AWFUL Novelty Song Kept This PERFECT 80s Classic Hit From #1...Artist Reacts! | Professor Of Rock

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the greatest #2 hit in the US and in the UK?

[@stephenbrown4211]

Well I’ve already mentioned Kayleigh so I’ll add Red Light Spells Danger - Billy Ocean. No2 in the UK in 1977

[@MyName-pl7zn]

Ultravox's Vienna in UK Like a Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan in US I believe it only went to #2

[@petercena9497]

Creedence Clearwater Revival had five songs hit no.2, so any of those would be good picks, but I'll go with Nights in White Satin by Moody Blues.

[@maddon001]

james sit down

[@martineldritch]

Two favorites already mentioned above, "like a Rolling Stone" in the States and England's "Nights in White Satin" (when re-released in 1972)

[@futureidol83]

Ultravox are the most underrated band of the 80s. Both the John Foxx and Midge Ure versions of Ultravox produced some of the most beautiful and haunting songs of the era. Listen to 'Systems of Romance' and tell me they didn't lay the blue print for all the new wave bands to follow (and garner more success, infuriatingly), they were so ahead of their time. And Midge Ure took the brilliant foundation of Ultravox and made it even more spectacular with songs like 'Vienna', 'Dancing With Tears In My Eyes' and 'Reap The Wild Wind' (one of my favorite songs of all time). I get so annoyed that they aren't as well known as they should be, they truly were pioneers of the genre.

[@Rythsi300]

Remember those days when you would listen to a whole album? Was a huge fan of Ultravox back then and still now.

[@TheBassOnTheBass]

By 29 I was all given up about being a musician. Then, as a last ditch effort, I auditioned in Vienna and my life changed. Now, eight years later, I am paying my bills singing opera in Austria, but I am and always shall be a rocker at heart. Every time I drive up the Autobahn and see the Vienna skyline popping up at the horizon, I think of this song and thank Ultravox in silence, inspiring me to go out there and (litterally) shout my voice out loud. :P

[@kraigpeterson3667]

Midge was a very busy person in the 80s. He had his hands in so many projects and is a great example of a human being. Thank you for bringing this story to light for people that may not know! Rock on brother!

[@ProfessorofRock]

He's got so many great stories. More to come.

[@darthXreven]

I like a lot of what Midge and Ultravox did but man his take on Bowie's man who sold the world is cool as hell, as is Nirvana's cover of it on the MTV Unplugged show.....seriously unplugged was the last cool thing MTV had going

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Such a fantastic guy.

[@lawrencedavis4406]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 yep, I met Midge & Paul Young together after a great gig I saw both co-headline, was really happy when he played Fade to Grey!!

[@catherine6653]

Midge Ure opened for Howard Jones this summer. He performed for a half hour and sang Vienna and Dancing with Tears in My Eyes. I was impressed with his singing, guitar and keyboard playing.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Awesome. Midge is a great guy. I've interviewed him a couple times and found him to be really down to earth. and kind. Thanks for sharing your memories Catherine.

[@lb6253]

Where was that? Sounds amazing!

[@catherine6653]

@@lb6253 Orca Ballroom, Tulalip Hotel in Marysville WA. June 18th 2022. 5000 people in attendance.

[@rikaika4178]

It was great to see both of these acts again this year, since the last time I'd seen either was back in July of 1989. Howard Jones was touring his "Those Who Move Clouds" tour, and Midge was his opener, promoting the Answers to Nothing album. Suffice to say, both were amazing (I still have tour buttons and shirts somewhere), and Howard was probably the most technically proficient musician I've ever seen live, with one of the most polished shows I've ever seen.

[@catherine6653]

@@rikaika4178 Very cool. Midge and Howard Jones are close friends.

[@andrewhudson7108]

So if Midge Ure played with Thin Lizzy in 78, then that’s the same time Huey Lewis (on harmonica) did. Guess it’s a small world after all.

[@kenroyandfamily]

Uhm, are you sure your pronunciation of “Visage” is correct?

[@deeperthings]

It's rare for you to feature a piece I'm not already familiar with and remember from back in the day. I have honestly never heard this one before. And now I have. Adding it to the playlist, and thank you so much for the gift of new old music.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Good for you Donovan!

[@dcanmore]

well worth checking out Ultravox's back catalogue, many great songs in there (and UK/Europe wide hits), in particular 1980-84.

[@garyphisher7375]

I always pronounced Visage as Viz-ar-je.

[@ProfessorofRock]

My bad. That's how I've said and how I always heard it said. I even pronounced it that way in front of Midge...

[@5roundsrapid263]

Also, I think Phil Lynott’s name was pronounced “lie-not”.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Vis-AHHHH-uuuuuge.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

@@5roundsrapid263 It is pronounced Li not ( as in live without the v and e).

[@lisamoore6804]

Midge's cover of "The Man Who Sold the World" is the best cover EVER! I found it from Metal Gear Solid V's soundtrack, thanks to my boyfriend.

[@FuzzleMusic]

Agreed and same. It was my gateway to Ultravox and beyond. Just a gem

[@jacekatalakis8316]

Mij/Ultravox are underrated. The story o how he got everyone together for Band Aid is amazing as well, he was so busy with so many things as said

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very true.

[@pcno2832]

After hearing "Do they know it's Christmas?", our feeble response, "We are the world." was a cheesy, trite embarrassment. Even half the people who sang "We are the world." didn't like the song. It reminded me of the first Frosted Mini Wheats commercial.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

So many people were part of Band Aid’s singing group.

[@maxaroni15]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 So much better than We Are The World, in my opinion.

[@rlosangeleskings]

@@pcno2832 I still think We Are the World is the world's worst song to ever hit #1... Even Mr. Blobby a few years later shoots it out of the water on stylistic points...

[@gasgaslex_photos]

If only Americans could learn how to correctly pronounce names like Visage, that would be nice....

[@flavellinator]

back when I worked at a roller rink in the early '80s that "Shaddap You Face" song got a lot of play because the little kids loved it. I thought it was clever and funny at first but easily grew tired of it!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Right? As time goes by the novelties fall by the way side and a rare song like Vienna gets it's due.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It is a very phony song. The novelty song genre started dying out by the mid-70s in my observations and it grew to be a tired trope.

[@gipgap4]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980I wish that was true but the Chicken song by Spitting Image and Star Trekkin by the Firm proved novelty records were still going strong in the 1980’s.

[@boaconstrictor3754]

Hey Adam! Last time I warned you in a comment that you were pronouncing Visage wrong! Why didn't you correct it now? Please next time Vizaaaž!!! Or if you can't read this, type in French into google translate and click on that little microphone. Please!

[@cszmax]

You can’t imagine how much I love this album. Vienna in my opinion was s one of only a few albums that work as a whole piece. Where every song progresses into the next and moves you when listening from start to end. Only a few albums have moved me like this. The others are dark side of the moon, sheer heart attack and a night at the opera.

[@phil4208]

I know nothing of this song , the band or this man , but he certainly is intertwined with bands that I know of , this is another reason why I subscribed to your channel, to be educated by the professor of rock , glad to hear him mention kraftwerk, the pioneers of synth

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Phil. Go have a listening party!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I encourage you to dig in. They are so wonderful.

[@kyleolson8977]

"Do they know" had meaningful effects. Poor people were not being told when Christmas time was. Band Aid's awareness campaign insured that no matter how poor you are, you will know if it is or is not Christmas season. Band Aid followed up with "If they don't have a bank account do they know the bank holidays?" and "Don't let them Pass Over Passover."

[@John-et9yl]

I bought the album within its first couple of weeks of release having heard the track Astradyne on a late night radio show. Blew me away and still a favourite 43 years later.

[@Fenrirtheold]

Passing Strangers is still one of my favourite songs off the Vienna album and the video like Vienna is great, definitely another under-rated song. Such a good album perfect intro with Astradynne setting the mood and other stand-outs like New Europeans following.

[@tiarawillis5677]

I continue to love this song. So haunting and unforgettable. I was a teenager in the 80's. About 6 years ago, my husband and I planned a European trip and I knew I had to make the first stop Vienna. We did, it did not disappoint. It was also used in the Americans. Every single time I listen to this song, I can lose myself in this amazing feeling. People who love this song knows just what I mean.

[@trinaq]

I adore this song, and how it steadily builts up into a powerful ending. I always get goosebumps each time I hear it.

[@ProfessorofRock]

It's truly exceptional.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s PERFECTION.

[@justaregulardude895]

NGL I've listened to Shaddap Your Face many more times than Vienna. As a tasteless stoner metal head, I very much enjoy a dumb joke more than a song in a genre I dislike purely on a taste basis. I mean, say what you want about artist passion or legitimacy...I just don't care about that at all. It's all just entertainment to me and I understand that if you're involved in the industry you may feel different. I'm not, I'm a consumer. And I consume what I like regardless of critical consensus or cultural impact.

[@rogerdeahl9629]

Man O Man, what a deep cut!!! Never knew midge was so heavily involved in Band-Aid. Thanks for this deep dive Professor! 👍

[@ProfessorofRock]

You bet!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He and Bob Geldof were the two driving forces of Band Aid.

[@B2BWide]

He's OBE for that! (Along with Bob Geldof.)

[@Lordestroyer]

I’ve seen Midge several times and he is STILL phenomenal live!!!!

[@trinaq]

Please cover "Dancing with Tears in my Eyes" if you haven't already. It's another memorable song from Ultravox's catalogue.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I interviewed him about it. Will do.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Love that song too!

[@flavellinator]

I was heavy into new wave back in the '80s and listened to KROQ frequently, but I don't recall this song getting any airplay in the LA area...

[@Patrick3183]

Professor isn’t from LA

[@ericmadeoftin8206]

I too am from LaLa land and never heard this song at all but I do remember Ultravox during the 80s. Rodney Bingenheimer didn't play it.

[@ReggieandMiloTheCat]

Yes, I remember “Reap the Wild Wind” being played on KROQ but not “Vienna”

[@ProfessorofRock]

I"ll have to ask some friends...

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for the insight.

[@gioknows]

Love Midge Ure. My favourite song of his is “If l was”. Cheers from Ottawa, Canada 🇨🇦

[@ProfessorofRock]

Love If I Was!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

That’s a great song!

[@michaelsmith6313]

Ultravox is my end-all-be-all top favorite all-time band. Midge's voice is so pure and beautiful. So many fantastic Ultravox songs. I was a DJ in the 80s, and enjoyed spinning a little U-Vox.

[@stephenhanft1226]

While the professor always talks about the music artists, and songs that he loves, he rarely lets on specific music genres that he hates. From this video and a pattern I've noticed, there is clearly a music genre that he does hate. It is the novelty song genre. He is a fan of artists who take famous hit songs and parody them like Weird Al does but not novelty songs that are created from scratch. First, he expressed his dislike for "Disco Duck" and now "Shaddap You Face." As been said before, music is subjective, everyone is entitled to his or her own taste and there is no universal right or wrong answer to what is good and what is bad. Here is my own personal opinion: I've always enjoyed novelty songs. The decades of the 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's produced many that I really like. It was the gloomy, depressing, 90's which was the decade that ended the novelty song genre. In 1977, I bought the 45 to "Disco Duck" and in 1981 I bought the 45 to "Shaddap You Face". They are both fun, nonsensical, comedic songs which I would rank up there as 2 of my favorite novelty songs. Remember, novelty songs were not created to take seriously. They were created to just have fun with them and have a good laugh. If others want to express dislike towards them, to each their own. However, I will still enjoy them.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Adam’s not wrong. A lot of novelty songs grate on my last nerve, from Disco Duck to The Candy Man to Shaddap You Face to My Ding-a-Ling to Stars on 45. Of course I make a HUGE exception for Weird Al because he was a part of my growing up, but another novelty song that is just right for me is Alley Oop by The Hollywood Argyles. It is super entertaining and such a great song.

[@stephenhanft1226]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I never said he was wrong. When it comes to music, there is no definitive right or wrong answer to what is a good song or bad song. Nothing is universal and you're always going to get many different opinions. Awhile ago, I remember someone asked Adam if there was any artist that he didn't like. He replied by stating he did not care for the music of ABBA. While ABBA is one of my favorite artists from the 70's, I know that Adam doesn't like them so their music will not be featured in any episode on this channel. Also, Since Adam has such diverse tastes in music, I wondered if there was any specific music genre which he didn't like. Today's episode really answered my question. A few weeks ago, he called "Disco Duck" the worst number one song of all time. Today, he called "Shaddap You Face" the worst number one song of 1981. Now, what do those 2 songs have in common? They are both novelty songs. While he has done many episodes on Weird Al and is obviously a fan, he doesn't like or have anything positive to say about other novelty songs. He's not wrong to feel that way. It's his personal taste and opinion. However, I have an entirely different opinion regarding those 2 songs and the entire novelty song genre and that was the purpose of my comments. Incidentally, there are many people in the comments who've said they like "Shaddap You Face" (as was the case in the comments for the "Disco Duck" episode) so I'm definitely not alone in liking and defending these novelty songs.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@stephenhanft1226 I have to side with Adam on Disco Duck and Shaddap You Face, and I am just NOT an ABBA fan either. But that’s the good thing about music, you have many different defensible claims and it’s always fun to discuss our favorite songs and albums and even the ones we hate.

[@johnrau2265]

I've never really disliked novelty songs, I just accept them when they come along. "They're Coming to Take Me Away", "Purple People Eater", Dickie Moore's bits-and-clips style "Flying Saucer" and "Mr. Jaws", "Monster Mash" even "Running Bare" (a direct parody that pre-dates Weird Al) would be the start of a great April 1st playlist. Toss in some Weird Al stuff and rarities like "Battle of New Orleans" and most of Jim Stafford's repertoire; you could spend hours smiling or groaning (or both).

[@joermnyc]

Curious if this inspired The Killers, as it reminds me a little of their track “Why Do I Keep Counting”.

[@Tuinuiski]

Vienna is a great song but Shaddap Your Face is a funny amusing song that I also have fond memories of 🤓

[@moose6509]

Vienna the album is an absolute masterpiece. Every track is exceptional. Midge is massively under-rated. Not by me though......

[@ProfessorofRock]

Same here my friend.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

A master of his craft.

[@maxaroni15]

I recently discovered “Vienna” here on KZbin after searching for “Dear God” by Midge Ure. I gave it a listen and immediately added it to my 80’s playlist. “Shaddap Yo Face” is almost as mind boggling as “Disco Duck” being a # 1 hit.

[@Bacchus69]

"If I was" and "" Dancing With Tears In My Eyes" had to be some of the best songs of that era. I always though Midge was one of the better and more creative artists.

[@ProfessorofRock]

No question Thanks Glen.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Love both those songs.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

There's a great 12" mix of If I Was and Dancing With Tears In My Eyes is one of the most simultaneously melancholy and upbeat songs of the eighties, given its subject matter of the last hours before a nuclear war. The lyric, sentiment and vocal delivery are very poignant in that context. It worked both as a chart hit and piece of social commentary at the time and still sounds fresh today.

[@RC32Smiths01]

80s is absolutely synonymous with the new wave movement. Quite possible the genre that defined the decade, and it's timeless! Nice man!

[@stinkypinkeee5085]

I would disagree, only on that the 80's was a decade rhat began with Country & Western topping the charts, and ended with L.A. Glam and hip hop dominating...the Decade was more diverse, musically, then any before or since, giving us New Wave, Hip Hop, Euro-Wave, Heavy Metal, Punk, and, of course, all the legends of that Decade like Whot ey Houston, Michael Jackson, U2, Metallica, et cetera...was a fun decade to be a kid, THAT, I'm sure, we can agree on...

[@thebluesrockers]

The 80's were a strange time for music, we had the New Wave movement, but we also had all the Hair Metal bands and glam, not to mention the start of Metallica & Megadeath on the harder side of metal sound. Country music started making a cross over movement somewhere between outlaw country & 70's easy listening music. Electronic drums were everywhere from pop music to ZZ-Top & White Zombie. One band that managed to be on the charts nearly every year and was on every radio station was the 70's band Foreigner...& for some reason hasn't ever been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame..& let's not forget all the new wave Motown dance music being everywhere. What a time to be alive..we had everything from the Thomson Twins to Metallica..Head Bangers Ball To Solid Gold, Soul Train & American Band Stand..

[@OffRampTourist]

I'm agreeing with the OP and the replies, because the 80s were incredibly diverse musically but for me most of the defining best of stuff was what I called then New Wave. Genre definitions have crystallized since then but I'm talking personal perception in the moment. My defining 80s band is still Talking Heads who had releases that fit several different genre definitions and that's part of why they are so perfect a representation of the decade.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

New wave and synthpop is my absolute favorite thing about the 80s, so there is no doubt I love this song.

[@9sunskungfu]

Without even watching the video, the title says it all... the worst number 1 hit of 1981 "Ahh shuddapa yo face" -_- even i thought it was such a stupid song at the time, it was nothing but a novelty but it hit number 1.

[@ProfessorofRock]

You got it.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Agreed. Why listen to a stupid song that sounds like a fart over a brilliant masterwork that is one of the main examples of why British new wave rules?

[@davidellis5141]

I loved the John Foxx Era of Ultravox & was skeptical of Midge Ure replacing him but on Vienna & Rage In Eden he proved me wrong. Great albums 👌

[@laurenetong9654]

I am a John Foxx fan as well, I want to be a machine,, still my favorite 😊

[@ProfessorofRock]

Good call.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

When they were called Tiger Lily?

[@davidellis5141]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 That band had a 7" ...I don't have it. Systems Of Romance edges out HA HA HA ! as my favorite. Like the first Foxx solo Metamatic which never has been released in the 🇺🇸

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@davidellis5141 Interesting!

[@MyName-pl7zn]

One of my favorite songs all time! This song was a game changer and I immediately recorded it off MTV and was so impressed with the direction video could help change the whole music scene. Midge Ure is a fantastic interview with the amount of effort that went into making this masterpiece of music and he broke it all down. I was disappointed when MTV didn't give us more of Ultravox. Great interview I would have never know Midge was a punk rocker first then a heavier band, quite a life!

[@ProfessorofRock]

It's definitely a game changer!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

When I first heard this song on my TV sometime during COVID, I immediately has to turn it off and go listen to it in my bedroom. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Such a masterpiece. Made me an Ultravox fan for life.

