UB40 – One in ten
I have posted this song lyrics because they hold a pecial reference to me. In the first place UB40 is my number one all time favourit band I have been listening to since my early teens. Theire songs as well as other reggae songs have often a meaning that I can relate to and find comfort and understanding from. It helps realizing that I am not the only one who thinks further then just where my own priviledge ends.
This particular song and the song title refers to the statistic numbers of 9,6 which was the percentage of the local workforce claiming unemployment benefit in the West Midlands in the UK in the summer of 1981 when the song was released.
I believe its written not just for that moment in time alone and you can place it in many situations where this world simply just doent care. because the number of unaffected people is greater then the affected. which does not make the suffering of the affected any less. That bothers me a lot that so many people can just remain unaffected in any way as if these things don’t exist, like the song reads.
I often have felt this way myself and once again I feel it fitting for my situation once again. Im not posting it to get just that attention for me. I just hope to reach someone and that it will lead to more understanding and compassion, appreciation and support for those who are less priviledged and have been more successful and lucky in life.
UB40 One in ten
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
But 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
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
But I’m always there
A statistic, a reminder
Of a world that doesn’t care
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 teenaged suicide
In a street that has no trees
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
But I’m always there
A statistic, a reminder
Of a world that doesn’t care
I’m a starving third world mother
A refugee without a home
I’m a housewife 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
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
But I’m always there
A statistic, a reminder
Of a world that doesn’t care
(..)
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
But I’m always there
A statistic, a reminder
Of a world that doesn’t care.
