Rat in Mi Kitchen

"Rat in Mi Kitchen" is a song written and performed by British reggae and pop group UB40. It features Herb Alpert on trumpet^{[citation needed]} and is the sixth track on their album 1986 Rat in the Kitchen. Released as a single on 5 January 1987, it reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart later the same month, staying on the chart for seven weeks.

"Rat in Mi Kitchen"
Single by UB40
from the album Rat in the Kitchen
B-side	"Rat in Mi Kitchen" (version)[1]
Released	5 January 1987 (1987-01-05)[2]
Length	6:58
Label	DEP International
Songwriter(s)	UB40
Producer(s)	UB40
UB40 singles chronology
"All I Want to Do" (1986) "Rat in Mi Kitchen" (1987) "Watchdogs" (1987)
Official audio
"Rat in Mi Kitchen" on YouTube

Although "Rat in Mi Kitchen" is attributed to the whole group, like many UB40 songs, it was written by Astro. At the time, lead singer Ali Campbell had moved into a new home in Balsall Heath, Birmingham and was troubled by rodents. When asked by Astro if he had any ideas for new songs he replied, "Oh God, I don't care about the album for a minute, I've got a rat in the kitchen!" Astro, who sings lead vocals on the song, wrote the track in response.^[3]

The sleeve artwork is by Bob Linney.^[4]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1987)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[5]	84
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[6]	4
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[7]	23
Ireland (IRMA)[8]	7
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[9]	7
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[10]	7
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[11]	45
UK Singles (OCC)[12]	12

Year-end charts

Chart (1987)	Position
Belgium (Ultratop)[13]	64
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[14]	47
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[15]	41

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[16]	Silver	200,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.