Ultravox — Vienna
Album: ViennaAvg rating:
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Length: 4:35
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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
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
Comments (302)add comment
I used to think this song was about an old piano
such an 80s sound, and yet remains simply captivating.
Trivia. Video shot in Old Isleworth, West London, and not Vienna
Trivia. Video shot in Old Isleworth, West London, and not Vienna
h9xh9xh9x wrote:
i always thought this was Billy Joel
Captivating, ever since it came out. I was 7 at the time and 42 years later it still turns on all of my senses as soon as it comes on. I might have to go and put it on my funeral list just because of that :))) A very strange, yet touching song
One of my favourite Facebook comments I have every seen was on a friend's page with a post saying they were in Vienna on vacation. The first response from another friend was 'This means nothing to me' !
I saw him do this at Live Aid
i always thought this was Billy Joel
mkane67 wrote:
Live Aid version - one of the best vocal performances ever?
I agree. However three years later I saw Midge Ure solo literally in a warehouse in Santa Clara, CA, and he performed this song. We were 100-125 people crammed into a space, a weeknight, how I got a ticket I have no idea. Anyway, lights scrambling like some acid trip gone bad as he belted this out - I was completely clear headed and I can say it was sensational.
Live Aid version - one of the best vocal performances ever?
I agree. However three years later I saw Midge Ure solo literally in a warehouse in Santa Clara, CA, and he performed this song. We were 100-125 people crammed into a space, a weeknight, how I got a ticket I have no idea. Anyway, lights scrambling like some acid trip gone bad as he belted this out - I was completely clear headed and I can say it was sensational.
tarbinator wrote:
Gen X and Boomers alike.
(being a late 50's child, this band was huge in our crowd)
This song takes me right back to college. Gen X really did have some great stuff, didn't we?
Gen X and Boomers alike.
(being a late 50's child, this band was huge in our crowd)
RIP Chris Cross
nu11 wrote:
Live Aid version - one of the best vocal performances ever?
This version is too polished, the original mellotron version from the eighties is the one i like.
Live Aid version - one of the best vocal performances ever?
This song will forever bring me back to May 24th 1995, when Ajax won the Champions League final against Milan at the Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna.
If you love Vienna as I do, you really should go to YouTube and watch Midge perform it live at the 1985 Live Aid concert.
Just had to bump this from an 8 to a 9.... because it's just so unique....there's just nothing else really like it ! Ultra
Synth purists prefer John Foxx-era Ultravox but Midge Ure was a great pop writer (ref "Do They Know It's Christmas?"). This song was huge in the UK with a moody video accompanying it. Held off the number 1 spot by "Shaddap You Face" of all songs (as mentioned by other RPers below). But 30+ years later it's Ultravox we're still listening to.
This was one of the songs that i remember most fondly from last year of high school - it was ground breaking at the time. Most of us were listening to Pink Floyd, Rush, ACDC, Molly Hatchett etc. This, Japan, Talking Heads Squeeze, The English Beat changed all that and opened the door to a whole new world of music
tarbinator wrote:
A 1980 release would put it in very early Gen x territory for listeners. ( 1 yr. old to 15 yrs. old). More the late Boomer era. (which goes to '64, so teenage and twenty-something listeners, which I think would be the main audience)
This song takes me right back to college. Gen X really did have some great stuff, didn't we?
A 1980 release would put it in very early Gen x territory for listeners. ( 1 yr. old to 15 yrs. old). More the late Boomer era. (which goes to '64, so teenage and twenty-something listeners, which I think would be the main audience)
Love Ultravox… I have a 3” mohawk TODAY!
Great segue from Deodato’s Also Sprach Zarathustra!
I go with thewiseking comments on this scroll.
P.S. why do so many people have issues?
Released 2003.
Don’t think so.
Maybe this version?
Huge, this.
Back, living in London @ the time.
All that post-punk, Romantics stuff whirling around.
So spaced & full & simple deep delight, this song.
What, again?
skip!
skip!
Quovademus wrote:
Nostalgic - When we were young.... How old is this song?
springof63 wrote:
Released in the UK 15th Jan 1981.
I never really liked this song much - it got played to death (and beyond!) on the common room jukebox at Southampton college when i was there. Looked it up on Wiki cause i wasn't sure if it was from 1980 or 1981.
Then i really had to laugh - Ultravox Vienna spent 4 weeks at Nr2 on the UK chart, and was never Nr1 - held off the top spot for 1 week by John Lennon's 'Woman' (fair enough), and then laughingly held off for a further THREE WEEKS by Joe Dolce's 'Shaddap You Face'
How Appropriate!!
It means nothing to me either, except that now whenever i hear Vienna from now on, instead of thinking "oh why are they playing this?" i'm always gonna be smiling instead. Thanx Bill & RP!!
Re-posted from 2015...
oh, Shaddup You Face
moss wrote:
I could be seen stalking on The Tube, London´s underground, sorting out my thinly populated sideburns and eye liner while adjusting the collar on my too small vintage naval uniform. The Acne? Thanks to Clearasil I could convert those luminescent green infectious lumps into "natural" pink mini muffins. A win then!
A perfect summing up of teenager-ness. Oh the joy of realising you knew everything , then the terror of realising you didn't.
Joy Division!!!!!
Ah Clearasil....I was in my mid-teens when I discovered "fashion" as opposed to just music and Girls as opposed to the English teacher. Out of nowhere came acne, accompanied by a constant bad temper towards my parents and a new incredible superpower…. I knew everything that was worth knowing!
While I was trying to make sense of “fashion” and girls on zero funding the soundtrack suddenly got stuck on Ultravox´s Vienna. Joy Division worked for just about every other moment.I could be seen stalking on The Tube, London´s underground, sorting out my thinly populated sideburns and eye liner while adjusting the collar on my too small vintage naval uniform. The Acne? Thanks to Clearasil I could convert those luminescent green infectious lumps into "natural" pink mini muffins. A win then!
A perfect summing up of teenager-ness. Oh the joy of realising you knew everything , then the terror of realising you didn't.
Joy Division!!!!!
This version is too polished, the original mellotron version from the eighties is the one i like.
Aw, Shaddap You Face
(for an explanation of that, see my post about when 'Vienna' was released, from about seven years ago. I haven't got time to go & find it. Soz.
(for an explanation of that, see my post about when 'Vienna' was released, from about seven years ago. I haven't got time to go & find it. Soz.
"Oh Clearasil....." In my teens I fell into the need for a fashionable non-fashionable look. This was driven by a newly discovered itch, ....GIRLS. My English teacher, and only female in my world at the time, was suddenly no longer enough.
The solution was a combination of my favourite music, penguin classic (second hand of course) and clothing from thrift and charity shops.
Simultaneously and out nowhere arrived another itch, Acne, which was accompanied by a constant bad temper towards my parents and a new incredible superpower…. I knew everything that was worth knowing!
I could be seen stalking on The Tube, London´s underground, sorting out my thinly populated sideburns and eye liner while adjusting the collar on my too small vintage naval uniform. The Acne? Thanks to Clearasil I could convert those luminescent green infectious lumps into "natural" pink mini muffins. A win then!
fucking super haven’t heard this in ages!
Ahh, we loved this stuff back then; Orchestral Manoeuvres, Ultravox, Spandau, Heaven 17, Human League. Ya shoulda seen our haircuts, held up with Tenax
One of the few bits of synth-pop that doesn't have me lunging for the PSD button.
My roommate's deck ate my cassette of this album...had to do the pencil thing...but ended up with crinkles in this track. Still can hear the skips and pops the tape made after that in my head...
And you know you had to be there if you know what the hell I just said...
And you know you had to be there if you know what the hell I just said...
This song takes me right back to college. Gen X really did have some great stuff, didn't we?
I'd recognize that drumbeat/bassline anywhere...even after so many decades. What a great song.
This song really means nothing to me except I LOVE IT!!!
Close my eyes and it's 1980 and I'm back at VCU
How this reached my dorm room in early 80s Austin, TX is a mystery to me...must of been one of my progressive, tripping friends... but it was oh so fabulous.
DavidS_UK wrote:
I don't think they've ever gotten over that, especially Midge Ure.
... and kept off the UK No.1 slot by Joe Dolce's "Shaddup Y'a Face"
Incredible.
Incredible.
I don't think they've ever gotten over that, especially Midge Ure.... and kept off the UK No.1 slot by Joe Dolce's "Shaddup Y'a Face"
Incredible.
Incredible.
When he hits those high notes it sounds a bit like Air Supply.
Aaaah, Vienna...
What's not to like?
What's not to like?
Ableragtacker wrote:
He most certainly does. I heard him often with the band Salvation. They played in Clouds Disco, directly above Glasgow's legendary Apollo Theater.
My first proper guitar was a Hofner Verithin, I got it second hand for thirty pounds, it got destroyed in a car crash so I went back to the same music shop and got another - same price. The new one was stolen a year or so later, so back to the same shop - 120 pounds. Why? Midge Ure of Salvation was now playing one so everyone wanted one. I bout a Burns Vista Sonic which I still have. It's around 55 years old now and at present, is being given a wash and brush up, it'll be ready for my next day off.
Midge rocks 
He most certainly does. I heard him often with the band Salvation. They played in Clouds Disco, directly above Glasgow's legendary Apollo Theater.
My first proper guitar was a Hofner Verithin, I got it second hand for thirty pounds, it got destroyed in a car crash so I went back to the same music shop and got another - same price. The new one was stolen a year or so later, so back to the same shop - 120 pounds. Why? Midge Ure of Salvation was now playing one so everyone wanted one. I bout a Burns Vista Sonic which I still have. It's around 55 years old now and at present, is being given a wash and brush up, it'll be ready for my next day off.
Nice music set right now - homage to 80s innovators
he certainly does - saw him play guitar with Thin Lizzy, pre-Ultravox. And if he can hold his own with that bunch...
Ableragtacker wrote:
Midge rocks
One of my favourites back in high school. It hasn't aged as well as some of the others from that time.
This song was played all the time on the BBC when I lived in London for a semester in the Winter of 1981. This and the Adam Ant song - Antmusic.
best desk piano song ever.
I've rated this 9 for long enough - it's a 10.
I've rated this 9 for long enough - it's a 10.
Outstanding!
I like the ascending crescendo! 
Excellent record but certainly not the best song on it. While on holiday from NY in '83, saw them live in SF at the Kabuki Theater in Japantown. Love the U-vox!
Jannne wrote:
..yes, good comment ....do know whatyamean...and were you referring to Kraftwerk?
Not just Kraftwerk, there were lots of new synth stuff coming from DE around the 70s. Tangerine Dream and Klaus Shultz inspired a generation. the casio reference was the Da Da Da tune by Trio.
..yes, good comment ....do know whatyamean...and were you referring to Kraftwerk?
Not just Kraftwerk, there were lots of new synth stuff coming from DE around the 70s. Tangerine Dream and Klaus Shultz inspired a generation. the casio reference was the Da Da Da tune by Trio.
In Wien kommt Anna tsu Hilfe direkt outta Blaue Himmel.
oh, that's cold....
springof63 wrote:
oh, Shaddup You Face
Jannne wrote:
..yes, good comment ....do know whatyamean...and were you referring to Kraftwerk?
I think by "a few Germans" stunix may have been referring mainly to Kraftwerk. Ultravox was obviously more influenced by them than they were by the other bands stunix mentioned. This album was produced by Conrad Plank, who produced several Kraftwerk albums as well as those of many other artists.
..yes, good comment ....do know whatyamean...and were you referring to Kraftwerk?
I think by "a few Germans" stunix may have been referring mainly to Kraftwerk. Ultravox was obviously more influenced by them than they were by the other bands stunix mentioned. This album was produced by Conrad Plank, who produced several Kraftwerk albums as well as those of many other artists.
Please follow this with Big In Japan...or anything from Alphaville!!! Zoinks!!!!
Love it. Brings back some serious high school memories.
Reap the Wild Wind was one of my favorite songs from the 80s.
Reap the Wild Wind was one of my favorite songs from the 80s.
oh, Shaddup You Face
Is this what they call a "tone poem"?
OMG! I am back in my boarding school in Henley-on-Thames! Great memories, tx! Now I just need to hear some Yazoo with Allison Moyet.
Quovademus wrote:
Released in the UK 15th Jan 1981.
I never really liked this song much - it got played to death (and beyond!) on the common room jukebox at Southampton college when i was there. Looked it up on Wiki cause i wasn't sure if it was from 1980 or 1981.
Then i really had to laugh - Ultravox Vienna spent 4 weeks at Nr2 on the UK chart, and was never Nr1 - held off the top spot for 1 week by John Lennon's 'Woman' (fair enough), and then laughingly held off for a further THREE WEEKS by Joe Dolce's 'Shaddap You Face'
How Appropriate!!
It means nothing to me either, except that now whenever i hear Vienna from now on, instead of thinking "oh why are they playing this?" i'm always gonna be smiling instead. Thanx Bill & RP!!
Oh, i got it, finally - its where George Clooney's wedding is(was) - Right?
i mean as being the answer to the "oh why are they playing this?" question
Doh! er no, that turned out to be Venice, not Vienna - shows how much attention i was paying to that story i guess!
Nostalgic - When we were young.... How old is this song?
Released in the UK 15th Jan 1981.
I never really liked this song much - it got played to death (and beyond!) on the common room jukebox at Southampton college when i was there. Looked it up on Wiki cause i wasn't sure if it was from 1980 or 1981.
Then i really had to laugh - Ultravox Vienna spent 4 weeks at Nr2 on the UK chart, and was never Nr1 - held off the top spot for 1 week by John Lennon's 'Woman' (fair enough), and then laughingly held off for a further THREE WEEKS by Joe Dolce's 'Shaddap You Face'
How Appropriate!!
It means nothing to me either, except that now whenever i hear Vienna from now on, instead of thinking "oh why are they playing this?" i'm always gonna be smiling instead. Thanx Bill & RP!!
Oh, i got it, finally - its where George Clooney's wedding is(was) - Right?
i mean as being the answer to the "oh why are they playing this?" question
Doh! er no, that turned out to be Venice, not Vienna - shows how much attention i was paying to that story i guess!
Charlie_rijsel wrote:
Unlike the classic and internationally famous 80s French electronic bands such as ... Hmmm.. oh!
Turgid pretentious 80s nonsense.
'This means nothing to me' says it all
Unlike the classic and internationally famous 80s French electronic bands such as ... Hmmm.. oh!
Nostalgic - When we were young.... How old is this song?
Video filmed in Old Isleworth, West London, Midge Ure had never set foot in Austria when he penned it.
Great to hear this much under-valued classic.
Great to hear this much under-valued classic.
stunix wrote:
..yes, good comment ....do know whatyamean...and were you referring to Kraftwerk?
Still a good song. What people dont remember is the type of music around at this time, this wasn't just electropop, there was nothing like this mixing classical instrumentation with synths around at the time except a few Germans and a casio VL tone. except maybe, Floyd, Yes, Rush, Zep....... but this is commercial. tch, you know what I mean.
..yes, good comment ....do know whatyamean...and were you referring to Kraftwerk?
Ah...grew up on this....haven't heard it in years - thanks RP 
- OMG it sounded great in quadraphonic!!
- OMG it sounded great in quadraphonic!!Amazing that the song Joe Dolce's song "Shaddap You Face" kept Vienna off number one in the UK. Or, maybe not going by much of the record buying public on those days.
Sing it Midge .... always a good "80's" fix ...
Brings back wonderful memories for me
The most awesome segue from GP I could possibly think of.
