Ultravox – Vienna [Official HD Remastered Video]

Band Name: Ultravox

Song Title: Vienna [Official HD Remastered Video]

Ultravox (formerly Ultravox!) have been one of the primary exponents of the British new wave synthpop music movement since the late 70s. The band is particularly associated with the New Romantic scene, although it both pre- and post-dated the peak of that movement by several years. Known for popular hits such as “Dancing With Tears In My Eyes” and “Vienna” among many others, the band has drawn inspiration variously from dark, moody post-punk, the artier side of glam rock, and latterly straightforward synthpop. Their latest album is 2012’s ‘Brilliant’, featuring the 80s line-up of Midge Ure, Billy Currie, Chris Cross, and Warren Cann.

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”.

Description: You are watching the official remastered HD video for ‘Vienna’ by Ultravox. A timeless classic, ‘Vienna’ reached number 2 in the UK charts in January 1981, selling over half a million copies in the UK. The video was directed by Russel Mulcahy filmed on location on a day trip to Vienna and in Covent Garden and the Kilburn State Theatre in London. The video perfectly captures the early 80’s video boom. Video Remastered by Nacho Taken from Ultravox’s Vienna [Deluxe Edition] 5CD/DVD 40th Anniversary box set is out now: https://ultravox.lnk.to/vienna40th Follow Ultravox: Ultravox’s Music Online: https://Ultravox.lnk.to/Listen Subscribe: https://Ultravox.lnk.to/Subscribe Website: https://Ultravox.lnk.to/Web Facebook: https://Ultravox.lnk.to/FB Instagram: https://Ultravox.lnk.to/IN Twitter: https://Ultravox.lnk.to/TW Lyrics: We walked in the cold air Freezing breath on a window pane Lying and waiting A man in the dark in a picture frame So mystic and soulful A voice reaching out in a piercing cry It stays with you until The feeling has gone, only you and I It means nothing to me This means nothing to me Oh, Vienna The music is weaving Haunting notes, pizzicato strings The rhythm is calling Alone in the night as the daylight brings A cool empty silence The warmth of your hand and a cold grey sky It fades to the distance The image has gone, only you and I It means nothing to me This means nothing to me Oh, Vienna This means nothing to me This means nothing to me Oh, Vienna __