Ty Reacts To ULTRAVOX - VIENNA

[@skintrader100]

It's beautiful, atmospheric and haunting. It requires more than one listen. Imagine back in the day when this song is getting airplay on the radio it's going to stick in your mind more. That beat, synths, orchestration and voice is a winning combination. Would be in my top 50 songs of all time.

[@NotAyFox]

For me, this song is kind of magical. One of the rare songs that always bring nostalgia, except I'm not sure what about. I can't think of another musical piece that gives me similar reaction. It kind of taps into something hidden deep in the back of my mind.

[@richey4287]

The classical feel fed with that rhythmic electronic beat, which suddenly changes up; this is what made this track feel unique; there was nothing like it when it came out. Hymn is my favourite Ultravox track.

[@marcharley6465]

I was only 16 years old when this song was released as a single. Synth-pop was still relatively new and mostly very simplistic. "Vienna" had a lot more musical depth and the video was highly stylised in a way which we hadn't seen before.

[@ChrisAndCats]

I was 15 in 1980 - this and Fade to Grey are my two favourite songs.

[@psiphon2808]

Atmospheric is the word I'd use.

[@reactionextraction]

Good Word 😎

[@bobtrouper]

This song is amazing, Midge Ure is such an accomplished writer, he is probably most responsible for the melody in Do They Know It’s Christmas? And his solo stuff from the mega hit ‘If I Was’ and lesser known hits ‘I See Hope’ and ‘Cold Cold Heart’ are worth checking too.
If the early eighties New Wave sound is being explored: ‘Fade To Grey’ by Visage is a must.

[@racheltaylor6578]

One of the best songs ever written.Its a classic.

[@reactionextraction]

total classic 😎😎

[@alphaomega7191]

At one stage of time Midge Ure was playing guitar in Thin Lizzy, and also still in both Visage and Ultravox at the same time and they were all producing hits - it's hard to really appreciate how big he was for that brief period from about 80 until about 84 when he diverted into his Band-Aid/ Live-Aid mode. This clip was by Russell Mulcahy who went on to revolutionise the way music videos were made over the next few years and then went on to make cult classic film Highlander. People really didn't make cinematic clips until this and it's really the clip that launched this into the stratosphere and music videos as a whole onto another level within a few years his clips were everywhere with people like Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran as well as things like Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes and Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler defining that new Wave/New Romantic era. It's hard to really appreciate how revolutionary this all was at the time - the clip, the sound, the instrumentation and as time moves on so do tastes and how people perceive things. If anyone listens to Robert Johnson now it sounds awfully dated and basic but back in the 1930's it was so important to what comes after. Ty kind of nailed it with the though that they were experimenting and this sounded so fresh and yet still harked back to more classical music with the keyboards and piano mixed, taken out of it's time it's almost hard to realise that because within 4 years New Order had got a guy to get synths and drum machines to talk to each other and synch up and modern dance music was really born. In some ways this is like looking at Cro Magnon Man now it's sort of primitive but then - then it was something new and without it we probably would have quite a different music landscape today.

[@skintrader100]

Well said. Here in New Zealand it was a hit and I liked the song when I would hear it on the radio being 10 years old at the time but it was when I saw the video in my late teens that I really took notice of Ultravox. Probably appreciated more what they were trying to do in a song of time gone by. The whole Vienna album is a masterpiece from start to finish and anyone wanting to explore Ultravox only needs to get a hold of their best compilation to realize they are a whole lot more and very underrated outside of the UK.

[@eizeoosting843]

I guess it is difficult to describe beforehand because it is kind of a one kind. A bit eerie, orchestral, passionate and then moves to a bit of synth pop with violins and finishes back to where it started. Nothing much compares to it.

[@reactionextraction]

your right, Nothing compares to it 😎

[@terminalfrost3645]

I exepct it did though get inspiration from Kraftwerk - Spiegelsaal

[@scottsaunders5087]

For me I love the mix of synths and classic music together makes it unique I tend to like weird!

[@christianmuller2091]

Saw Midge Ure performing „Vienna“ on his tour only three weeks ago. Just as mindblowing as it was when I first heard the tune in 1981 when I was 15. Epic.

[@PeterKimmich]

And I thought I knew all the good 80s jams, this is rad. New source of awesome music found, subscribed!

[@bjhellstream]

Such a great song! It was so new and exciting and different. Was really into synthpop, sold my bass guitar and bought a synth. This was an instant love. What you call weird is originality and thats why it's such a big hit!

