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.
Rising
Midge Ure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watch the whole world crack apart
Feeding me, feeding me, feeding me, life, ohoho
See as the dazzling light hits my eyes
And it fires up my heart
Giving me, giving me, giving me, life, ohohohooo
Pour your light in my way, ohooo
Shining out in the East is our day
Pour your power my way, ohohooo
Filled with the strongest emotions of all
As our fingertips entwine
Feeding me, feeding me, feeding me, life, ohoho
Taste the embrace of the highest of highs
As your soul rejoices mine
Giving me, giving me, giving me, life, ohohohooo
Rising up in the East is our day
Pour your light in my way, ohooo
Shining out in the East is our day
Pour your power my way, ohohooo
Rising up in the East is our day
Pour your light in my way, ohooo
Shining out in the East is our day
Pour your power my way, ohooo
Rising up in the East is our day
Pour your light in my way, ohooo
Shining out in the East is our day
Pour your power my way, oh
Rising up in the East is our day
Pour your light in my way, ohooo
Shining out in the East is our day
Pour your power my way, ohooo
The lyrics of Midge Ure's song "Rising" describe the feeling of standing on a mountain high and watching the world crack apart while feeling a surge of life energy. The first two lines of the song create an image of standing on a mountain and watching the world crumble, yet instead of feeling fear or devastation, the singer of the song is filled with life energy. The lines "Feeding me, feeding me, feeding me, life," and "Giving me, giving me, giving me, life" both show the power of this energy is life-affirming and renewing. The second verse talks about the dazzling light that hits the singer's eyes and ignites their heart, giving them a similar life energy.
The chorus of the song, "Rising up in the East is our day, pour your light in my way, shining out in the East is our day, pour your power my way," is a message of hope to the listener. The East is typically associated with new beginnings and fresh starts, and being the direction of the rising sun, it can also symbolize the dawn of a new day. The chorus calls on opportunity and the power to overcome obstacles to come in the direction of the singer, filling them with the same hope and strength they describe in the verses.
Overall, Midge Ure's "Rising" is an uplifting song about the power of the universe, the potential for renewal and growth, and the lightning bolt of energy that can come when one is in sync with the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Stood on a mountain high as the sky
Standing tall, above everything else, experiencing a breathtaking view
Watch the whole world crack apart
Observing the devastation around the world
Feeding me, feeding me, feeding me, life, ohoho
Feeding the artist with inspiration and hope for a better future
See as the dazzling light hits my eyes
Experiencing a burst of energy and new opportunities
And it fires up my heart
Feeling immensely passionate and alive
Giving me, giving me, giving me, life, ohohohooo
Inspiring the artist and providing him with life-altering motivation
Rising up in the East is our day
Feeling hopeful that the future holds better things
Pour your light in my way, ohooo
Let the light of hope illuminate the path forward
Shining out in the East is our day
The artist envisions a better, brighter tomorrow
Pour your power my way, ohohooo
The artist seeks inspiration and wisdom to continue pushing forward
Filled with the strongest emotions of all
Feeling intensely emotional and passionate
As our fingertips entwine
Experiencing a deep connection with another person
Taste the embrace of the highest of highs
Experiencing the bliss and happiness of a new connection
As your soul rejoices mine
Feeling an overwhelming connection with another person's soul
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: K. STEPHENSON, M. URE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind