Here I Am / Small Axe (Come and take Me)

The song Here I Am / Small Axe (Come and Take Me) by UB40, with a duration of 4:18, is part of Labour of Love II, the ninth studio album by the English reggae band. This album, released on November 27, 1989, is the second work by the group composed entirely of covers of other songs, following the line of Labour of Love from 1983. Two hits from this album reached the Top Ten on the US Billboard Hot 100: Here I Am (Come and Take Me), which peaked at number 7, and The Way You Do the Things You Do, which reached number 6. Additionally, Kingston Town reached number four on the UK Singles Chart.

UB40, originally from Birmingham, England, formed in 1978. The band's name comes from a UK job application form. Its eight members, childhood friends, come from diverse ethnic backgrounds and the working class. Interestingly, they bought their first instruments with money Ali Campbell received as compensation after a pub fight, even though some of them couldn’t yet play. After recording a demo that aired on the radio, they began performing in local venues. It was Chrissie Hynde, lead vocalist of The Pretenders, who saw them perform and offered them a supporting slot on her 1979 tour. Their debut album, Signing Off, was released in 1980, and that same year they founded their own record label, DEP International, under which they released Present Arms in Dub. Their big break came in 1983 with their cover of Red Red Wine by Neil Diamond, included in the cover album Labour of Love. By 2010, the original lineup was still active with international concerts, despite Ali Campbell, the lead vocalist, having left the group in 2008 to form his own band.