I've been listening to this song for 35 years and it's always like the first time
Adam Zych
I have this same....
Graham Smith
Billy’s ARP sings a great tune 😉
grant jacob
Same here. The first track of the Vienna album,but preferred Astradyne.
idoliznuman
I agree enjoy it the same every time never diminishes its timeless
peter adams
Memory loss maybe.?🤣🤣🤣
8 More Replies...
Stephen Lisson
One of my all time favourite instrumental tunes, along with Simple Minds Theme for Great Cities. AMAZING!!!!! BASS LINE
Dimi Bartolillo
Same
Ralf Kunz
@John Williams ha! Very nice, thank you!! Now i have to hear this great song again!💫
John Williams
@Ralf Kunz That is one great post, Ralf! ❤ Although it wasn't I who originally mentioned Themes From Great Cities, I answered to the post as well. I'm glad you found it, my friend! 👌 Greetings from an old Ultravox, Simple Minds et al, groover from the UK. Now 56, this music has been my king since the late '70s. Gary Numan was actually, my first musical love as a then 14 year old boy. And LET'S NOT forgot your wonderful Kraftwerk, who pretty much started the whole electronica thing, in the first place. 🙏
Ralf Kunz
Thank you so so much for this comment!!! I searched 27 years for the song "Theme for great cities" from simple minds....i could kiss your feet!!! I heard it at a killing joke concert 1994 in Hamburg and never thought i'll find it....only because your writing about the song here i listened to it...and then yeeeees!!!!! Never thought this could be simple minds.. Thanx a lot!!! ..and greetings from germany!!
John Williams
Yes to this sir, and also to Themes From Great Cities, too! 👌🙏
Bladek4
im 15 years old, and my mom played this to me when she took me to the kindergarden. I LOVE IT
Marcus Keulertz
You've been vaccinated with good music as a toddler.
Liam O'Connor
Best Ultravox instrumental, and one of the best instrumentals from the 80's in my opinion!...
Vis the Spoon's Radio Squid
best instumental ever ?
151066MC
Absolutely Michael O'CONNOR
Adrian Mole
Slip away later half is good too. :)
Karen Oconnor
U571. ..agree...
Stephen Lisson
You are so right Liam. Along with Simple Minds Theme for Great Cities and Flock of Seagulls tune, DNA......the best instrumentals of the 80's....hands down. They were so underrated.
tvplusfilms
They played this track as the opening song on their reunion tour, outstanding when played live.
Paul Boulter
Yes I remember when the UV fan club had a survey you could take asking what the Return to Eden opening track should be.I said Astradyne thinking they would use something else.At the Bournemouth gig Astradyne was the opener..My trip from Washington DC to see the concert was so worth it!!
Jeremy Slaney
An absolutely fantastic instrumental track
Peggy Franzen
Awesome!
Christopher A.
Heavily influenced by "Fur Immer" by Neu!
David Henderson
first time i saw them in concert they played this wonderful song and most of vienna. always a favorite instrumental.
Dave Alderson
king A mate
Geoff Williams
You got that right. Probably the best track they wrote. Not that u-vox had a shortage of classics.
GenXtasy
This deserves much more views. What a way to kick off a decade and album with this song
David Cleary
It finishes side one on the original American release of Vienna. Still, an awesome song.
Robert Ballot
But can you imagine if there was no YouTube, how lonely the feeling would be to have such thoughts? Finding out there are others . . . as I listen to Astradyne and type, the experience feels very Close Encounter-ish.
ProjectFlashlight612
A masterpiece of synthrock for the ages...impossible not to air drum along to. Play LOUD. Separated from New Europeans as it is here, the song has a different feel. As the keyboards gurgle away into silence, you are just waiting for Midge to slam his hand across the guitar. DEH duh-duh DEH DEH, Duh DEH duh-duh DEH DEH...
Larx
Great video to go with this track. S'funny, in 1980/1 I did lots of flying overseas and I would play this track on take-off with my Walkman, very, very trippy. Terrific album and Billy Currie is a genius.
Colin Finch
Alan Lucraft Billy Curry also played on Airlane on Gary Numans album The Pleasure Principle.
Maticot
I would listen this piece of music for thousands of years !
V
Maticot and it would not be even a waste of one minute of that time - just a brilliant song!
mossyboy185
Masterful ! Shamefully under-rated. A quite amazing piece of music !
XanAxDdu
in what sense you have to say underrated this track is a jewel for who knows it enjoy😉
David Yorkshire
I'm more a fan of John Foxx's Ultravox, but in this piece from the Midge Ure era, they didn't just recapture the magic of Systems of Romance, but excelled it. It just goes to show how important Billy Currie was.
Linda Martin
I well I'm a midge lass, remember John foxx very well xx
cosmicdust
This is THE song for driving through mountains. Perfect song.
Zephaniah 3:17
Yes! I can just imagine myself bowling through the Pass of Drumochter in a big, powerful car with this on.
Peggy Franzen
@santiago76able Peggy A. Franzen.
Peggy Franzen
True.
Marcus Keulertz
It show Germany's tallest mountain the Zugspitze in the first sequence.
F. S.
Not only mountains. Used to drive through the night in my city with this song playing loud 40 years ago
3 More Replies...
Anthony Dry
Pure magic. What a group they were.
50sRockChick
@Marcus Keulertz I saw them live and then him live in the UK. I met him after the show. Really nice bloke. :D
Marcus Keulertz
I saw Midge Ure live once in Madrid.
Stephen Lisson
BRILLIANT!!!!! mate.
Phil C
What an amazing piece of music. Uplifting and transcendent!!!
David Bauer
The second half of this instrumental allows Billie Currie the opportunity to play one of, if not the best, ARP Odyssey solos ever.
Hikin' with Jonesy
One of my favorites still...it captures something indefinable and magic
Peggy Franzen
First time I heard "Astradyne", was amazing.I still have the original. Say what anyone wants, but sine waves rule. and robots rock. Thank you
Andy Raw
The best instrumental track ever for me Gives me goosebumps whenever I hear it
Odette Swann
Try ELO's 'Fire On High'. That will put goosebumps on your goosebumps!
canuckkhan
Wow! Can't describe how good this track is, and the video here is amazing, goes perfectly with this. Back then, there were few if us getting tired of rock music, in comes Vienna album of Ultravox which was like " the new sound", if you will, and everything else was not so great anymore, Ultravox, Gary Numan and Depeche Mode, were the bands and musicians at that time.
JOHN CARMICHAEL
A totally searing track that works amazingly well live, and the second part Arp Odyssey solo from Billie makes the hairs on my neck fizz!!
YaroSz.
...i opiera się upływającemu czasowi😊
EdMcF1
I love this track, as a kid at school I played it almost to death, my friends called it 'the milk bottle song', but no one ever said it was bad. It has never been surpassed.
Ludwig De Gregorio
...can't forget the sensation I've felt when listen this great instrumental for the first time...it was 31 years ago, and I still feel the same sensation...
Vincent de Guard
Was too young when this first aired to really take in how awesome a track it was/is ...now wiser and older it finally sinks in.
Zephaniah 3:17
Love it!! This is a great refreshing rainstorm of sound.
Paul Boulter
This is a timeless classic track from a band that never got the true recognition that they deserved.music in 2014 is just awful!!
Eurostar Namastar
They stood....and stand in a league of their own!!!
Eurostar Namastar
Ultravox is just too good a band that excelled in every aspect of modern recording. They went above the heads of most people. Their radar was set to higher grounds!
Paul Boulter
YouTube has a live RIE gig from 1981 recorded in Bologna..Soundtrack only..Great sounding concert..The Thin wall as the opening song was brilliant!
Paul Lightfoot
Entirely true in 2020, sadly. Long live the synth!!!
HiVizCamo
It still sucks rocks in 2017, no real change.
Lenny Madhavan
An astounding instrumental piece. Every time I hear it I feel like I am flying! And credit goes to whoever made this video … great minds think alike!
Graham Morgan
They played this last night in Bristol Colston Hall! What a fantastic gig!!
Hipolito Martinez
Magical masterpiece
T- HAM
genius . beyond bowies warszawa one of the most genius instrumental tracks i ve ever heard ...
Geoff Williams
WOW!!!! The synth in this instrumental absolutely soars into the stratosphere! Fucking ingenious!
Chas D
Kind of forgot, there are TWO solos in Astradyne. Search for "Astradyne live at the roundhouse", Billy playing the viola 'solo' at approx. 2.15. Towards the end of the song, he also plays the Odyssey (or rather a VST emulation live), for the finale.
Richard Shea
No, it's the Korg Arp Odyssey - as he uses it on Gary Numans live performances which are stunning when Billy is let loose.a
Chas D
The solo is Billy Currie playing an electric viola! The strings were likely (or for the most part) his Elka String Synth.
luxyaltz219
Played the album to death back in 1980 and a ' hairs on back of neck opening ' first track
Simon Barber
My first year at University, 1981-82,,, I played the cassette of this album till the tape broke! "New Europeans" and "Sleepwalk" ranked highly on it too.
50sRockChick
@Anne Scholey Brilliant song too.
Anne Scholey
Especially Mr X
Gary Titherington
luxyaltz219 me to
Robert Ballot
Perfectly evoked
Lenny Russell
The bass is fantastic on this and the live version is so uplifting what a way to start a show
luxyaltz219
I loved how they still use that high pitch bell sound at the beginning in their live concerts ...just as it sounds on here and as axelusul said ,you could skip over this on the Vienna album until you realised on further listening what a gem it is ...ahead of it's time .
luxyaltz219
Fast foreward to 2012 and you can still hear the echoes of Astradyne on tracks from the new 'Brilliant ' album such as 'Rise' ..the 4 elements that make Ultravox are back together again .
robert Lewis
40 years on i still love every track on this album
Phil C
Genius. Musical masterpiece for the ages🙌🏻
andrew phillips
The nostalgia is getting to me! Love this
Alistair Thomson
Love this track
Wayne Thompson
timeless classic
lovetobedandy
fantastic music from a fantastic band..i love the first 60 seconds of this track
ludo281160
This is really amazing! Never heard it before, thank you for sharing and also for the great video!
Raffaele Palumbo
This song is simply timeless. I think it's sort of religious. I always listen to it when I need either energy or relax. Very very beautiful, elaborated, a marvellous gift Ultravox gave us.
Jonas Sulk
The build-up, the sweep, the utter grandeur of this song still amazes even 30 years later,
50sRockChick
I used to listen to Vienna tape on my walkman when I was running. I always loved this one, its was a great one to get you into your stride. :D
50sRockChick
I've now got the CD in my car. :D
ragl1
Wonderful!! back in 1980/81 used to listen to this on my walkman as I was flying into Miri or Kota Kinabaku - it so worked for the situation then, exotic music for exotic places - Billy Currie was the real genius behind the music made by these guys - it was so out there for the time.
Alan
Daigoro
Perhaps the best tune ever from Ultravox? I saw them on stage in April 2008, in Newcastle. That was the third concert of the Return to Eden tour. This was the opening number, and it was pure magic!, I was also attending a later concert on the same tour (In Bergen). This song was dropped and the whole show was reduced to a geriatric singalong. Just sad.
Jules
+Pusetryne I was at the same gig in Newcastle ... Awesome opening!
jfanastacia
Love this, especially full length version and super visuals
Mikaela Lagerfors
Love this track This deserves much more views. What a way to kick off a decade and album with this song
Fabián Agudelo lopez
Que buen viaje 🎹🎹🎸🎸👍
Wolfdog370
Personally for me, this was the best thing Ulravox did .. I remember back in about 81 during summer sleeping out on the trampoline listening to this gazing into the milkyway waiting for meteorites to streak across the sky
Paul Boulter
Astradyne and Airlane (Gary Numan) are still the business after all these years!!
The80smusicrocks
Went to see these guys in '82,what a band they were
David Cleary
The most exciting rock instrumental I've ever heard. The buildup toward the climax at about 6:40 is tremendous
Wombling Wurzel
From the first time hearing this to now. Masterpiece
Bob Flemming
Would be a great track to use as opening/closing credits for a science based prog.
Peggy Franzen
Or a science fiction story...
radderschap
I had an Ultravox urge at 14/15 after listening to The Collection - first heard this track in 1986 and it was great then as it is great now! Best group ever!!!!
Maria Grazia Brogi
A masterpiece 👍👍👍
Marky Mello
It just flows with the times ,the definition of timeless. Marvellous Musical Masterpiece. As the headphones get better so does Astradyne .....it always makes me say WOW 👏
jelt110
God-genius timeless.
Funny how a band named ultravox makes their best song without an words. Aptly ironic.
Don Buck
Never been a big Ulatravox fan but had this record when it came out in 1980, still have it. VERY good sruff
enright13
The spectacular imagery compliments the music brilliantly. I'd like to know where that castle perched on the mountain is at 2.30. Also, did anyone else always have trouble predicting exactly when the guitar was going to cut back in after the quiet bit in the middle?
luxyaltz219
Opening track of the Vienna album ,reminds me of those long winter nights back in the early 80s and one of the reasons why I had to see Ultravox live then to ...thanks
Peter Booth
Best song on Vienna.
Peggy Franzen
Peter G I totally agree with that comment.' Rage In Eden", with the song " The Voice", was an amazing piece " Visions In Blue", - great as well.Thanks.
Kevin Stroup
That whole album is great.
Eddie Cr
One of my all time fav tracks from 1 of of my all time fav albums.
stinkycricket
the best instrumental ever, i can't believe i've never heard this in a movie. They'll be hearing it alot at my funeral one day for sure.
i must hear this at least once a week one way or another and NEVEr get bored of it.
Great video by the way.
nodularification
man how I've missed this track...great video...thank you!
SeekNTruth
Man I STILL have my original vinyl album of Vienna. Absolutely wore it out. Such a great album.
Peggy Franzen
FTL.
Vincent Roelofs
Love the synths in the last part screamin' like tormented animals,brilliant!
torontoboy45
without question the best track on vienna and the best instrumental of the 80's.
cheers for the post.
zarozinia1985
40 years later and still an incredible piece of music. Time has no barrier for quality musicianship.
stinkycricket
love this video, made a video from my favourite ever tune.
Astradyne! heard it when i was 1 years old and it changed my life. This is such an aspiralation tune . . ..
Sean McIver
Timeless classic
Nathan Wilding
The first time I played this song I had the turntable on the wrong speed, I didn't realise until the vocals kicked in on track two 😄 If you play this video at 1.25 speed it's roughly the equivalent of playing it at 45rpm
Flook68
One of the most compact, great instrumentals ever.
Hanley Guy
At the age of 16 when this was released it took me a while to get into it, it was so different from everything I had heard before. But once hooked it has never let me go, thank goodness@..
four cats
This is so great!!! Love the video too!!!
Elios
Technically perfectionist, real masterpiece.
reni macintosh
One of the best ULTRAVOX song ever , if not THE BEST !!!
Redbaron863
Great video. Never heard this instrumental for a long time. To my favs.
David Martin Lopez
Me parece brutal este instrumental 👏👏👏soy el único de habla hispana que comenta aquí(corregirme si me equivoco)😉
Rex Ahdar
A masterpiece. The stunning video is a worthy accompaniment.
IP W
Toujours aussi superbe 38 ans après...
