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
Dangerous Rhythm
Ultravox Lyrics
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Dangerous rhythm
Dangerous rhythm
Dangerous rhythm in the air
Stranger to stranger
We're both dressed for danger
Something is generating here
Oh, take off your halo
For the all-night inferno
Something is happening in the air
It's not like anything I've ever known before
And I don't care
[Chorus]
Surging and merging
Urgent and urging
Soft as a footstep on the stair
The red light is on now
My gravity's gone and how
I can feel something in the air
It's not like anything I've ever known before
And I don't care
[Chorus: x2]
The lyrics to Ultravox's "Dangerous Rhythm" are enshrouded in a sense of mystery and danger. The song starts off with the chorus which repeats the line "dangerous rhythm" three times, which sets the tone for the song. The singer then describes a situation where two strangers encounter each other, both dressed for danger, and sparks fly instantaneously. The line "something is generating here" depicts a connection that cannot be explained. The singer pleads for his companion to take off their halo, as they are about to indulge in an "all-night inferno." The air is charged with a "dangerous rhythm," unlike anything he has ever known before, and he doesn't care.
The second verse describes the urge that is building and how they seem to be merging and surging towards each other. The red light is on, and gravity seems to have disappeared as they feel something happening in the air. Again, the singer repeats the idea that it's not like anything he has ever felt before, but he is not concerned about it. The chorus repeats, stressing the dangers of this connection and how it threatens to take over them completely.
Overall, "Dangerous Rhythm" is a song about surrendering to something beyond one's control, something that has a dangerous and foreboding undertone. It explores the feeling of being caught up in the moment and feeling a powerful attraction despite knowing the risks involved.
Line by Line Meaning
Dangerous rhythm
The feeling of something dangerous is present in the rhythm of the music
Dangerous rhythm
The danger continues to persist in the rhythm of the song
Dangerous rhythm in the air
The presence of the danger is palpable in the atmosphere
Stranger to stranger
The two people are unknown to each other
We're both dressed for danger
Both individuals are dressed as if they are prepared for a risky or dangerous situation
Something is generating here
There is a force creating a sense of danger in the air around them
Oh, take off your halo
Let go of your inhibitions and give in to the moment
For the all-night inferno
The fire of the moment will continue to burn throughout the night
Something is happening in the air
The sense of danger continues to grow and become more palpable
It's not like anything I've ever known before
The feeling of danger is unfamiliar and something new
And I don't care
Despite the danger, the singer is willing to embrace the experience
Surging and merging
A feeling of growth and expansion is present
Urgent and urging
The force is compelling and pushing the individuals forward
Soft as a footstep on the stair
The sense of danger is subtle, yet present like the sound of a footstep on the stairs
The red light is on now
The danger is present and evident
My gravity's gone and how
The sense of danger has changed the artist's perception of themselves and their surroundings
I can feel something in the air
The force of danger is palpable and growing stronger
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER THOMAS ALLEN, DENNIS LEIGH, STEVEN SHEARS, WARREN REGINALD CANN, WILLIAM CURRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on The Frozen Ones
A great Ultravox song.
Philip Kassabian
on Dancing With Tears in My Eyes
A great and emotional song.