I already own the clear vinyl version of this single, but when a picture disc looks as good as this, it is a worthy addition to my collection.
My collection: 7" single no. 7175
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, 16 April 2024
Tracks: 'We came to dance' / 'Overlook'
Lyrically, the song describes a time of corruption, in which "all that's good will fall from grace" and "Different words [...] have other meaning"; the protagonist expresses his worldly ambitions for "power and glory" in phrases from Bible ("the storybook"), especially The Lord's Prayer. 'Hymn' peaked at number 11 in the singles chart in the UK, where it was certified silver, and reached top 10 in Germany and Switzerland. This picture disc is a beautiful piece.
My collection: 7" single no. 7172
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, 16 April 2024
Tracks: 'Hymn' / 'Monument'
I think that with this single I've bought all the versions of 'Vienna' that exist in the world, but you never know what happens in the future...
My collection: 7" single no. 6804
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 12 November 2022
Tracks: 'Vienna [edit]' / 'Vienna (album version)'
After 'Vienna' became a hit in 1981, I became a big fan of the band. This was helped along a bit by the fact that my parents took me on holiday to Vienna for five years between 1980 and 1984. I was impressed with the city, but even more impressed by the views of Ultravox's music video I saw in real life. And then there was the majestic album of the same name, which my sister bought. This is how I knew that the next single, 'All stood still' was almost just as good. Unfortunately, that one was never a hit.
Ultravox became famous in 1980 when their single 'Vienna' became a Europe-wide hit. The Conny Plank-produced album of the same name became a classic album as well, and the band continued to churn out wonderful hits all through the Eighties.
'Passing strangers' was released in October 1980 as the second single from Ultravox's milestone album 'Vienna'. The song is a fast-paced affair, with all the signature sounds of the band around that time. The single wasn't a big hit, stalling at number 57 in the UK singles chart.
Released in September 1986, 'Same old story' was the first single from Ultravox's final album in the classic line-up with Midge Ure, 'U-vox'. The band moved away from their previous synth-based pop songs and showcased a more rock-oriented sound on this single.
'Love's great adventure' was recorded as a new track for Ultravox's 1984 compilation album 'The Collection' and released as a single to promote the album. Released in October 1984 it peaked at number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 30 in the Dutch Top 40.
Ultravox's 1984 album 'Lament' saw the band continuing to move away from the synth pop style associated with their previous albums, heading into a more mainstream pop/rock direction, alike their comtemporaries Echo and the Bunnymen, Simple Minds and U2. The album featured greater use of guitar and 'stadium' reverb.
The first single from Ultravox's 1984 album 'Lament' was an unusual track in their catalogue, because for the first time in a long time, the band omitted the use of synthesizers in favour of a more guitar-driven rock song. As such, I always considered it to be one of the band's worst singles.
More than anything else, I've always considered 'Dancing with tears in my eyes' a soundtrack to the music video Ultravox made in 1984. I can't imagine the music without that video anymore. I thought bringing down the enormous theme of a nuclear holocaust to the story of one man and woman was incredibly moving.
I bought the single as soon as it came out. It was the German pressing with tour dates on the front cover (pictured above). A few years later I found a UK limited edition of the single with a booklet sleeve, pressed on clear vinyl (pictured below).
'The thin wall' was released as the first single from Ultravox's 1981 album 'Rage in Eden'. Like the album, the single was produced by Conny Plank. Its stark synthesizer-based music was similar to Ultravox's previous singles from the album 'Vienna'. The band was rewarded with a reasonably good chart placing, peaking at number 14 in the UK singles chart.
'We came to dance' was the last single taken from Ultravox's sixth album Quartet. It was produced by George Martin and released on April 18, 1983. The song reached number 18 in the UK singles chart, while it didn't chart in the Netherlands.
'Sleepwalk' was the first single drawn from Ultravox's classic album 'Vienna' (1980). The song was primarily used to achieve a record contract with Chrysalis in 1980 after the band were sacked from their previous label, Island records. Compared to previous singles with John Foxx as their frontman, it was moderately successful in the UK singles chart, peaking at number 29.
In 1981, I thought Ultravox was the best band in the world. In some ways, I still think that. But back then, I was totally enchanted by the song 'Vienna' and its interesting video. I'd been to Vienna on holiday with my parents the year before and I was always trying to figure out where they had filmed the scenes. One part of it was easy: the cemetary in Vienna is famous for its buildings and beautiful graves - one of which is featured on the sleeve of the single. I would come to visit that grave, too, because we went back to Vienna that summer. But the other scenes I couldn't identify. I have recently found out that Ultravox filmed those scenes in England. A great disappointment... Vienna is the title track of the equally great album, a landmark in pop history.
