the claimant. Blank lines are included for dates and a signature.

Stamped diagonally across the bottom right section in bold red is the phrase SIGNING OFF, mimicking a rubber-stamp. The typography and layout give the impression of official UK documentation, emphasizing the band’s themes of working-class struggle and social commentary.

Photo Of The Back Cover UB40 Signing Off
Back cover of UB40 Signing Off album, styled as an official UK unemployment benefit envelope with yellow background, official markings, post stamp design, and reversed printed text.

Back Cover Photo of UB40 - Signing Off

This image presents the back cover of the album as a stylized reproduction of an official British government envelope used for unemployment benefit correspondence. The background is a solid canary yellow, continuing the visual identity established on the front.

Prominently displayed in the top half (upside-down by design) is the continuation of form sections labeled for official use, including handwritten fields for course type, employer name and address, and dates related to benefit claims. This formatting mimics the reverse of a genuine government form and is deliberately printed upside-down to simulate folded official paperwork.

The lower section features the formal salutation ON HER MAJESTY’S SERVICE, followed by a fictitious mailing address to the Department of Employment, Unemployment Benefit Office. To the right, a faux postage stamp graphic includes a crown emblem and the phrase OFFICIAL PAID, with a boxed number 1, reinforcing the institutional look.

The band’s name UB40 is discreetly printed in the bottom left corner. In the bottom right, text reads GRADUATE RECORDS GRAD LP2, and a small white sticker in the corner indicates the album was MADE IN PORTUGAL.

Photo of the inside cover UB40 Signing Off 33RPM
Inside cover of UB40 Signing Off 45 RPM Maxi-Single showing track list Madam Medusa, Strange Fruit, Reefer Madness, credits to Rafe McKenna, Ray Falconer, and Neil Black, with production details and a black minimalist background.

Inside Cover Photo of UB40 - Signing Off (45 RPM Maxi-Single)

This image features the inner sleeve of the 45 RPM Maxi-Single from UB40's "Signing Off" release. The layout is stark and minimalist, set against a solid matte black background with all text in white sans-serif font aligned left and right.

On the top left, large bold text reads 45 R.P.M., immediately followed by the track listing: Madam Medusa, Strange Fruit, and Reefer Madness. To the right of each song, respective publishing rights are noted: New Claims · Graduate · ATV for the first and third tracks, and Planetary Nom (London) Ltd. for the second.

Production credits are listed at the bottom. It reads: Produced and Recorded by UB40 and Ray Pablo Falconer at The Music Center, with Engineer Rafe McKenna and Assistant Engineer Neil Black, recorded over three days: 18–20 July 1980.

A personal thank-you message appears in the middle: Thanks to everyone that helped — we know who all of you are. The bottom line includes copyright information, design credit (Geoffrey & David Tristram), and the record label’s address in Dudley, West Midlands. The Graduate Records logo appears at the bottom left.

Photo of the inside cover UB40 Signing Off
Inside sleeve of UB40 Signing Off with band member credits, instruments, and full lyrics to the song Madam Medusa printed in white on a black background.

Inside Sleeve Photo of UB40 - Signing Off (Band Credits & Lyrics)

This inner sleeve features a high-contrast black background with white text neatly arranged into two sections. On the upper half, the names of the UB40 band members are listed in bold, all-uppercase letters:

Astro – Talk Over Vocal
Jim Brown – Drums
Ali Campbell – Lead Vocal, Rhythm Guitar
Robin Campbell – Vocal, Lead Guitar
Earl Falconer – Bass
Norman Lamont Hassan – Percussion, Congas
Brian Travers – Tenor Saxophone
Michael Virtue – Keyboard, Strings, Organ

The lower portion of the sleeve contains the full lyrics to the track Madam Medusa, set in evenly spaced lines of capital letters. The lyrics form a poetic and politically charged narrative, describing a symbolic figure of dread and corruption, using vivid imagery like “Lady with the marble smile” and “Her tree of evil knowledge sprouts a special branch.”

