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Midge Ure: Answers to Nothing

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: EMI Records
Released: 1988
Time:
 45:38
Category: Pop/Rock
Producer(s): Midge Ure
Rating: *******... (7/10)
Media type: CD
Web address: www.midgeure.com
Appears with: Ultravox, Visage
Purchase date: 2003.04.10
Price in €: 4,99



 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Answers to Nothing (M.Ure) - 4:34
[2] Take Me Home (M.Ure) - 3:05
[3] Sister and Brother (M.Ure) - 5:55
[4] Dear God (M.Ure) - 5:00
[5] The Leaving (So Long) (M.Ure) - 4:16
[6] Just for You (M.Ure) - 4:39
[7] Hell to Heaven (M.Ure) - 4:04
[8] Lied (M.Ure) - 4:53
[9] Homeland (M.Ure) - 4:41
[10] Remembrance Day (D.Mitchell/M.Ure) - 4:27

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


MIDGE URE - Guitar, Vocals

KATE BUSH - Vocals
ROBBIE KILGORE - Keyboards
MICK KARN - Bass Guitar
MARK KING - Bass Guitar
STEVE BRZEZICKI - Bass Guitar
MARK BRZEZICKI - Drums

RICK WALTON - Co-Producer, Engineer, Mixing on [8]
BOB CLEARMOUNTAIN - Mixing
JOHN HUDSON - Mixing on [2]
BOB LUDWIG - Mastering
DEL PALMER - Vocal Engineer
PETER SAVILLE - Art Direction

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


1988 LP Chrysalis 21649
1988 CD Chrysalis F2-21649
1988 CS Chrysalis F4-21649
1990 CD Capitol 21649



The second full-fledged solo outing for former Ultravox frontman Midge Ure is pretty much what one would expect. One difference is the more organic feel of the music, which might be attributable to the impressive array of players. Guests include Big Country drummer Mark Brzezicki, Level 42 bassist/lead singer Mark King, Craig Armstrong, and members of UB40. There's a slight world music influence on songs like the title track and "Take Me Home," but it's all presented with polish and gloss. Kate Bush duets with Ure on "Sister and Brother." Lyrically, there seems to be a greater emphasis on the state of the world (perhaps as a result of his work with Band Aid) with the swirling plea "Dear God," a minor hit, being the most overt and successful result. Answers to Nothing is a pleasant, if not exactly memorable, slice of adult pop/rock.

Tom Demalon - All Music Guide
© 1992 - 2003 AEC One Stop Group, Inc.



Verträumte Melodien, poetische Texte, ausgefallene Softrock-Arrangements: Der singende Schotte Midge Ure setzt die Musik seiner alten Band Ultravox mit anderen Mitteln fort. Pulsierende Synthesizer tauscht er gegen Star- Bassisten wie Ark King ein, und Kate Bush kam für ein Duett ins Studio.

© Audio



"Früher hatte ich ein Image wie Cliff Richard, aber die Umstände haben mich dazu gebracht, mich mit ernsthafteren Dingen zu beschäftigen." Acht Jahre ist es her, daß Midge Ure bei Ultravox den Drahtzieher für viele New-Wave-Puppen spielte. Der Mann aus Glasgow verzierte seine Songs reichlich mit Synthi-Stuck, und heraus kamen Hits wie "Vienna", "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes" oder "All Stood Still", die in den Tanztempeln für Bewegung sorgten. Doch dank der tatkräftigen Mitarbeit an Bob Geldofs "Live Aid"-Projekt, das ihn auch in die Slums von Äthiopien führte, wurde der Pop-Entertainer Midge Ure nachdenklich - Kostprobe aus seinem neuen Album "Answers (To Nothing)": "Lieber Gott, gib mir Liebe für die Einsa- men, Essen für die Hungrigen, Frieden in einer rastlosen Welt". Das Lied "Dear God" sang er erstmals beim Mandela-Konzert in London. Im Vergleich zu früheren Ultravox-Aufnahmen schleppen neue Titel wie die Ballade "The Leaving" oder das folkloristisch angehauchte "Take Me Home" weit weniger Bombast mit sich herum. Midge Ure hat wohl gemerkt, daß weniger oft mehr ist. Dennoch gaben sich im Aufnahmestudio die Gaststars die Klinke in die Hand: Mark King von Level 42 zupfte den Baß, die UB-40-Brüder Ali und Ro- bin Campbell spielten Gitarre, Big-Country-Schlagzeuger Mark Brzezicki rührte die Trommeln, und Kate Bush zirpte mit Midge Ure im Duett: "Sister And Brother" heißt dieses schönste Stück des Albums. ** Interpret.: 6-9