Neil Robson
One of those tracks I find myself humming or tapping out with my finger in an idle moment or too... seldom far from my mind.
xtc58100
one of my all time favorite instumentals
Ajax Castle
It flirts with you in the beginning and just like all great songs it reaches a crescendo, from 4:36 it goes stratospheric
Glenn Rogers
What a Brilliant track. Should have been a single!
C S
No doubt: A lot of Conny Plank in here... Similarities to Neu!, Can and Eurythmics "In the Garden" NOT conincidencial. Great track, loving it!
Hipolito Martinez
Great song Great band
gary cardno
Had some great moments Ure Ultravox did. This. The Thin Wall (and B Side, I Never Wanted To Begin). The Voice (and B side, Paths and Angles). Sleepwalk is good pop fodder. I speak as a Foxx era fan.
Underground Warrior
I saw Ultravox with John Foxx and guitarist Robin Simon in March of 1979 at the Whiskey A-Go-Go in West Hollywood, California. I was 23 at that time. Sadly John Foxx quit Ultravox before the end of that month. But he had his reasons. Robin Simon quit shortly afterwards as well.
Fraser Cottington
Ah yes, you speak the truth sir. I saw Midge et al at Hammersmith in 1981, watching them 'do' The Thin Wall live was special. But then my older bro took me to see Mr Foxx just after he released 'The Garden', now there is an unsung talent, loved 'Europe After the rain' too...who wouldn't. What an era, so little class music today, is there anything original now?
Robert Ballot
Made a comment about the situation elsewhere in the thread. Very happy to get your perspective.
Piotr Kmita
Od 25 l słucham i są nr 1!!!!!!!!
Grzos Grzegorzynski
slucham od 37 lat.
Jerry DePinto
Very underrated band...
John Haley
I saw them live in 2012 on their Brilliant tour. I dont see Ultravox reforming any time soon. Midge Ure is on an Eighties tour which i am hopefully going to in March.
Everton Porter
Everything has its time...let it pass. Time to pass the torch.
John Haley
YES Four years is a long time between albums .Just glad i did see them THEN. Midge URE is still playing live though. We still have all the music.
michael pallett
ive heard from billy ultravox is over
John Haley
+mymusic777ify No. I thought it would be my only chance to see them .
John Haley
+mymusic777ify YES we can only hope as you say. THEY played the Blackpool Opera House. I got their autographs as well. Nice guys all.
Alistair Thomson
Got this first on a 2nd hand cassette as a student - nice one - thanks for the video
有限会社サンケイ
I Love It !
Alistair Thomson
OK - probably said it before - this is the best instrumental I have in my list of instrumentals - Love it again and again - thank You
Paul Ockenden
Great track great album peak of creativity for post Foxx ultravox
Jadwiga Halota
Thanks for matching genius music to phantastic aerial views, great post:)
dreamyblue44
Excellent choice of images for this classic instrumental, many thanks! :)
scensiu
I've been listening to this song for 35 years and it's always like the first time
Adam Zych
I have this same....
Graham Smith
Billy’s ARP sings a great tune 😉
grant jacob
Same here. The first track of the Vienna album,but preferred Astradyne.
idoliznuman
I agree enjoy it the same every time never diminishes its timeless
peter adams
Memory loss maybe.?🤣🤣🤣
Stephen Lisson
One of my all time favourite instrumental tunes, along with Simple Minds Theme for Great Cities. AMAZING!!!!! BASS LINE
Dimi Bartolillo
Same
Ralf Kunz
@John Williams ha! Very nice, thank you!! Now i have to hear this great song again!💫
John Williams
@Ralf Kunz
That is one great post, Ralf! ❤
Although it wasn't I who originally mentioned Themes From Great Cities, I answered to the post as well.
I'm glad you found it, my friend! 👌
Greetings from an old Ultravox, Simple Minds et al, groover from the UK. Now 56, this music has been my king since the late '70s. Gary Numan was actually, my first musical love as a then 14 year old boy.
And LET'S NOT forgot your wonderful Kraftwerk, who pretty much started the whole electronica thing, in the first place. 🙏