Midge Ure OBE (born James Ure on October 10, 1953 in Cambuslang, Lanarkshir… Read Full Bio ↴Midge Ure OBE (born James Ure on October 10, 1953 in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, Scotland) is a pop and rock and roll musician from Scotland, known for his particular success as a guitarist and singer-songwriter in the 70s and 80s. His stage name, "Midge", is a phonetic reversal of his real name, "Jim". Beginning his career in the pop rock band Slik, he would go on to play for power poppers Rich Kids and temporarily for Thin Lizzy.

Things kicked into high gear when he replaced John Foxx as the singer of the famous electronic music group Ultravox in 1979. Shortly afterwards, the New Wave band had a huge U.K. hit with "Vienna", and it became one of Britain's most popular groups for several years. As well, later that year, Ure also formed the band Visage. In 1980, Ure and Thin Lizzy leader Phil Lynott co-wrote Lynott's biggest solo hit, titled "Yellow Pearl". A re-recording of the song done in 1981 was used as the theme for 'Top of the Pops', a music-centered television series.

In 1984, Ure co-wrote, with Bob Geldof, the Band Aid hit, "Do They Know It's Christmas?". He was one of the few featured stars who did not sing solo on the recording. The following year, Ure scored his one and only solo U.K. number one single with "If I Was", a wistful track that's since been considered his 'signature song'. This was followed by an album titled 'The Gift'. With Ure's mind clearly on other matters, Ultravox took second place and soon dissolved.

Ure's solo career continued into the 90s with sporadic success. However, "Breathe" was an international hit single, helped by its inclusion in a TV advertising campaign for Swatch watches. Ultravox songs with his work remained popular among many electronic music fans.

Ure more recently organized the Live 8 concerts with Bob Geldof with the aim of pressuring G8 leaders into following his recipe for ending world poverty. In 2005 he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to music and charity.

Ure has been married twice: to actress and writer Annabel Giles (with whom he has one daughter, Molly) and to Sheridan Ure (with whom he has three daughters, Kitty, Ruby and Flossie).

His daughter Molly has followed her father into the music industry, as the guitarist and vocalist of all-girl group The Faders.

Alfie
Midge Ure Lyrics

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What's it all about Alfie
Is it just for the moment we live

What's it all about
When you sort it out, Alfie
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind?

And if, if only fools are kind, Alfie
Then I guess it is wise to be cruel
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
What will you lend on an old golden rule?

As sure as I believe there's a heaven above
Alfie, I know there's something much more
Something even non-believers can believe in

I believe in love, Alfie
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Until you find the love you've missed
You're nothing, Alfie

When you walk let your heart lead the way

And you'll find love any day Alfie, oh Alfie
What's it all about Alfie?

Overall Meaning

The song "Alfie" by Midge Ure poses a series of questions that reflect the existential pondering of life's purpose and the morality that underlies individual choices. The questions posed in the song lyrically reflect an interrogative tone with a sense of urgency, as the singer genuinely seeks to understand the reason for our existence. The song's opening lines ask the titular Alfie about the meaning of life's fleeting moments and whether they hold more significance than we realize. This line echoes a sentiment that speaks to the fleetingness of time and the urgency to make the most out of life before it's too late.

As the song continues, the singer lays out a series of dichotomies that people face in life, such as whether one should take more than they give or be kinder. The chorus of the song is where the singer contemplates the significance of love, and how it is what truly makes life worth living. The belief that love is what gives life meaning is the central premise of the song, as the singer concludes that until one finds love, they are nothing.

Overall, the song's theme is about the search for meaning and how love is what gives us direction and purpose. Midge Ure's lyrics are thought-provoking and resonate with listeners who are searching for reasons behind their existence.

Line by Line Meaning

What's it all about Alfie
Alfie, what does life mean?

Is it just for the moment we live
Are we only living to enjoy the present moment?

When you sort it out, Alfie
After figuring out life, Alfie

Are we meant to take more than we give
Should we be selfish and take more than we give?

Or are we meant to be kind?
Or should we be kind to one another?

And if, if only fools are kind, Alfie
If only foolish people are kind, Alfie

Then I guess it is wise to be cruel
Then it must be smart to be mean

And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
If only the strong survive, Alfie

What will you lend on an old golden rule?
What value do you place on traditional moral principles?

As sure as I believe there's a heaven above
I strongly believe in heaven's existence

Alfie, I know there's something much more
Alfie, there's more to life than what we see