One of my first albums so it's always a treasure to hear. I would usually follow this up with something from "The Government"
Midge Ure also played guitar in Thin Lizzy for a spell too.
OH PIANO!
Been to 2 Ultravox concerts in the later years; the boys still know how to rock; granted Midge can no longer drag a tone for ever, but it still Works.
Still a good song. What people dont remember is the type of music around at this time, this wasn't just electropop, there was nothing like this mixing classical instrumentation with synths around at the time except a few Germans and a casio VL tone. except maybe, Floyd, Yes, Rush, Zep....... but this is commercial. tch, you know what I mean.
I think the first I heard this song was when I woke up early to start watching Live Aid in '85. I think they were one of (if not the) opening acts at Wembley. I've always loved it, and I actually think it's aged a bit better than some of the other electronic stuff from the time. Of course, this may also be because it hasn't been overplayed to death on a '80 station...nonetheless still enjoy hearing it....
Imkirok wrote:
It doesn't sound remotely like anything Erasure ever did and by the time Erasure were popular, Ultravox had hung their synths.... aside from that a great post. Well done!
Reminds me of Erasure and similar bands of the era.
It doesn't sound remotely like anything Erasure ever did and by the time Erasure were popular, Ultravox had hung their synths.... aside from that a great post. Well done!
Classic electronics. Bit outdated though.
Let's hear some Yello!
Let's hear some Yello!
rickinstlouis wrote:
Ha. Ultravox doesn't do me much good. I crashed my car listening to Dancing With Tears In My Eyes. Just made it out, too. Joe Dolce kept them off the top spot in the UK. Love the band, though.
Ignore the H8ers. Hell, play "Dancing with tears in my eyes" just to drive 'em over the edge.
Ha. Ultravox doesn't do me much good. I crashed my car listening to Dancing With Tears In My Eyes. Just made it out, too. Joe Dolce kept them off the top spot in the UK. Love the band, though.
Ignore the H8ers. Hell, play "Dancing with tears in my eyes" just to drive 'em over the edge.
...got electric viola in it. Works for me!
Queen- 2003! "Turgid nonsense," indeed!
Reminds me of Erasure and similar bands of the era.
Charlie_rijsel wrote:
I had to look up Turgid: "Tediously pompous or bombastic." Yep
Turgid pretentious 80s nonsense.
'This means nothing to me' says it all
I had to look up Turgid: "Tediously pompous or bombastic." Yep
Put it back on the shelf!
Turgid pretentious 80s nonsense.
'This means nothing to me' says it all
This got to no.2 in the U.K. chart, 'way back when'. What kept it from no.1?
Don't Google it. Bit of trivia.
Don't Google it. Bit of trivia.
Wow, talk about songs you recognize within the first note. Yeah, I spent a lot of time in my room as a depressed adolescent listening to this LP.
ãMagazine ditto that! mjcunningham59 wrote:
Yes! A bit of Magazine would be appreciated
Yes! A bit of Magazine would be appreciated
Pedro1874 wrote:
+1
I love this song but it could sound dated if dropped into the wrong set.
Brilliant segue Bill - got it! 6.6 for this classic? Still a 9 for me. 
+1
I love this song but it could sound dated if dropped into the wrong set.
Brilliant segue Bill - got it! 6.6 for this classic? Still a 9 for me.
Never liked it - now I even "hate" it!
PS
Nothing against VIENNA (the city) - a lovely place!
Thin_Air wrote:
Yes! A bit of Magazine would be appreciated
Nothing wrong with this in its context but RP - how about some of the original Ultravox (stands the test of time no problem) and for that matter John Foxx's latest work with the Maths - and whilst we're at it how come you never play anything from Magazine? For me the best band ever.
Yes! A bit of Magazine would be appreciated
htowncoog wrote:
Yeah, I like this one. 9 from me, too.
Still a solid 9 for me. Haunting and beautiful.
Yeah, I like this one. 9 from me, too.
Still a solid 9 for me. Haunting and beautiful.
Shaddap you face! 
6.6? Amazed at that - this is one of few occasions that I've reached for the volume (in a good way) and ignored my work for a few minutes; although the laptop's taken a fair beating as an impromtu drum kit. Very rarely hear this song in the UK anymore.
Nothing wrong with this in its context but RP - how about some of the original Ultravox (stands the test of time no problem) and for that matter John Foxx's latest work with the Maths - and whilst we're at it how come you never play anything from Magazine? For me the best band ever.
Damn , I forgot about that song.
Still love it
Still love it
govna wrote:
weird, i love weed too!
weird, i love weed too!
Ah damn, missed it! I will just have to get the CD out when I get home later.... 
Solid 10 for me! Gives me chills...still.
coy wrote:
weird, i love weed too!
dude that was a seamless segue
it's like it's all connected
peace
it's like it's all connected
peace
weird, i love weed too!
dude that was a seamless segue
it's like it's all connected
peace
it's like it's all connected
peace
hobiejoe wrote:
Hey - I bought both of those singles too! (But my first single was Living Thing by ELO!)
The second single I ever bought. And it was from Woolworths in Totnes.
The first, if'n you were wondering was Geno by Dexys.
How chuffed was I to get to a gig by Geno Washington and The The Ram Jam Band? Very.
Sorry, rambling a bit there. Happy days.
The first, if'n you were wondering was Geno by Dexys.
How chuffed was I to get to a gig by Geno Washington and The The Ram Jam Band? Very.
Sorry, rambling a bit there. Happy days.
Hey - I bought both of those singles too! (But my first single was Living Thing by ELO!)
The second single I ever bought. And it was from Woolworths in Totnes.
The first, if'n you were wondering was Geno by Dexys.
How chuffed was I to get to a gig by Geno Washington and The The Ram Jam Band? Very.
Sorry, rambling a bit there. Happy days.
The first, if'n you were wondering was Geno by Dexys.
How chuffed was I to get to a gig by Geno Washington and The The Ram Jam Band? Very.
Sorry, rambling a bit there. Happy days.
Another vote for John Foxx era Ultravox. It had an edge too it. This Midge Ure stuff is just a bit too "precious."
Edit 6 months later: I still feel the same way, only I'd go with "twee" now.
Edit 6 months later: I still feel the same way, only I'd go with "twee" now.
crispynz1 wrote:
Isn't it just!
Now, if only you would play Visage's "Fade To Grey"
Second that. Those two go hand in hand for me as well. Probably an age thing
Isn't it just!
Now, if only you would play Visage's "Fade To Grey"
Second that. Those two go hand in hand for me as well. Probably an age thing
Dillinquent wrote:
oh, well played sir.
*golf clap*
Isn't this about the cat on 'Rising Damp'?
oh, well played sir.
*golf clap*
College reunion this weekend.
Boy, this gets me in the mood!
Boy, this gets me in the mood!
wolfian wrote:
Isn't it just!
Now, if only you would play Visage's "Fade To Grey"
A back in time moment... thanks.
Isn't it just!
Now, if only you would play Visage's "Fade To Grey"
Dillinquent wrote:
very good thanks for making me laugh - only english of a certain age would get it
Isn't this about the cat on 'Rising Damp'?
very good thanks for making me laugh - only english of a certain age would get it
Please make it stop
DavidS_UK wrote:
Exactamundo
Simple, a little dated, but still haunting.
Exactamundo
Wow, haven't heard this in a while. As a kid, and a young songwriter, this song fascinated me. Very cool.
A back in time moment... thanks.
I still like my 4 ranking 
how's the weather there ?
how's the weather there ?
This song is so timeless...in that after listening to it I have less time left in my life to enjoy good music.
I love this song. Midge Ure's fabulous, powerful voice (and the way he can sustain a high note without wavering), and the solemn music and pace - the piece seems to command reverence. Yep, in my world, this song will never grow old and dated. 
make it stop!!
'Ah shaddup you face'