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
Hello
Ultravox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Welcome to this world you made
Hello, hello, hello
It's raining through your sad parade
If you always do
What you've always done
Then nothing good will ever come
What you've always got
You'll find that love's what you forgot
Hello, hello, hello
Welcome to this world you made
Hello, hello, hello
It's raining through your sad parade
Free to bite your bitter pill
Sorry now, at least until
Someone is but never will
Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello
There's no one to blame
'Cause this was your goal
You gave your life, your heart, your soul
Wrapped in deceit
Loving the lie
To find that life has left you dry
Hello, hello, hello
Welcome to this world you made
Hello, hello, hello
It's raining through your sad parade
Free to bite your bitter pill
Sorry now, at least until
Someone is but never will
Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello
Hello, hello, hello
Welcome to this world you made
Hello, hello, hello
It's raining through your sad parade
Free to bite your bitter pill
Sorry now, at least until
Someone is but no one will
Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello
Hello, hello
The lyrics of the song "Hello" by Ultravox are haunting and melancholic, warning us about the dangers of falling into complacency and denial. The first verse addresses the listener, welcoming them to the world they have created for themselves, and observing that rain is falling on their "sad parade". The second verse delivers a warning that if we continue to do the same things, we'll continue to get the same results; if we don't break out of our patterns, love will be lost to us.
The next verse suggests that we only have ourselves to blame for the situation we find ourselves in. We willingly gave our life, heart, and soul to someone or something that was wrapped in deceit, loving the lie. As a result, we are left "dry" and alone. The chorus repeats the same lyrics, reminding us that this is the world we have created for ourselves. The final lines of the song suggest that there may be a small glimmer of hope, but it's fleeting, and we're left with only our bitter pills to swallow.
Overall, "Hello" is a warning that life is too short to waste on patterns that lead to heartache and despair. We have to break out of our comfort zones, take risks, and embrace the unknown. Life may not be easy, and love may be elusive, but we can't let fear hold us back from trying.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, hello, hello
The singer greets the listener, using repetition for emphasis.
Welcome to this world you made
The singer suggests that the listener has created their own reality, and implies that it may not be a positive one.
It's raining through your sad parade
The singer suggests that the listener is experiencing difficulties, and the use of 'parade' implies that the listener may be putting up a facade.
If you always do what you've always done
The singer suggests that the listener is stuck in a rut.
Then nothing good will ever come
The singer implies that unless the listener makes changes, they will continue to experience negative outcomes.
If you always get what you've always got
The singer reiterates that without change, the listener will continue to experience the same results.
You'll find that love's what you forgot
The singer suggests that the listener's focus on their own negative world has caused them to forget the importance of love.
Free to bite your bitter pill
The singer suggests that the listener has been living with negativity for so long that they have adapted to it as a way of life.
Sorry now, at least until
The singer implies that the listener may feel remorseful for their negative reality, at least for a short amount of time.
Someone is but never will
The singer implies that the listener may be looking for something or someone to improve their situation, but in reality, it will never come.
There's no one to blame
The singer suggests that the listener is solely responsible for their own negative reality.
'Cause this was your goal
The singer implies that the listener may have set out to create their own negative world.
You gave your life, your heart, your soul
The singer implies that the listener may have given everything to create their reality.
Wrapped in deceit loving the lie
The singer suggests that the listener may be in denial about their situation.
To find that life has left you dry
The singer suggests that the listener's negative reality has left them feeling unfulfilled.
Someone is but never will
The singer reiterates that the listener may be looking for someone or something to change their situation, but it won't happen.
Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello
The singer repeats the greeting, possibly implying a desire to reach through to the listener.
Contributed by Wyatt B. 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.