AWFUL Novelty Song Kept This PERFECT 80s Classic Hit From #1...Artist Reacts! | Professor Of Rock
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- Опубліковано 13 лип 2024
- Voted the greatest #2 hit in the history of Britain, this song is simply one of the finest singles of the 1980s armed with a spirit of mystery and noir by a new wave band who were kept out of #1 by one of the worst hits of it’s time… Vienna by Ultravox was an 80s phenomenon. Up next Midge Ure who wrote and sang this classic tells the story of creating this classic with it’s perfect Vilola solo. He explains that technically it was a nightmare and it took every last bit of patience and endurance to finish recording it. Midge Ure also co wrote Do They Know It’s Christmas and is one of the most under appreciated artist of the time. Middle also explains the feelings the band had as one of the dumbest songs ever was at #1 keeping Vienna from topping the charts. A blow by blow account of how Midge Ure helmed this sonic masterpiece is up next.
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It’s time for another edition of our series #1 in our hearts where we celibate a song that unquestionably deserved to be #1 on the billboard hot 100 but for various reasons was kept out. Here we even the playing field. and this one was a no brainer. Truth be told. More people on this planet should know who Midge Ure is. He’s definitely one of the most under-appreciated singer songwriter and producers of the rock and roll era.
He not only helped revitalize a broken up Ultravox, He also co-wrote and produced one of the most influential recording of the entire 80s with Do They Know It’s Christmas, the #1 smash from 1984 that led to everything from We Are the World to Live Aid. Hailing from Scotland, his name is actually James Ure but took his first name and did a phonetic reversal to Midge. Ure came onto the scene in the 70s with several different bands. With the band Slik that included Bay City Rollers writers Bill Martin and Phil Coulter providing songs. Interestingly in 1975 Ure said no to an offer to be the lead singer of the Sex Pistols saying that he felt at the time that Malcolm McLaren had "his priorities completely wrong!", a position he later changed. In early 1976 Slik achieved a number one single on the UK Singles Chart with "Forever and Ever".
Later Ure went on to join former SEx Pistol Glen Matlock in Rich Kids, a Punk outfit, then Ure would form the band Visage with former Rich Kids bandmate Rusty Egan, with the peculiar lead singer Steve Strange who amongst other compositions in the punk and new wave scene released the equally peculiar and haunting single Fade to Grey. Then Ure would leave to join Thin Lizzy. Ure already knew singer Phil Lynott. Ure received co-writing credit for Get Out of Here on Thin Lizzy’s LP black rose.
So in mid 1978 Midge are joined up to help Thin Lizzy finish a US tour when guitarist Gary Moore abruptly left. Midge would also play guitar on the songs Things aren’t working out and Dublin for the Lizzy album the Counting saga of Aging Orphans. - Розваги
Poll: What is your pick for the greatest #2 hit in the US and in the UK?
Well I’ve already mentioned Kayleigh so I’ll add Red Light Spells Danger - Billy Ocean. No2 in the UK in 1977
Ultravox's Vienna in UK
Like a Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan in US
I believe it only went to #2
Creedence Clearwater Revival had five songs hit no.2, so any of those would be good picks, but I'll go with Nights in White Satin by Moody Blues.
james sit down
Two favorites already mentioned above, "like a Rolling Stone" in the States and England's "Nights in White Satin" (when re-released in 1972)
Ultravox are the most underrated band of the 80s. Both the John Foxx and Midge Ure versions of Ultravox produced some of the most beautiful and haunting songs of the era. Listen to 'Systems of Romance' and tell me they didn't lay the blue print for all the new wave bands to follow (and garner more success, infuriatingly), they were so ahead of their time. And Midge Ure took the brilliant foundation of Ultravox and made it even more spectacular with songs like 'Vienna', 'Dancing With Tears In My Eyes' and 'Reap The Wild Wind' (one of my favorite songs of all time). I get so annoyed that they aren't as well known as they should be, they truly were pioneers of the genre.
By 29 I was all given up about being a musician. Then, as a last ditch effort, I auditioned in Vienna and my life changed. Now, eight years later, I am paying my bills singing opera in Austria, but I am and always shall be a rocker at heart. Every time I drive up the Autobahn and see the Vienna skyline popping up at the horizon, I think of this song and thank Ultravox in silence, inspiring me to go out there and (litterally) shout my voice out loud. :P
Midge was a very busy person in the 80s. He had his hands in so many projects and is a great example of a human being. Thank you for bringing this story to light for people that may not know! Rock on brother!
