One in Ten
UB40
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[Chorus] I am the one in ten A number on a list I am the one in ten Even though I don't exist Nobody Knows me Even though I'm always there A statistic, a reminder Of a world that doesn't care My arms enfold the dole queue Malnutrition dulls my hair My eyes are black and lifeless With an underprivileged stare I'm the beggar on the corner Will no-one spare a dime? I'm the child that never learns to read 'Cause no-one spared the time [Chorus] I am the one in ten, I'm the murderer and the victim The license with the gun I'm a sad and bruised old lady In an ally in a slum I'm a middle aged businessman With chronic heart disease I'm another teenage suicide In a street that has no trees [Chorus] I am the one in ten, I'm a starving third world mother A refugee without a home I'm a house wife hooked on Valium I'm a Pensioner alone I'm a cancer ridden specter Covering the earth I'm another hungry baby I'm an accident of birth. [Chorus] I am the one in ten
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Written by: JIM BROWN, ALI CAMPBELL, ROBIN CAMPBELL, EARL FALCONER, NORMAN HASSAN, BRIAN TRAVERS, MICHAEL VIRTUE, TERRENCE OSWALD WILSON
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
13 facts about this song
Band Origin"UB40" is a reggae band that hailed from the United Kingdom, originating in Birmingham in 1978.
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Song InterpretationThe song "One in Ten" is widely interpreted as a critique on the government for its failures in combatting unemployment.
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Original Release"One in Ten" was originally released as a single in the year 1981.
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Chart SuccessThe song enjoyed immense success; it managed to reach the #7 position in the UK singles chart.
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Album InclusionIt was later included in the band's second album entitled "Present Arms," which was released in the same year.
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Song Influence"One in Ten" was greatly influenced by the socio-political conditions of the time; the song was a commentary on the Thatcher-led government in Britain.
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Inspirational TitleThe song's title "One in Ten" was taken directly from the unemployment rate in the UK at the time the song was written.
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Contemporary VersionIn 1991, almost a decade after the original release, a remix of "One in Ten" was released and managed to reach #17 on the UK singles chart.
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Rare AchievementThe song remains one of only a small number of chart hits to be inspired by - and make a direct commentary on - socio-economic issues.
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Prominent Legacy"One in Ten" remains one of UB40’s most loved songs and is still often played on radio stations around the world.
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Cover VersionBritish electronica band 808 State released their cover version of "One in Ten" in 1992 which also climbed to #17 in the UK singles chart.
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Iconic LyricsThe lyrics "I am the one in ten / A number on a list / I am the one in ten / Even though I don’t exist" became familiar across the UK, underlining the grim reality of unemployed individuals being reduced to mere statistics.
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Continued RelevanceThe song's message about unemployment still resonates with many people today, making it a timeless piece of music.
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Citation
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"One in Ten Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1296133/UB40/One+in+Ten>.
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