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
Hymn
Ultravox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The power and the glory
'Til my kingdom comes
Give us this day all that you showed me
The power and the glory
'Til my kingdom comes
The faith and the glory
'Til my kingdom comes
And they said that in our time
All that's good will fall from grace
Even saints would turn their face in our time
And they told us that in our days
Different words said in different ways
Have other meanings from he who says in out time
Give us this day all that you showed me
The power and the glory
'Til my kingdom comes
Give me all the storybook told me
The faith and the glory
'Til my kingdom comes
And they said that in our time we would reap from their legacy
We would learn from what they had seen in our time
And they told us that in our days
We would know what was high on high
We would follow and not defy in our time
Give us this day all that you showed me
The faith and the glory
'Til my kingdom comes
Faithless in faith
We must behold the things we see
Give us this day all that you showed me
The faith and the glory
'Til my kingdom comes
Give us this day all that you showed me
The power and the glory
'Til my kingdom comes
Give me all the storybook told me
The faith and the glory
'Til my kingdom comes
Give us this day all that you showed me
The power and the glory
'Til my kingdom comes
The lyrics to Ultravox's song Hymn describe the desire for something more in life, a search for power and glory that is hoped will manifest upon the arrival of one's kingdom. It seems to be a lyrical representation of the inner search for spiritual enlightenment or a higher purpose in life. The repetition of the lines "Give us this day all that you showed me" and "Til my kingdom comes" reinforce this theme, suggesting the constant longing for something deeper or more meaningful.
Furthermore, the lyrics suggest a sense of desperation or urgency in finding this spiritual fulfilment. The lines "And they said that in our time / All that's good will fall from grace / Even saints would turn their face in our time" portray a bleak outlook on the current state of the world and the future, with even the righteous ones deviating from their path. There is also an acknowledgment that the language used by those who speak of spiritual enlightenment can be shrouded in mystery or have multiple interpretations. This search for meaning amid uncertainty is conveyed in the lyrics, "Different words said in different ways / Have other meanings from he who says in our time."
Overall, the lyrics of Hymn suggest a yearning for personal growth and transformation, as well as a longing for a better world that is not yet fully realised.
Line by Line Meaning
Give us this day all that you showed me
Asking to receive all the knowledge and experiences that were shared and taught
The power and the glory
The strength and magnificence of what was learned and experienced
'Til my kingdom comes
Until I can fully grasp and achieve my own personal power
Give me all the storybook told me
Requesting to receive all the lessons and wisdom found in religious texts
The faith and the glory
Belief and reverence found in religious teachings
And they said that in our time
Referring to a previous generation or historical period
All that's good will fall from grace
Warning that values and morals may decline in society
Even saints would turn their face in our time
Even the most virtuous people may succumb to temptation
And they told us that in our days
Referring to the current era or contemporary period
Different words said in different ways
Messages can be expressed in various forms
Have other meanings from he who says in out time
The interpretation of words can be dependent on the context and perspective of the listener
And they said that in our time we would reap from their legacy
Expecting to benefit from the past contributions and accomplishments of others
We would learn from what they had seen in our time
Utilizing the knowledge and insights of previous generations to make better decisions
We would know what was high on high
Having a clear understanding of what is of great importance and value
We would follow and not defy in our time
Choosing to comply with what is believed to be right, rather than rebel against it
Faithless in faith
Being skeptical or uncertain about matters of spiritual belief
We must behold the things we see
We must observe and acknowledge the reality around us, regardless of our doubts and uncertainties
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RICHARD MELVILLE HALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@arseniolupin8851
one of the best things about 50 years old,is the fact that i lived my teenage years in the 80's that is priceless and i am grateful !!!
@colleenhoffman2817
Me too!
@jonesy2111
Absolutely could not agree more!
@jaqi_eff6610
Couldn’t agree more ... 49 and blasting it out 🙌🏼🙌🏼
@ericsaulnier120
Born in end of 72 and I missed disco that's the only thing I regret...But amazing 80's, sweet 80's, bands were so big (and still alive and kicking ;)
@ft9147
Just like me in France, I'm remenber that my clothes look likes Midges Ure's ...
@antjemaier7514
Thank GOD I was born in 1971. That means my teenage years were the 1980s - the greatest time of pop music ever. Must I say more???
@SteveMacSticky
no need to say more. I was born in 76.
@joegilligan4895
Happy days. Don't take the 'vaccine'.
@SteveMacSticky
@@joegilligan4895 whatever pal