Takes me back to my youth with everyone dramatically singing the chorus together. 😁 Criminally kept off the no 1 spot in the UK charts by a 'novelty' record. Travesty.
Here we are. To say this changed my world when it came out (I was 10 - this was played everywhere) would be a profound understatement. All this early 80s stuff - this was my childhood and early adolescence in little Britain ❤
This was a huge song for me. This whole album really. At the time wanting to make music and mainly playing guitar. These sounds had me trying to figure out did I want to play guitar or synths? I ended up playing guitar that sounds like synths.
Jim 'Midge' Ure OBE from Cambuslang, nr. Glasgow, Scotland, of Ultravox fame was, with Bob Geldorf, of The Boomtown Rats, the instigators of the Live Aid Concert! Recorded at RAK Studio, 42-48 Charlbert St., St John's Wood, London in 1980, released 09 Jan 1981. He lives near Bath with his wife and has three daughters.
And what a tenor too! Magnificent! The next album "Quartet" doesn't have a bad song. Also, Midge released a solo album called "Breathe" with heavy religious overtones. Beautiful songs, and I am quite fond of that album, though today it seems obscure.
One of The songs and one of The defining sounds of the early 80's. Just glorious. The way it holds you sitting, waiting for the release in that final crescendo. I remember it when it came out and it is still as fresh and still sounds as new as ever.
This is one of my favourite songs of the 80’s. I remember hearing it in my mid teens ans being totally blown away by it. It was so different and so fresh. A classic
Try ‘Sleepwalk’, New Europeans’,‘Passing strangers’ … ‘all stood Still’ This album is an amazing Electronic and very melodic rhythmic achievement! A Perfect Autumn mood album!
Yep us "old Bastards" had some seriously awesome music, when electronica was becoming available to the masses. Electronic drums has just hit the market and musicians could actually play the instruments and truly sing.
To understand what a strange places the UK charts were at the time, it's worth taking a moment to listen to "Shaddap You Face" by Joe Dolce and taking in the fact that that's the song that stopped Vienna from being a UK number 1 single!
You have got to hear the live version of this song UltraVox and Midge preformed at LIVE AID . No sound check , make shift set-up , and they belted it out of the stadium . Wembley to be specific .
"Sounds so electronic and yet so old…" yeah, they were at the head of the 'New Romantic' movement, using artistic, fashion and musical inspirations from the romantic period (late 1700's through to the era of Queen Victoria in the 1800's). It was a Big Thing, briefly. Birth of the goths. Your description is spot on.
This was such a huge hit in the UK back in the day - I still have my 7" vinyl. Saw Midge Ure perform it live about 18 months ago and it/he was still magnificent
Ultravox's has been recognized as highly innovative and widely influential on the New Wave/ New Romantic/ Synth music of the 80s. For example, I can hear elements of this song in some of the biggest hits of the 80s by other bands.
Sometimes less really is more. Hauntingly beautiful in it's stark simplicity. Still my favorite Ultravox track. The music video is suitably gothic and disturbing.
There was a three-CD release by the NME music magazine in the UK called Ruby Trax (The NME's Roaring Forty) back in 1992 with 39 No.1 singles covered by other artists. The one No.2 was Ultravox's Vienna; kept off the top of the charts by Joe Dolce's Shaddup You Face, a novelty track. That is also covered on the album, though, by EMF. Vienna is covered by comedian Vic Reeves!
I saw there was a video but I didn’t want to run the risk of it getting blocked or me getting distracted. But I will watch it now for sure. This was pure magic.
You nailed this and thanks for playing it twice, when this song hit the airwaves in 1980 (i was still a kid) it stopped us all in our tracks and we all thought, what have I just listened to, the biggest irony was that Joe Dolce's Shaddap a you face, one of the worst songs ever written (sorry Joe) stopped this classic reaching number one in the UK charts
Always was such an amazing song form an amazing band. Vienna was a major center of classical music with world class opera houses and symphonies. Gustav Mahler, one of my favorite classical composers, would have loved this song, I think. Next up for Ultravox, Reap the Wild Wind, another Ultravox classic!
I can't hear mention of Dr Strangelove without thinking of the British rockers Dr Feelgood. They're well worth checking out, especially the guitarist, Wilko Johnson. I love their track, 'Roxette'. Coming back to Ultravox, I'm delighted you loved this, their opus magnus. It's magnificent. I strongly recommend 'Hymn', 'Sleepwalk' and 'Dancing With Tears In My Eyes'.
