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
No Regrets
Ultravox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For far too long, I've had nothing new to show to you
Goodbye, dry eyes, I've watched your 'plane fade off west of the moon
And it felt so strange to walk away alone
Chorus:
There's no regrets
No tears goodbye
We'd only cry again
Say goodbye again
The hours that were yours echo like empty rooms
The thoughts we used to share I now keep alone
I woke last night and spoke to you
Not thinking you were gone
And it felt so strange to lie awake alone
Repeat chorus
In Ultravox's song "No Regrets," the lead singer laments the end of a relationship that has been long overdue but still comes as a shock. He admits that he has had nothing new to offer to his partner for quite some time, and now that she is leaving, he is filled with a strange mixture of sadness, regret, and relief. He watches her plane fade off west of the moon and walks away alone, feeling a profound sense of loss.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's acceptance of the situation, as he says that there are no regrets and no tears goodbye. He acknowledges that he does not want his partner back because they will only cry again and say goodbye again. The hours that were once filled with their time together now echo like empty rooms, and the thoughts they used to share are now kept alone. The singer even admits to speaking to his partner in his sleep, not realizing that she is gone, and waking up to the realization that he is now alone.
Overall, "No Regrets" is a melancholic song that captures the emotional rollercoaster of a breakup. It expresses the feelings of sadness, regret, and acceptance that are common in such situations, and the lyrics are open to interpretation by anyone who has experienced something similar.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you're leaving but it's too long overdue
I am aware that you are leaving, but it is long overdue.
For far too long, I've had nothing new to show to you
I have not been able to offer anything new to you for an extended period of time.
Goodbye, dry eyes, I've watched your 'plane fade off west of the moon
My eyes were dry as I watched you board your plane, which gradually disappeared into the western sky.
And it felt so strange to walk away alone
It was an unusual sensation to depart and be alone afterwards.
There's no regrets
I have no regrets.
No tears goodbye
I am not shedding any tears as I bid farewell.
I don't want you back
I have no desire to reconcile with you.
We'd only cry again
We would only end up crying once more.
Say goodbye again
It is time to say goodbye again.
The hours that were yours echo like empty rooms
The memories of our time together linger like empty rooms waiting to be filled.
The thoughts we used to share I now keep alone
I am now the only one who reflects on the thoughts that we once shared together.
I woke last night and spoke to you
I had a dream where I spoke to you last night.
Not thinking you were gone
In my dream, it did not occur to me that you had left.
And it felt so strange to lie awake alone
It was a strange sensation to wake up alone after dreaming of you.
Repeat chorus
Repeat the chorus again.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Thomas Rush
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dragonballzkai9283
I know you're leaving but it's too long overdue
For far too long, I've had nothing new to show to you
Goodbye, dry eyes, I've watched your 'plane fade off west of the moon
And it felt so strange to walk away alone
There's no regrets
No tears goodbye
I don't want you back
We'd only cry again
Say goodbye again
The hours that were yours echo like empty rooms
The thoughts we used to share I now keep alone
I woke last night and spoke to you
Not thinking you were gone
And it felt so strange to lie awake alone
There's no regrets
No tears goodbye
I don't want you back
We'd only cry again
Say goodbye again
There's no regrets
No tears goodbye
I don't want you back
We'd only cry again
Say goodbye again
@DoorCloser
When people mean underrated they mean his persona not famous these days, only a glimpse of their 40 years ago success by people who remember. Many musicians are don't deserve to be forgotten, but Midge is just national treasure, a legend, he deserves more recognition these days. Too good for media and people talking about him.
@tizianamarino2022
Yes , too good for media
@manuelgonzales6483
Midge was the reason I became gay. I still 💕 love him today 😍
@waynewest6987
Beautiful Man, Wonderful Artist. A Living Legend. ❤❤❤
@teptime
A lovingly sincere cover of one of the best songs ever.
@billyhdale4118
Very underated singer and mucisian,
@davidanderson4777
What ya on about underrated where you been he's top man
@GWOAT
@@davidanderson4777 And Person too. Geldof stole the whole Live Aid when Midge was the brains behind it.
@edvaneerden5041
Certainly one of the best male voices in pop business. And also a gifted composer. It brings so much joy and enjoyment. Thank you!!
@mrmister769
Midge ure is pure class 👍👍