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.
Star Crossed
Midge Ure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watch what you′ve become
Both flower and gun
You are unique
You wild, wild heart
See all you could be
Growing high and free
You wild, wild heart
Star crossed and beautiful
Stardust, untouchable
I live inside your eyes
Form your truths and lies
Part of my soul
You wild, wild heart
Near but we're worlds away
Kills me every day
This can′t go on
You wild, wild heart
Star crossed and beautiful
Stardust, untouchable
Star crossed and beatiful
Ancient and raw and fighting me
Tied up in knots inside of me
Where does it say it's easy
No, we're not alone
We′re not alone
We′re not alone
The song "Star Crossed" by Midge Ure talks about someone who is complex and multi-faceted - a mixture of beauty and danger, strength and vulnerability. The reference to being "both flower and gun" implies that the subject is capable of both softness and power. Midge Ure describes this person as having a "wild, wild heart," and acknowledges that they have the potential to achieve so much if they can channel their energy in the right direction. However, he also recognizes that this person is "forever lost" - possibly due to the fact that they are too difficult to understand or too trapped within their own thoughts and emotions.
The chorus of the song makes reference to the idea of being "star crossed," which usually means that two people are destined to be kept apart by fate or circumstances. In this context, it seems as though Midge Ure is using the phrase to describe the person that he is singing about - someone who is so unique and wild that they are almost untouchable. He talks about living "inside your eyes" and being a part of this person's soul, but acknowledges that they are still "worlds away" and that their relationship is ultimately unsustainable.
The final lines of the song - "Ancient and raw and fighting me / Tied up in knots inside of me / Where does it say it's easy / No, we're not alone / We're not alone" - suggest that Midge Ure is struggling to understand or deal with the complexities of this relationship, but that he is not alone in these struggles. The reference to something "ancient" and "raw" creates a sense of deep emotional and psychological turmoil, but the repeated reassurance that "we're not alone" suggests that this is a common human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Star crossed and beautiful
Despite any obstacles, you are both fated and attractive in your own unique way.
Watch what you′ve become
Be mindful of your actions and how they have shaped your identity.
Both flower and gun
You possess qualities that are both gentle and fierce, and these dualities complement each other.
You are unique
You are one of a kind and possess qualities that make you stand out from others.
You wild, wild heart
Your spirit is untamable and free, and leads you on both beautiful and dangerous journeys.
See all you could be
Realize your potential and the endless possibilities that your future holds.
Growing high and free
You continue to thrive and develop into your true self, uninhibited by any restrictions or boundaries.
Forever lost
Despite your adventurous spirit, you sometimes feel directionless and uncertain about your path in life.
Stardust, untouchable
You are composed of celestial matter, and your essence is unattainable and otherworldly.
I live inside your eyes
I am present in your perceptions and beliefs, and have an influence on your perspective on the world.
Form your truths and lies
I help shape your beliefs and opinions, both honest and deceitful, that you hold true to yourself and others.
Part of my soul
You are integral to my being, and our connection runs deep in our shared humanity.
Near but we're worlds away
Our closeness in proximity belies the vast differences in our perspectives and experiences.
Kills me every day
Our separation causes me great pain and suffering, and I yearn for our connection to be stronger.
This can′t go on
Our current state of distance and misunderstanding cannot persist, and we must work to build a stronger bond.
Ancient and raw and fighting me
Our history and raw emotions are at odds, and create a conflict within me that I struggle to reconcile.
Tied up in knots inside of me
My emotions and thoughts are tangled and complex, creating confusion and turmoil within me.
Where does it say it's easy
This situation is difficult and fraught with obstacles, and there is no guarantee that our connection will be easy to achieve.
No, we're not alone
Despite our struggles, we are not isolated in our experiences and can band together for support and understanding.
Star crossed and beautiful
Despite any obstacles, you are both fated and attractive in your own unique way.
Stardust, untouchable
You are composed of celestial matter, and your essence is unattainable and otherworldly.
Star crossed and beatiful
Despite any obstacles, you are both fated and attractive in your own unique way.
Writer(s): James Ure
Contributed by Tristan M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.