Released 1 September 1983 Genre Reggae Producer Ray Falconer and UB40 | Recorded 1982-1983 Length 39:52 | |
Label DEP International/Virgin (UK)
A&M (US) | ||
Labour of Love is a reggae album by UB40, the band's fourth album and first covers album. It was originally released on 1 September 1983 and included the hits, "Red, Red Wine" (UK No. 1, US #1), "Cherry Oh Baby" (UK #12), "Many Rivers to Cross" (UK #16), and "Please Don't Make Me Cry" (UK #10).
Contents
Production
The entire album consists of cover versions of songs originally released by the group's musical idols. The most notable track is the cover of Neil Diamond's "Red, Red Wine," which reached No. 1 in the United Kingdom upon its release. The song originally reached #34 in the United States, but upon its re-release in the US in 1988, it topped the chart. The album and 12" version included a toasted verse by Astro, later copied by Neil Diamond in his live performances.
The band would later continue the series and release three more cover albums, Labour of Love II, Labour of Love III and Labour of Love IV.
The album was accompanied by a video also entitled Labour of Love, consisting of various music videos for the songs and tied together with a storyline showing the band working in the dump yard and relationships with wives, families and girlfriends. The film was directed by Bernard Rose.
Reception
The album reached No. 1 in the UK and No. 8 in the United States. With the inclusion of the new version of "Red, Red Wine," the album regained popularity in 1988 and climbed to No. 15 in the US
In 1989, it was ranked No. 98 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 100 Greatest Albums of the 80s.