The Thin Wall

Ultravox

About The Thin Wall

"The Thin Wall" is Ultravox's first single from the Rage in Eden album, recorded in Conny Plank's Studio in Cologne, Germany and released on Chrysalis Records on 14 August 1981. The music video, directed by Russell Mulcahy, features Midge Ure struggling to cope among strange and nightmarish imagery, similar to a haunted house setting, while the other band members seemingly plot his demise. The song is a fast and stark synth melody with obscure lyrics like many Ultravox songs and New Romantic music in general. It peaked at #14 in the UK Single Charts. There is no extended version of "The Thin Wall" unlike other Ultravox singles; the A-side on the 12" is identical to the album version, while the 7" version is an edit. Drummer Warren Cann wrote the bass line and the rhythm, that were the bases of the song. The chorus was written by Cann and keyboardist Billy Currie, with the first singing lead vocals on it, pronouncing "The Thin Wall"; it contains also a guitar riff written by Midge Ure. The bridge section was written by Currie and Cann with Ure writing the guitar riff. The outro section was created by Cann. 


Year:
1984
4:26
44 
#1

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The sound is on the visions move
The image dance starts once again
They shuffle with a bovine grace and glide in syncopation
Just living lines from books we've read
With atmospheres of days gone by
With paper smiles
The screenplay calls a message for the nation

Chorus:

And those who sneer will fade and die
And those who laugh will surely fall
And those who know will always feel their backs against the thin wall
The thin wall
Thin wall

Grey men who speak of victory
Shed light upon their stolen life
They drive by night and act as if they're moved by unheard music
To step in time and play the part
With velvet voices smooth and cold
Their power games a game no more
And long the chance to use it

(Chorus)

And those who dance will spin and turn
And those who wait will wait no more
And those talk will hear the word
And those who sneer will fade and die
And those who laugh will surely fall
And those who know will always feel their backs against the thin wall
The thin wall
Thin wall

The thin wall (Repeat 3 times)

And those who dance
The thin wall
And those who talk
The thin wall
And those who sneer
The thin wall
And those who laugh
The thin wall
And those who know
The thin wall
And those who dance
The thin wall
And those who wait
The thin wall
And those who talk
(Fade)

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Ultravox

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

1 fan

Written by: CHRISTOPHER THOMAS ALLEN, MIDGE URE, WARREN REGINALD CANN, WILLIAM CURRIE

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Band Formation
"The Thin Wall" is a song by the British band Ultravox, which was formed in 1974.
Song Release
The song was released on 14th August 1981 as a single from the band's album "Rage in Eden".
Chart Performance
"The Thin Wall" was successful in the charts, peaking at number 14 in the UK Singles Chart and number 16 in the Irish Singles Chart.
Album Impact
The single and the album on which it featured, "Rage in Eden," helped re-establish Ultravox's presence in the music industry after some mediocre releases in the late '70s.
Lyrics' Meaning
The lyrics discuss the fragility and superficiality of political and physical barriers.
Music Video
The music video for "The Thin Wall" was one of the earliest examples of a video featuring abstract, almost surreal imagery in lieu of a clear narrative or performance.
Concert Staple
"The Thin Wall" would go on to become a concert staple for Ultravox, indicating its popularity with fans.
Producer
The producer of "The Thin Wall" was Conny Plank, a German record producer who was involved in a number of influential albums in the 70s and 80s.
Unique Sound
The song is known for its unique sound features such as the use of the synthesizer and the drumming pattern which epitomize the new romantic and synthpop sub-genres of the 1980s.
Album Artwork
The artwork for the song’s album, "Rage in Eden," was designed by the band's lead singer Midge Ure and sleeve designer Peter Saville who is famous for his work with various prominent bands during the 80s.
Band Lineup
The lineup of Ultravox at the time of recording "The Thin Wall" was Midge Ure, Billy Currie, Chris Cross, and Warren Cann.
Innovative Composition
The song is considered innovative for its time owing to the blending of electronic music with traditional rock instruments creating a unique sound.

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