If It Happens Again

"If It Happens Again" is a song and single written and performed by British group, UB40.^[2] It was featured on their album Geffery Morgan and was released in 1984 reaching 9, on the UK charts, staying for eight weeks.^[3] It also made 9 on the Irish charts^[4] and 8 on the Dutch charts.^[5]

"If It Happens Again"
Single by UB40
from the album Geffery Morgan
B-side	"Nkomo A Go-Go"
Released	10 September 1984 (1984-09-10)[1]
Genre	Reggae fusion
Length	3:39
Label	DEP International A&M
Songwriter	UB40
Producers	UB40 Howard Gray
UB40 singles chronology
"Cherry Oh Baby" (1984) "If It Happens Again" (1984) "Riddle Me" (1984)

"If It Happens Again" was originally an instrumental called "Bouncing Around" dating back to when the band formed in 1978.^[6] The lyrics were later written as the group's response to Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Party's victory in the 1983 UK election. It contains the lines "If it happens again I'm leaving, I'll pack my things and go... I won't say I told you so" and is considered a protest song of the time.^[7]

Track listing

7": DEP International / DEP 11

1. "If It Happens Again" – 3:39
2. "Nkomo A Go-Go" – 3:14

12": DEP International / DEP 10-12

1. "If It Happens Again" (Dance Mix) – 6:26
2. "Nkomo A Go-Go" (Dance Mix) – 4:56

12": A&M / SP-12112 (US)

1. "If It Happens Again" (Extended Version) – 6:25
2. "If It Happens Again" (Single Version) – 3:40
3. "Nkomo A Go-Go" – 4:56

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1984) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report)[8] 55 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[9] 11 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[10] 56 Ireland (IRMA)[11] 9 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[12] 7 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[13] 8 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14] 28 UK Singles (OCC)[15] 9 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[16] If It Happens Again / Nkomo A Go-Go 69

Year-end charts Chart (1984) Position Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[17] 57 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[18] 64

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[19]	Gold	15,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.