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.
Sleepwalk
Midge Ure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rolling and falling, I'm choking and calling,
Name after name after name.
Sleepwalk.
Naked and bleeding, the streetlights stray by me,
Sleepwalk.
Helplessly breaking, exchanging my faces,
Destined, we had to collide.
Sleepwalk!
Taut on the outside, I'm crumpling and crawling,
Watching the day drag away.
Spiralling deeper, I can't feel my fingers,
Rip round my throat as I dream.
Dream!
Sleepwalk.
Midge Ure's song "Sleepwalk" is a hauntingly beautiful composition that delves deep into the horrors of living with anxiety and depression. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the singer's struggles as they navigate through life, feeling trapped in a constant cycle of fear and despair. The opening lines "Rolling and falling, I'm choking and calling, Name after name after name" set the tone for the rest of the song, describing the feeling of drowning in a sea of mental anguish.
The song continues with "Naked and bleeding, the streetlights stray by me, Hurting my eyes with their glare," depicting the vulnerability felt by the singer as their mental state leaves them exposed to the harsh realities of the world around them. The chorus repeats the word "Sleepwalk" four times, suggesting that the singer is stuck in a dream-like state, unable to break free from their mental prison. The line "Taut on the outside, I'm crumpling and crawling, Watching the day drag away" creates a sense of hopelessness and despair, as the singer feels utterly powerless in the face of their mental demons.
The poignant lyrics of "Sleepwalk" provide a powerful insight into the experiences of those living with anxiety and depression. The song's haunting melody perfectly complements the emotive lyrics, creating a deep sense of empathy and understanding for those living with mental health problems.
Line by Line Meaning
Rolling and falling, I'm choking and calling, Name after name after name.
I'm struggling and shouting for help, feeling overwhelmed by the many people in my life who have failed to assist or support me.
Naked and bleeding, the streetlights stray by me, Hurting my eyes with their glare.
I am vulnerable and wounded, exposed under the watchful gaze of society's harsh and unforgiving standards.
Helplessly breaking, exchanging my faces, Destined, we had to collide.
I am constantly changing who I am to fit in and be accepted, destined to eventually suffer a collision with my true self and identity.
Taut on the outside, I'm crumpling and crawling, Watching the day drag away.
I'm putting on a brave face despite the growing internal turmoil and exhaustion, watching time pass and feeling powerless to change my situation.
Spiralling deeper, I can't feel my fingers, Rip round my throat as I dream.
I'm sinking into a darker and more painful state of being, losing touch with reality and feeling suffocated by my own thoughts as I dream.
Sleepwalk.
I'm trapped in a state of numbness and disconnection, living my life on autopilot without truly being present or engaged.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER THOMAS ALLEN, MIDGE URE, WARREN REGINALD CANN, WILLIAM CURRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@arseniolupin8851
one of the best things about 50 years old,is the fact that i lived my teenage years in the 80's that is priceless and i am grateful !!!
@Nico-qh8jx
me ,I love this band
@Alba33602
I couldnt agree more am 50 now born 1969 new nowt about the music then or much of the 70s but being 13 14 15 16 in the early 80s OMG just fanatsic great memories even now still have tears in my eyes of those great old day. No pun intended lol mind you i did dance in front of my bedroom mirror with ' tears in my eyes' no joke :) Tony from Edinburgh....
@derekporter7658
Born 71, and I still am a huge fan of Ultravox. It was this track and Vienna that got me into it, I was into various groups before especially Gary Numan and Roxy music. Once the 70s and 80s ended and all the bands disappeared, the fun and passion went out of music and I switched off the charts for good, buried myself in heavy metal and nostalgia until they reformed and I was a teenager once more!!
@libradragon
Believe me, it was just as much fun for me and I am now 68. I love the 1980's new Wave energy. Keep it Alive!
@soulminer
I'm 51 but listened to the same music as you new romantic early goth etc
@nickball2010
What a great synth sound Billy Currie achieved, he's one of my favourite musicians.
@joannagil7631
29.01.2024 Ten rodzaj muzyki lat osiemdziesiątych ma wyjątkową charyzmę. Dla mnie, podobnie jak dla wielu osób, których dzieciństwo miało miejsce w tych latach, budzi to miłe wspomnienia, których mamy nadzieję nigdy nie zapomnieć😊
@geoffreyjonathanwilson5826
A masterpiece from 1980 in my opinion.
@barrysmith8920
I was FIVE feet in front of Billy in Tempe Arizona on their Vienna Tour '1980!!!
He's a musical wonder. Very VERY few classical musicians can create their own musical sound and style in rock. Billy is one of the very few.🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