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.
Nevermore
Midge Ure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The seas have gone dry
And the rain's stopped falling
Please don't you cry any more
Can't you see
Listen to the breeze
Whisper to me please
Don't send me to the path of nevermore
Even the valley's below
Where the rays of the sun
Were so warm and tender
Now haven't anything to grow
Can't you see?
Why did you have to leave me? (nevermore)
Why did you deceive me? (nevermore)
You sent me to the path of nevermore
When you say you didn't love me anymore
Ah ah nevermore nevermore
Midge Ure's song "Nevermore" is a beautifully haunting ballad that speaks to the theme of loneliness and despair. It begins with a desolate statement of a life without purpose and no living element within it. The metaphorical language heightens the sense of isolation and hopelessness, with an image of seas having gone dry and no rain falling. Even the valley’s below where warmth and light once existed, now lacks vitality and growth. The plea to "listen to the breeze" is a poignant symbol of desperation, begging for any kind of comfort even a whisper.
As the song progresses, the tone shifts to one of lament and blame. The singer questions why they were left, why they were deceived, and ultimately why they were sent to the path of “nevermore”. The repetition of the phrase “nevermore” throughout the song both underscores the sense of finality and drives home the harshness of the reality. The conclusion of the song leaves the listener with a sense of hopelessness, with no redemption or resolution. The final chorus of “nevermore” suggests an infinite repetition of despair and an unyielding sorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
There's no living in my life anymore
I feel empty and hopeless, like there's no point in living anymore.
The seas have gone dry
Everything beautiful and meaningful in my life has disappeared or lost its luster.
And the rain's stopped falling
The things that once nourished me and provided relief from my pain are no longer present.
Please don't you cry any more
I don't want to burden you with my pain and sorrow. Please don't cry for me.
Can't you see
Do you not understand the depth of my pain and the reason for my sorrow?
Listen to the breeze
Pay attention to the small, quiet things around you. There may be a message there for you.
Whisper to me please
Speak to me softly and thoughtfully, like a whisper in my ear. I need comfort and support.
Don't send me to the path of nevermore
Don't abandon me or leave me alone with my pain. I fear the path of nevermore, the place of no return.
Even the valley's below
Even the once-beautiful and fertile parts of my life are now barren, like a valley without life or growth.
Where the rays of the sun
Once shone brightly and infused my life with warmth and light.
Were so warm and tender
The love and care I once received from someone are now gone, leaving me cold and alone.
Now haven't anything to grow
There is no growth or potential for anything positive in this part of my life. It seems dead and empty.
Why did you have to leave me? (nevermore)
Why did you have to abandon me and take away the love and support that I so desperately needed? I fear that things will never be the same.
Why did you deceive me? (nevermore)
Why did you lie to me and lead me on, making me believe that things were okay? I fear that I can never trust anyone again.
You sent me to the path of nevermore
You caused me so much pain and confusion that I fear I can never recover. I am headed down a path of no return, a place of emptiness and despair.
Ah ah nevermore nevermore
I am haunted by the idea of nevermore, the notion that things can never be the same and that I may never find happiness or love again.
Contributed by Adalyn P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.