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
The Prize
Ultravox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The prize is worth the waiting for
Waiting for years in the dirt and the tears is no compromise
Stand up and fight for the right to be someone in others' eyes
The popular sin of us all giving in won't reveal the prize
The prize is worth the working for
Running up hills and the battle of wills used to wear you down
The pressures of life used to cut like a knife at this humble clown
The taunts and the jokes of the carnival chokes on your fearful cries
The popular sin of us all giving in won't reveal the prize
The prize is worth the working for
The prize is worth the waiting for
You were the proud believer
Oh don't you want that pride again?
The prize
The prize is worth the working for
The prize is worth the waiting for...
"The Prize" by Ultravox is a song about the pursuit of success and the sacrifices one must make to achieve it. The chorus repeats the lines "The prize is worth the working for, the prize is worth the waiting for" emphasizing the idea that hard work and patience will ultimately prove to be worthwhile. The opening verse describes the difficulty of the journey, waiting for years through hardship and tears, but also the importance of standing up for oneself and fighting to be recognized by others. The second verse goes on to describe the toll this journey can take, with uphill battles and struggles that wear one down. The carnival-like atmosphere of life is described with taunts and jokes, and the chorus again reminds us that despite the difficulties, the prize is worth the effort.
While the song's meaning may have been influenced by specific events in the band members' lives, it can also be seen as a more universal reflection on the human experience. It's a message of encouragement and perseverance to anyone who has faced adversity or struggled to pursue their goals. Through lyrics like "the popular sin of us all giving in won't reveal the prize" the song warns against giving up or compromising one's values, suggesting that those who persevere will ultimately find the success and pride they seek.
Line by Line Meaning
The prize is worth the working for
Achieving the desired outcome is worth the effort put into it
The prize is worth the waiting for
Patience towards achieving the desired outcome will be worthwhile
Waiting for years in the dirt and the tears is no compromise
Enduring struggles and hardships over a long period of time should not be considered a compromise
Stand up and fight for the right to be someone in others' eyes
Strive for recognition and a positive reputation in the eyes of others
The popular sin of us all giving in won't reveal the prize
Just giving up and succumbing to societal pressure will not lead to achieving the desired outcome
Running up hills and the battle of wills used to wear you down
Challenging situations and people used to exhaust and demotivate you
The pressures of life used to cut like a knife at this humble clown
The difficulties of life used to greatly affect and hurt this humble person
The taunts and the jokes of the carnival chokes on your fearful cries
Mockery and insults from others suffocate and amplify your fears and anxieties
You were the proud believer
You used to have strong conviction and confidence in yourself and your abilities
Oh don't you want that pride again?
Don't you desire to regain that sense of confidence and self-assurance?
Contributed by Samuel S. 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.