Synopsis

Set in a working-class Birmingham pub, the video follows Ali Campbell as he waits for a woman who has arranged to meet him. When she arrives with his brother Robin instead, Ali is left heartbroken and turns to drink. The black-and-white story moves between the pub and the surrounding streets, showing his increasingly drunken state before his father finds him and takes him home. The clip forms part of a larger narrative about rivalry, romance and family conflict developed for UB40's Labour of Love film.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video is an extract from the 30-minute Labour of Love film rather than a completely separate production. The film was built around songs from UB40's 1983 album of cover versions.

• The larger story centers on brothers Ali and Robin Campbell competing for the affection of the same woman. The rivalry continues into the follow-up video for "Please Don't Make Me Cry," which turns their conflict into a boxing match.

• Filming took place at the Eagle & Tun pub in Digbeth, Birmingham, and in nearby industrial locations. The pub later became associated with the song and attracted renewed attention after reopening under new ownership.

• Despite the song's title, the drink seen in the video was reportedly beer rather than red wine.

• Local factory workers were used as extras during the pub scenes. The production reportedly encouraged people to take part by providing free drinks.

• The video's depictions of smoking and drinking caused problems with television programmers. UB40 members said that "Red Red Wine" faced resistance from Top of the Pops, although the song's success eventually helped it receive exposure.

• The song is a cover of Neil Diamond's 1967 recording, although UB40 drew particularly on the reggae version recorded by Tony Tribe. The video helped establish the band's more cinematic approach to promoting Labour of Love.

• Originally released in 1983, the song was reissued in the United States in 1988 and became a No. 1 hit there, giving the existing video a second wave of international exposure.