[@murielvarty664]

Vienna oh my goodness one of my favourite songs of all time Ty you must love this l have listened to it
Thank your 3times l love it so much thank you .Muriel x.😍

[@elizajohn5]

Well; this is a classic.If your son don`t like this, then i think it`s time you disowned him. 😅

[@mickdarcy3063]

Context is i was 21 when it came out in the US and i was lucky enough to have a local college radio keeping me informed, this is the first really big one for Ultravox, the John Foxx albums notwithstanding and the epic, lush nature of the cut in a colder electronic time aurally, really imprinted on a lot of people. It is not even my favorite Ultravox song but it is the one that pops into mind most often.

[@raffaellazanin1786]

Vienna and Dancing with tears in my eyes are my favourite Ultravox songs. Thank you! Great song and great reaction ❤

[@Musicology1975]

This was epic when you consider it just came after the Disco era was over. It was sort of setpoint for a new decade of great music to come.

[@craigcassidy6078]

Dad nice one for this , 👌 👍 love this track as a kid

[@turfsniffer]

I was 10 when this came out and it was in the charts in Ireland for ages. It was fresh post punk and the synth became more electric. But it was the mix of the synth and the classical...and his voice just made this one explode. For me though it's a song that transports me back to a time and place, even though the song itself is a wee bit dark.

[@sexpistol7712]

I think it's because it's like a symphony in synth pop why it's so popular in Europe more.

[@reactionextraction]

Good Point 😎

[@777Kareena]

I was 9 when this song came out and was on MTV. I love how they go up a level with Classical music instruments. Vienna was known in Europe as the place music was supreme. It’s like they take you to Vienna with them ❤️.
I bought a few of there albums.

[@rouguy1972]

Masterpiece ❤️

[@SmartCookie2022]

I always felt that Ultravox's "The Thin Wall" from 1981 was the very first hard-electro produced dance track, especially the extended mix. Check it out if you haven't heard it. Interesting that Ty thought it was an orchastra when it was all synths.

[@thatfelladownunder9396]

Funny watching this, I sent my daughter a link to the Album to have a listen, as it was one of my flogged cassettes back in the day, I haven’t heard back from her yet on her thoughts. I’m interested in what she says about it.
The one thing I love about Vienna and it’s evident on the album, is the transition from Western Promise into Vienna. It’s simple, but awesome.
Great album by the way. For what my opinion is worth.

[@thatfelladownunder9396]

And I’ll add. I have a listen to the album pretty regularly again now as it’s on UA-cam (thanks Ultravox), and the thing that stands out to me now is how good the guitar and drums are. Ironic as it’s supposed to be a “synth band”. Midge Ure is a top guitarist, underrated, and I believe Warren Cann is a classically trained musician? I think I heard that. Anyway, he kills on the drums. Also pioneered electric drums from memory too. (I’m going back 40 years here, so forgive any inaccuracies).

[@reactionextraction]

OK, well now I'm Totally curious about your daughters thoughts on the album! 😎❤️ gotta keep me updated ... the younger peeps take on these classics is always fascinating to me , hey maybe that's why I do it & but myself through such grief sometimes, lol 😂😳

[@maelmoor]

This is such a cool song, definitely different, but in a good way! I just love the atmosphere in this song, from the bass, to Midge voice and the instrumental parts.
Was lucky to see them twice during their reunion years and this one was indeed great live, I just find it a very strong, powerful song.
Thanks for the reaction!

[@shadouk6737]

Such a unique gem. The classical elements give this song an edge over some of the more stripped back but equally essential electronic hits of 1981 though my personal Ultravox fave is probably All Stood Still.

[@mariflame1821]

Interesting song, yes. Its all about the mood. I like it but my favorite Ultravox song is "Reap the Wild Wind"

[@PeterKimmich]

To answer your question of why I liked it: it’s all about the vocal melody, especially in the chorus. The simplicity of the music is enough to carry a nice vibe, but the melody is striking, and the contrast of the singer’s lower and higher registers. Very rare to find, and beautiful.

[@peterthornton74]

Dude that played violin Billy curry was from my area born just up the road was in many bands tubeway army with Gary numan visage and Tiger lily

[@derekporter7658]

Tiger lily became Ultravox!, Ultravox dropped the exclamation mark later on. Currie was definitely a fantastic musician.

[@elizajohn5]

I think listening to songs for the first time is difficult really. I find when I listen to most songs for the first time they don`t really do it for me, then after numerous listens I grow to love so many of the songs. Actually this song was kept off the no 1 spot in UK by a song you could call = ``a nonsense song`` from Joe Dolce called Shaddup You Face. Midge Ure wasn`t impressed haha. Thanks for the reaction guys, well done. 😊

[@MrGavaroowood]

The best Number 1 song to never actually be number 1 surely 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@krs181067]

But only got to no 2….aaahh shadapa ya face😂

[@skintrader100]

They were a bit bitter by that...for good reason.

[@andyt5559]

it was so different, song wise, the video, the atmosphere, this was years before midi, notice when then the piano solo kicks in the tempo jumps way up! this band played it live! they used Moog and ARP synthetic that were fragile, and playing in hot sweaty clubs would make them out of tune, when they toured they had to have a backup synth, then a backup for the backup! but they were not just a synth band there are guitars all over every album!

[@OronOfMontreal]

Gary Numan, who is widely credited with originating Synth-based New Wave Rock, actually credits Ultravox! -- the first edition of the band, with John Foxx preceding Midge Ure on lead vocals -- with being first to originate this musical style.

[@TheRetroManRandySavage]

Definitely my favourite from them. Although I wouldn't call myself a fan of the band.
The song took a while to grow on me too. It's definitely an acquired taste but I can see why many view it as a classic. 80s rock and rap music was more my jam, but I hugely appreciate all genre's from that decade. You won't often hear me hate on an 80s song. 👍

[@bryanforis1839]

They played in front king and queen Albert hall and they sold 7million albums 7times the sold gold albums in America great show

[@GayJayU26]

Very European Art School

[@yorkhawk]

According to one of my friends its the bit where the bassline speeds up and does a 'double take'.

[@coachtomas]

Well UK here ! I'm trying to remember why this was epic 😂I think at the time it was a little "bigger" in scope/vision than most pop was. BIG production. You had Bowie fans morphing into "New Romantics" and ex punk-rockers maturing into Pop music. I was never a fan, I didn't like the overblown style. It was kept off the top spot by John Lennon "Woman" so at least some justice was done.

[@manosduras1]

Artificial Life

[@skintrader100]

He should be Sir Midge Ure for what he set up with band aid and produced and co wrote "Do they know it's Christmas". He was done dirty and an absolute injustice.

[@alphaomega7191]

I do agree that if he doesn't have a KBE who does deserve one. Bob got a Honorary KBE and while people call him Sir Bob sometimes he technically isn't because being Irish he doesn't get that title with his honorary title. If I remember rightly neither was particularly fussed about the idea of being a Sir anyway. One of them once said something along the lines of "I didn't do anything to get praised for it, I did things because someone needed to do them" forgive me for forgetting which one.

[@danielsegen]

Hey guys… You must react to Propaganda’s songs…P:Machinery and Duel

[@skintrader100]

Hi Quint just another recommendation. Pseudo Echo "Funky Town" which I see reached number 6 in the USA in 1986. Not sure if you've heard this and would be great for Ty's reaction.

[@josephthomas3912]

This track does not "wow" you - it haunts you. The very comments that you made are actually the key to it's popularity. "I don't know how to describe it." "The value of simplicity." And so on. I've been coming back to this track regularly since 1981, and I still would be hard presses to explain why. But I suspect that others have done likewise. It is simple, yet not ordinary.

[@skintrader100]

Also Quint. Ure is pronounced without the "e" on the end like "pure". ☺️

[@reactionextraction]

Yikes, bummer I mispronounced his name, my bad 😎

[@TheNotedHero]

"Not bad but didn't wow me" is also pretty much my reaction to it every time I hear this song every decade or so. The song is so interesting, and it totally sucks you in, but it never hits any climax. It feels to me like it was missing a great editor to take it over the top, it seems like it's still in demo form. I'm always disappointed by the end that it went nowhere. But next time I hear it in another decade I'll again get sucked in!

[@eizeoosting843]

For a recent live version: ua-cam.com/video/IAMdIVU6GbI/v-deo.html

[@imakeituptoyou]

This is by the worst video on this great song !
Wake up guys☹️☹️☹️

[@reactionextraction]

Funny Video to a Great Song

[@iznone]

Ultravox have much more better songs than this ... this was just a "normal pop" in 80s, this is not its "better song", this is just their much popular song.

[@johankaewberg8162]

Their video is way worse than the actual music, which is overwhelming.