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
Who'll Save You
Ultravox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only solitary kind
Be yourself
When there's no one else around
There's hope around
Story told to man to foe
Who will still be seen?
Who will break it?
Who else will save it?
Tell me who?
Bleed yourself
Only you know jewels you found
Feed yourself
Before your're driven and around
There's hope around
The lies you told come down to talk
Held this chain
To let it go to late
And I will wait for you
The distance for you to
Who will save you?
Who will still be seen?
Who will break it?
Who else will save it?
Tell me who?
The lyrics of Ultravox's song Who'll Save You explores the theme of self-dependency and the realization that sometimes, we are the only ones who can save ourselves. The opening lines "Please yourself, only solitary kind, be yourself when there's no one else around" suggest that one should be true to themselves even when they are alone. The following lines "There's hope around, story told to man to foe" indicate that despite being alone, there is always hope and that we should keep telling ourselves stories of hope.
The chorus poses questions to the listener, questioning who will save them and who will break the cycle of their struggles. The lines "Bleed yourself, only you know jewels you found, feed yourself before your're driven and around" emphasizes the importance of self-care and self-awareness. Only we know the valuable things about ourselves, and we should feed ourselves with positivity before it is too late.
The lyrics conclude with the lines "Held this chain, to let it go too late, and I will wait for you, the distance for you to." These lines suggest that the cycle of negativity and self-doubt is like chains that one holds onto, but eventually, it will be too late to let go. The song ends on a somber note, with the singer waiting for the listener to release themselves but acknowledging that the distance to self-discovery and self-acceptance may be too great for them to bridge.
Line by Line Meaning
Please yourself
Do what makes you happy
Only solitary kind
It's okay to be alone sometimes
Be yourself
Don't pretend to be someone else
When there's no one else around
It's easier to be yourself without others' judgement
There's hope around
Optimism exists
Story told to man to foe
A tale for all, regardless of status or relationship
Who will save you?
Who will help you in your time of need?
Who will still be seen?
Who will be there for you when you're invisible to others?
Who will break it?
Who will fix the problem?
Who else will save it?
Are there any other options for salvation?
Tell me who?
Who can provide the solution?
Bleed yourself
Share what you have with others
Only you know jewels you found
You have treasures that only you know about
Feed yourself
Take care of yourself first
Before your're driven and around
Before you become too busy or distracted
The lies you told come down to talk
Your dishonesty will catch up to you
Held this chain
You're restraining yourself
To let it go to late
Waiting too long to release your limitations
And I will wait for you
I'll be patient for you to come around
The distance for you to
The space you need to find yourself
Contributed by Isaac H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dimitri Fontolan
The band is pretty good and clearly all competent musicians. That being said, this ain't no Ultravox. This is in fact "Billy Currie & his band" play Ultravox and... Ultravox! 😜
DANIEL CORTES RAMIREZ
Esta formación de ultravox es muy buena, la canción ideals es un temazo.
Giuseppe Virgilio
Grande Billy, le sue tastiere e il suo violino sono il marchio Ultravox
Lenny Russell
Great concert Astradyne and the sound quality wasn't bad either. Billy seems to be enjoying himself though it must have been strange without Chris and Warren who he had performed with most of his time as a musician.
Andi K
and midge.....
Bergen Rosen
i like both of the `other` versions of Ultravox. John and Midge are king but the 90s U.Vox shouldnt be written off.
Bergen Rosen
@The Astradyne Cafe - Ultravox & Collated 80's. Indeed .... it dismays me a little when I see the `this isnt Ultravox` comments. Midge was happy for Billy to continue the band after his departure. In my opinion, both the 90s versions are still recognizable as Ultravox ... Midges Ultravox isnt the same as Johns either but still Ultravox.
The Astradyne Cafe - Ultravox & Collated 80's.
Fully agree. Just take each lineup for what it is and enjoy the music.
drsnypejsek
Nice performance and the singer is pretty capable.
Dieu Toutpuissant
Who is singer ?