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
Alles Klar
Ultravox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Angels Never Die
Alles Ist Gut
Alles ist gut
Es wird schon immer irgendwie weitergehen
Alles ist gut
Wir werden nur nicht alle überleben
Was wird so sein wenn ich jetzt geh
Es sieht so aus, als ob's ein kurzer weg war
Das alles irgendwie zu ende geht
Ich weiss nur ich will uberleben
Und werde mich niemals ergeben
Ich lieb dich besser jeden tag
Und hoff dass nicht auch schon alles war
Alles ist gut
Ich hange doch so sehr an diesem leben
Alles ist gut
Ich wurde darum alles dafur geben
Ich komm nicht druber weg mitanzusehen
Wie dunkle machte uber leben gehn
Alles ist gut
Vielleicht werd ich's ja gar nicht mehr erleben
Alles ist gut
Was ist denn schon mein kleines menschenleben
Es sieht aus wie ein kurzer weg
Ich hoff das er noch nicht zu ende geht
So lieb mich besser jeden tag
Und wenn es geht auch noch danach
Alles wird gut
Es wird schon immer irgendwie weitergehen
Alles wird gut
Ich hoffe nur ich werd es uberleben
Alles ist gut
Alles wird gut
Alles wird gut
Vielleicht gibt es ja danach noch ein leben
Alles wird gut
Vielleicht werd ich dich dann ja wiedersehen
Wiedersehen ... wiedersehen ...
The lyrics of Ultravox's "Alles Klar" (translated as "Everything's Clear") speak of the uncertainty and fear that the future holds. The song opens with the reassurance that "everything's alright" and that "it will somehow continue," but then quickly follows with the acknowledgment that "we won't all survive." The singer of the song ponders what will happen if they were to leave and if they will ever see their loved ones again. It seems as if the end is near, and they wonder if they have the will to survive, refusing to give up. They express their love to their partner, hoping that they will spend every day better than the last and that it's not too late for them to make it through. The song concludes with the sentiment that everything will be fine and that there may be a life after this one, leaving open the possibility of a hopeful future.
This song's lyrics are unique in the way they describe an apocalyptic setting without explicitly stating it. Instead, they use vague language and imagery to convey the feeling of impending doom. The song's narrative is not linear, and it often jumps around, creating a sense of confusion that adds to the song's theme of uncertainty. The overall tone of the song is melancholic, but it's also relatable in that it expresses the fears and anxieties we all have about the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Alles ist gut
Everything is fine
Es wird schon immer irgendwie weitergehen
Life goes on, one way or another
Wir werden nur nicht alle überleben
Not everyone will survive
Was wird so sein wenn ich jetzt geh
What will happen when I leave
Werd ich dich jemals lebend wiederseh'n
Will I ever see you again alive
Es sieht so aus, als ob's ein kurzer weg war
It seems like it was a short journey
Das alles irgendwie zu ende geht
That everything ends somehow
Ich weiss nur ich will uberleben
I only know I want to survive
Und werde mich niemals ergeben
And will never give up
Ich lieb dich besser jeden tag
I love you more every day
Und hoff dass nicht auch schon alles war
And hope that everything is not over yet
Ich hange doch so sehr an diesem leben
I am attached to this life
Ich wurde darum alles dafur geben
I would do anything for it
Ich komm nicht druber weg mitanzusehen
I cannot bear to see it happen
Wie dunkle machte uber leben gehn
How dark forces affect lives
Vielleicht werd ich's ja gar nicht mehr erleben
Maybe I won't even experience it anymore
Was ist denn schon mein kleines menschenleben
What is my little human life anyway
Ich hoff das er noch nicht zu ende geht
I hope it's not over yet
So lieb mich besser jeden tag
So love me more every day
Und wenn es geht auch noch danach
And if possible, even after that
Alles wird gut
Everything will be fine
Vielleicht gibt es ja danach noch ein leben
Maybe there is still another life after this
Vielleicht werd ich dich dann ja wiedersehen
Maybe I will see you again then
Wiedersehen ... wiedersehen ...
Reunion... reunion...
Writer(s): Warren Reginald Cann, William Currie, Christopher Thomas Allen, Midge Ure Copyright: Sing Sing Songs Ltd., Hot Food Music Ltd., Mood Music Ltd., Jump-jet Music Ltd.
Contributed by Zachary P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Philip Kassabian
on The Frozen Ones
A great Ultravox song.
Philip Kassabian
on Dancing With Tears in My Eyes
A great and emotional song.