@@pendleeldnep I see what you did there! I think it a crime (it's a sin?) that this was blocked by Joe Dolce. Not sure anyone else will get it though (you probably have to be as old as me to understand... 🙂)
@@Warlord1009Don't forget these classic 80's awesome wonders... The Tweets - The Birdy Song ː Captain Sensible - Happy Talk ː Kajagoogoo - Too Shy ː Men Without Hats - The Safety Dance and you just know I'm not letting you escape before I Rick Roll you with Never Gonna Give You Up! Editː I almost forgot...Shaddap you face!
The video itself cost £5000-6000. The record company wouldn't pay for it so the band did it themselves. They flew into Vienna one morning. Ran around filming for one day and returned the same evening. The video shoot took 3 days. The rest of the video was filmed in Covent Garden and the old Kilburn Gaumont Theatre in North London. Check out Dancing With Tears In My Eyes. Vocalist Midge Ure was hired as guitarist for Thin Lizzy when Gary Moore suddenly left during the North American tour in 1979. He told that he took a plane and listened to Thin Lizzy songs on the way to the US. After the Tour he continued as a keyboard player for them until April 1980. Midge Ure also was a member of Visage. Known for the mega hit Fade To Grey. Swedish metal band Clawfinger did a great cover of Vienna.
It was filmed in Vienna I can remember reading an article by Paula Yates in Record Mirror in early 1981 as she went with the group when they were making the video.
I hope Amber is ok. She seemed a little upset. This lady is always such a ray of light and together with Jay brightens up my day. Truly makes people smile. All the best.
I read recently Bob admit Midge basically wrote the whole thing and he trashed it when he first head it. He had to be convinced but did contribute some lyrics
Jay & Amber, you'll love their "Sleepwalk" and "Reap the Wild Wind" !!! Both are more upbeat! Singer Midge Ure co-wrote charity single "Do They Know Its Christmas?" and co-organised Band Aid, Live Aid and Live 8 with Bob Geldof(Boomtown Rats). Impressed you did this group!
The lead singer of Ultravox is wee guy by the name of Midge Ure (real name James Ure). You may recognise him as the guy who helped organise Live Aid with Sir Bob Geldof. Ure has worked with many leading music artists such as Phil Lynott and Queen a well respected figure in the British music scene. Ure hails from Cambuslang just outside Glasgow. Ure has done a lot of good work for charity.
@@TheJameshamlett He wrote the music to "Do they know it's Christmas?" and Bob provided lyrics. Lucky to see him live in my home city last year. Absolute legend and gentleman. Great to see a new generation appreciate this music. Nicely done reaction video too. Thank you!
Sadly Chris Cross who was the bass guitarist recently died. He lived near Bath as does Midge Ure. I worked with Midge and Chris for many years along with Billy Curry and Warren Cann. They were a pleasure to work with, and still are. The Director of the Vienna video had it all blocked out before the meeting with Midge and the band.. he had envisioned boats, lots of water reflections, smoke and canals.. It was Midge who politely told him the title is Vienna.. Not Venice!
Why underrated ? .. maybe by you ! But the rest of us know how good they were and where they stand in the pantheon of iconic 80’s synth/pop-rock 🤷♂️ 👍🏴
This song was a huge hit in the UK, but it was kept off the number one spot by 'Shaddap Your Face', a novelty record. I love this song, it's perfect pop.
@@Problembeing about as much as “we love you grandpa” and “Wombling Free”. I’m not even going to waste my time to check if they are the correct titles, that’s my level of disdain 🙄 😉
I picked up on that but was hoping that it was just because they recorded multiple songs in the same sitting (and whatever came before this upset her).
Wow, I forgot about this tune! There was an exchange student in my class from Vienna. He was one of those people who thought everything was better back home. Because of that, when he entered the room, kids would oftern sing "Ohhhhh Viennaaaaaa". I still think of him when I hear this song, 40 plus years later.
Every time I hear this song it transports me back to the 80s in seconds. This is the true power of music ,the journey each piece takes you on . Awesome.
It's not his, Bill currie and Chris Payne did most of it, midge ure just wrote the English vocals and played guitar, Steve strange sang but the other two pretty much did all the work they composed the entire song and the French lyrics. The Ultravox version of it is awful compared to the original. My favourite song.
Even today, as the music swells towards the finale, I still get chills at the video's ending. The song's climax is synced so well with the video. And it still works! 😄
I saw the British opera singer Russell Watson sing this live in Hyde Park, London in 2001. He got Midge Ure to join him on stage as a surprise guest! Brilliant
The director went on to direct Highlander. Apparently he was pitching his idea for the video with the band on gondolas until somebody had to explain to him that was Venice, not Vienna. 😀
@@brianh9358 a lot of the architecture I saw there resembled a lot of Georgian English buildings. I'm wondering if they were hoping it would just pass for it.
Yay. ❤ Midge Ure was also collaborator for the 1984 'Do they know its christmas'. Amazing song writer ❤🎉 'Dancing with tears in my eyes' 👏 or 'loves great adventure ' are 2 great Untravox hits
Really good song that I I'm glad to say was able to be intense enough to help Amber get back into a cheerful frame of mind, as something seemed to have brought her down at the start. It's so sad to see, as she shines so brightly so often. I hope you feel better, Amber, from whatever it was. 🙂😊
Midge Ure wrote this and sang it; he also filled in as guitarist after Gary Moore and Brian Robertson of Thin Lizzy and wrote the Band Aid song “Do they know it’s Christmas Time At All?” that sparked Live Aid; do “Dancing with Tears in my Eyes” next!!
Other Ultravox hits include Sleepwalk (1980),All Stood Still,The Thin Wall and The Voice (all 1981),Reap the Wild Wind and Hymn (both 1982),Visions in Blue and We Came to Dance (both 1983) and One Small Day,Dancing With Tears in My Eyes,Lament and Love's Great Adventure (all 1984).
More New Romantics/new wave: Spandau ballet ‘To cut a long story short’, ‘Chant no 1’, ABC ‘Poison arrow’, Duran Duran, ‘Planet Earth’ , ‘Careless memories’
I remember the impact this video had in 1980. I saw Midge Ure at a gig last week and he sang this. Absolutely had the crowd in his hands. The man is genius. Total legend. Love from Yorkshire, England ❤️ 🇫🇴
I remember at college when this came out and everyone went to the charity shops and bought long overcoats and walked around with their collars turned up!
This song was a game-changer, and signaled the relevance of synthesizers in 80s pop. This was actually from Ultravox!'s (yes, they spell their name with an exclamation point) 4th album. Their first 3 albums (2 from 1977, 1 from 1978), were much more punky and agressive, with some fast, crunchy guitars and original singer John Foxx's sneeringly desperate vocals going up against the synth-only songs like "My Sex", "Hiroshoma Mon Amour", and "Just For A Moment". When they pared down to a quartet with singer/ guitarist Midge Ure, they hit the big time with this epic single from 1980. If you want to check out some absolute BANGERS from the John Foxx era, check out "Rockwrok", "Young Savage", " or "Slow Motion". For the Midge Ure era, definitely check out "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes").
Thank you so much! I've been requesting this one for some time and I'm so glad you got to it. I remember hearing it in about 1984 or 85 and I thought it was so different and just wonderful. Still one of my favorite 80s songs.
Just imagining early J reacting to this song with a puzzled face and complaining that it's too slow for him. I love how his taste has broadened and he's more open to such a wide variety of music.
Great one, there are thousands and thousands of Brits who, when hearing this start up, hark back to a time when we were swaying back and forth in a night club, nursing a pint, blinking at the lasers through smoke and all joining in with the Vee-Ennn-A, good one gang, keep 'em coming :)
Never fails to bring chills! Fantastic memories of 1981 and how influential Ultravox were within the plethora of ‘new romantic’ / electronic sounds bursting onto the scene
This man must have amnesia or something. They have done a whole bunch of new wave, punk, etc. B-52s (like his favorite Rock Lobster), Talking Heads, The Cars, The Waitresses (his favorite Christmas Wrapping) , Devo (his favorite Whip It), WHen in Rome (his favorite Promise), New Order, The Cure, Flock of Seagulls, Berlin, Blondie, Simple Minds, early U2, Adam and the Ants, Psychedelic Furs, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Modern English, Howard Jones, Tears for Fear, Pet Shop Boys, The GoGos, Kim Wilde, Oingo Boingo, The Police, Erasure, Yaz, Early INXS, A-Ha, M (sang Pop Muzik), Gary Numan, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, OMD, Spandau Ballet, Human League, and a hundred more bands I forgot to list. What's wrong with this guy?? jaja
A classic. I'm a metal head rocker but loved this back in the 80's. I'm now 69 and have been fortunate to live through so many wonderful music genres. Keep up the good work.
Amber looks like she's been crying, why so sad? Great tune btw, the lead singer, Midge Ure went on with a solo career as well - if you haven't already check out "If I Was..."
Yes!! You've finally got round to Ultravox. This track was famously kept off the number one spot by a novelty record here in the UK. Lead singer Midge Ure co wrote the charity single "Do they know it's Christmas" with Bob Geldof. "Dancing with Tears in my Eyes" should be your next reaction. Much love from England 🏴
Another thing about the video when they were filming it the guy who was going there to do it has all these great ideas about what to shoot and made plans then at the last minute he found out he has been thinking of Venice instead of Vienna. Saw it on vh1classic where the band talks about their song.
The first Ultravox song I remember seeing on MTV was * Reap the Wild Wind. * The music was mesmerizing and was my favorite by the group untill I heard *Vienna * Please react to Reap the Wild Wind , thanks
Loved this band and midge since I was a teenager. Thankfully heard him live a couple years ago and again this December. Best nights. The guy is a major force in music though you’d never know. Video won awards and was groundbreaking at the time.
Other 80s Bands to checkout are Japan (Quiet Life and Ghosts), Blancmange (Feel Me and Blind Vision) Depeche Mode ( early tracks New Life and Dreaming of Me)
The singer Midge Ure was also a producer and was pivotal in the making of Do They Know It's Christmas Great video. This song is so haunting 😢 Edit:I cannot believe you guys are going to interview Midge Ure!!!!😮😮😮
I can remember the first time I heard this, I was absolutely blown away. I'd never heard anything like it before, I'd never heard of Ultravox either (this was in the mid 80's). It's such a hard song to classify, it's so original.
This was the first video I ever saw on MTV. I was over at a rich friend's house who had cable and she had MTV on. Following her into her house I walked past the TV, this video was playing, I wound up sitting in front of her TV for almost an hour. This video and this music was unlike anything I had ever seen or heard. It was early 1982 and I hadn't yet heard of MTV (It had been on about 6 months at this time). MTV played a lot of British New Wave in the early days because these UK bands were the first ones to create videos for their songs. American band's weren't doing it as much.
Check out Talk Talk --" Tomorrow Started " and " Does Caroline know " .... i always thought Talk Talk were the masters of using " silence " as notes and atmosphere... :)
This gorgeous song was shot in the city of Vienna. There is an Orson Welles movie, from the 1940s, called "The Third Man", which is also shot in Vienna, but right after the Second World War. The entire city is a character in this film, so beautiful and mysterious, especially at night, in it war-torn rubble. The movie is known as one of the most witty, exciting and entertaining films ever made, directed by the great Carol Reed, uncle of the great actor Oliver Reed, most famous for his swashbuckling flicks of the 1970s, such as "The Three Musketeers", the very best version ever made. Ultravox the band comes in two varieties: the first, under lead singer and writer John Foxx, is credited by none other than Gary Numan, for creating the New Wave genre that Numan is so famous for. He loved the band so much that two of their members split their time between Ultravox and Numan's own touring band. Foxx was super-charismatic on stage, which you can witness on TH-cam. Catch their live versions of "Hiroshima Mon Amour", "Slow Motion", "Frozen Ones" and "Young Savage". Their second singer, seen and heard in this "Vienna" video, had a btter voice and was cool onstage, but not in the same way as John Foxx. However, it was Midge Ure's songs that gave Ultravox success, with many hits and popular videos. Most of all, it was Midge Ure who wrote and co-produced "Do They Know It's Christmas" in December of 1984, and co-produced the Live Aid shows for Summer of 1985. Ure is immensely talented and I don't know why Gary Numan so hates Ure's version of Ultravox. ---OronOfMontreal
Lead singer Midge Ure from Scotland was Bob Geldof's right hand man for Band Aid and Live Aid in 1985. Midge's solo single from the 80s If I Was is worth checking out. Ultravox were a great Electro band. Hear also Dancing With Tears in my eyes.
Nice! I was just scrolling thru your catalog of videos for this exact song. This was early New Wave. Another one of theirs that was popular is called Dancing With Tears In My Eyes. That got played at the clubs alot if I remember right, along with Howard Jones New Song, Thomas Dolby HyperActive, Tears For Fears Pale Shelter, etc.
Ultravox first album with John Foxx as lead singer was in the futuristic new wave vibe (much like Spandau Ballet first album and Dirk Wears White Socks by Adam and the Ants). All these bands then started the poppier New Romantic trend. Incidentally Midge Ure was one of the masterminds behind Band Aid and Do they Know it's Christmas together with Bob Geldof and later helped to organise the Live Aid show.
GREAT reaction you two! MORE Ultravox, please!! Such a beautiful & haunting song. Future recommendations: The Voice, Dancing With Tears In My Eyes, Hymn, Visions Of Blue...for starters! You won't regret this rabbit hole! Cheers.
This has a personal context, because it was my first single. Actually, my brother bought it for my 8th birthday. Famously, it made No.2 in the UK chart and was held off the top by a (actually inoffensive) novelty song. And I think, despite the fact that Britain was now living in the Gary Numan/Human League/etc world of synth-pop, it stood out for being almost operatic in nature. You couldn't necessarily dance to it or rock out to it. And it completely kick-started Ultravox as a chart act, even though they'd been around - under different leadership and a different singer - for a while at that point.
Should definitely check out... Ultravox - The voice Japan - Ghosts Duran Duran - Save a prayer Spandau Ballet - Chant no.1 Associates - Party fears two Depeche Mode - See you Soft Cell - Say hello, wave goodbye Adam & The Ants - Prince Charming Human League - Love action The Undertones - My perfect cousin Imagination - Body talk
Great list, I'd add OMD - Messages, Souxsie & the Banshees - Happy House, Propaganda - Dr Mabuse and Cocteau Twins - Pearly Dewdrops' Drops. For Adam & the Ants I'd choose Dog Eat Dog.
It was the 1980ies that spawned so much relevant music culture following from great 70ies, honestly i was am still gobsmacked by how brilliant i felt during the 80ies, my fav girl was Debbie Harry, blondie, heart of glass, but for a brutally honest voice from that era that stood out for me was from the Yazoo singer, Alison Moyet, highly talented, highly unrecognised, look up " Nobodys diary ", the whole album was fantastic. I hasten to add that the other member, Vince Clarke after yazoo started Erasure, and coed with the infamous Andy Bell , all you gay people and straight have danced to Erasure so many times. Long live the 80ies where anything went and was greatly enjoyed by every sex and age, something f9r everyone, no hiphop but at least we u dersto9d the words, but only the white guy Eminem can spit lyrics and words you can still understand 😂😂😂
Okay, bear with me, I'm the right age. Ever watched the film 'The Third Man'? Basically if you were late teens when this came out originally in the UK that film and this song are all you knew about Vienna. They're completely different and compliment each other wonderfully.
Another great 80s choice Jay and Amber. A couple of artists you should react to again that were popular during the 80s are New Order and Depeche Mode. From New Order listen to the version of "Bizarre Love Triangle" from the Substance album and Depeche Mode's live version of "I Just Can't Get Enough" from DM 101. I know you reacted to the studio version, but you haven't really heard that song until you hear the live DM 101 version. Thanks for all you do, blessings!
YAY! Thanks for checking out my email list of suggestions of eighties songs; I’m the one who sent it to you guys last January. About time. I knew you guys were going to do a review of Vienna. 😊👍
I'm so excited for the Ultravox journey you're about to embark on. Such a cool band in the 80s, and the lead signer, Midge Ure, a genius in the industry. Check out 'Hymn', 'Dancing With Tears In My Eyes' and 'Love's Great Adventure'. Also Midge Ure's solo 'If I Was'. Watch the official videos if you can, as they were always epic! Enjoy the ride!!!
A few years ago I saw him sing this (I think just him and a guitar), and his voice had changed. It was mature, it had edges to it, and the song was transformed into something completely different. It was beautiful and very moving, so much so that when I think of Venna now, I think of that before I think of the 80's version.
Next, you need to check out the magnificent "Shaddap Your Face" by Joe Dolce who kept Vienna off the number 1 spot in early 1981 😃 To be fair, I am forced to concede, hearing it again, that "Vienna" was a pretty good song 😉
The photography and atmosphere of this reminds me of a film set in Vienna - The Third Man. It is a Cold War spy film starring Orson Welles and based on a story by Graham Greene. The music throughout is played on a zither, an Eastern European stringed instrument which is played with hammers. The film is regarded as a classic.
Midge Ure, Ultravox, Visage and Steve Strange...the first LPs I ever bought at the age of 12 in 1980/1981. God, I still love his voice after 40+ years. Gave me the chills the moment the intro of the song started. Visage was also a project, Midge Ure and Ultravox were involved in, and with Steve Strange they had the perfect lead singer for it. Sadly, Steve passed away a couple of years ago. And you guys definitely have to check out Adam and the Ants/Adam Ant and their "Stand and Deliver" and "Prince Charming". Adam is cult.
This is an example of when '80's music really shines in it's own distinctive way.
Spamdau Ballet, Pet shop boys, Robert Palmer
shudup a ya face!
@@pendleeldnep I see what you did there! I think it a crime (it's a sin?) that this was blocked by Joe Dolce. Not sure anyone else will get it though (you probably have to be as old as me to understand... 🙂)
@@pendleeldnep lol if you know you know !
@@Warlord1009Don't forget these classic 80's awesome wonders... The Tweets - The Birdy Song ː Captain Sensible - Happy Talk ː Kajagoogoo - Too Shy ː Men Without Hats - The Safety Dance and you just know I'm not letting you escape before I Rick Roll you with Never Gonna Give You Up!
Editː I almost forgot...Shaddap you face!
What a decade to be a teenager. So happy to be Gen X
absolutely.
Amen 🙏
We are blessed, for sure 💗🇦🇺
So right! ❤🎶
👍
The video itself cost £5000-6000. The record company wouldn't pay for it so the band did it themselves. They flew into Vienna one morning. Ran around filming for one day and returned the same evening. The video shoot took 3 days. The rest of the video was filmed in Covent Garden and the old Kilburn Gaumont Theatre in North London.
Check out Dancing With Tears In My Eyes.
Vocalist Midge Ure was hired as guitarist for Thin Lizzy when Gary Moore suddenly left during the North American tour in 1979. He told that he took a plane and listened to Thin Lizzy songs on the way to the US. After the Tour he continued as a keyboard player for them until April 1980. Midge Ure also was a member of Visage. Known for the mega hit Fade To Grey.
Swedish metal band Clawfinger did a great cover of Vienna.
I heard it was a car park in Leicester or some such,.
Let’s not forget he was also co-creator & co-writer of Band Aid - do they know it’s Christmas
Midge also wrote the chorus for the Band Aid single "Do they know it's Christmas"
Wow, great story!
It was filmed in Vienna I can remember reading an article by Paula Yates in Record Mirror in early 1981 as she went with the group when they were making the video.
I hope Amber is ok. She seemed a little upset. This lady is always such a ray of light and together with Jay brightens up my day. Truly makes people smile. All the best.
I thought she was about to cry at the start
Hope she's ok. @@abbafan1972
She looked so sad at the start, I hope she’s ok 😢
Midge Ure .....one half of Live Aid but Geldof got all the attention. Great Scottish artist and still singing today
Exactly ,why no sir midge ure ??
Absolutely
Massive hug from England for the unusually sad Amber... Keep well, kiddo...
I saw that. Bless her x
Think she's sombre in keeping with the music, she sounds fine though 😊
Their version of this at Live Aid is unbelievable. Seeing Midge holds those notes is something to see.
I read recently Bob admit Midge basically wrote the whole thing and he trashed it when he first head it. He had to be convinced but did contribute some lyrics
I agree, I still often watch it, brings back good memories, He was very underrated.
Who remembers Midge's earlier band called Slik ? ( from Scotland ).
I loved Slik, brilliant band - Forever and Ever, Kid's a Punk, Requiem, all brilliant songs. Thanks for reminding me of them 🙂
"Forever and Ever" UK number one 1976 😊
And then he was in Rich Kids before Ultravox.
While in Slik Midge turned down an offer from Malcolm McLaren to be in the Sex Pistols.
I do, met midge ure on top of a 64 bus in Partick when I was a kid, good guy. 👍🏴
Holy shit now we are talking. This is a tune. Not many songs literally make you stop. Look. Listen.
Amazing
If you're listening to Ultravox...Dancing (with tears in my eyes)
One of the greatest songs ever
Yessss
@@susanpeters5392 Nooo! Too sad! ;)
Its got to be done!
Still brings a lump to my throat. ❤
Agreed it's a great song as is If I was
Vienna is a 80’s classic 👍
I agree with you 💯%.
If there ever is a Song that defines the "New Romantics" Era this is it! A true Classic!
Jay & Amber, you'll love their "Sleepwalk" and "Reap the Wild Wind" !!! Both are more upbeat! Singer Midge Ure co-wrote charity single "Do They Know Its Christmas?" and co-organised Band Aid, Live Aid and Live 8 with Bob Geldof(Boomtown Rats). Impressed you did this group!
Fade to Grey wasn't Ultravox. It was by a group called Visage. 😊
Fade to Grey wasn't Ultravox. It was by a group called Visage 😊
@@paulmargett9360 thanks man! Midge Ure co-wrote, co-produced Fade To Grey. There goes the memory 😕
For the first 2 Visage albums, there was a lot of input from Midge Ure and Billy Curry from Ultravox.
@@paulmargett9360
Live Aid, not Live 8 - the latter was much, much later...
The lead singer of Ultravox is wee guy by the name of Midge Ure (real name James Ure).
You may recognise him as the guy who helped organise Live Aid with Sir Bob Geldof.
Ure has worked with many leading music artists such as Phil Lynott and Queen a well respected figure in the British music scene.
Ure hails from Cambuslang just outside Glasgow.
Ure has done a lot of good work for charity.
You can see Midge on the Band-Aid video. He helped out with that too
@@TheJameshamlett yes, indeed he did.
@@TheJameshamlett He wrote the music to "Do they know it's Christmas?" and Bob provided lyrics. Lucky to see him live in my home city last year. Absolute legend and gentleman. Great to see a new generation appreciate this music. Nicely done reaction video too. Thank you!
DANCING WITH TEARS IN MY EYES, REAP THE WILD WIND, and WE CAME TO DANCE are great songs by this band.
Reap The Wild Wind is my favourite Ultravox song, it's just amazing.
Other Ultravox songs to listen out for: Dancing With Tears in My Eyes, We Came to Dance, Love's Great Adventure
Oh yeah, 'Love's Great Adventure' is another cracker. 'Time Stood Still' is pretty good too. 🤔
Hymn, Visions in Blue, Lament
Visions in Blue is an absolute must
You name most of their best but excluded the best for me ' Reap the wild wind'
@@kbe2176 My second favorite behind Vienna!
Listen: "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes"...another great song from Ultravox...Congratulations from Brazil!
Is that a cover of the old Rudy Vallee song?
Sadly Chris Cross who was the bass guitarist recently died. He lived near Bath as does Midge Ure. I worked with Midge and Chris for many years along with Billy Curry and Warren Cann.
They were a pleasure to work with, and still are. The Director of the Vienna video had it all blocked out before the meeting with Midge and the band.. he had envisioned boats, lots of water reflections, smoke and canals..
It was Midge who politely told him the title is Vienna.. Not Venice!
Chris Allen was (aka Cross, aka St John) my inspiration to learn bass, very sad loss.
I love Ultravox, from the New Romantic genre of New Wave Music
I'm surprised, but so glad they found some more of the music I adored years ago.
Underated? Had about 15 top twenty hits and at least four great albums. Don't get what you mean about being underated?
'Hiroshima Mon Amor' - great tune, loved them.
@@chrisseed4643 I think what I meant to say, a lot of people don't know who they are, I think there phenomenal
Why underrated ? .. maybe by you ! But the rest of us know how good they were and where they stand in the pantheon of iconic 80’s synth/pop-rock 🤷♂️
👍🏴
I haven't heard this song in decades! What a great song!
Same here.
Amber looked a bit tearful not her upbeat self
HUGGS
Yeah, first thing I noticed.
Yeah i was checking for a comment about before i said anything. Hope all is okay.
She was "feeling" the song
Yep, hope you’re ok Amber x
I hope Amber is good now.
This song was a huge hit in the UK, but it was kept off the number one spot by 'Shaddap Your Face', a novelty record. I love this song, it's perfect pop.
The BBC did a poll a few years ago and this was voted the country's favourite number 2 song.
One of the best songs of the 80s, a travesty it didn't make number 1 in the UK.
@@trickygoose2 quite right too! 🙌
@@markparker5585 but admit it, we all loved Shaddap Your Face 😂
@@Problembeing about as much as “we love you grandpa” and “Wombling Free”. I’m not even going to waste my time to check if they are the correct titles, that’s my level of disdain 🙄 😉
Didn't anyone notice that Amber was close to tears before the song?
blink once for help!!! i noticed it
I picked up on that but was hoping that it was just because they recorded multiple songs in the same sitting (and whatever came before this upset her).
Yes !! She looked very sad.
Yes, you’re right. 😢
I hope she is OK.
Wow, I forgot about this tune! There was an exchange student in my class from Vienna. He was one of those people who thought everything was better back home. Because of that, when he entered the room, kids would oftern sing "Ohhhhh Viennaaaaaa". I still think of him when I hear this song, 40 plus years later.
Midge Ure,the lead singer,has a fantastic song called If I Was which I highly recommend.
That was number 1 for a week around in September/October 1985. Three years earlier he made a synthy cover version of the Walker Brothers' No Regrets.
@@rjjcms1that’s one of my favourite ever songs
Every time I hear this song it transports me back to the 80s in seconds. This is the true power of music ,the journey each piece takes you on . Awesome.
Better try his Visage. 'Fade to grey'
I believe the did Fade to Grey a long time ago
Such an amazing song!!! Please cover it.
Thanks. I didn't know he co-wrote 'Fade To Grey' too... 🤔
It's not his, Bill currie and Chris Payne did most of it, midge ure just wrote the English vocals and played guitar, Steve strange sang but the other two pretty much did all the work they composed the entire song and the French lyrics. The Ultravox version of it is awful compared to the original. My favourite song.
Jay needs to watch it again with his eyes OPEN haha. The video was as majestic as the music.
Even today, as the music swells towards the finale, I still get chills at the video's ending. The song's climax is synced so well with the video. And it still works! 😄
Right? Jay can't keep his eyes open to save his life. If he had grown up in the 80s, MTV would've been totally wasted on him. 🤣
I saw the British opera singer Russell Watson sing this live in Hyde Park, London in 2001. He got Midge Ure to join him on stage as a surprise guest! Brilliant
Can't think of anything worse. Russell Watson, what a plank.
The director went on to direct Highlander.
Apparently he was pitching his idea for the video with the band on gondolas until somebody had to explain to him that was Venice, not Vienna. 😀
I guess there was no budget to go to Vienna? :) I've been to Vienna and I don't think any scenes were actually from there.
@@brianh9358 a lot of the architecture I saw there resembled a lot of Georgian English buildings. I'm wondering if they were hoping it would just pass for it.
It probably meant nothing to him.
@@strawman6085 😆😆😆
@@brianh9358Covent Garden in London.
Yay. ❤ Midge Ure was also collaborator for the 1984 'Do they know its christmas'. Amazing song writer ❤🎉
'Dancing with tears in my eyes' 👏 or 'loves great adventure ' are 2 great Untravox hits
joint organiser of Band Aid too?
Collaborator? He basically wrote the whole song and organised live aid while sir bob got the credit
@robertrobert85 exactly, he and produced the song too. Bob Geldof was more like the visible face, getting people to donate.
@@robertrobert85 Live Aid was nothing but an ego stroke for Bob Geldoff. What a smug prick he is.
Live Aid was Midge Ures idea, not that Geldof bellend.
Geldof started to take over calling people.
Midge Uregot no credit at all.
Really good song that I I'm glad to say was able to be intense enough to help Amber get back into a cheerful frame of mind, as something seemed to have brought her down at the start. It's so sad to see, as she shines so brightly so often. I hope you feel better, Amber, from whatever it was. 🙂😊
This was one of my favorite songs during my goth phase. Lol. I remember buying the album at Tower Records…back when that was still a thing. 😂
Ha! I bought my first Ultravox tape at Tower Records (in SF) as well!
I really hope Amber is ok. She seems upset though.
Right!? I’ve noticed her looking a bit like she’s been crying in a couple videos 🤔
@@idaliaduran2670 I wish someone can find out if everything is good with them or not. I am kind of worried about Amber and Jay.
Just seen this - judging by Amber’s fabulous nails and Jay’s yawn I wonder if they were just out on the times last night partying…?
Seriously , that song can make you cry !
But hope she's ok !
Midge Ure wrote this and sang it; he also filled in as guitarist after Gary Moore and Brian Robertson of Thin Lizzy and wrote the Band Aid song “Do they know it’s Christmas Time At All?” that sparked Live Aid; do “Dancing with Tears in my Eyes” next!!
I ADORE this song! It's definitely close to the top of my list!
Ultravox is one of my favorite 80s bands. Midge Ure's voice is haunting and gorgeous.
There are so many great Ultravox tracks.
Other Ultravox hits include Sleepwalk (1980),All Stood Still,The Thin Wall and The Voice (all 1981),Reap the Wild Wind and Hymn (both 1982),Visions in Blue and We Came to Dance (both 1983) and One Small Day,Dancing With Tears in My Eyes,Lament and Love's Great Adventure (all 1984).
@@rjjcms1 where’s White China?
More New Romantics/new wave: Spandau ballet ‘To cut a long story short’, ‘Chant no 1’, ABC ‘Poison arrow’, Duran Duran, ‘Planet Earth’ , ‘Careless memories’
Good surgestons like to add,
Propaganda - p:Machinery,
Propaganda -- Duel,
Duran Duran - New Religion,
Heaven 17- Temptation,
Yazoo - Nobody's Diary.
I must add Japan to that lisr
I remember the impact this video had in 1980.
I saw Midge Ure at a gig last week and he sang this. Absolutely had the crowd in his hands.
The man is genius. Total legend. Love from Yorkshire, England ❤️ 🇫🇴
I hope you're ok Amber, at 0:50 just as the record started you looked like you were going to start crying.
I remember at college when this came out and everyone went to the charity shops and bought long overcoats and walked around with their collars turned up!
It was indeed one of THE cool looks of the time! ;)
This song was a game-changer, and signaled the relevance of synthesizers in 80s pop.
This was actually from Ultravox!'s (yes, they spell their name with an exclamation point) 4th album. Their first 3 albums (2 from 1977, 1 from 1978), were much more punky and agressive, with some fast, crunchy guitars and original singer John Foxx's sneeringly desperate vocals going up against the synth-only songs like "My Sex", "Hiroshoma Mon Amour", and "Just For A Moment". When they pared down to a quartet with singer/ guitarist Midge Ure, they hit the big time with this epic single from 1980.
If you want to check out some absolute BANGERS from the John Foxx era, check out "Rockwrok", "Young Savage", " or "Slow Motion". For the Midge Ure era, definitely check out "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes").
Thank you so much! I've been requesting this one for some time and I'm so glad you got to it. I remember hearing it in about 1984 or 85 and I thought it was so different and just wonderful. Still one of my favorite 80s songs.
Just imagining early J reacting to this song with a puzzled face and complaining that it's too slow for him. I love how his taste has broadened and he's more open to such a wide variety of music.
Amber, you look upset.
Great one, there are thousands and thousands of Brits who, when hearing this start up, hark back to a time when we were swaying back and forth in a night club, nursing a pint, blinking at the lasers through smoke and all joining in with the Vee-Ennn-A, good one gang, keep 'em coming :)
"The Voice" along with this one is are a few of my favorites from Ultravox.
Never fails to bring chills! Fantastic memories of 1981 and how influential Ultravox were within the plethora of ‘new romantic’ / electronic sounds bursting onto the scene
This man must have amnesia or something. They have done a whole bunch of new wave, punk, etc. B-52s (like his favorite Rock Lobster), Talking Heads, The Cars, The Waitresses (his favorite Christmas Wrapping) , Devo (his favorite Whip It), WHen in Rome (his favorite Promise), New Order, The Cure, Flock of Seagulls, Berlin, Blondie, Simple Minds, early U2, Adam and the Ants, Psychedelic Furs, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Modern English, Howard Jones, Tears for Fear, Pet Shop Boys, The GoGos, Kim Wilde, Oingo Boingo, The Police, Erasure, Yaz, Early INXS, A-Ha, M (sang Pop Muzik), Gary Numan, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, OMD, Spandau Ballet, Human League, and a hundred more bands I forgot to list. What's wrong with this guy?? jaja
A classic. I'm a metal head rocker but loved this back in the 80's. I'm now 69 and have been fortunate to live through so many wonderful music genres. Keep up the good work.
The singer is Midge Ure ... Co-organizer of Live Aid 1985 and composer of "Do They Know It's Christmas". Do you know "Dancing WIth tears In My Eyes"?
Especially now in these times, their great song 'Dancing with tears in my eyes' would be something that is once again relevant
Ultravox is truly a vibe. I recommend "Dancing with Tears in My Eyes" and "Reap the Wild Wind" as songs to take a listen to.
Thank God for those old videos, it was really a work of art back then. Especially if one tries to compare it to contemporary music and videos
Ultravox was punk synth to romantic synth. They have many great albums.
Amber looks like she's been crying, why so sad? Great tune btw, the lead singer, Midge Ure went on with a solo career as well - if you haven't already check out "If I Was..."
Yes!! You've finally got round to Ultravox. This track was famously kept off the number one spot by a novelty record here in the UK. Lead singer Midge Ure co wrote the charity single "Do they know it's Christmas" with Bob Geldof. "Dancing with Tears in my Eyes" should be your next reaction. Much love from England 🏴
Shut upa ya face
Another thing about the video when they were filming it the guy who was going there to do it has all these great ideas about what to shoot and made plans then at the last minute he found out he has been thinking of Venice instead of Vienna. Saw it on vh1classic where the band talks about their song.
This was such a brilliant song. Great reaction as always, wishing you both well and sending peace and extra light and positive energy to Amber
Can't believe this is over 40 years ago, watched them in Liverpool 1982 as a young 16 year old, great days.
Watched them at Rotters nightclub 1980 Liverpool.
@@pcooper3559 Never new they played there
Vienna was known as the center of the espionage world in the cold war in the 50s, 70s, and 70s . This track is based on that vibe.
The first Ultravox song I remember seeing on MTV was * Reap the Wild Wind. *
The music was mesmerizing and was my favorite by the group untill I heard *Vienna *
Please react to Reap the Wild Wind , thanks
Loved this band and midge since I was a teenager. Thankfully heard him live a couple years ago and again this December. Best nights. The guy is a major force in music though you’d never know. Video won awards and was groundbreaking at the time.
Other 80s Bands to checkout are Japan (Quiet Life and Ghosts), Blancmange (Feel Me and Blind Vision) Depeche Mode ( early tracks New Life and Dreaming of Me)
Unusual reaction song, the crescendo at the ending always gets you. Midge has a great voice.
The singer Midge Ure was also a producer and was pivotal in the making of Do They Know It's Christmas Great video. This song is so haunting 😢 Edit:I cannot believe you guys are going to interview Midge Ure!!!!😮😮😮
I believe this song is officially deemed the greatest pop song ever written. I can't disagree.
I can remember the first time I heard this, I was absolutely blown away. I'd never heard anything like it before, I'd never heard of Ultravox either (this was in the mid 80's). It's such a hard song to classify, it's so original.
Vienna was released in 1981.
@@Xiroi87 Yes, and I heard it for the first time in the mid 80's.
@@sambirch6784 oh ok, in western Europe it was a big hit, the video too, so no one under 30 missed it.
This was the first video I ever saw on MTV. I was over at a rich friend's house who had cable and she had MTV on. Following her into her house I walked past the TV, this video was playing, I wound up sitting in front of her TV for almost an hour. This video and this music was unlike anything I had ever seen or heard. It was early 1982 and I hadn't yet heard of MTV (It had been on about 6 months at this time). MTV played a lot of British New Wave in the early days because these UK bands were the first ones to create videos for their songs. American band's weren't doing it as much.
Is Amber OK? At the beginning it looks like she's trying not to cry.
Hope she's ok. She's the same in the Supertramp video earlier
Check out Talk Talk --" Tomorrow Started " and " Does Caroline know " .... i always thought Talk Talk were the masters of using " silence " as notes and atmosphere... :)
The New Romantic movement of the 80's is my favorite
This gorgeous song was shot in the city of Vienna. There is an Orson Welles movie, from the 1940s, called "The Third Man", which is also shot in Vienna, but right after the Second World War. The entire city is a character in this film, so beautiful and mysterious, especially at night, in it war-torn rubble. The movie is known as one of the most witty, exciting and entertaining films ever made, directed by the great Carol Reed, uncle of the great actor Oliver Reed, most famous for his swashbuckling flicks of the 1970s, such as "The Three Musketeers", the very best version ever made.
Ultravox the band comes in two varieties: the first, under lead singer and writer John Foxx, is credited by none other than Gary Numan, for creating the New Wave genre that Numan is so famous for. He loved the band so much that two of their members split their time between Ultravox and Numan's own touring band. Foxx was super-charismatic on stage, which you can witness on TH-cam. Catch their live versions of "Hiroshima Mon Amour", "Slow Motion", "Frozen Ones" and "Young Savage".
Their second singer, seen and heard in this "Vienna" video, had a btter voice and was cool onstage, but not in the same way as John Foxx. However, it was Midge Ure's songs that gave Ultravox success, with many hits and popular videos. Most of all, it was Midge Ure who wrote and co-produced "Do They Know It's Christmas" in December of 1984, and co-produced the Live Aid shows for Summer of 1985. Ure is immensely talented and I don't know why Gary Numan so hates Ure's version of Ultravox.
---OronOfMontreal
Lead singer Midge Ure from Scotland was Bob Geldof's right hand man for Band Aid and Live Aid in 1985. Midge's solo single from the 80s If I Was is worth checking out. Ultravox were a great Electro band. Hear also Dancing With Tears in my eyes.
Bob was Midge's right hand man
@@markrichards636 Yes... it's been revealed over the years that Midge was the unsung hero...
Nice! I was just scrolling thru your catalog of videos for this exact song. This was early New Wave. Another one of theirs that was popular is called Dancing With Tears In My Eyes. That got played at the clubs alot if I remember right, along with Howard Jones New Song, Thomas Dolby HyperActive, Tears For Fears Pale Shelter, etc.
Flashback to being a teenager with the Walkman on in the backseat of the family car on a summer road trip.
Ultravox first album with John Foxx as lead singer was in the futuristic new wave vibe (much like Spandau Ballet first album and Dirk Wears White Socks by Adam and the Ants). All these bands then started the poppier New Romantic trend. Incidentally Midge Ure was one of the masterminds behind Band Aid and Do they Know it's Christmas together with Bob Geldof and later helped to organise the Live Aid show.
Amber was crying the whole time, it's worrying. Is everything ok?
GREAT reaction you two! MORE Ultravox, please!! Such a beautiful & haunting song.
Future recommendations: The Voice, Dancing With Tears In My Eyes, Hymn, Visions Of Blue...for starters! You won't regret this rabbit hole! Cheers.
This has a personal context, because it was my first single. Actually, my brother bought it for my 8th birthday. Famously, it made No.2 in the UK chart and was held off the top by a (actually inoffensive) novelty song. And I think, despite the fact that Britain was now living in the Gary Numan/Human League/etc world of synth-pop, it stood out for being almost operatic in nature. You couldn't necessarily dance to it or rock out to it. And it completely kick-started Ultravox as a chart act, even though they'd been around - under different leadership and a different singer - for a while at that point.
Shaddup ya face. That was the song by Joe Dolce.
@paulqueripel3493 that was a crime keeping this from number one scandalous
A great New Wave band to check out is XTC. "Senses Working Overtime " or 'Generals and Majors" is a good place to start.
Should definitely check out...
Ultravox - The voice
Japan - Ghosts
Duran Duran - Save a prayer
Spandau Ballet - Chant no.1
Associates - Party fears two
Depeche Mode - See you
Soft Cell - Say hello, wave goodbye
Adam & The Ants - Prince Charming
Human League - Love action
The Undertones - My perfect cousin
Imagination - Body talk
That's a great list. I love Ghosts and Nightporter by Japan
@@lclark6854 Seconded!
Great list, I'd add OMD - Messages, Souxsie & the Banshees - Happy House, Propaganda - Dr Mabuse and Cocteau Twins - Pearly Dewdrops' Drops. For Adam & the Ants I'd choose Dog Eat Dog.
@@banoxbanox4629 such good songs, and yeah forgot all about OMD, I'd definitely add OMD Souvenir to this.
It was the 1980ies that spawned so much relevant music culture following from great 70ies, honestly i was am still gobsmacked by how brilliant i felt during the 80ies, my fav girl was Debbie Harry, blondie, heart of glass, but for a brutally honest voice from that era that stood out for me was from the Yazoo singer, Alison Moyet, highly talented, highly unrecognised, look up " Nobodys diary ", the whole album was fantastic. I hasten to add that the other member, Vince Clarke after yazoo started Erasure, and coed with the infamous Andy Bell , all you gay people and straight have danced to Erasure so many times. Long live the 80ies where anything went and was greatly enjoyed by every sex and age, something f9r everyone, no hiphop but at least we u dersto9d the words, but only the white guy Eminem can spit lyrics and words you can still understand 😂😂😂
A classic which reached Number 2 in the UK charts because of a silly song called shut up yer face
Such a great song! You guys make me want to time travel back to the 80s. Love’s Great Adventure is awesome too.
Why does Amber look so upset? She looks like she is fighting back the tears. Hope she's okay.
One of the great songs of the 1980's !
Dark , evocative , with beautiful orchestration and vocals !
Okay, bear with me, I'm the right age. Ever watched the film 'The Third Man'? Basically if you were late teens when this came out originally in the UK that film and this song are all you knew about Vienna. They're completely different and compliment each other wonderfully.
Another great 80s choice Jay and Amber. A couple of artists you should react to again that were popular during the 80s are New Order and Depeche Mode. From New Order listen to the version of "Bizarre Love Triangle" from the Substance album and Depeche Mode's live version of "I Just Can't Get Enough" from DM 101. I know you reacted to the studio version, but you haven't really heard that song until you hear the live DM 101 version. Thanks for all you do, blessings!
Midge Ure had a solo hit with "Dear God". Great song, great message, worth a listen.
You should also check out 'Joan of Arc' by English New Wave band OMD.
Definitely guys if you wanna get into more new wave, check out Duran Duran stuff from the 80's that to me was their best years
Loved this song ever since it first came out.
YAY! Thanks for checking out my email list of suggestions of eighties songs; I’m the one who sent it to you guys last January. About time. I knew you guys were going to do a review of Vienna. 😊👍
I'm so excited for the Ultravox journey you're about to embark on. Such a cool band in the 80s, and the lead signer, Midge Ure, a genius in the industry. Check out 'Hymn', 'Dancing With Tears In My Eyes' and 'Love's Great Adventure'. Also Midge Ure's solo 'If I Was'. Watch the official videos if you can, as they were always epic! Enjoy the ride!!!
Hope you are ok Amber
A few years ago I saw him sing this (I think just him and a guitar), and his voice had changed. It was mature, it had edges to it, and the song was transformed into something completely different. It was beautiful and very moving, so much so that when I think of Venna now, I think of that before I think of the 80's version.
Love this track, Amber are you ok ? You look tired ❤
Next, you need to check out the magnificent "Shaddap Your Face" by Joe Dolce who kept Vienna off the number 1 spot in early 1981 😃 To be fair, I am forced to concede, hearing it again, that "Vienna" was a pretty good song 😉
The photography and atmosphere of this reminds me of a film set in Vienna - The Third Man. It is a Cold War spy film starring Orson Welles and based on a story by Graham Greene. The music throughout is played on a zither, an Eastern European stringed instrument which is played with hammers. The film is regarded as a classic.
Midge Ure, Ultravox, Visage and Steve Strange...the first LPs I ever bought at the age of 12 in 1980/1981. God, I still love his voice after 40+ years. Gave me the chills the moment the intro of the song started. Visage was also a project, Midge Ure and Ultravox were involved in, and with Steve Strange they had the perfect lead singer for it. Sadly, Steve passed away a couple of years ago.
And you guys definitely have to check out Adam and the Ants/Adam Ant and their "Stand and Deliver" and "Prince Charming". Adam is cult.