He's got so many great stories. More to come.
I like a lot of what Midge and Ultravox did but man his take on Bowie's man who sold the world is cool as hell, as is Nirvana's cover of it on the MTV Unplugged show.....seriously unplugged was the last cool thing MTV had going
Such a fantastic guy.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 yep, I met Midge & Paul Young together after a great gig I saw both co-headline, was really happy when he played Fade to Grey!!
Remember those days when you would listen to a whole album? Was a huge fan of Ultravox back then and still now.
Midge Ure opened for Howard Jones this summer. He performed for a half hour and sang Vienna and Dancing with Tears in My Eyes. I was impressed with his singing, guitar and keyboard playing.
Awesome. Midge is a great guy. I've interviewed him a couple times and found him to be really down to earth. and kind. Thanks for sharing your memories Catherine.
Where was that? Sounds amazing!
@@lb6253 Orca Ballroom, Tulalip Hotel in Marysville WA. June 18th 2022. 5000 people in attendance.
It was great to see both of these acts again this year, since the last time I'd seen either was back in July of 1989. Howard Jones was touring his "Those Who Move Clouds" tour, and Midge was his opener, promoting the Answers to Nothing album. Suffice to say, both were amazing (I still have tour buttons and shirts somewhere), and Howard was probably the most technically proficient musician I've ever seen live, with one of the most polished shows I've ever seen.
@@rikaika4178 Very cool. Midge and Howard Jones are close friends.
I'm so very jealous that you got to interview him. ☺️ I've been a rabid fan of Midge Ure since his Ultravox days. I saw him in concert in 1990 and again in 2015, the latter just him and a guitar, and he's still amazing. 🥰
I continue to love this song. So haunting and unforgettable. I was a teenager in the 80's. About 6 years ago, my husband and I planned a European trip and I knew I had to make the first stop Vienna. We did, it did not disappoint. It was also used in the Americans. Every single time I listen to this song, I can lose myself in this amazing feeling. People who love this song knows just what I mean.
So very good to enjoy an interview with Midge - just love him! Thank you!
Thanks for watching April!
It's rare for you to feature a piece I'm not already familiar with and remember from back in the day. I have honestly never heard this one before. And now I have.
Adding it to the playlist, and thank you so much for the gift of new old music.
Good for you Donovan!
well worth checking out Ultravox's back catalogue, many great songs in there (and UK/Europe wide hits), in particular 1980-84.
Super interview! Midge always gives good conversation and Professor always knows the right questions to ask. I first saw Ultravox on the Quartet tour in L.A. and years later in 2009, saw their reunion show in London with the same friend who I went with in 1983 and ended up on the bands extras DVD. Great full circle Ultravox moment.
One of my favorite songs all time! This song was a game changer and I immediately recorded it off MTV and was so impressed with the direction video could help change the whole music scene. Midge Ure is a fantastic interview with the amount of effort that went into making this masterpiece of music and he broke it all down. I was disappointed when MTV didn't give us more of Ultravox. Great interview I would have never know Midge was a punk rocker first then a heavier band, quite a life!
It's definitely a game changer!
When I first heard this song on my TV sometime during COVID, I immediately has to turn it off and go listen to it in my bedroom. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Such a masterpiece. Made me an Ultravox fan for life.
Mij/Ultravox are underrated.
The story o how he got everyone together for Band Aid is amazing as well, he was so busy with so many things as said
Very true.
After hearing "Do they know it's Christmas?", our feeble response, "We are the world." was a cheesy, trite embarrassment. Even half the people who sang "We are the world." didn't like the song. It reminded me of the first Frosted Mini Wheats commercial.
So many people were part of Band Aid’s singing group.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 So much better than We Are The World, in my opinion.
@@pcno2832 I still think We Are the World is the world's worst song to ever hit #1... Even Mr. Blobby a few years later shoots it out of the water on stylistic points...
I was a huge MTV fan when it was new. And, I remember when this song was in the rotation. It was so new, fresh, and different. I loved the way the music and the video worked so well together to tell the story. The different elements of the song were so amazing too. Midge sang it beautifully. The beat (although electric) wasn't stale at all. In fact, it actually made the song come alive. And, the accents of the classical instruments were absolutely spot-on. I'm also a big fan of learning how music is engineered and produced. And, it was very interesting to hear what the band had to go through in the early '80's to get this terrific song recorded. Thanks for sharing.
It’s a really cool video. So cool that I sat there speechless and stunned throughout. It almost sounded like a classical composition, something that Mozart or Beethoven would have written.
Great interview with Midge. Wasn't that familiar with this tune but have a newfound respect both for him and the challenges he and his bandmates faced in making it. We forget how much technology has changed since those not so long-ago days. Thanks Adam!
Thanks Robster. It was a masterclass by Midge for sure.
It’s an AMAZING song.
Midge's cover of "The Man Who Sold the World" is the best cover EVER! I found it from Metal Gear Solid V's soundtrack, thanks to my boyfriend.
Agreed and same. It was my gateway to Ultravox and beyond. Just a gem
Aye (scottish inflection) I'm so jealous you got to interview Midge Ure! Almost completely unknown here in the US but such a legend.
So if Midge Ure played with Thin Lizzy in 78, then that’s the same time Huey Lewis (on harmonica) did. Guess it’s a small world after all.
"If I was" and "" Dancing With Tears In My Eyes" had to be some of the best songs of that era. I always though Midge was one of the better and more creative artists.
No question Thanks Glen.
Love both those songs.
There's a great 12" mix of If I Was and Dancing With Tears In My Eyes is one of the most simultaneously melancholy and upbeat songs of the eighties, given its subject matter of the last hours before a nuclear war. The lyric, sentiment and vocal delivery are very poignant in that context. It worked both as a chart hit and piece of social commentary at the time and still sounds fresh today.
"Vienna" is one of the finest songs ever recorded. The fragile beginning with the nice synth in the background and Midge who sings over it, this sets the stage. And it all breaks down with "This means nothing to me".
First I thought that the song lacks a meaning. But it's the melancholy at the end of a romance in a foreign city. I am sure that most New Wave music would never have happened without this masterpiece. Having said this, this means that I would never have started making music myself without "Vienna".
Thank you for this video. And all the people who love music have to thank Midge Ure for this glorious song.
I recently discovered “Vienna” here on UA-cam after searching for “Dear God” by Midge Ure. I gave it a listen and immediately added it to my 80’s playlist.
“Shaddap Yo Face” is almost as mind boggling as “Disco Duck” being a # 1 hit.
I discovered Ultravox in the early 80s, pre Do They Know It's Christmas. I was very much into British pop and discovered the band and Midge's amazing voice. ..had a little crush on him lol
When the LiveAid DVD was released, I watched Ultravox 's performance over and over again.
Thanks for sharing his amazing talent with us Adam!
Greetings from Bermuda 🇧🇲
I really enjoy listening to Midge talk about music. Very articulate and passionate about the craft. If you haven’t before, check out some of their eighties concerts. Amazing how they transfer the sounds from those recordings to such clean live performances!
Man O Man, what a deep cut!!! Never knew midge was so heavily involved in Band-Aid.
Thanks for this deep dive Professor! 👍
You bet!
He and Bob Geldof were the two driving forces of Band Aid.
You can’t imagine how much I love this album. Vienna in my opinion was s one of only a few albums that work as a whole piece. Where every song progresses into the next and moves you when listening from start to end. Only a few albums have moved me like this. The others are dark side of the moon, sheer heart attack and a night at the opera.
I “discovered” Ultravox from watching your channel Professor, and I have loved the doors it opened to a musical history beyond what I was exposed to. Thank you.
Wow, thank you! Glad to hear it.
Discovered them on MTV’s I Want My 80s.
I loved this song so much, I loved Midge Ure as well, he had a great solo album and I also love his Scottish Brogue. The fact he co-wrote my favorite 80's xmas song Do They Know It's Christmas is also very cool. I had his solo album Answers To Nothing and played it all the time in high school.
He was a huge influence.
Engaging to hear how this song was made. He's so direct, so clear as he makes intellectual and musical connections.
So smart!
I know nothing of this song , the band or this man , but he certainly is intertwined with bands that I know of , this is another reason why I subscribed to your channel, to be educated by the professor of rock , glad to hear him mention kraftwerk, the pioneers of synth
Thanks Phil. Go have a listening party!
