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.
New Europeans
Midge Ure Lyrics
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A lonely man sits cheek to cheek, with unique designs in chrome.
The mellow years have long gone by, but now he sits alone.
He has a brand new radio, but never turns it on.
[Chorus]
New Europeans.
Young Europeans.
A photograph of lovers lost, lies pressed in magazines.
Her eyes belong to a thousand girls, she's the wife who's never seen.
Their educated son has left, in search of borrowed dreams.
His television's in his bed, he's frozen to the screen.
[Chorus]
On a crowded beach washed by the sun, he puts his headphones on.
His modern world revolves around the synthesizer's song.
Full of future thoughts and thrills, his senses slip away.
He's a European legacy, a culture for today.
[Chorus]
Young Europeans.
The lyrics of Midge Ure's song "New Europeans" depict the isolated and disconnected nature of individuals living in a modern, technologically advanced society. The opening lines set the scene of a quiet street, washed by the rain, indicating a sense of desolation. The singer, described as a lonely man, sits cheek to cheek with unique designs in chrome, which could symbolize his close connection with technology and the modern world.
The next verse introduces the theme of lost love, represented by a photograph pressed in magazines. The wife is described as unseen, suggesting a lack of emotional connection within the relationship. The couple's son has also left in search of borrowed dreams, perhaps reflecting the ambition and restlessness of the younger generation. The mention of the son's frozen presence in front of the television emphasizes the alienation and detachment from reality that technology can bring.
The chorus, repeating the phrase "New Europeans," points to a broader commentary on the state of European society as a whole. It suggests that everyone is facing similar issues of disconnection and disengagement. The second verse portrays a crowded beach, reflecting the cultural diversity within Europe. The singer puts on headphones and immerses himself in the synthesized music, symbolizing the reliance on technology for both entertainment and escape. The final lines assert that the young Europeans of today are a legacy, representing a contemporary culture shaped by technology and a sense of detachment.
Overall, the lyrics of "New Europeans" present a thought-provoking exploration of the impact of technology on human relationships and the disconnection that can emerge within a modern, technologically driven society.
Line by Line Meaning
In a quiet street washed by the rain, the room within the home.
In a peaceful, rain-washed street, there is a room inside a house.
A lonely man sits cheek to cheek, with unique designs in chrome.
A solitary man sits closely with his unusual chrome designs.
The mellow years have long gone by, but now he sits alone.
The carefree years have passed, and now he finds himself alone.
He has a brand new radio, but never turns it on.
He owns a brand new radio, but he never bothers to use it.
A photograph of lovers lost, lies pressed in magazines.
Photographs of lost lovers are preserved within magazines.
Her eyes belong to a thousand girls, she's the wife who's never seen.
Her captivating eyes are desired by countless girls, but she remains an unseen wife.
Their educated son has left, in search of borrowed dreams.
Their well-educated son has departed, seeking dreams that aren't truly his own.
His television's in his bed, he's frozen to the screen.
His television is placed in his bed, and he is captivated by the screen.
On a crowded beach washed by the sun, he puts his headphones on.
In a bustling, sun-soaked beach, he wears his headphones.
His modern world revolves around the synthesizer's song.
His contemporary existence revolves around the melodies of the synthesizer.
Full of future thoughts and thrills, his senses slip away.
Overflowing with thoughts and excitement for the future, his senses gradually fade.
He's a European legacy, a culture for today.
He represents the heritage of Europe, a culture relevant in the present.
Young Europeans.
Young individuals from Europe.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER THOMAS ALLEN, MIDGE URE, WARREN REGINALD CANN, WILLIAM CURRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Glamourleichensack
Tolle Version... vielen Dank! (Pardon mein German)
Giovanni
❤️