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
Western Promise
Ultravox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh mystical East, on old postcards,
Your childhood dreams and energies.
Your temples' gardens, old world charm,
An ancient culture, torn and scarred.
This is my Western promise.
Oh mystical East, you've lost your way,
Your rising sun shall rise again.
My Western world gives out her hand,
A victor's help to your fallen land.
This is my Western promise.
Hai!
Mystical East, all taxi-cabs,
All ultra-neon, sign of the times.
Your Buddha Zen and Christian man,
All minions to messiah Pepsi can.
This is my Western promise.
The lyrics to Ultravox's song Western Promise speak about the East, referring to it as a mystical place filled with ancient cultures and traditions. The song begins by painting a picture of the East as a place of old postcards, childhood dreams, and energy. It describes the gardens of the temples, old world charm, and ancient cultures that have been torn and scarred. The singer then goes on to make a promise to the East, calling it his Western promise, and expresses a desire to help the region with its current situation.
In the subsequent verses, the song describes how the East has lost its way, and how the Western world is willing to give a helping hand. The rising sun, which represents Japan, symbolizes the hope for a better future for the East, and the singer expresses his desire to contribute to the region's development. The final verse highlights the changing times in the East, with the traditional Buddha Zen and Christian beliefs now being overshadowed by the popular soda brand, Pepsi.
Overall, the song Western Promise is a commentary on the cultural differences between the East and the West. It speaks of the challenges faced by the East, but also of the Western world's willingness to help and support the region.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh mystical East, on old postcards,
The East is portrayed as a mystical, exotic place in old postcards that evoke childhood dreams and energies.
Your childhood dreams and energies.
The East is perceived as an inspiration for creative and imaginative pursuits that awaken childhood dreams and energies.
Your temples' gardens, old world charm,
The East is known for its beautiful ancient temples with serene gardens that exude an old world charm.
An ancient culture, torn and scarred.
Despite its rich heritage, the East has been plagued with conflicts and struggles that have left it torn and scarred.
This is my Western promise.
The artist pledges to make a grand promise that stems from their Western perspective and aims to help the East.
Oh mystical East, you've lost your way,
The East is seen as having lost its path or direction due to certain influences or circumstances.
Your rising sun shall rise again.
The singer believes that the East will rise again, much like the sun rising in the morning after a dark night.
My Western world gives out her hand,
The artist extends a helping hand from their Western perspective, with the intention of aiding the East.
A victor's help to your fallen land.
The artist sees the East as a fallen land in need of a victor's help, implying their confidence in making a significant difference.
Mystical East, all taxi-cabs,
The East is referred to as mystical again, but this time through the lens of contemporary urban life - taxis, neon lights, etc.
All ultra-neon, sign of the times.
The singer observes the East's adaptation to modern times and compares it to the ultra-neon lights and signs that dominate urban areas.
Your Buddha Zen and Christian man,
The East's traditional Zen Buddhism and the influence of the Christian religion are highlighted as well, showcasing the diverse religious landscape.
All minions to messiah Pepsi can.
Finally, the singer suggests that these religious figures and philosophies are overshadowed by a more consumer-oriented messiah - Pepsi, representative of Western consumerism.
This is my Western promise.
The singer reiterates their commitment to their Western promise, which, given the song's context, can be interpreted as a broad statement of intent to bridge the East-West divide, whether culturally, spiritually or materially.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER THOMAS ALLEN, MIDGE URE, WARREN REGINALD CANN, WILLIAM CURRIE
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.