[@JamesJones-fq4ds]

This is where our generations diverge by light years. There was a line of demarcation between my generation an yours where pop music was concerned. Somehow the entire cast of top forty hit makers was replaced by imitators, posers and people insisting that keeping Kasey Casems survey alive on broadcast radio somehow legitimized music that was no longer cutting the mustard. The biggest disconnect seemed to be between genres of music that couldn’t commingle together on one format. Add the resurgence of contemporary country and you can plainly see that these two things were not compatible. The further we get from the point of divergence, the farther the two points become in time in relation to one another. Ultra vox means nothing to people of my vintage.

[@jawkneekat]

Super interview! Midge always gives good conversation and Professor always knows the right questions to ask. I first saw Ultravox on the Quartet tour in L.A. and years later in 2009, saw their reunion show in London with the same friend who I went with in 1983 and ended up on the bands extras DVD. Great full circle Ultravox moment.

[@keving1318]

To be fair, "Shut up a you face" is STILL a song I quote and sing on occasion! As an Italian-American... it is useful!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Gotcha.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I abhor that song, and so I use it on the right people for the right occasions (e.g. Lauren Boebert, Alex Jones, Marjorie Taylor Greene).

[@surlechapeau]

I remember playing Ultravox's "Sleepwalk" and "Vienna" on the radio station. Good times for music.

[@ProfessorofRock]

For sure.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Both great tunes.

[@montrealsports29]

I first discovered Ultravox when their song Dancing With Tears In My Eyes became a hit in Canada. I bought The Collection, which was an early Greatest Hits album and discovered lots of great songs by the band. Vienna always gives me chills when I listen to it. It's a very unique song. You're right about Shaddap You Face. That song was a huge hit in Canada and I hated it (but I like Disco Duck). Another great song by Midge Ure is That Certain Smile, from his solo career. Visage is pronounced vee-zahj. Visage means "face" in French.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I sound breathy when saying Visage. Great band name.

[@keithkreger5485]

Another poor take by the self proclaimed POR. You don't have to diminish others to make someone else look good. Mr. Ure's talent is there to behold. Pounding another entertainer and song, that was immensely popular throughout the world, is a bad look, although on-brand for POR.

[@stephenhanft1226]

He did the same thing with "Disco Duck" a few weeks ago.

[@johndirom8999]

I love your channel, Prof, but you're wrong on this and pretty disrespectful to the many hundreds of thousands of people who bought 'Shaddupya face'. No song deserves to get anywhere in the charts but for the fans/music lovers who spend their hard-earned money on a record. Dolce's song was voted 15th biggest hit of '81 and was No. 1 in 12 countries. Yes, it was a novelty record but it deserved to be where it was by dint of how many Brits loved it and bought it. Worst song of the '80s - no way! BY the way, i love, love, love Midge Ure from his days at Slik through Ultravox and beyond; super talented musician, song-writer, producer and singer. Love the content, keep up the amazing work ;)))

[@stephenhanft1226]

Very well said. I bought "Shaddup you face" on 45 back in 1981 when it first became a hit. It is a fun song that I still enjoy today. The professor really makes himself look bad when he goes negative on a popular song.

[@karenbaisch2868]

Vienna is one of my 10 favorite albums of all time but I must admit the song itself is only the 5th best track on the album in my opinion. I know it was a huge hit but that album was amazing. Sadly despite some other good songs on other albums they could never re-create the magic of the Vienna album (not that it would have been easy to do) What a great album

[@Charlesb88]

I think novelty songs are great and if you don't agree you can Shaddup Your Face. 😉

[@ProfessorofRock]

Not one it denies a masterpiece from #1

[@Charlesb88]

Now in all seriousness, it wasn’t one of the best novelty songs by a long shot and I’m not really sure why it was so popular, maybe people just like saying Shaddup your face?

[@screwyootube1]

I'm again gonna take the (apparently) unpopular opinion here, that the Joe Dolce song that kept Ultravox's Vienna out of the #1 spot in the UK wasn't so bad. The only reason people seem to be complaining about it is BECAUSE it kept Vienna out of the top spot. It's a funny-silly song. It wasn't a big hit in the U.S., although it DID chart at #1 locally in L.A. on at least 2 pop radio stations. If you want to get upset about it, complain to the folks who purchased it in the UK or the radio that played it more. Is it a better song than the Ultravox song? Of course not. But sometimes your favorite song is bested on the charts by a song that's silly, or awful or boring. I have to wonder if Adam ever listened to the Dr. Demento Radio show? In the late 70s & most of the 80s, I balanced the seriousness of great rock radio with the humor of the good doctor, and I think it served me well. I enjoy humor as much as rock music. I love it, when the two (rock & humor) are mixed side-by-side!

