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
I Can't Stay Long
Ultravox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pulling away the night
Like a sheet from over me
And everywhere seems to be
Just a flicker on a silent screen
Because I, I can't stay long
Let the sky roll on
Just a flicker and the crowd moves on
In winter overcoats close in
And the snow tastes of tin
On the steps of any station
I'd like to glide in the long green light
Of a July afternoon
Sliding down a vague conversation
Because I, I can't stay long
When the moment comes
Just a glance and the glance is gone
Watch closely as a man with a hat
And a girl with a map synchronize with the track
And they go away
I need to drift through all the walls
And let the scenery dissolve
Into some other life
Because I, I can't stay long
Let the sky roll on
Just a glance and the glance is gone
I, I can't stay long
When the right time comes
I'll dissolve
"I Can't Stay Long" by Ultravox is a contemplative song about the temporary nature of life and the passing of time. The first verse speaks to the ebb and flow of the tides, which is a metaphor for the way life moves and changes. The singer feels like a sheet is being pulled away from over them, almost like they are waking up from a dream. The second verse speaks to the fleeting nature of moments in life, especially in the summer when time seems to fly by. The chorus repeats the sentiment that the singer can't stay long, and they watch as people come and go in the train station. The bridge speaks about the singer's desire to let go of their surroundings and dissolve into a different life, emphasizing their sense of transience and restlessness.
Overall, the song is a reflection on the human experience and the way we move through time. It emphasizes the importance of cherishing every moment and being present in our lives, even as everything moves quickly around us.
Line by Line Meaning
I can feel the turning of the tides
I am aware of the changes happening around me
Pulling away the night
Taking away darkness and bringing light
Like a sheet from over me
Similar to a sheet being lifted off of me
In summer time, I dissolve to a beach
During the summer, my mind drifts to thoughts of the beach
And everywhere seems to be
It appears as though everything is
Just a flicker on a silent screen
Just a brief moment in time, like a scene in a movie
Because I, I can't stay long
I have a limited amount of time available
Let the sky roll on
Allow time to pass quickly
Just a flicker and the crowd moves on
People quickly move on and forget about things
In winter overcoats close in
During winter, people bundle up in warm clothing
And the snow tastes of tin
The snow has an unpleasant metallic taste
On the steps of any station
This can happen anywhere, like a train station
I'd like to glide in the long green light
I would enjoy moving gracefully in the soft green light
Of a July afternoon
During a relaxing and peaceful summer day
Sliding down a vague conversation
Engaging in casual chit-chat without a specific topic
When the moment comes
When the right time presents itself
Just a glance and the glance is gone
A momentary interaction that quickly dissipates
Watch closely as a man with a hat
Pay attention to this guy with a hat
And a girl with a map synchronize with the track
These two people align with the rhythm or pace of their environment
And they go away
Then they quickly depart
I need to drift through all the walls
I want to pass through all the barriers or obstacles
And let the scenery dissolve
Allow the visual surroundings to fade away
Into some other life
Imagine a different existence or experience
When the right time comes
When the opportune moment arises
I'll dissolve
I'll fade away or leave
I, I can't stay long
I'm unable to stick around for very long
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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.