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
slow motion
Ultravox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm trying hard to somehow frame a reply
Pictures, I've got pictures, and I run them in my head
When I can't sleep at night
Looking out at the white world and the moon
I feel a soft exchange taking place
Merging with the people on the brains (?)
Whirling my face in conversation
Slow motion
Hush, can you feel the trees so far away?
Hush, can you feel the breeze of another day?
When we held each other close in the night
While we wheeled away in our own light
Stepping sideways into our own time
Such a simple way
Slow motion
Slow motion
And we held each other close in the night
While we wheeled away in our own light
And some of us from another time
And drifted away
Slow motion
Slow motion
The lyrics of Ultravox's song "Slow Motion" describe the singer's struggle to find the right words to reply to a message he has received. He has pictures in his mind, running them over and over again while unable to sleep. Looking out at the white world and the moon, he feels a sense of merging with the people around him, as if they are all having a conversation in slow motion. The singer describes the feeling of being in a hushed moment, where one can feel the trees and the breeze of another day. The song captures the feeling of being disconnected from time and space, feeling as though you are in a slow motion world of your own.
The second verse captures a moment where the singer reminisces about the past, where he held someone close in the night, in their own world of light. As they stepped sideways into their own time, the world slowed down and turned into slow motion. The singer describes the simplicity of that moment as he is drifting away into another time, describing the process as slow motion.
Overall, the song captures a sense of longing for a moment in time that has already passed. The singer is struggling to place himself within the moment, lost in a world of pictures and slow motion. The song's haunting melody and deep lyrics make it one of Ultravox's most memorable and enduring contributions to the world of music.
Line by Line Meaning
No reply
I'm feeling ignored and left out, and the silence is deafening.
I'm trying hard to somehow frame a reply
I'm struggling to put my thoughts and emotions into words, but I'm determined to do so.
Pictures, I've got pictures, and I run them in my head
I keep replaying memories and scenarios in my mind, trying to imagine different outcomes.
When I can't sleep at night
My worries and anxieties keep me awake, and I can't find peace.
Looking out at the white world and the moon
I'm surrounded by a world of coldness and emptiness, with only the moon as my companion.
I feel a soft exchange taking place
I sense a subtle connection and communication with the people and world around me.
Merging with the people on the brains (?),
I'm sharing thoughts and emotions with others, and becoming part of a collective consciousness.
Whirling my face in conversation
I'm engaging in deep and meaningful discussions with others, and opening myself up to new perspectives.
Slow motion
Everything around me seems to move in slow motion, as I try to process and make sense of it all.
Hush, can you feel the trees so far away?
Can you sense the presence and energy of nature, even when it seems distant and unattainable?
Hush, can you feel the breeze of another day?
Can you feel the anticipation and excitement of new possibilities and opportunities to come?
When we held each other close in the night
During those moments of intimacy and vulnerability, we found solace and comfort in each other's arms.
While we wheeled away in our own light
We were free to explore and express ourselves, without judgment or restriction, guided only by our own inner light.
Stepping sideways into our own time
We were able to transcend the boundaries of time and space, and create our own reality and experience.
Such a simple way
Life can be so beautiful and peaceful, when we simplify and appreciate the little things.
And some of us from another time
Some of us come from different backgrounds and experiences, and bring a unique perspective to the present moment.
And drifted away
But eventually, we all must move on and let go, drifting away from the moments and people that once defined us.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER THOMAS ALLEN, DENNIS LEIGH, ROBIN SIMON, WARREN REGINALD CANN, WILLIAM CURRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christopher Adderley
One of the finest albums ever recorded.
A brilliant collision of synthesizers and distorted guitars.
Always loved the John Foxx led Ultravox! 🧡
Vindaloo Vince
I still love this album and nearly all of John Foxx's work....and don't forget Robin Simons incredible and original guitar work.
David Ellis
One of Top 10 albums ever. This was innovative 40 years ago & would still be today. Great Production by Conny Plank.
Angela De L'Aqua
Those drums, that bass, the synth and distorted guitars.....and Johns voice and lyrics........just sublime, my all time of all time! I think I might have this at my funeral as I drift away into the fire! Lol I will be going home so I look forward to it!
Donna Rawlins French
Great album, and sounds wonderful cranked up to 11. John Foxx IS underrated - his best work is sublime, whether power-pop loud or ambient-soft. Go John!
anonymous person
One of my favorite Billy Currie moments.
Bon Voyeurage
billy curry:keyboard ,electric violin player extraordinaire!!
Skymouth
I grew up on this vinyl! Glad to see the younguns finding this good stuff!
Hozonkai
Essentially, this album gave birth to the 80s
MrWitchtrials
Currie deserves a knighthood for services to synths.