[@dr.hookyeah2883]

I remember this band from early MTV. JJ Jackson, the VJ,was a huge fan of this band. I think I was a little young, perhaps immature to really get it.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool. Thanks.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

R.I.P. JJ.

[@captainwhoopass]

I was a huge MTV fan when it was new. And, I remember when this song was in the rotation. It was so new, fresh, and different. I loved the way the music and the video worked so well together to tell the story. The different elements of the song were so amazing too. Midge sang it beautifully. The beat (although electric) wasn't stale at all. In fact, it actually made the song come alive. And, the accents of the classical instruments were absolutely spot-on. I'm also a big fan of learning how music is engineered and produced. And, it was very interesting to hear what the band had to go through in the early '80's to get this terrific song recorded. Thanks for sharing.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s a really cool video. So cool that I sat there speechless and stunned throughout. It almost sounded like a classical composition, something that Mozart or Beethoven would have written.

[@cszmax]

Oh my god Vienna the album is one of only a few albums I believe works a whole album where every song is good and progresses the album forward. Every song is so good. I can listen to that album from start to end any day and it still sounds so good. What a musical masterpiece. Western promise is the greatest pre lead up song to Vienna. I can go on and on

[@jjecilop8655]

Dancing with tears in my eyes and Reap the wild wind are awesome songs. They were the ones that turned me on to Ultravox in the 80s! Great video. Thanks for bringing back memories.

[@notmyrealname1730]

The Voice is my all-time favorite Ultravox song.

[@Dudeitsmeee]

Depeche mode (via Daniel Miller) and New Order were some of the first bands to employ sequencers. (In New Order's case they left in programing errors in Blue Monday) It really wasn't until the midi standard (or the Fairlight II's Page R sequencer) you could do complex arrangements. So while these songs seem simple today they actually took a fair amount of headaches to pull off. People wanted to write them off as "button pushers" but they neglect the work put into it. Much respect for the early synth bands

[@Dudeitsmeee]

@@edwardhumphries5566 some of the first synthpop bands of the 80's to use computer hardware sequencing via CV. direct enough?

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Those sequencers enhanced the music and made it sound really otherworldly.

[@tabcat3752]

Thin lizzy front man's name is pronounced Phil Lynott not Linnet its more like lie not according to his two daughters

[@conrad4667]

I Believe In Father Christmas? was second to Bohemian Rhapsody.

[@MrMalort]

The biggest travesty is You are always on my mind beating out Fairytale of New York for the Christmas number 1.

[@ProfessorofRock]

That one's a close second for me...

[@MrMalort]

@@ProfessorofRock only one of those songs is still in constant rotation today.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I admire that song very much.

[@petercena9497]

Ultravox had two of my favorite songs of the 80s, Sleepwalk and Reap the Wild Wind. They were part of the early British new wave that never caught on big in America, and were pushed aside when the more poppish MTV British wave hit.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Both great songs and both should've been big here.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I think the Britons did it best with new wave. They were MASTERS of it. I know there are some Americans who also made new wave music in the 80s, and although I love those songs, I will always be Team Britain. 24/7/365

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Half of the video to Vienna is filmed in central London, the other half in Vienna. I saw Midge Ure in Southport, near Liverpool, in the hot summer of 1995, and it was a good concert. Not so sure about the mandolin solo from one of the band but apart from that....He was not given enough credit for his role in Band Aid in 1984 and Live Aid in 1985. He had a brilliant UK number one with If I Was in late 1985. Dear God was the lead single from the Answers to Nothing album in 1988, another good track.

[@ProfessorofRock]

He seemed to do a lot of the work back in those days and not get much of the credit.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I thought they filmed it in Austria. Ha!

[@thebluesrockers]

Wasn't into the the New Wave Movement But there was a few decent New Wave tunes.. I hated that We Are The World Tune and All Of Those X-Mas Tunes...But I do Love Me Some Thin Lizzy..

[@ProfessorofRock]

Who doesn't love some THIN LIZZY.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

We Are the World was a terrible song.

[@cjod33]

Visage is pronounced like Garage . Vizahhge.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Or Farage the man who made history by bringing about Brexit, the biggest disaster for the UK in 70 years.

[@BusinessEnglishSuccess]

It was also featured on Would I Lie To You - well worth checking out

[@-phenom-]

11/22/97 R.I.P. Michael Hutchence - INXS for Rock & Roll HOF!

[@christianboyd4635]

I loved this song so much, I loved Midge Ure as well, he had a great solo album and I also love his Scottish Brogue. The fact he co-wrote my favorite 80's xmas song Do They Know It's Christmas is also very cool. I had his solo album Answers To Nothing and played it all the time in high school.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He was a huge influence.

[@gavburger]

Respect to Midge for everything he accomplished in music but "Shaddup Your Face" is a great track that is still relevant today.