© Stereoplay



In the early `80s, when Midge Ure led Ultravox and Visage on their string of synth-pop smashes in the U.K., you would have never guessed that he would eventually make an album as introspective and socially conscious as Answers To Nothing. The concerns of this record are the direct results of Ure's involvement in the Band Aid project (he co-wrote "Do They Know It's Christmas?," England's best-selling single of all time) which broadened his world view tenfold. Answers To Nothing's uplifting melodies and inspiring lyrics make it an effort that should give Midge the solo recognition he deserves. With Bob Clearmountain overseeing the project, the album's mood harks back to Peter Gabriel's So, which also includes a duet with Kate Bush-the feminist chant "Sister And Brother," with UB40's Robin and Ali Campbell on backing vocals, is one of Answers' highlights. But where Gabriel offered upbeat pop/dance tunes to pump up his record, Ure demures, and makes "Dear God" his centerpiece, perhaps the catchiest song ever written about something as serious as "Love for the lonely/Food for the hungry/And peace in a restless world." With Mark King (Level 42) on bass and Mark Bzrzecki (Big Country) on drums, Midge Ure has formed a rhythm section that chugs to a slower groove than on past U.K. hits, but makes for more thoughtful pieces. Midge Ure gives us Answers To Nothing, true Thinking Man's pop.

CMJ New Music Report Issue: 161 - Jan 06, 1989
© 1978-2003 College Media, Inc., Inc. All Rights Reserved.
 

 L y r i c s


ANSWERS TO NOTHING

High upon a hillside, a preacher tells a story to a crowd
He tells the same old story, a thousand times he's read that story loud
He wants to give the answers, but his words are only
Answers to nothing

Lying in my bedroom, a man comes on my TV with a grin
He tells me to believe him, he said that I should put my faith in him
He says he has the answers, but his words are only
Answers to nothing

Oh, oh, oh, believed for the last time
Oh, oh, oh, deceived for the last time

Hear the chosen leaders, say we can't stay sitting on the fence
Believe the stuff they feed us, they're buying guns and bombs for our defence
They think this is the answer, but their thoughts are only
Answers to nothing

Where is all the friendship, how can all that comradeship be done?
What of all the teachings, what of things we learned when we were young?
It doesn't bear the asking, 'cos the answers given were
Answers to nothing

Oh, oh, oh, lied for the last time
Oh, oh, oh, died for the last time
Oh, oh, oh, cried for the last time, this time
Oh, oh, oh, believed for the last time
Oh, oh, oh, deceived for the last time
Oh, oh, oh, believed for the last time, this time

High upon a hillside, a preacher tells a story to a crowd
Tells the same old story, a thousand times he's read that story loud
He wants to give the answers, but his words are only
Answers to nothing

Lying in my bedroom, a man comes on my TV with a grin
He tells me to believe him, he said that I should put my faith in him
He says he has the answers, but his words are only
Answers to nothing

Oh, oh, oh, lied for the last time
Oh, oh, oh, cried for the last time
Oh, oh, oh, died for the last time
Oh, oh, oh, deceived for the last time
Oh, oh, oh, believed for the last time, this time


TAKE ME HOME

One thing I know
I've learned over all
The more that you trust
The harder you fall
The more you believe
The more you recall
You'll see the signs
You'll hear the sound
When your feeling of hope
Is turned upside down
My hope lay in tatters
Lying cold on the ground
When I found

You lied
From your head down to your toes
You lied
But somehow I know I'll survive
And I can't believe another word you say
So go your way
You lied

You lied
From your head down to your toes
You lied
But somehow I know I'll survive
And I can't believe another word you say
Go your way

You lied
Every little word you said
You whispered lies
And right now I know I despise
Every thing I find that came from you
'Cos I hurt too
You lied

You lied
As you looked me in the eyes
I saw you lie
But somehow I knew I'd get by
When nothing seems to matter anymore
Who did you lie for?

