Higher Ground (UB40 song)

"Higher Ground" is a song written and performed by English reggae band UB40. It was released in August 1993 by Virgin Records as the second single from their 10th album, Promises and Lies. The song, which was also produced by the band, reached the top 10 in Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. In the US, it reached numbers 45 and 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100.

"Higher Ground"
Single by UB40
from the album Promises and Lies
B-side	"Chronic"
Released	9 August 1993 (1993-08-09)[1]
Genre	Reggae
Length	4:22
Label	Virgin
Songwriter(s)	UB40
Producer(s)	UB40
UB40 singles chronology
"(I Can't Help) Falling in Love With You" (1993) "Higher Ground" (1993) "Bring Me Your Cup" (1993)
Music video
"Higher Ground" on YouTube

Critical reception

Alan Jones from Music Week gave the song four out of five, writing, "Given the daunting task of following the number one success of "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You", "Higher Ground" is a brave try. A bright but old-fashioned reggae song — no ragga influences here — it bounds along and quickly engrains itself on the subconscious. Not a number one but sure to reach the Top 10."^[2]

Track listings

• CD maxi and 12-inch single

1. "Higher Ground" – 4:22
2. "Chronic" – 3:54
3. "Higher Ground" (Punjabi Dub – Gerry Parchment mix) – 5:07

• CD and 7-inch single

1. "Higher Ground" – 4:22
2. "Chronic" – 3:54

Personnel

• All tracks produced by UB40
• Co-produced and engineered by Gerry Parchment and Delroy McLaan
• Front image cover : "Skin". Raw Orange into Black (1991–1993) by Peter Max Kandhola
• Calligraphy : Ruth Rowland
• Design : Bill Smith Studio
• Management : David Harper Management Ltd.

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1993) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[3] 40 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[4] 16 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[5] 14 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[6] 65 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[7] 25 Europe (European Hit Radio)[8] 6 France (SNEP)[9] 23 Germany (GfK)[10] 21 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[11] 2 Ireland (IRMA)[12] 9 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[13] 8 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[14] 9 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[15] 8 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[16] 27 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[17] 19 UK Singles (OCC)[18] 8 UK Airplay (Music Week)[19] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[20] 45 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[21] 14 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[22] 16 US Cash Box Top 100[23] 40

Year-end charts Chart (1993) Position Germany (Media Control)[24] 96 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[25] 14 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[26] 55 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[27] 89 UK Singles (OCC)[28] 68 UK Airplay (Music Week)[29] 26