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
RISE
Ultravox Lyrics
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I'm here to grow your little monuments
Oh, don't dare to doubt me all the joy I bring
It's Heaven sent
Hold on, I've come to help you rise
With a handshake, big smile, good guy profile
Take it now or leave it 'neath the flash of a neon sky
To give you all the things you need
To help you get the things I need for me
I bring you revelations openly
I set the word of God to make you pray
Oh, don't think to thank my world for anything, anyway
Hold on, I've come to help you rise
With a handshake, big smile, good guy profile
Take it now or leave it 'neath the flash of a neon sky
I'll cheat and lie
To give you all the things you need
To help you get the things I need for me
Hold on, I've come to help you rise
To give you all the things you need
No how or why
No live or die
Fail to comply
Red neon sky
Hold on, I've come to help you rise
With a handshake, big smile, good guy profile
Take it now or leave it 'neath the flash of a neon sky
I'll cheat and lie
To give you all the things you need
To help you get the things I need for me
Take it now or leave it 'neath the flash of a neon sky
To give you all the things you need
To help you get the things I need for me
The song "Rise" by Ultravox is a commentary on the manipulative nature of those in power who claim to be helpful but are actually only looking out for their own interests. The lyrics suggest that the singer is offering the listener the best of everything and is there to grow their "little monuments," but it becomes clear that this offer is ultimately self-serving. The singer promises to cheat and lie to give the listener what they need, but only in order to get what the singer needs for themselves.
The repeated phrase "hold on, I've come to help you rise" is both a promise and a threat. On one hand, it suggests that the singer is offering a helping hand to the listener, but on the other hand, the emphasis on the word "rise" implies that the listener is currently low or weak and in need of assistance from the singer. This power dynamic is reinforced by the use of the word "beneath" when describing the choice the listener must make to accept the singer's offer.
In addition to these themes of manipulation and power dynamics, the song also touches on religion and the idea of God being used as a tool to control and influence others. The line "I bring you revelations openly / I set the word of God to make you pray" implies that the singer is using religion to manipulate the listener and may not genuinely believe in the religious ideas they are promoting.
Line by Line Meaning
I give to you the best of everything
I offer you only the highest quality of everything.
I'm here to grow your little monuments
I am here to help you build your legacy and success.
Oh, don't dare to doubt me all the joy I bring
You must not question the happiness and success that I bring to you.
It's Heaven sent
It is a gift from the divine.
Hold on, I've come to help you rise
Wait and listen, I have come to help you achieve success.
With a handshake, big smile, good guy profile
I present myself as friendly and trustworthy, with a sincere desire to help.
Take it now or leave it 'neath the flash of a neon sky
You have a choice to accept or reject my offer, which is given in a flashy and attention-grabbing manner.
I'll cheat and lie
I am willing to deceive and manipulate in order to get what I want, even if it harms others.
To give you all the things you need
I promise to provide you with everything you require to succeed.
To help you get the things I need for me
In reality, everything I do for you is a means to an end – to benefit myself.
No how or why
There is no explanation, no reason behind my actions.
No live or die
Whether you survive or perish ultimately doesn't matter to me.
Fail to comply
If you do not follow my instructions, there will be consequences.
Red neon sky
An ominous and sinister atmosphere that represents the danger and deceitfulness of the situation.
Take it now or leave it 'neath the flash of a neon sky
Once again, a reminder that the offer is given in a flashy and insincere manner.
To help you get the things I need for me
I will do everything I can to benefit myself, even if it means pretending to be helpful and trustworthy.
To give you all the things you need
I am promising you everything you could possibly require to achieve success.
Contributed by Evelyn A. 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.