This album was a big influence on Rush; so much so that Rush employed many approach concepts Ultravox were doing, on 'Moving Pictures'. The song "Vital Signs" is a clear indicator of this. Neil is on record as saying as much.
Getting ready for autumn are we. Feels perfect with the falling leaves. Kraftwerk and Low/Heroes are largely to blame when it comes to UV, in the best possible way.
should listen to the group FM, song "phasers on stun". (Yes, Star Trek reference)They started out with a keboard player who sang, and someone who played mostly mandolin (Nash the Slash) before they released the album, they were just the 2 of them, once they album came out, they had added a drummer. No guitars at all.
If you're looking for other Ultravox tracks, personally I would recommend 'Just For A Moment' from their third album Systems Of Romance in 1978. It's the previous album to Vienna, and the last album with their previous lead singer John Foxx before he left and was replaced by Midge Ure. It's an especially haunting song, even more so than 'Vienna', imo 😊
Great reaction. I have been strongly influenced by these artists. would be interesting to hear and see your reaction to "the thin wall" from the "rage in eden" album.
If I was going to suggest a song to follow-up this one, it would be the song “Messages” from Orchestra Maneuvers in the Dark (OMD): ua-cam.com/video/f-bjqRxG9qI/v-deo.htmlsi=PpzvP1JSCA51nZb7
There is a great documentary about Connie Plank: The Potential of Noise on Pluto TV (and other streaming sources) I would recommend to anyone who cares about music production.
When will you realize, Wait! What? Midge & crew laying down. I love the story of how Midge was a session musician for a great many people in the late 70’s & went “Hey, why don’t I form my own band” the Goth Chicks in the early 1990s loved this stuff, and how I learned it. Then I did a deep dive into them in 2011.
Many Brits thought Midge was saying "Elsie Tanner" who was a member of a British Soap Opera...."Coronation Street"😂....the Ultravox before this album featured the original singer Jon Foxx.....check out their "Systems of romance" album with Jon Foxx....it is phenomenal.
How unreal to realize this was 1980. But realizing Kate Bush released Never For Ever that same years puts it back in perspective. From 1982 another one like this, but even more uncanny is Laurie Anderson's 'Oh Superman'... a real piece of modern art, with a troubling content. That year Kate Bush released The Dreaming. What's the point? To me it shows what a unique artist Kate Bush already was, just 2 and 4 years into her career..
I have to admit I hated "Vienna" back then. Because I was a huge fan of the original Ultravox!, a much more exciting and creative band IMO, with the fantastic John Foxx fronting them (saw them live in '78). When he left and Midge Ure took his place, the band watered down a lot and became ... that - a MTV pop band.
Hey bro, I don’t really have the time or lifestyle for a Patreon account, but I really like the quality and quantity of your content. Just did 16 weeks in Europe, and every time I got on the train, I would check out your progress on progressive band’s catalogues (YES, Tull, etc.). Check out the video of the O’keefe Music Foundation covering TOOL’s 46 and 2. I know you’ll really enjoy it.
THEY ARE THE BEST, ALONG WITH OMD AND DEPECHE MODE YOU CAN'T FIND BETTER. THE MUSICAL LAYERING OF THE MUSIC IS OUTSTANDING. I LOVED ULTRAVOX, I LISTENED TO THEIR MUSIC OVER AND OVER AGAIN WITH EAR PHONES. MIDGE URE IS A GREAT SINGER. THEIR IS A LIVE VERSION THAT IS A MUST HEAR.
Dancing with tears in my eyes is another great one of theirs. Very special band.
Takes me back to my youth with everyone dramatically singing the chorus together. 😁 Criminally kept off the no 1 spot in the UK charts by a 'novelty' record. Travesty.
Here we are. To say this changed my world when it came out (I was 10 - this was played everywhere) would be a profound understatement. All this early 80s stuff - this was my childhood and early adolescence in little Britain ❤
Sounds as architectural, dramatic and tragic as it did when it first came out. A masterpiece.
Lee, you recorded this on his 71st birthday :D 10/10
By far my favourite reaction to this tune! Well done!
