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 Misbehaving," before changing their name to Ultravox!, the exclamation point being a reference to the krautrock band Neu! that was 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, as well as from David Bowie and Brian Eno's early pop-fueled albums. Their eponymous debut album was self-produced by the band, yet Brian Eno (whose next job after these sessions was working with Bowie on 'Low') co-produced two songs and Steve Lillywhite also contributed. Sales were disappointing, and neither 'Ultravox!' nor the associated single "Dangerous Rhythm" managed to enter the U.K. 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, they had a growing fan-base. Steve Shears was sacked, later deciding to form the 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 synth pop 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 it was even performed by the group on the 'Old Grey Whistle Test'. In 1978, the group quietly dropped the exclamation mark, becoming simply "Ultravox".
Their third album, 1978's Systems of Romance, was recorded under the ear of Conny Plank at his studio in rural Germany and featured new guitarist Robin Simon. It also failed commercially and Island dropped the band. After a US tour in 1979, John Foxx left to pursue a solo career whilst Robin Simon left to join the band Magazine. Musically, the album was a distinct development from the band's previous work and provided a blueprint for Ultravox's subsequent work, bringing synthesisers to the forefront of the group's sound. Island released a compilation of highlights from the group's first three albums in 1979, Three Into One, which was until the mid-1990s the most widespread of Ultravox's early releases.
Midge Ure, an already accomplished musician, was asked to join the band. He had achieved minor success with semi-glam outfit Slik and Glen Matlock's more punk-inspired The Rich Kids, although in 1979 he was temporarily playing with hard rock band Thin Lizzy. Midge Ure and Billy Currie had met in the Visage project, a studio project fronted by Steve Strange. Midge therefore replaced John Foxx for their next album, which would become their most successful to date, taking the already influential Ultravox sound and giving it a commercial appeal it had previously lacked.
Recorded in London and mixed by Conny Plank and the band once more in Germany,
Vienna was released on the new label Chrysalis Records in 1980, achieving a substantial hit with the title track (inspired by Carol Reed's The Third Man), which was accompanied with a distinctive video. It topped out at number two (Joe Dolce's "Shaddap You Face" infamously kept it from the top spot) on the UK Top 40 in 1981. The album reached number five, and was soon followed by Rage in Eden (1981), the band returning to Conny Plank's studio for what turned out to be a difficult recording session.
Ultravox teamed up with legendary producer George Martin for 1982's Quartet, which became their most successful album in the USA.
After touring with their 1984 Lament, and appearing at Live Aid, Warren Cann was fired and pursued a career in acting in the USA. The remaining members, along with Big Country's Mark Brzezicki, resurfaced with U-Vox in 1986 before going their separate ways the following year. Billy Currie and singer/guitarist Tony Fenelle reformed the band in 1992 to record Revelation, and Sam Blue lent his voice to their final release, Ingenuity (1996).
The band's international legion of followers yearned for some sort of reconcilliation. Both Billy Currie and Midge Ure pursued solo careers after the band were put officially on ice by Currie in 1996, Ure continuing to peform solo versions of Ultravox hits live.
Fans were therefore delighted when an announcement came in November 2008 that the 'classic' Cann/Cross/Currie/Ure line-up were to reform and play a fourteen-date UK tour entitled Return To Eden in April 2009. With Vienna and Rage In Eden being remastered and re-released and plans for a greatest hits compilation to accompany the tour, Ultravox are now set for a return to prominence.
After their successful 'Return to Eden Tour', Ultravox signed a deal with Universal Records and talk of new studio albums heated up. On February 21st 2011, a new EP, Moments from Eden, came out.
The band's latest album is 2012's 'Brilliant', featuring the 80s line-up of Midge Ure, Billy Currie, Chris Cross, and Warren Cann. Picking up a strong fan response, their recent touring has brought them to big crowds alongside rockers Simple Minds.
Website: http://www.ultravox.org.uk
A Way Out A Way Through
Ultravox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From now and all time
Devoted to everyone
This could not survive
It's hard to see how
This page is left unturned
I. choose. everything. I feel
I. run. anywhere. to see where a way
A way out, a way through
The river of fear
Runs certainly clear
Over the darkest day
Can I explain?
Time after time
The pages we burn
(chorus)
A way out, a way.
I. choose. everything. I feel
I. run. anywhere. to see.
(chorus)
A way out, a way.
A way out, a way through
A way out, a way.
The lyrics to Ultravox's song A Way Out A Way Through speak of the singer's commitment to perfecting what is theirs, both now and in the future, and their devotion to others. The opening lines imply a strong sense of ownership and responsibility over their life and everything in it. However, the singer also acknowledges that this commitment cannot survive, and they are left with an unturned page. This could suggest that despite their best efforts, there are still things that remain unknown or out of their control.
The chorus of the song reveals a desire for something more, a way out, a way through. The singer declares that they choose everything they feel and are willing to run anywhere to find their path. The imagery of a river of fear running clear over the darkest of days implies that there is always a way forward, and it is up to the individual to choose to take it. The final lines of the song repeat the chorus, driving home the message of hope and a willingness to take control of one's life.
Overall, the song seems to be about the struggle to take ownership of one's life, despite the challenges that come with it. It speaks of the importance of personal choices and pushing forward, even in the face of fear and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Perfecting what's mine
I am always striving to improve myself and make the most of what I have
From now and all time
This is a continuous process that will always be a part of me
Devoted to everyone
I care about the people in my life and want to be the best I can for them
This could not survive
Despite my efforts, sometimes things just don't work out
It's hard to see how
It can be difficult to understand why or how things fail
This page is left unturned
There may be unanswered questions or unresolved issues that I need to address
I. choose. everything. I feel
Ultimately, I am in control of my emotions and how I react to situations
I. run. anywhere. to see where a way
I am willing to do whatever it takes to find a solution or a new path
A way out, a way through
I am seeking a way to move forward and overcome obstacles
The river of fear
Fear can be overwhelming and all-consuming
Runs certainly clear
It is easy to see and can be paralyzing
Over the darkest day
Even in the most difficult times, I know I can find my way out
Can I explain?
Sometimes the reasons behind our struggles are not clear
Time after time
This is a recurring theme in my life
The pages we burn
We may need to let go of the past to move forward
A way out, a way.
Once again, I am searching for a way to overcome obstacles
A way out, a way through
I am determined to find a way forward, no matter what challenges lie ahead
A way out, a way.
I am committed to finding a solution to any problem that arises
Contributed by Allison E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Alan Benham
I did buy this album and I love it. Fair enough it's not the midge ure line up but for me it captures a moment of my life that I look back on with fondness and regret. I like it a lot all the tracks say something and after the disappointment of the U-Vox album this felt more Ultravox even with the limited cast. The lead singer does a great job and the album has musical depth, with good production values. It gets played by me often and when I listen to it I close my eyes and I'm in happier times. I'm glad it exists
Lenny Russell
I did buy this album and the one before, this one has Sam Blue on vocals and while he is a decent singer he is no midge ure there is a certain magic when Ure,Cross,Currie and Cann are together that cannot be recaptured by anyone else looking forward to the new material
photohunter71
I'm a Huge fan of Ultravox,I didn't buy this album because it wasn't Ure,Cross,Cann alongside Currie,glad they are back together in the classic line up,and sort of like this track,you can hear the Ultravox lineage in this clearly,however I would like to hear a remake with the classic line up as it has potential.He does sound a wee bit Midge Ure,but doesn't have Ure's intenation,and the drummer is trying to be Warren Cann,but also hasn't Warrens' rhythmic interpretetion,6 out of 10.