The typography is minimalistic, consistent with the stark aesthetic of the album’s design, emphasizing the message over visuals and contributing to the socially conscious identity of the release.

Photo Side One UB40 Signing Off 33RPM
Close-up of UB40 Signing Off vinyl label Side 1, showing 45 RPM format, track title Madam Medusa, Graduate Records logo, publishing credits, and all rights reserved text.

Vinyl Label Photo - Side 1 of UB40 Signing Off (Maxi-Single)

This high-resolution close-up captures the center label of Side 1 from UB40’s "Signing Off" 45 RPM vinyl maxi-single. The label is a matte black with clean white text and centered around the record spindle hole. A visible vinyl texture and the faint outline of concentric pressing rings give it a tactile, authentic look.

Dominating the upper section is the Graduate Records logo: a stylized pen nib overlaying a sunrise or record groove motif enclosed in a circle. To the right, bold uppercase text reads SIDE 1 and SPA (likely denoting rights society information).

The large, blocky 45 RPM designation on the left clearly marks the playback speed. Below, the track title Madam Medusa appears centered, with songwriting and publishing credits in parentheses: (UB40) / Graduate / New Claims / ATV.

At the bottom, UB40 is printed in bold, capital letters. Surrounding the outer rim in small text is the standard copyright warning: All rights of the producer and of the owner of the recorded work reserved. Unauthorised public performance, broadcasting and copying prohibited.

Photo of Side Two UB40 Signing Off 33RPM
UB40 Signing Off vinyl label Side 2 with 45 RPM format, tracks Strange Fruit and Reefer Madness, Graduate Records logo, publishing credits, and copyright warning on a black background.

Vinyl Label Photo - Side 2 of UB40 Signing Off (Maxi-Single)

This detailed image shows the center label of Side 2 from the "Signing Off" 45 RPM vinyl maxi-single by UB40. The label retains a black background with bold white print and is centered around a spindle hole with signs of wear from play.

At the top, the iconic Graduate Records logo appears once more, featuring a circular emblem with a stylized pen nib and grooves that evoke both writing and sound waves. Below this, the text 45 RPM is boldly printed to the left, indicating the playback speed.

To the right, SIDE 2 and SPA (likely referring to the Spanish rights society) are displayed in clean uppercase font. The track listing includes:

Strange Fruit – (L. Allan) (Planetary Nom)
Reefer Madness – (UB40) (Graduate / New Claims / ATV)

The bottom of the label displays the band name UB40 in bold white type. A legal disclaimer encircles the edge of the label, reading: All rights of the producer and of the owner of the recorded work reserved. Unauthorised public performance, broadcasting and copying of this record prohibited.

Photo of the custom inner sleeve UB40 Signing Off 45RPM
UB40 Signing Off inner sleeve showing 33 RPM tracklist including Tyler, King, Food for Thought, and Signing Off, with copyright info, production credits to Bob Lamb, and black minimalist layout.

Inner Sleeve Photo - 33 RPM Tracklist of UB40 - Signing Off

This image shows the inner sleeve of UB40’s "Signing Off" album, specifically the 33 RPM full-length LP track listing. It features a clean, high-contrast black background with white text, styled in minimalist fashion. The tracklist is aligned on the left and includes:

Tyler
King
12 Bar
Burden of Shame
Adella
I Think It's Going to Rain Today
25%
Food for Thought
Little by Little
Signing Off

To the right of each song title are the publishing rights, primarily attributed to New Claims · Graduate · ATV, with two exceptions: I Think It's Going to Rain Today credited to R. Newman · Inter Song, and 25% to New Claims · Graduate · ITC.

At the bottom, production and engineering credits list Bob Lamb and UB40, with recording sessions held at Bob Lamb’s Home of the Hits. Dates of recording are specified as: 21–24 December 1979, 31 March–10 April 1980, and 16 June–1 July 1980.

Copyright © 1980 is attributed to Graduate Records, located at 1 Union Street, Dudley, West Midlands. Design concept and artwork are credited to Geoffrey & David Tristram. UB40’s contact is listed as a P.O. Box in Sparkbrook, Birmingham.

Photo of the custom inner sleeve UB40 Signing Off 45RPM
UB40 Signing Off inner sleeve with band credits and lyrics to Burden of Shame, highlighting political commentary on British colonialism and apartheid, printed in white on black background.

Inner Sleeve Photo - UB40 Signing Off (Band Credits & Lyrics to Burden of Shame)

This inner sleeve features a bold black background with crisp white text divided into two sections. The upper portion repeats the band lineup, listing each member’s name and instrument:

Astro – Talk Over Vocal
Jim Brown – Drums
Ali Campbell – Lead Vocal, Rhythm Guitar
Robin Campbell – Vocal, Lead Guitar
Earl Falconer – Bass
Norman Lamont Hassan – Percussion, Congas
Brian Travers – Tenor Saxophone, Melodica
Michael Virtue – Keyboard, Strings, Organ

Below this, printed in uniform uppercase type, are the lyrics to Burden of Shame—one of UB40’s most politically charged songs. The text confronts British colonialism, apartheid, and the complicity of silence. Lines such as "There are murders that we must account for" and "There's a soldier's hand on the trigger but it's we who are pointing the gun" are stark calls for awareness and responsibility.

The monochrome design and uncluttered layout highlight the seriousness of the message, reinforcing UB40's identity as a band deeply committed to social justice and political activism through reggae music.

Photo Side One UB40 Signing Off
Label of UB40 Signing Off LP Side One showing 33 RPM speed, Graduate Records logo, tracklist including Tyler and Burden of Shame, and publishing credits to Graduate, New Claims, and ATV.

Vinyl Label Photo - Side One of UB40 Signing Off (33 RPM LP)

This image presents the vinyl label of Side One from UB40’s debut album "Signing Off," released under Graduate Records. The label is printed in white on matte black and features a central spindle hole with light signs of wear.

Dominating the top half is the classic Graduate Records logo, a stylized pen nib crossing over circular grooves, evoking the fusion of documentation and sound. Just beneath and to the left is the large and bold 33 RPM playback speed marker.

To the right, printed in capital letters, is the album title SIGNING OFF and the band’s name UB40. Below it is the catalog number GRADLP 2 and SPA, possibly indicating publishing or rights jurisdiction.

The track listing includes:

Tyler
King
12 Bar
Burden of Shame

At the bottom, a publishing credit states: All titles by UB40 &mp published by Graduate / New Claims / ATV. A standard legal warning encircles the outer rim: All rights of the producer and of the owner of the recorded work reserved. Unauthorised public performance, broadcasting and copying of this record prohibited.

Photo of Side Two UB40 Signing Off
Label of UB40 Signing Off LP Side Two with 33 RPM, tracklist including Adella and Food for Thought, published by Graduate, New Claims, ATV, and Interworld, featuring copyright and rights text.

Vinyl Label Photo - Side Two of UB40 Signing Off (33 RPM LP)

This photo displays the center label of Side Two from the UB40 album "Signing Off," a 33 RPM long play record issued by Graduate Records. The background is matte black with white print and a circular spindle hole in the center.

At the top is the Graduate Records logo featuring a pen nib over stylized record grooves, followed by the large 33 RPM marking on the left and the album and band name SIGNING OFF / UB40 on the right. The catalog number GRADLP 2 and designation SPA are printed below.

The track listing for Side Two includes:

Adella
I Think It’s Going to Rain Today
25%
Food for Thought
Little by Little
Signing Off

A note at the bottom specifies publishing rights: All titles by UB40 & published by Graduate / New Claims / ATV, except "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" (R. Newman) (Interworld), and "25%" (UB40) (Graduate / New Claims / ITC).

The rim text states: All rights of the producer and of the owner of the recorded work reserved. Unauthorised public performance, broadcasting and copying of this record prohibited, reinforcing copyright protection.