Absolutely love this! The build is phenomenal! Let alone his voice and the piano...
Yes it still holds up, the type of song that brings you back to the best time of your life, you cannot not like this song
Vienna was the cat in Rising Damp!
"Hey, keep yer voice down, Miss Jones will hear you. I don't want her upset, a woman of her refinement."
Goodnight Vienna!
A wonderful compositon. More please.
Hey Cora 😊
An absolute classic song and album. There is a cold, haunting quality about it, but Midge's vocal humanises it.
This was a huge song for me. This whole album really. At the time wanting to make music and mainly playing guitar. These sounds had me trying to figure out did I want to play guitar or synths? I ended up playing guitar that sounds like synths.
Are Friends Electric by Gary Numan next please.
Yes yes yes ❤
Midge Ure had another band, or maybe more a side project, with Steve Strange, called Visage. Their song Fade To Grey is a synthwave classic.
thats a brilliant songt too!
Jim 'Midge' Ure OBE from Cambuslang, nr. Glasgow, Scotland, of Ultravox fame was, with Bob Geldorf, of The Boomtown Rats, the instigators of the Live Aid Concert! Recorded at RAK Studio, 42-48 Charlbert St., St John's Wood, London in 1980, released 09 Jan 1981. He lives near Bath with his wife and has three daughters.
And what a tenor too! Magnificent! The next album "Quartet" doesn't have a bad song. Also, Midge released a solo album called "Breathe" with heavy religious overtones. Beautiful songs, and I am quite fond of that album, though today it seems obscure.
One of The songs and one of The defining sounds of the early 80's. Just glorious. The way it holds you sitting, waiting for the release in that final crescendo. I remember it when it came out and it is still as fresh and still sounds as new as ever.
Yeah that shit took me the hand and guided me somewhere else. What a great track
Hey, it's my flash request! 🙂
Great request! Glad it won!
Good choice!
nice one!
Thank you ❤️ this was wonderful
@@L33Reacts my pleasure. I'm really glad you liked it.
Billy Currie was in Tubeway Army with Gary Numan also.Check out them also if you like Ultravox.
Absolutely 😊
The atmosphere they create here is second to none. Gorgeous. The black & white vid was pretty good too ❤️ great reaction to a total classic Lee.
This is one of my favourite songs of the 80’s. I remember hearing it in my mid teens ans being totally blown away by it. It was so different and so fresh. A classic
Great reaction to a such a beautiful song, thanks! I always loved how it sounds, like nothing else out there. Just carries so much emotion!
Thank you! Yeah I can’t think of anything that really sounds like this. It’s indeed incredible…
Thanks L33…For this Ultravox …This album Titled ‘Vienna’ deserves attention…
And Congratulations for 33k!!
Thanks bro! I appreciate it. We grow by the day. :)
Try ‘Sleepwalk’, New Europeans’,‘Passing strangers’
… ‘all stood Still’
This album is an amazing Electronic and very melodic rhythmic achievement!
A Perfect Autumn mood album!
Yep us "old Bastards" had some seriously awesome music, when electronica was becoming available to the masses. Electronic drums has just hit the market and musicians could actually play the instruments and truly sing.
To understand what a strange places the UK charts were at the time, it's worth taking a moment to listen to "Shaddap You Face" by Joe Dolce and taking in the fact that that's the song that stopped Vienna from being a UK number 1 single!
A travesty!
I was 9 in 1980 and I LOATHED Shaddap You Face.
@@PanarchyInTheUK Whatsa matta you?
Someone else mentioned that too lol I’ll have to see what could have possibly prevented this wonderful song from going number 1
@@L33Reacts It will give you total nightmares! It's awful on every level, but you have to see it to believe it :D
So nice, utterly beautiful!!
I agree that was fantastic 😃🙏
It's definitely worth watching the very iconic video to this song Lee
I was going to but I figured it would be blocked 🙂↔️😂
@John-et9yl It's alright I watched it instead. 😀 Any excuse for a bit of Gothic drama.
You have got to hear the live version of this song UltraVox and Midge preformed at LIVE AID . No sound check , make shift set-up , and they belted it out of the stadium . Wembley to be specific .
Just watched that performance, Kirby. I had forgotten how excellent it is. Midge's power! Wow!
You must check the video clip is absolutely dramatic and atmospheric,like old cinema..