[@ProfessorofRock]

What? I've never heard in any capacity since... Where are you hearing it?

[@gavburger]

@@ProfessorofRock I live in Melbourne, Australia which is where Joe Dolce recorded it. We have a huge population descended from Greek and Italian migrants and this song is a staple at every party they throw.

[@littlecatfeet9064]

@@gavburger that’s true (I used to live in Melbourne) but that’s still pretty niche.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

@@gavburger I understand that Joe Dolce Music Theatre was a sort of left wing artistic collective if I am not mistaken. The song is harmless, I can see why it would go down well with the Greek and Italian communities (and everyone else for that matter), and the fact he was left wing is always a bonus in my eyes. The song irritated a lot of people in the UK in the eighties but looking back it is just pleasant and harmless fun.

[@bokesnmokes]

"Shaddup You Face" was on the radio in the US. There was even an interview with Joe Dolce in People magazine. It was funny as heck - I always had a smile on my face when it came on the radio.

[@stephenhanft1226]

It's a fun song. I bought the 45 back in 1981. I still enjoy the song today.

[@captainhowdy2782]

Did I misunderstand you when you called Double Fantasy a novelty album?

[@funnygirrl35]

Midge Ure is just a brilliant and talented man and has made Ultravox one of my favorite bands. Their album "The Collection" is just pure perfection. You need to do more on the whole discology and not just one song 😀 🙏

[@rachelpenny5165]

I agree, I still play this album a lot.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

So many great songs on that record.

[@funnygirrl35]

I still have the actual vinyl album from when it first came out ...

[@ICRangerT]

Don't remember it from back then, don't really care for it. I'm surprised it made it to #2

[@WalterFrith]

Let's not be too hard on Joe Dolce and Shaddup You Face, especially if you're a fan of "Weird Al" Yankovic. But I do agree that Vienna should have reached the top of the charts. The public is fickle. Great interview, Adam. Everyone who love music loves Midge. Keep rockin'.

[@ianharkin2691]

Hey, shaddup your face about Joe Dolce! Leave him alone. 😆😀

[@markallen2984]

"Vienna" was almost too elegant, too moving, too powerful, too haunting to be regarded as mere synth pop. Truly an exceptional sonic and emotional experience. A lot of the early music by "Muse" really reminds me of Ultravox

[@clydekimsey7503]

Yes, a great album

[@ProfessorofRock]

I totally agree.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s one of my favorite songs, PERIODT.

[@TheKnobCalledTone.]

"Vienna" is a good song, but I won't hear a bad word said about "Shuddap You Face".

[@samanthab1923]

I never heard of him or Ultravox until the Christmas episode of Gavin & Stacy.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I've never watched Gavin and Stacy. Is it good?

[@eightiesmusic1984]

@@ProfessorofRock Terrible although a lot of people in Britain rave about it. Creativity in UK television and film is poor compared to the quality of the music the country produced from the 1960s to the early nineties ( at a stretch). Danny Boyle the film director made more or less this point recently. James Corden is in Gavin and Stacey. He is meant to be returning to Britain after the end of the run of his US chat show. The British comedian Stewart Lee observed that Britain's loss of Corden when he left to start the chat show was America's loss too. Suffice to say, he divides opinion!

[@Holden2341]

Just curious, how many awesome T-shirts do you have? And where do you get them all?

[@jmvioli]

Very cool back story to this song! Midge's solo LP "Pure" is amazing as well.

[@stephenbrown4211]

That is so true that such a great song was kept from No1 by a stupid song. That was the British charts in the early 80’s. But the best song never that didn’t get the top spot was Kayleigh by Marillion. It was stopped by Gerry Marsdens You’ll Never Walk Alone. No Marillion fan minded though as it was a charity song for those affected by the Bradford Stadium fire disaster when 56 football fans died during a match when a stand caught fire. I remember watching it live on tv as it happened during a match report.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Stephen.

[@5roundsrapid263]

The name Kayleigh has become very common since that song. It’s a real classic.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I adore Kayleigh. Adam should cover that one someday.

[@stephenbrown4211]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I hoping too. I have one heck of a story for that

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@stephenbrown4211 Cannot wait to hear it on the day that song comes to this channel!

[@Bruce12867]

Ultravox was one of the most underrated bands of the '80s. They should have received much more attention than they did.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Agree!

[@just2comment2]

I loved them from the first time i heard Vienna, glad it was a hit in Australia and i got into them then in 81

[@aprilrich807]

So very good to enjoy an interview with Midge - just love him! Thank you!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for watching April!

[@ktaadnpainter]

Do They Know It’s Christmas may be the worst song in the history of songs. Am I wrong?

