The band was formed in 1973 in London, United Kingdom on the initiative of vocalist, songwriter and keyboardist John Foxx (born Dennis Leigh). Originally known as "Tiger Lily", the first lineup included Foxx plus Chris Cross (bass guitar), Billy Currie (keyboards/violins), Stevie Shears (guitar) and Warren Cann (percussion). The group released one single in 1974, a cover of "Ain't Misbehavin'", before changing their name to "Ultravox!" (The exclamation point was a reference to krautrock band "Neu!", produced by Conny Plank, who later produced some "Ultravox" albums). On the strength of their live act, they signed to Island Records in 1976, releasing their eponymous debut album in February 1977.
In common with many other bands which would go on to form Britain's punk and New Wave movements, "Ultravox!" drew inspiration from the art-school side of glam rock, from bands such as "Roxy Music" and "The New York Dolls", plus David Bowie and Brian Eno's early pop albums. Their debut album, "Ultravox!", was self-produced by the band although Brian Eno (who's next job after these sessions was working with Bowie on his "Low" album) co-produced two songs with Steve Lillywhite. Sales were disappointing, and neither the album nor the associated single, "Dangerous Rhythm/My Sex", managed to enter the UK charts.
"Ultravox!" returned later in 1977 with the punkier "Ha!-Ha!-Ha!", although sales of both the album and its lead single "ROckWrok" - which, despite a chorus featuring the lines "Come on, let's tangle in the dark / fuck like a dog, bite like a shark", was played on BBC Radio 1 - were still unimpressive, again failing to chart. Steve Shears was sacked and later went onto form new band "Faith Global".
Although most of "Ha!-Ha!-Ha!" was dominated by guitars and electric violin, the final track, "Hiroshima Mon Amour", was a prototypical synthpop song which gave a hint to the band's new direction. It remains a critical and fan favourite of the group's early incarnation, and was performed by the group on the "Old Grey Whistle Test".
During 1978 the group quietly dropped the exclamation mark, becoming simply "Ultravox".
Just for a Moment
Ultravox! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I heard my voice break just for a moment
Talking by the window as the light fades
I felt the floor change into an ocean
We'll never leave here, never
Let's stay in here forever
And when the streets are quiet
We'll walk out in the silence
Listening to the movement that the night makes
I let the room fade just for a moment
Sitting in the shadows that the leaves make
I felt the floor change into an ocean
We'll never leave here, never
Let's stay in here forever
And when the streets are quiet
We'll walk out in the silence
Listening to the music the machines make
I let my heart break just for a moment
Listening to the music the machines make
I felt the floor change into an ocean
We'll never leave here never
Let's stay in here for ever
And when the streets are quiet
We'll walk out in the silence
The lyrics of "Just for a Moment" by Ultravox! are about being lost in a moment, getting lost in the emotion of a particular moment in time. The singer is in a room with someone else, talking in the window as the light fades. They are completely focused on each other and on the moment they are sharing. For a brief moment, the singer's voice breaks, showing their vulnerability and the depth of their emotion. They feel their surroundings change and become an ocean. The feeling of being lost in the moment is so strong that they never want to leave this place - they want to stay there forever.
As the night falls, the emotions deepen, and the scene shifts to a moment of listening to the night make its movement. The mood feels even more intense as the singer sits in the shadows that the leaves make. Again, the floor changes into an ocean, symbolizing the depth and intensity of the moment they are sharing. The singer wants to stay in this moment forever and is comforted in knowing that when they leave, they will walk out in silence.
The song builds on this same theme in the final verse - this time, the singer is listening to the music the machines make. Even in the midst of industrial noise and the hustle and bustle of modern life, the singer is still able to get lost in the moment. They let their heart break just for a moment, indicating that this moment is so profound that it has the power to emotionally move the listener. Overall, the lyrics of "Just for a Moment" convey the idea of holding onto a singular moment, being completely present and lost in the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Talking in the window as the light fades
Communicating while watching the sun go down
I heard my voice break just for a moment
My voice faltered briefly, revealing my true feelings
Talking by the window as the light fades
Conversing while watching the sunset
I felt the floor change into an ocean
My emotions overwhelmed me, changing my surroundings
We'll never leave here, never
We want to stay in this moment forever
Let's stay in here forever
We don't want this moment to end
And when the streets are quiet
When the noises of the outside world fade away
We'll walk out in the silence
We'll leave this place and be enveloped by the peacefulness of the night
Listening to the movement that the night makes
Paying attention to the sounds of the nighttime
I let the room fade just for a moment
My surroundings blurred briefly as I got lost in my thoughts
Sitting in the shadows that the leaves make
Being shaded by the leaves of trees
Listening to the music the machines make
Observing the sounds of man-made technology
I let my heart break just for a moment
Feeling intense emotions that made me shudder briefly
We'll never leave here never
We want this moment to last forever
Let's stay in here for ever
We wish to remain in this moment indefinitely
And when the streets are quiet
When the environment is calm and peaceful
We'll walk out in the silence
We'll leave and enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DENNIS LEIGH, WILLIAM CURRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@blalalalalamusic4316
My dad would play this song all the time. We would just sit and listen. No worries. Life was simple, and this really brings me back.
@ickleian
It is written in my will that this song should be played at my funeral, that's how much it means to me. Nice vid.
@ArtisanSmithy61
SO beautiful....a band ahead of their time!
@c0l57v49
A beautiful song, John FOXX and ultravox have been consistent in producing superb music
@andrereames7165
Blew my mind in 79 was 16 now 54 and still love this
@0z33y
The same
@cg6900
I’m listening to this in 2020 as a 16 year old, I’ll see if it lasts :)
@anderssvensson4554
Same for me in 2021!
@DJFormaldehyde
I love it. That song is the single most influential piece of music for me ever.
@andrereames7165
Love this album from the best Ultravox line up