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
Distance
Ultravox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like my heads in another land
Break my back on a second chance
Saying I don't wanna make it last
Won't distance you
Don't resistance too
The track I distant you
My getting hungry doesn't need to end
Thinking I do something underhand
Another life couldn't live without
Will I ever keep you satisfied
Won't distance you
Don't want resistance too
The track I distant you
Destroy....distance.. Destroys...
All this...connected to me...
me.....
me!.....
me!!.....
Won't distance you
Don't want resistance too
The track I distant you
You make to much of the way I am
Like my heads in another land
Too much talking about the past
Now you seem to understand...
The lyrics of Ultravox's song "Distance" delve into the complexities of a relationship that has started to deteriorate due to distance and miscommunication. The first two lines suggest that the singer's partner does not fully understand him, as he feels like his head is in another land, indicating a disconnect between their thoughts and emotions. The lines "Break my back on a second chance, Saying I don't wanna make it last" could be interpreted as the singer feeling like he has already put in too much effort into salvaging the relationship, and he is tired of trying to make it work.
The chorus lyrics "Won't distance you, Don't want resistance too, The track I distant you" seem like an effort by the singer to reassure his partner that he is not trying to push her away. He is asking her not to resist his efforts to keep the relationship intact, as he is dedicated to keeping it going despite the challenges they face. The lines "Another life couldn't live without, Will I ever keep you satisfied" indicate that the singer feels like he cannot live without his partner and is worried about whether he can make her happy.
The last part of the song, where the lyrics "Destroy....distance.. Destroys...All this...connected to me..." are repeated, seems like a representation of the singer's worry that the distance between them could destroy what they have built together. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer feeling like his partner now understands him better and their relationship can continue.
Line by Line Meaning
You make to much of the way I am
You exaggerate my personality traits and their impact on our relationship
Like my heads in another land
I seem distracted and not fully present
Break my back on a second chance
I'm willing to work hard for another opportunity
Saying I don't wanna make it last
I'm verbally expressing that I don't want a long-term commitment
Won't distance you
I won't push you away
Don't resistance too
Don't fight against me
The track I distant you
I'm putting emotional distance between us
My getting hungry doesn't need to end
My desire for something more isn't going away
Thinking I do something underhand
You suspect me of being deceitful
Another life couldn't live without
I fear losing you because you are integral to my life
Will I ever keep you satisfied
I'm unsure if I'm capable of meeting your needs
Destroy....distance.. Destroys...
The act of emotionally distancing myself is harmful
All this...connected to me...
My emotional baggage affects our relationship
me.....
My individuality and personality play a large role in our relationship dynamics
me!.....
My actions have consequences for us both
me!!.....
I'm emphasizing the importance of my influence on our connection
Too much talking about the past
Focusing too much on past issues is detrimental to our relationship
Now you seem to understand...
I'm relieved that you finally comprehend my perspective
Contributed by Maria B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
dlusman
Lyrics at : https://www.flashlyrics.com/lyrics/ultravox/man-of-two-worlds-54
And according to "google translate" - translation is
Side by side we are one of two lives
Hand in hand, a bygone era could be recognized
Side by side we are one of two lives
With my hand in your hand, the foreign lands could be recognized
Side by side
Your hand in my hand
We are one
Of two worlds
Sаšа Milošević
One of the best tunes ever and ever, ever recorded in the music world.
Paul Anthony
It's about Heathcliff out of wuthering heights - A man of two worlds.. Lovely song,great band Ultravox.
Manuel angel Gonzalez
Midge Ure y Ultravox. El pop llevado a la maxima elegancia y expresion.Irrepetibles.
Zynphonian
should have been a single ... brilliant!!!
Monuments To Suffering
I remember this song and many others by Ultravox and Joy Division reduced my crippling emotional state in the 80's. Thank heaven for sincere and honest, intelligent music. As Vera said, it is most beautiful and powerful.
Monuments To Suffering
"The man is a legend" is what John actually said. He felt profoundly honoured to be in the presence of Midge. Good man that John Torrode.
Dave Gahan
Amazing song, amazing band, one of the all time greats! cant believe the audience just stands there, I would have been swinging my pants!
MICHELLE Dennett
I would have been with ypu on that one 😍🤗😍
Monuments To Suffering
Words cannot express how awesome Midge Ure is.
tracie marsh
midge ure is an amazing man so underrated so freaking cute brilliant voice great song