I will watch it today! I just didn’t want to run the risk of this video getting blocked
@@L33Reactsthe video is a masterpiece of an accompaniment, it has shades of that incredible film, The Third Man
Thank you, this was perfect....takes me back to simpler times.
LOve this tune
"Sounds so electronic and yet so old…" yeah, they were at the head of the 'New Romantic' movement, using artistic, fashion and musical inspirations from the romantic period (late 1700's through to the era of Queen Victoria in the 1800's). It was a Big Thing, briefly. Birth of the goths. Your description is spot on.
This was such a huge hit in the UK back in the day - I still have my 7" vinyl. Saw Midge Ure perform it live about 18 months ago and it/he was still magnificent
Thank you, DrStrangelove and Lee!
Anytime 🙏❤️
Ultravox's has been recognized as highly innovative and widely influential on the New Wave/ New Romantic/ Synth music of the 80s. For example, I can hear elements of this song in some of the biggest hits of the 80s by other bands.
Sometimes less really is more. Hauntingly beautiful in it's stark simplicity. Still my favorite Ultravox track. The music video is suitably gothic and disturbing.
Digging the space 🌌 in the music!
Exquisite musical beauty in the midst of despair. Love his voice
There was a three-CD release by the NME music magazine in the UK called Ruby Trax (The NME's Roaring Forty) back in 1992 with 39 No.1 singles covered by other artists. The one No.2 was Ultravox's Vienna; kept off the top of the charts by Joe Dolce's Shaddup You Face, a novelty track. That is also covered on the album, though, by EMF. Vienna is covered by comedian Vic Reeves!
I remember me & my best friend dialing up KIQQ radio requesting this song repeatedly....fell in love at first listen ❤️❤️❤️
Now that you love it, and it's hit your soul, you are allowed to watch the official music video!
I saw there was a video but I didn’t want to run the risk of it getting blocked or me getting distracted. But I will watch it now for sure. This was pure magic.
New Europeans is the next track you should play.
In 1985 I spent 2 months backpacking in Europe & this is one of the albums (on vinyl!) I brought home with me.
Billy Currie is a very talented classically trained musician hence the classical quality to this song.
You nailed this and thanks for playing it twice, when this song hit the airwaves in 1980 (i was still a kid) it stopped us all in our tracks and we all thought, what have I just listened to, the biggest irony was that Joe Dolce's Shaddap a you face, one of the worst songs ever written (sorry Joe) stopped this classic reaching number one in the UK charts
Makes me feel 10 again and full of wonder ❤
Always was such an amazing song form an amazing band. Vienna was a major center of classical music with world class opera houses and symphonies. Gustav Mahler, one of my favorite classical composers, would have loved this song, I think. Next up for Ultravox, Reap the Wild Wind, another Ultravox classic!
I can't hear mention of Dr Strangelove without thinking of the British rockers Dr Feelgood. They're well worth checking out, especially the guitarist, Wilko Johnson. I love their track, 'Roxette'. Coming back to Ultravox, I'm delighted you loved this, their opus magnus. It's magnificent. I strongly recommend 'Hymn', 'Sleepwalk' and 'Dancing With Tears In My Eyes'.
The video is an excellent accompaniment to the song.
This album was a big influence on Rush; so much so that Rush employed many approach concepts Ultravox were doing, on 'Moving Pictures'. The song "Vital Signs" is a clear indicator of this. Neil is on record as saying as much.
Getting ready for autumn are we. Feels perfect with the falling leaves. Kraftwerk and Low/Heroes are largely to blame when it comes to UV, in the best possible way.
You should check out "The Voice" from their Monument album. I've heard you like drums. You have to check it out. It's live too.
should listen to the group FM, song "phasers on stun". (Yes, Star Trek reference)They started out with a keboard player who sang, and someone who played mostly mandolin (Nash the Slash) before they released the album, they were just the 2 of them, once they album came out, they had added a drummer. No guitars at all.
If you're looking for other Ultravox tracks, personally I would recommend 'Just For A Moment' from their third album Systems Of Romance in 1978. It's the previous album to Vienna, and the last album with their previous lead singer John Foxx before he left and was replaced by Midge Ure. It's an especially haunting song, even more so than 'Vienna', imo 😊
Thank you for the suggestion! I will add it to the list
Midge Ure is touring this year and I’ll be seeing him in December, I’m really looking forward to it
Please do "Sleepwalk" off this album. It's fantastic. Actually just do the entire album as it's a classic!
