Initially, the band was comprised of Steve Strange, Rusty Egan and Midge Ure (also previously of The Rich Kids). Also in there, and credited as a co-writer of FADE TO GREY was Chris Payne,a member of Gary Numan's band. The trio recorded a demo which included a cover of the Zager and Evans hit "In the Year 2525". Ultravox's multi-instrumentalist Billy Currie and the core of post-punk band Magazine – bassist Barry Adamson, guitarist John McGeoch, and keyboardist Dave Formula – joined the studio-only band later. Visage signed to Radar Records and released their first single, "Tar" (which was originally composed whilst Strange was in The Photons), in September of 1979. The single failed to chart, but the band managed to secure a deal with a larger record company, Polydor, the following year.
1980 saw the release of their second single, "Fade to Grey". The single became a huge hit (making the top ten in the UK and topping the chart in several other countries) and was quickly followed by the release of their self-titled debut album which was also a chart success.
After further Top 40 hits with "Mind of a Toy" and the title track "Visage", Strange struggled to reunite the band's members again to record a second album because of their commitments with their respective bands (Ure and Currie with Ultravox; Formula and Adamson with Magazine; and McGeoch with Siouxsie and the Banshees). However, in the autumn of 1981 all musicians (except McGeoch) went into the studio again and recorded The Anvil. The album was released in March of 1982 and became Visage's first (and only) UK top ten album, producing two top twenty singles with "The Damned Don't Cry" and "Night Train". The Anvil earned Silver disc status in the UK, as did the band's first album.
Following this, Ure left the band to concentrate on his work with Ultravox, who were by now becoming even more successful than Visage were. Creative differences with Strange were also cited as reasons for his departure at the time. Visage, now without Ure and Adamson but with the addition of bassist Steve Barnacle, recorded the stand-alone single "Pleasure Boys", which was released in October of 1982. Unfortunately, the single failed to prolong their string of hits and peaked just outside the UK top 40.
Although still recording, Visage then took a two year hiatus from releasing any new material due to contractual difficulties.
With their contractual problems resolved, 1984 saw the return of Visage for what would become their third album and final released for many years. Beat Boy was released in September of 1984 but was a critical and commercial failure, peaking at #79 in the UK. Two singles from the album, "Love Glove" and "Beat Boy", also failed to make the UK top 40. By this time, Billy Currie and Dave Formula had also departed the band (though they received a "special thanks" credit on the album sleeve for their input), leaving only Strange and Egan from the original line-up along with newer musicians Steve and Gary Barnacle and Andy Barnett. A decision to make Visage a live band instead of a strictly studio-based project also failed to meet with success and the band subsequently split in 1985. Their final release was a Visage VHS video compilation of the band's renowned promotional videos and also included footage of Strange's trip to North Africa the year before. The compilation does not, however, include the original video for the "Love Glove" single which was filmed at a late-night Dockland location in London in 1984.
Following the demise of Visage, Strange then formed the short-lived band Strange Cruise. They released one album in 1986, though this too proved unsuccessful. Visage returned to the charts once more when a Bassheads remix of "Fade to Grey" was a UK Top 40 hit in 1993.
In 2004 Steve Strange reformed Visage with an entirely new line-up. The line-up included Steven Young, Sandrine Gouriou and Rosie Harris from Seize and Ross Tregenza from Jetstream Lovers/Goteki. The new line-up released the track "Diary Of A Madman" in 2007, written by Strange and Tregenza.
Strange released another album using the moniker Visage in 2013 called "Hearts and Knieves.
In December 2014, Visage released Orchestral, a mostly live album containing twelve Visage songs remade with a Czech symphony orchestra.
On 12 February 2015 Steve Strange died due to heart attack while visiting Egypt, He died at 55.
There is another band that use the same name:
2) Visage (ヴィサージュ) was a Japanese visual kei band, who was signed to the Undercode VK label.
The Promise
Visage Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You said it would come true
[The proof:]
The making up to you
[Pride:]
Hold your head up high
You've got them on your side
Please don't run please don't hide
Promises it's your life
[The jury:]
Decided it for you
[Decisions:]
Maybe they're untrue
Sometimes:
You've got to give and take
[Hurry-up:]
It's make or break
[It's time:]
Time to live live your life
[Chorus]
]
Are you takin' wrong advice
[Suggestions:]
Maybe wrong maybe right
[Remember:]
You're takin' nothing for granted
Your past your present life maybe tainted
But remember it's your life
[Chorus]
[Chorus]
Fade...
The song "The Promise" by Visage is a motivational and inspirational tune aimed at urging listeners to hold their heads up high, be confident, and take control of their lives. The lyrics convey the message that one should not be deterred by any obstacle, but rather, they should be resilient and persistent in their pursuit of their dreams. The promise refers to the idea that the things that one has been hoping for will eventually come true, and proof relates to achieving those goals.
The chorus repeats the message that promises are a fundamental part of one's life, and despite the decision that the jury may have made, one should still strive to live their life to the fullest. The bridge highlights the importance of taking other people's advice and suggestions into consideration but ultimately making decisions that are true to oneself. The song concludes by stating that despite the past and present life challenges, one should always remember that it's their life and that they hold the power to determine their destiny.
Line by Line Meaning
You said it would come true
You made a promise that you would do something.
The making up to you
I am attempting to make up for past mistakes.
Hold your head up high
Be confident in yourself and your actions.
You've got them on your side
People are supporting and rooting for you.
Please don't run please don't hide
Don't avoid facing challenges and problems.
Promises it's your life
Your life is based on promises you make and keep.
Decided it for you
Someone else has made a decision on your behalf.
Maybe they're untrue
The decision made might not be true, accurate or correct.
Sometimes: You've got to give and take
It's important to make compromises in order to achieve your goals.
It's make or break
This is a critical, decisive moment.
Time to live live your life
It's time to start living your life.
Are you takin' wrong advice
You might be getting advice that isn't helpful or accurate.
Maybe wrong maybe right
The advice might not be good, but it could be successful or beneficial.
You're takin' nothing for granted
You're being cautious and not assuming anything.
Your past your present life maybe tainted
Your past and present might not be perfect or ideal.
But remember it's your life
You have control of your own life.
Chorus
The chorus reiterates the idea that promises define your life and what you can expect from others.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVEN BARNACLE, PETER ANSELM EGAN, STEVE STRANGE, ANDREW BARNETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind