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
Fall
Ultravox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I could never feel small
And I could let it all go
Now I've found somewhere to fall
Wire and chain you cast upon me still remain
Walk with your words within me
Taking their toll upon me
Running around inside until
Time and again they remind me
No matter how distant you'll never be free
And I could never give in
And I could never feel small
And I could let it all go
Now I've found somewhere to fall
Look at me now
What can you hear
Fierce conversations gone on for years
Fighting back words with words of war
Leaving you speechless but crying for more
Talk to me now and try to explain
To someone who won't jump at shadows again
Finding my feet and I'm standing
Fighting a fight that I can win
And I could never give in
And I could never feel small
And I could let it all go
Now I've found somewhere to fall
And I could never give in
And I could never feel small
And I could let it all go
Now I've found somewhere to fall
The song "Fall" by Ultravox is a powerful and introspective piece that explores the journey of finding strength and clarity in the face of adversity. At its core, the song is about resilience and the ability to overcome even the toughest of challenges.
The lyrics "And I could never give in / And I could never feel small / And I could let it all go / Now I've found somewhere to fall" convey a sense of determination and strength. The singer of the song has faced numerous trials and tribulations, but they refuse to give in or let their struggles define them. Instead, they have found a place to fall, a sense of peace and stability that allows them to face their difficulties with a clear mind and a steady heart.
Throughout the song, the lyrics also feature imagery of wire and chain, suggesting that the singer may have been bound or held back in some way. However, they have managed to break free and continue on their journey towards healing and growth. The lyrics "Talk to me now and try to explain / To someone who won't jump at shadows again" suggest that the singer has been conditioned to fear or second-guess themselves, but they are now in a place of greater self-assurance and self-confidence.
Overall, "Fall" is a deeply introspective and empowering song that encourages listeners to find their own strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Through its powerful lyrics and moving melody, it serves as a reminder that we are all capable of overcoming even the toughest of challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
And I could never give in
I refuse to surrender or submit to anyone or anything.
And I could never feel small
I will never allow myself to feel insignificant or unimportant.
And I could let it all go
I am capable of releasing all of my worries and burdens.
Now I've found somewhere to fall
I have discovered a place or person where I can let my guard down and be vulnerable.
Wire and chain you cast upon me still remain
The restraints and limitations you imposed on me are still present even though you are physically gone.
Walk with your words within me
The words you said to me still linger and affect me deeply.
Taking their toll upon me
Your words are having a negative impact on my emotional well-being.
Hearing them still
I am still haunted by the things you said to me.
Running around inside until
Your words keep circling around in my mind.
Time and again they remind me
Your words continue to resurface and bring me pain.
No matter how distant you'll never be free
Even if you are far away, I will never be able to fully escape the impact you had on me.
Look at me now
Notice how I have changed and grown since we last interacted.
What can you hear
What do you perceive when you see me now?
Fierce conversations gone on for years
We have engaged in numerous intense arguments over an extended period of time.
Fighting back words with words of war
We have both used harsh and hurtful language as a way to defend ourselves.
Leaving you speechless but crying for more
My words may have left you temporarily stunned, but deep down you still desire more of my attention and affection.
Talk to me now and try to explain
Communicate with me openly and attempt to justify your past behavior.
To someone who won't jump at shadows again
Converse with me in a way that recognizes my newfound sense of self-assurance and confidence.
Finding my feet and I'm standing
I have regained my footing and am now standing strong on my own.
Fighting a fight that I can win
I am engaging in a battle where I have the ability to emerge victorious.
Contributed by Levi R. 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.