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.
Waiting Days
Midge Ure Lyrics
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These waiting days, oh these waiting days
Everyone is all alone to face the ghosts of love
Innocence becomes the stone, that shatters futures from above
Oh no, oh no, don't deny me, oh don't deny me
These waiting days, oh these waiting days
To drown me in your lies
You feed the flames that fuel the fire
That spreads across our sheltered lives
Oh no, oh no, don't deny me, oh don't deny me
These waiting days, oh these waiting days
Some moments only come, then they go
Into the winds of change we watch them blow
You can't take them in your hand, but you can hold them in your heart
Through the waiting days
What price we pay, for a part we played
In a state of ignorance
A tender moment spoiled and grayed
Convicting me with no defense
Oh no, oh no, don't deny me, oh don't deny me
These waiting days, oh these waiting days
Some moments only come, then they go
Into the winds of change we watch them blow
You can't take them in your hand, but you can hold them in your heart
Through the waiting days
In "Waiting Days," Midge Ure sings about the pain of waiting for love that has not yet come, or it has vanished, and people are left alone to face their ghosts. The waiting days are filled with sadness and loneliness as people hope for a love that might never materialize. The song's lyrics suggest that innocence is shattered when love fails to come or is lost, and it becomes a burden people carry, weighing heavily on their futures.
Ure also sings about the betrayal that accompanies a failed relationship. Don't dare accuse, don't dare conspire, to drown me in your lies, he sings, suggesting that people must avoid lying to one another and spreading rumors that harm their relationships. Finally, the song ends by speaking about the fleeting nature of life and love. Some moments only come, then they go into the winds of change, into the unknown. You can't take them in your hand, but you can hold them in your heart through the waiting days, suggests the importance of cherishing and remembering the moments of love that we might miss when we get too caught up in the waiting.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh no, oh no, don't deny me, oh don't deny me
Please don't reject me or turn away from me
These waiting days, oh these waiting days
The time spent waiting for someone or something
Everyone is all alone to face the ghosts of love
Each person must confront the unresolved issues from past relationships
Innocence becomes the stone, that shatters futures from above
The purity of love can sometimes bring about unforeseen and negative consequences
Don't dare accuse, don't dare conspire
Don't falsely blame or plot against me
To drown me in your lies
To try to deceive or mislead me to my downfall
You feed the flames that fuel the fire
You intensify and provoke the conflict or disagreement
That spreads across our sheltered lives
That infects and disrupts our formerly peaceful existence
Some moments only come, then they go
Certain experiences are fleeting and temporary
Into the winds of change we watch them blow
We must accept that life is constantly in flux
You can't take them in your hand, but you can hold them in your heart
Memories cannot be tangibly grasped, but nostalgia can remain emotionally impactful
Through the waiting days
During the long stretches of time spent anticipating a reunion or future event
What price we pay, for a part we played
There are negative consequences to actions taken and decisions made
In a state of ignorance
Without being aware of the consequences or implications of our choices
A tender moment spoiled and grayed
A precious memory tarnished and ruined
Convicting me with no defense
Feeling accused or blamed for something without having a chance to explain or defend
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DANNY MITCHELL, KATE STEPHENSON, MIDGE URE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind