Vienna

Ultravox

About Vienna

"Vienna" is a 1980 song by British new wave band Ultravox. It was released as the third single from the band's fourth album Vienna on 9 January 1981 through Chrysalis Records. It spent four consecutive weeks at number two in the UK Singles Chart without ever getting to number-one; it was kept off the number-one spot by John Lennon's "Woman" for a week, and then by Joe Dolce's "Shaddap You Face", for a further three weeks. "Vienna" is ranked as the eighth best-selling UK single for 1981. The single was certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry in February 1981, for UK sales exceeding 500,000 copies. Nevertheless, the single peaked at number one on the Top 40 charts in many European areas including the Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland. It also won "Single of the Year" at the 1981 Brit Awards. The song is regarded as a staple of the synthpop genre that was popularised in the early 1980s. The song was also performed at the 1985 Live Aid concert in Wembley Stadium. To date, it remains Ultravox's signature song, being their most commercially successful release and is often performed live by Midge Ure in solo performances. 


Year:
2001
4:37
34 
#2

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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

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Ultravox

Ultravox are a British New Wave rock band. They were one of the primary exponents of the British electronic pop music movement of the late 1970s/early 1980s. more »

1 fan

Written by: TOM NORRIS

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Band Formation
"Vienna" was performed by the British band Ultravox. Midge Ure is the lead vocalist in the band. Ultravox was originally formed in 1974.
New Member Integration
Midge Ure joined Ultravox in the year 1979, replacing John Foxx, the band's former lead vocalist. This made a significant shift in the band's style from Punk to more Synth-pop.
Song Release
"Vienna" was released in 1980 as part of Ultravox's fourth studio album, also titled "Vienna". It was produced by Ultravox and German producer Conny Plank at his studio in Cologne.
Chart Performance
Despite initially entering the UK Singles Chart at number fifty-eight, "Vienna" peaked at number two and remained in this position for four consecutive weeks in 1981.
Iconic Music Video
The song is also famous for its innovative music video, directed by Russell Mulcahy. The video was one of the most expensive of its time and helped to establish music video as an art form.
Unique Synthesizer Sound
"Vienna" was innovative in its use of the synthesizer, a relatively new instrument at the time, creating a unique and recognizable sound.
Inspired by Film
The song "Vienna" was inspired by the 1948 British film noir "The Third Man," which took place in the city of Vienna in Austria.
Awards
In 1981, "Vienna" was nominated for "British Single of the Year" at the Brit Awards. However, it failed to secure the top spot and ended up losing to "Keep On Loving You" by REO Speedwagon.
Impact and Legacy
Today, "Vienna" continues to be one of Ultravox's most popular tracks. In 2002 it was named the nation's favorite number-two hit in a poll by BBC Radio 2.
Cover Versions
A number of artists have covered the song, including British band, The Stranglers and Irish pop band, Westlife, showing its enduring popularity and influence on popular music.

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