"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.
Critical reception Alan Jones from Music Week gave the song a score of 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."
Track listings CD maxi and 12-inch single "Higher Ground" – 4:22 "Chronic" – 3:54 "Higher Ground" (Punjabi Dub – Gerry Parchment mix) – 5:07
CD and 7-inch single "Higher Ground" – 4:22 "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)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100) 25Europe (European Hit Radio) 6Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) 2UK Airplay (Music Week) 3US Cash Box Top 100 40
Year-end charts Chart (1993)PositionEurope (European Hit Radio) 30Germany (Media Control) 96Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) 14Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 55Netherlands (Single Top 100) 89UK Singles (OCC) 68UK Airplay (Music Week) 26
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United Kingdom9 August 1993Australia6 September 1993
Certifications
References