[@dhpbear2]

To me, 'Vienna' sounds like an album track. I can't imagine it even getting into the top 20.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

"S A T U R D A Y NIGHT!" 🌙

[@paulabundis9260]

Ive been wondering, since I discovered your videos, if you would ever discuss Midge Ure and his genius contributions to music. Yet again, another fantastic video.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Paul.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He is worthy of a breakdown!

[@bicarbonateyoda3205]

I like Shudupayoface

[@stephenhanft1226]

So do I. That song has plenty of fans.

[@jasonnikolauk4204]

Do they know it’s Christmas is a blight on all humanity

[@wmg1958]

Engaging to hear how this song was made. He's so direct, so clear as he makes intellectual and musical connections.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

So smart!

[@SiriusMined]

I'm not a fan of the song. Do they know it's Christmas is condescending Western exceptionalism.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

The lyrics are questionable in places for sure. I think the song is incredibly emotional and was heartfelt but the lyrics showed elements of unintended insensitivity about Ethiopia. At the time no-one commented on it as far as I recall but there is a valid critique to be made.

[@jesvans]

never heard of him/them, the song sucks

[@Elwaves2925]

Midge Ure is very underrated, even for Band/Live Aid and Ure being at the front with Geldof, it seemed like Geldof got all the credit. Ure seemed to do most of the work to me, Geldof was good at talking loudly on TV. Vienna is epic. Every single bit of it works and that intro is instantly recognisable. He had some great solo songs too, especially If I Was. Just a quick FYI for the future - Visage is pronounced Viz-arge. 🙂

[@ProfessorofRock]

Sorry. That's how I've always heard it said. Even when I talked about it with Midge. The more you know.

[@Elwaves2925]

@@ProfessorofRock Not a problem for me, it happens sometimes where different countries are involved. I just thought you might like to know for accuracy. 🙂

[@Elwaves2925]

@@edwardhumphries5566 Huh? What ratings?

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Geldof was leader of the Boomtown Rats as well. But I am very partial to Midge.

[@Elwaves2925]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Absolutely and I'm certainly not trying to take credit away from Geldof, just saying that Ure deserves more. 🙂

[@OceanbornAngel]

Seriously, I just wanted to know what that novelty song was that was Number One.

[@ProfessorofRock]

What did you think of it?

[@OceanbornAngel]

@@ProfessorofRock It might be because I'm in America and circa 1981 - 1882 hits like Bette Davis Eyes, Rapture, Private Eyes, etc. etc. were dominating the charts I have never heard of Shaddup You Face by Joe Dulce. I did however do a quick KZbin search and my God was that a horrific song. And a very culturally insensitive one at that too. I think it would make Mario and Luigi (And I mean the Mario played by Captain Lou Albano that is.) blush with the offensive Italian stereotypes on display in it. I guess it enforces in me that the European charts back in the 80's were filled with so much strangeness in comparison that they'd make that song a number one hit. Honestly don't think Shaddup You Face would crack the Top 100 here in the States in 1981.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Shaddap You Face. Such a stupid song.

[@michaelmcdonald8452]

Adam, even though it was in passing, great to hear the not often mentioned Rich Kids get a nod. If anyone hasn't heard their pop punk classic Ghosts of Princes in Towers, run don't walk...

[@jimb.7523]

Love Ultravox and I thank the new wave streaming stations I listen to for introducing me to them. I do prefer "Dancing With Tears in My Eyes" and "Reap the Wild Wind" over "Vienna," though, but that's just me.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

New wave will always be my favorite style of music.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Hey Playboy 👋 and Classmates!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Hey!

[@TimHunold]

Sorry, but it is a dreadful song.

[@davidlaw689]

As great as Vienna is there's another song of that album that is real banger... Sleepwalk !!

[@psychologicalprojectionist]

Oliver's Army by Elvis Costello and The Attractions is another great UK no2, probably its only rival. Though I concede this is a masterpiece and still a pleasure to hear today.

[@robster7316]

Great interview with Midge. Wasn't that familiar with this tune but have a newfound respect both for him and the challenges he and his bandmates faced in making it. We forget how much technology has changed since those not so long-ago days. Thanks Adam!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Robster. It was a masterclass by Midge for sure.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s an AMAZING song.

[@daviddraper5627]

Shut up ya face is an Australian classic

[@belle.m]

As an Aussie, I’m sure we would all like to apologise for Shaddup you Face 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@AJWRAJWR]

C'mon, what's the matter, you? Why you looka so sad?

[@lasentinal]

"Shaddap You Face" is one of my favourite songs. A bright amd humorous piece amongst a boring, dull lot. You are entitled to your opinion, as am I.

[@stephenhanft1226]

I totally agree with you. I bought the 45 back in 1981. It's a fun song that I still enjoy today.