If I remember right, criminally this was kept off the top spot in the UK by a stupid novelty song 'Shaddapa your face' by Joe Dolce.
midge ure did vis at live aid, he also organised live aid wit geldof.
Great reaction. I have been strongly influenced by these artists. would be interesting to hear and see your reaction to "the thin wall" from the "rage in eden" album.
Got to Number 2 in the UK........lost out to a novelty hit 😆
If I was going to suggest a song to follow-up this one, it would be the song “Messages” from Orchestra Maneuvers in the Dark (OMD):
ua-cam.com/video/f-bjqRxG9qI/v-deo.htmlsi=PpzvP1JSCA51nZb7
I will second that 😊
There is a great documentary about Connie Plank: The Potential of Noise on Pluto TV (and other streaming sources) I would recommend to anyone who cares about music production.
Classic synth pop, the only band that ever came close to Kraftwerk
When will you realize,
Wait! What? Midge & crew laying down. I love the story of how Midge was a session musician for a great many people in the late 70’s & went “Hey, why don’t I form my own band” the Goth Chicks in the early 1990s loved this stuff, and how I learned it. Then I did a deep dive into them in 2011.
Midge Ure didn't form Ultravox, John Foxx did. Ure stepped in as vocalist when Foxx left to pursue a solo career.
@@davidcopson5800 learned something new. I read the article in 2011, so……
@@brianvernon249 No problem. I'm 66 and still learning.
Many Brits thought Midge was saying "Elsie Tanner" who was a member of a British Soap Opera...."Coronation Street"😂....the Ultravox before this album featured the original singer Jon Foxx.....check out their "Systems of romance" album with Jon Foxx....it is phenomenal.
Kept off no.1 in the UK by Shaddap Your face by Joe Dolce. Possibly the worst record of the 80’s.
Voted the best number 2 UK single of all time l think
@@John-et9yl Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields best no.2 for me. Kept off the top by Englebert Humperdinck.
How unreal to realize this was 1980. But realizing Kate Bush released Never For Ever that same years puts it back in perspective.
From 1982 another one like this, but even more uncanny is Laurie Anderson's 'Oh Superman'... a real piece of modern art, with a troubling content.
That year Kate Bush released The Dreaming. What's the point?
To me it shows what a unique artist Kate Bush already was, just 2 and 4 years into her career..
I have to admit I hated "Vienna" back then. Because I was a huge fan of the original Ultravox!, a much more exciting and creative band IMO, with the fantastic John Foxx fronting them (saw them live in '78). When he left and Midge Ure took his place, the band watered down a lot and became ... that - a MTV pop band.
Hey bro, I don’t really have the time or lifestyle for a Patreon account, but I really like the quality and quantity of your content. Just did 16 weeks in Europe, and every time I got on the train, I would check out your progress on progressive band’s catalogues (YES, Tull, etc.). Check out the video of the O’keefe Music Foundation covering TOOL’s 46 and 2. I know you’ll really enjoy it.
Hey man thank you so much! I’ll add it to the list. Thank you again 🙏 safe travels my brother
Dive deep on this album, dude.
Well I’ll be damned captain, it’s been a while! We needed you when the Romulans showed up!
I plan on it though. This and astradyne are absolutely sublime.
Midge is the nickname/stage name of James Ure. Why Midge? It’s how Jim sounds if said backwards.
MR X and All Stood Still off the same Album are my favourites. Personally, I prefer the Rage in Eden Album.
THEY ARE THE BEST, ALONG WITH OMD AND DEPECHE MODE YOU CAN'T FIND BETTER. THE MUSICAL LAYERING OF THE MUSIC IS OUTSTANDING. I LOVED ULTRAVOX, I LISTENED TO THEIR MUSIC OVER AND OVER AGAIN WITH EAR PHONES. MIDGE URE IS A GREAT SINGER. THEIR IS A LIVE VERSION THAT IS A MUST HEAR.
Great band with a great philosophy: take all your profits from your recordings and invest it in more studio gear...
This song?
It means nothing to me......
lol! 😂
played to death on the radio here in the uk never want to hear them again.