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
Waiting
Ultravox Lyrics
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Strange words from the other line
Edging forward, feeling strong
Syncopate with the marching song
Thoughts and dreams flick across your mind
Fade away as you wait for your time to go
You're waiting, waiting, waiting
Looking back as you head for home
Friends call from an open door
Strange voice as you cross the floor
Thoughts of home flick across your mind
Slip away as you wait for your time to go
You're waiting, waiting, waiting
The song "Waiting" by Ultravox is a haunting and introspective piece that deals with the concept of waiting for something. The lyrics describe the thoughts and feelings of someone who is waiting, both physically and metaphorically, for something to happen or for something to change in their life. The opening line "Move on as we step in time" sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer seems to be stuck in a sort of limbo, always moving forward but never really getting anywhere.
The second verse hints at a sense of uncertainty and isolation, as the singer wonders if they are truly alone as they head for home. The reference to a "strange voice" and the feeling of being unsure if they walk alone suggests that the singer may be grappling with feelings of alienation or disconnection from those around them.
Overall, the lyrics of "Waiting" create a sense of unease and tension, as the singer is portrayed as being trapped in a state of waiting that may never end. The repetition of the word "waiting" throughout the song reinforces this sense of stagnation and frustration.
Line by Line Meaning
Move on as we step in time
We must continue with the march, keeping in sync with one another
Strange words from the other line
We hear unfamiliar words from another group or faction
Edging forward, feeling strong
We move forward with confidence and strength
Syncopate with the marching song
We coordinate and maintain rhythm with the cadence of our marching song
Thoughts and dreams flick across your mind
Various ideas and aspirations briefly cross our thoughts
Fade away as you wait for your time to go
As we wait for our moment to act, those thoughts and dreams dissipate
You're waiting, waiting, waiting
We are in a state of waiting, anticipating our next move
Looking back as you head for home
On our journey home, we reflect on past events
Unsure if you walk alone
We are uncertain if we have companionship and support in our journey
Friends call from an open door
We hear familiar voices welcoming us back home
Strange voice as you cross the floor
We hear an unfamiliar voice as we move through a new environment
Thoughts of home flick across your mind
We briefly think of being comfortable and at ease in our own home
Slip away as you wait for your time to go
Those thoughts vanish as we wait for our moment of action
You're waiting, waiting, waiting
We are still in the midst of waiting, unsure of what's to come.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANONY JOHN, SANG WOO WON
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.