I encourage you to dig in. They are so wonderful.
Dancing with tears in my eyes and Reap the wild wind are awesome songs. They were the ones that turned me on to Ultravox in the 80s! Great video. Thanks for bringing back memories.
First time I heard of Ultravox was the song "Dancing with tears in my eyes " in the 80s. Thank you sir for going into in depth analysis of the song "Vienna " with Midge Ure. Cheers from Ottawa.
80s is absolutely synonymous with the new wave movement. Quite possible the genre that defined the decade, and it's timeless! Nice man!
I would disagree, only on that the 80's was a decade rhat began with Country & Western topping the charts, and ended with L.A. Glam and hip hop dominating...the Decade was more diverse, musically, then any before or since, giving us New Wave, Hip Hop, Euro-Wave, Heavy Metal, Punk, and, of course, all the legends of that Decade like Whot ey Houston, Michael Jackson, U2, Metallica, et cetera...was a fun decade to be a kid, THAT, I'm sure, we can agree on...
The 80's were a strange time for music, we had the New Wave movement, but we also had all the Hair Metal bands and glam, not to mention the start of Metallica & Megadeath on the harder side of metal sound. Country music started making a cross over movement somewhere between outlaw country & 70's easy listening music. Electronic drums were everywhere from pop music to ZZ-Top & White Zombie. One band that managed to be on the charts nearly every year and was on every radio station was the 70's band Foreigner...& for some reason hasn't ever been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame..& let's not forget all the new wave Motown dance music being everywhere. What a time to be alive..we had everything from the Thomson Twins to Metallica..Head Bangers Ball To Solid Gold, Soul Train & American Band Stand..
I'm agreeing with the OP and the replies, because the 80s were incredibly diverse musically but for me most of the defining best of stuff was what I called then New Wave. Genre definitions have crystallized since then but I'm talking personal perception in the moment.
My defining 80s band is still Talking Heads who had releases that fit several different genre definitions and that's part of why they are so perfect a representation of the decade.
Thanks!
New wave and synthpop is my absolute favorite thing about the 80s, so there is no doubt I love this song.
Love this song! Thanks so much for giving us Midge's background in music; I had no idea. Ultravox's performance of "Vienna" during Live-Aid is one of its highlights. Some have said that Midge's vocals during that song is one of the best live vocals of all time. I have Lament on vinyl - also a great album.
Great Interview!!!
Ive been wondering, since I discovered your videos, if you would ever discuss Midge Ure and his genius contributions to music. Yet again, another fantastic video.
Thanks Paul.
He is worthy of a breakdown!
Had a week away from POR... so now I'm catching up. Wouldn't want to miss anything as great as a Midge Ure interview. I'd listen to him speak about music for hours and hours. What's fascinating and enlightening to learn is that musical talent and creativity may play a part BUT the work ethic! The hours and hours of complex, intricate work required to make the 'magic' is remarkable. I enjoy the results immensely, very grateful for Midge. Cheers
I adore this song, and how it steadily builts up into a powerful ending. I always get goosebumps each time I hear it.
It's truly exceptional.
It’s PERFECTION.
Thanks for recognizing Midge Ure's talent. Definitely underrated!
One of my all time favorites & that's saying a lot. Jumped at the chance to see Midge live a few years back in Salt Lake. Did not disappoint!!!!!!! ❤️
I love your show because there are songs like this one that were obviously well known but completely sneaked past my radar. I know Dancing With Tears In My Eyes from my childhood but there are always those songs that you just never manage to hear for some reason yet discover 30+ years after the fact.
Happens with me too!
Ultravox had two of my favorite songs of the 80s, Sleepwalk and Reap the Wild Wind.
They were part of the early British new wave that never caught on big in America, and were pushed aside when the more poppish MTV British wave hit.
Both great songs and both should've been big here.
I think the Britons did it best with new wave. They were MASTERS of it. I know there are some Americans who also made new wave music in the 80s, and although I love those songs, I will always be Team Britain. 24/7/365
"Shaddup You Face" was on the radio in the US. There was even an interview with Joe Dolce in People magazine. It was funny as heck - I always had a smile on my face when it came on the radio.
It's a fun song. I bought the 45 back in 1981. I still enjoy the song today.
Midge Ure is just a brilliant and talented man and has made Ultravox one of my favorite bands. Their album "The Collection" is just pure perfection. You need to do more on the whole discology and not just one song 😀 🙏
I agree, I still play this album a lot.
So many great songs on that record.
I still have the actual vinyl album from when it first came out ...
As far as Ultravox comes, it was "Reap the Wild Wind" that got me to buy my first Ultravox album. What blew my mind with this video is I had only associated Midge Ure with the "We Are the World" types of compilations, never realizing he was part of Ultravox. PLUS, I was a huge Sex Pistols fan in the 70s (I was the punk rocker who also listened to Blondie and ABBA) ... all types of music tickled my ear and it all depended on my mood that day.
THIS is a great interview, Adam, thank you!
I bought the album within its first couple of weeks of release having heard the track Astradyne on a late night radio show. Blew me away and still a favourite 43 years later.
Still sounds as good today. I loved when it was used in the Hunting Venus skit. I remember BBC Radio 1 DJ Peter Powell championed the song, he was desperate for it to get to number one! We were all routing for it on Tuesday lunchtime when the charts were broadcast back then. I used to smuggle a radio into school.
To be fair, "Shut up a you face" is STILL a song I quote and sing on occasion! As an Italian-American... it is useful!
Gotcha.
I abhor that song, and so I use it on the right people for the right occasions (e.g. Lauren Boebert, Alex Jones, Marjorie Taylor Greene).
"Do they know" had meaningful effects. Poor people were not being told when Christmas time was. Band Aid's awareness campaign insured that no matter how poor you are, you will know if it is or is not Christmas season.
Band Aid followed up with "If they don't have a bank account do they know the bank holidays?" and "Don't let them Pass Over Passover."
I absolutely loved this song way back when. I don't remember how I discovered it but I know I was the only one of my friends group that knew who they were. Like my own little secret. Now Ultravox and Midge solo are a big part of my 80s playlist on spotify.
Love Midge Ure and didn't mind him spraying us in the front this summer while he sang!
I first discovered Ultravox when their song Dancing With Tears In My Eyes became a hit in Canada. I bought The Collection, which was an early Greatest Hits album and discovered lots of great songs by the band. Vienna always gives me chills when I listen to it. It's a very unique song. You're right about Shaddap You Face. That song was a huge hit in Canada and I hated it (but I like Disco Duck). Another great song by Midge Ure is That Certain Smile, from his solo career. Visage is pronounced vee-zahj. Visage means "face" in French.
I sound breathy when saying Visage. Great band name.
The 80's were a strange time for music, we had the New Wave movement, but we also had all the Hair Metal bands and glam, not to mention the start of Metallica & Megadeath on the harder side of metal sound. Country music started making a cross over movement somewhere between outlaw country & 70's easy listening music. Electronic drums were everywhere from pop music to ZZ-Top & White Zombie. One band that managed to be on the charts nearly every year and was on every radio station was the 70's band Foreigner...& for some reason hasn't ever been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame..& let's not forget all the new wave Motown dance music being everywhere. What a time to be alive..we had everything from the Thomson Twins to Metallica..Head Bangers Ball To Solid Gold, Soul Train & American Band Stand..Thanks Adam for all your hard work and dedication. I hope you have a great Holiday season this year..Peace..Joe
Great post. You have a great holiday yourself!
So much diversity. I wish we had a time machine.
Me, 1980’s …as a teenager in rural New Hampshire, wearing out multiple Ultravox cassettes - still one of my absolute favorites- it brings me to a place of longing that really spoke to my isolation at the time…
Depeche mode (via Daniel Miller) and New Order were some of the first bands to employ sequencers. (In New Order's case they left in programing errors in Blue Monday) It really wasn't until the midi standard (or the Fairlight II's Page R sequencer) you could do complex arrangements. So while these songs seem simple today they actually took a fair amount of headaches to pull off. People wanted to write them off as "button pushers" but they neglect the work put into it. Much respect for the early synth bands
@@edwardhumphries5566 some of the first synthpop bands of the 80's to use computer hardware sequencing via CV. direct enough?
Those sequencers enhanced the music and made it sound really otherworldly.
back when I worked at a roller rink in the early '80s that "Shaddap You Face" song got a lot of play because the little kids loved it. I thought it was clever and funny at first but easily grew tired of it!
Right? As time goes by the novelties fall by the way side and a rare song like Vienna gets it's due.
It is a very phony song. The novelty song genre started dying out by the mid-70s in my observations and it grew to be a tired trope.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980I wish that was true but the Chicken song by Spitting Image and Star Trekkin by the Firm proved novelty records were still going strong in the 1980’s.
I’ve seen Midge several times and he is STILL phenomenal live!!!!
My first exposure to Midge was on the PBS music instructional show called "Rock School." He was on the episode about singing and vocalists.
Where's my video on The Tubes Prof? I'm waiting.
Saw Ultravox in March of 1983 at NYC's Avery Fisher Hall on the "Quartet" tour. Awesome. Great to hear about the creative process of that song.
I had the pleasure of meeting Midge a few years ago. Very nice and humble guy!
He definitely gives that vibe in the video.
Very cool back story to this song! Midge's solo LP "Pure" is amazing as well.
Oh, It WARMES my 💖 to see #MidgeUre and #UltraVox getting credit and airtime. LOVE IT❣
First time I heard the music, was I lent a tape from a friend; Oh you should listen to this... and I was BLOWN away. But actually my first song with ULTRAVOX, was the VOICE, and I was BLOWN AWAY! Still today, if I want to get a boost, I put on the LIVE performance of the VOICE, with the EPIC el. DRUM solo. 🥰
I CLAIM M I D G E U R E was the FIRST WHITE RAPPER; the THIN WALL..... the verses, TRY FOLLOWing and singing along. You have to have your tounge straight in your mouth, fo' sure. 🤪
Biggest regreats is that I missed their live performance in Bergen, Norway. Due to sudden illness, I was not able to do the 20 hr drive southwest to attend the concert, and I couldn't afford the air fare at the time. 😭
Please cover "Dancing with Tears in my Eyes" if you haven't already. It's another memorable song from Ultravox's catalogue.
I interviewed him about it. Will do.
Love that song too!
Ultravox is my end-all-be-all top favorite all-time band. Midge's voice is so pure and beautiful. So many fantastic Ultravox songs. I was a DJ in the 80s, and enjoyed spinning a little U-Vox.
Half of the video to Vienna is filmed in central London, the other half in Vienna. I saw Midge Ure in Southport, near Liverpool, in the hot summer of 1995, and it was a good concert. Not so sure about the mandolin solo from one of the band but apart from that....He was not given enough credit for his role in Band Aid in 1984 and Live Aid in 1985. He had a brilliant UK number one with If I Was in late 1985. Dear God was the lead single from the Answers to Nothing album in 1988, another good track.
He seemed to do a lot of the work back in those days and not get much of the credit.
I thought they filmed it in Austria. Ha!
It is a great song and does still sound fresh. I was 11 years old when it came out. I recall playing rugby at school and having the song in my head. It was winter time and it was so apt.
It was also featured on Would I Lie To You - well worth checking out
Vienna is one of my all-time favorite songs! Loved Ultravox and still listen to their music. Thank You for this interview!
Oh my god Vienna the album is one of only a few albums I believe works a whole album where every song is good and progresses the album forward. Every song is so good. I can listen to that album from start to end any day and it still sounds so good. What a musical masterpiece. Western promise is the greatest pre lead up song to Vienna. I can go on and on
I remember playing Ultravox's "Sleepwalk" and "Vienna" on the radio station. Good times for music.
For sure.
Both great tunes.
While the professor always talks about the music artists, and songs that he loves, he rarely lets on specific music genres that he hates. From this video and a pattern I've noticed, there is clearly a music genre that he does hate. It is the novelty song genre. He is a fan of artists who take famous hit songs and parody them like Weird Al does but not novelty songs that are created from scratch. First, he expressed his dislike for "Disco Duck" and now "Shaddap You Face." As been said before, music is subjective, everyone is entitled to his or her own taste and there is no universal right or wrong answer to what is good and what is bad. Here is my own personal opinion: I've always enjoyed novelty songs. The decades of the 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's produced many that I really like. It was the gloomy, depressing, 90's which was the decade that ended the novelty song genre. In 1977, I bought the 45 to "Disco Duck" and in 1981 I bought the 45 to "Shaddap You Face". They are both fun, nonsensical, comedic songs which I would rank up there as 2 of my favorite novelty songs. Remember, novelty songs were not created to take seriously. They were created to just have fun with them and have a good laugh. If others want to express dislike towards them, to each their own. However, I will still enjoy them.
Adam’s not wrong. A lot of novelty songs grate on my last nerve, from Disco Duck to The Candy Man to Shaddap You Face to My Ding-a-Ling to Stars on 45. Of course I make a HUGE exception for Weird Al because he was a part of my growing up, but another novelty song that is just right for me is Alley Oop by The Hollywood Argyles. It is super entertaining and such a great song.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I never said he was wrong. When it comes to music, there is no definitive right or wrong answer to what is a good song or bad song. Nothing is universal and you're always going to get many different opinions. Awhile ago, I remember someone asked Adam if there was any artist that he didn't like. He replied by stating he did not care for the music of ABBA. While ABBA is one of my favorite artists from the 70's, I know that Adam doesn't like them so their music will not be featured in any episode on this channel. Also, Since Adam has such diverse tastes in music, I wondered if there was any specific music genre which he didn't like. Today's episode really answered my question. A few weeks ago, he called "Disco Duck" the worst number one song of all time. Today, he called "Shaddap You Face" the worst number one song of 1981. Now, what do those 2 songs have in common? They are both novelty songs. While he has done many episodes on Weird Al and is obviously a fan, he doesn't like or have anything positive to say about other novelty songs. He's not wrong to feel that way. It's his personal taste and opinion. However, I have an entirely different opinion regarding those 2 songs and the entire novelty song genre and that was the purpose of my comments. Incidentally, there are many people in the comments who've said they like "Shaddap You Face" (as was the case in the comments for the "Disco Duck" episode) so I'm definitely not alone in liking and defending these novelty songs.
@@stephenhanft1226 I have to side with Adam on Disco Duck and Shaddap You Face, and I am just NOT an ABBA fan either. But that’s the good thing about music, you have many different defensible claims and it’s always fun to discuss our favorite songs and albums and even the ones we hate.
I've never really disliked novelty songs, I just accept them when they come along. "They're Coming to Take Me Away", "Purple People Eater", Dickie Moore's bits-and-clips style "Flying Saucer" and "Mr. Jaws", "Monster Mash" even "Running Bare" (a direct parody that pre-dates Weird Al) would be the start of a great April 1st playlist. Toss in some Weird Al stuff and rarities like "Battle of New Orleans" and most of Jim Stafford's repertoire; you could spend hours smiling or groaning (or both).
I saw the video first and that got me! The moment I was a Ultravox fan. I’ve seen Midge sing it live numerous times and it still gets me. One of the truly great songs of the 80’s.
@professor_of_Rock what??
Love Midge Ure. My favourite song of his is “If l was”. Cheers from Ottawa, Canada 🇨🇦
Love If I Was!
That’s a great song!
11/22/97 R.I.P. Michael Hutchence - INXS for Rock & Roll HOF!
I really respect a musician that gives credit to their bandmates, instead of hogging it all.
Passing Strangers is still one of my favourite songs off the Vienna album and the video like Vienna is great, definitely another under-rated song. Such a good album perfect intro with Astradynne setting the mood and other stand-outs like New Europeans following.
I love Vienna (and Fade to Grey) but down here in Australia we loved Joe Dolce and there was never a skate session where the dj didn't get everyone up to sing Shaddap Your Face.
I never got the opportunity to see Ultravox once I'd become aware of them. Midge did a solo Australian tour around the same time as Band Aid hit the charts, but I didn't go as I was hoping Ultravox would tour Australia.
I finally got the chance to see Midge when he toured Australia in 2020, just as Covid started. Midge played probably the last concert in Sydney before we got locked down. It was a good night. Midge played the Visage song 'Fade to Grey', the complete Vienna album, most of the Ultravox hits & a few of his solo songs.
If Midge tours Australia again I'll be there!!
Love Ultravox and I thank the new wave streaming stations I listen to for introducing me to them. I do prefer "Dancing With Tears in My Eyes" and "Reap the Wild Wind" over "Vienna," though, but that's just me.
New wave will always be my favorite style of music.
Adam, even though it was in passing, great to hear the not often mentioned Rich Kids get a nod.
If anyone hasn't heard their pop punk classic Ghosts of Princes in Towers, run don't walk...
I first heard Vienna on 80 hours of the 80's on VH1 about 15 years ago. Hearing that song made me look more into Ultravox and Midge and have been a big fan ever since! My wife and I have seen Midge live 3 times and my oldest son loves midge!
He's definitely a man who doesn't get enough credit for everything he's done. ❤️
"Vienna" was almost too elegant, too moving, too powerful, too haunting to be regarded as mere synth pop. Truly an exceptional sonic and emotional experience.
A lot of the early music by "Muse" really reminds me of Ultravox
Yes, a great album
I totally agree.
It’s one of my favorite songs, PERIODT.
i LOVE this song. I love the album, I love his cover of Man Who Sold The World, and also his bands song "all stood still." Whenever I get a chance I tell my co workers about Ultravox and how amazing his music is
Didn't realise Midge Ure was so prolific - always loved the mysterious sound of "Vienna", and "Shaddap Ya Face" was one of the silliest songs I ever heard - Joe Dolce was (I guess deservedly so) a one hit wonder as well if I'm not mistaken.
Amazing! But I pointed out “Shaddup Your Face” on your Disco Duck video
You did!
@@ProfessorofRock My friend… I’m obsessed with your channel!!!
Saw that!
I was heavy into new wave back in the '80s and listened to KROQ frequently, but I don't recall this song getting any airplay in the LA area...
Professor isn’t from LA
I too am from LaLa land and never heard this song at all but I do remember Ultravox during the 80s. Rodney Bingenheimer didn't play it.
Yes, I remember “Reap the Wild Wind” being played on KROQ but not “Vienna”
I"ll have to ask some friends...
Thanks for the insight.
I love his song Dear God, and a song he did with Schiller, Let it Rise, which, by the way, is my favorite song that he wrote and sang. The live version is phenomenal! Check it out!
So cool!
I love this song. Funny, I had never heard it until the early '90s while at college, when a local radio station played it. I thought it was a '90s tune until, many years later, I learned that it was actually from '81!🤯 Ultravox created a beautiful masterpiece long before its time.😎
Incredible record, but I fell in love with their sound when "Sleepwalk" charted and bought the album for that alone. Truth is every track is a masterpiece with "Vienna" being the icing on the cake.
Ultravox was my fav band when I was a teen. And ... yes, it started with Vienna and climaxed with the album "Lament". What a great time that was. This kind of music will never return. So let's enjoy the best time of music that there ever was.
Let's not be too hard on Joe Dolce and Shaddup You Face, especially if you're a fan of "Weird Al" Yankovic. But I do agree that Vienna should have reached the top of the charts. The public is fickle. Great interview, Adam. Everyone who love music loves Midge. Keep rockin'.
Vienna is the song that introduced me to this splendid band Ultravox back in the 1980. I especially loved their later songs like The Voice, Reap The Wild Wind, Hymn, Vision in Blue, We Came To Dance, Dancing With Tears In My Eyes, Lament, One Small Day, Love's Great Adventure.
Hi Adam 🙋🏼♂️!
Interesting to hear, how the Bandname Visage seems to be pronounced in the USA!
Over here in the old World it is pronounced the french way!
It sounds like you`d write it like
„Veezarge“ and the g in it is pronounced rather softish as in the word „Genre“ while the e at the end would sound like sort of swallowed 😘!
Good vibes!
Good times and take care 🤗🥳!
It's not surprising that songs like this come back and rechart and get used, every now and then people need reminding what great music is.
So today I learned that the "If I Was" guy was also behind Fade to Grey and Vienna! Wow.
My parents have the single of Shaddup Your Face on record. I remember listening to it a lot when I was a kid (in Australia). I didn't hear Vienna until I was in early 20s.
What can I say? This was a very informative show; Prof - U really blow me (& many others away) w/your daily 'classes' lol - I have this LP (Sleepwalk is my fave track); Don't wanna 'knit pick' Midge's commentary, but fer sure - Vienna is another world dream state tune!!! THANK YOU.
@3:22 no way!! Fade to Grey and Vienna are my go to 80s synth classics. Never knew about the connection
Midge Ure has to be one of the coolest guys in rock and pop. He's also among my musical heroes, and always comes across as very likable and humble, always a good interview.
"Shaddup You Face" was also a hit in the U.S., at least on a regional level. I definitely remember it.
One of the defining moments in music of my life. Gave me a totally new perspective on music appreciation.