Wave the white flag: #4 "Whita China" Ultravox (1984)

Tweet

Ultravox was a good synthpop group that just did not become big even in the alternative music world. Formed in London, the band started as Tiger Lily in 1973 and did not anywhere until a significant personnel change. In 1979, lead singer John Foxx exited and replaced by creative force Midge Ure formerly of Thin Lizzy. “We stand or fall When the thoughts you have are not your own We stand or fall’ When the freedom slips away” The somber song about life not being your own was group written and appears on the “Lament” album. “White China” went uncharted and played on alternative radio. Ultravox’s highest charting US single was “Reap the Wild Wind” at #71 in 1982. Their biggest hit was 1981’s “Vienna” at UK #2 but uncharted US. Ultravox disbanded in 1988 and reformed in 2008. Ure went on to success as co-writer of “Do They Know it’s Christmas” and 1989 solo hit “Dear God.”