You lied
From your head down to your toes
I know you lied
But somehow I know I'll survive
And I can't believe another word you say
So go your way

You lied
Every little word you said
You whispered lies
And right now I know I despise
Every thing I find that came from you
'Cos I hurt too
You lied


SISTER AND BROTHER

Sister, I will stand by you
Sister, I believe in you
Sister, 'cos I am your brother
Sister, fight for what you need
Sister, make the blind man see
Sister, and I'll be your brother

Giving, taking, living, with one another
Sister and brother
Seeing, breathing, believing, one another
Sister and brother

Brother, I am equal to
Brother, all a man can do
Brother, I am your sister
Brother, if you need me near
Brother, in your doubt and fear
Brother, I'll be your sister

Giving, taking, living, with one another
Sister and brother
Seeing, breathing, believing, in one another
Sister and brother

Sister, will you stand by me?
Sister, and believe in me?
Sister, 'cos I am your brother

Brother, if you need me near
Brother, in your doubt and fear
Brother, then I'll be your sister

Oh no, oh no, oh I'll be your sister
Oh no, stand by me, oh no, I'll be your brother, oh
Oh no, oh no, I'll be your sister
Oh no, oh no, sister and brother
Oh no, oh no, oh I'll be your sister


DEAR GOD

Dear God, is there somebody out there?
Is there someone to hear my prayer?
I'm a simple man with simple words to say
Is there some point in asking?
Asking for more only got us where we are today
Lost and alone and afraid

Give me, love for the lonely
Give me, food for the hungry
Give me, peace in a restless world
Give me, hope for the children
Give me, a worldwide religion
Give me, peace in a restless world

Dear God, can you hear me crying?
A whole world crying
Looking for something to say
We had it all and we threw it all away
Is there somebody watching?
Somebody watching over the mess that we've made
We're lost and alone and afraid

Give me, love for the lonely
Give me, food for the hungry
Give me, peace in a restless world
Give me, hope for the children
Give me, a worldwide religion
Give me, peace in a restless world

And we need to know there's something good
Though all our years of solitude go on and on and on...

Give me, love for the lonely
Give me, food for the hungry
Give me, peace in a restless world, oh oh
Give me, hope for the children
Give me, a worldwide religion
Give me, peace in a restless world, oh oh

Give me, love for the lonely
Give me, food for the hungry
Give me, peace in a restless world, oh oh
Give me, hope for the children
Give me, a worldwide religion
Give me, peace in a restless world

Dear God, is there somebody out there?
Is there someone to hear my prayer?


THE LEAVING (SO LONG)

I'll walk away from my town
See which way the wind blows my future, oh
Find what's before me
There must be something better
Must be something more than I've had so far
Something new, something good
Something worth being put here for

So long, so long, so long

Move into the city
Find myself a job with a purpose, oh
I'll work for a reason
And hope that reject turns to warm self-respect
And I'll start to live
Live the life that I thought would be mine
From the day I was born

So long, so long, so long

Find myself a partner
Turn my partner into a family, oh
We'll grow old together
Then I'll know that it can be
All that it should be and then
And only then I'll know that I've had
What by rights is mine

So long, so long, so long


JUST FOR YOU

Just for you, I could fly
Just for you, I could walk the oceans
I would cross all divides
To satisfy your whims and notions

For you, I could change
Just for you, I could beat the system
I could take every blow
Survive upon a poor man's wisdom

And if you want I'd chase the world away
And when you cry I'd kiss the tears away

Just for you, I would cry
Just for you, I would fall down to my knees
And pray that I could raise a love that's fit to please you

And if you're lonely I will be with you
If you're in doubt I'll tell you what to do
I'll take your hand and I will lead you through
I'd give my very soul to be with you
And when infatuation fades
I will still be by your side
I will be there when you call

There's not one thing I wouldn't do
That I couldn't do at all
That I wouldn't do at all

Just for you, I would change
Just for you, I would break the system
I would take every blow
Survive upon a poor man's wisdom


HELL TO HEAVEN

If I could understand why one land
Throws aside what others need to survive
Then maybe I could justify what I'm seeing
I can't quite accept that we who have so much watch others die
Who designed this world we live in?

Hand giving a hand
Giving the world a helping hand
It's falling around us now

If I could understand why one man
Lifts his hand to strike another down
Then maybe I'd believe the reasons that I'm given
I'd like to think it's just a few who make the rest of us comply
Who designed this world we live in?

Help turn round this hell to heaven

Hand giving a hand
Giving the world a helping hand
It's falling around us now

Help turn round this hell to heaven
Help turn round this hell to heaven
Who designed this world we live in?
Help turn round this hell to heaven
Who designed this world we live in?
Help turn round this hell to heaven
Who designed this world we live in?


LIED

One thing I know
I've learned over all
The more that you trust
The harder you fall
The more you believe
The more you recall
You'll see the signs
You'll hear the sound
When your feeling of hope
Is turned upside down
My hope lay in tatters
Lying cold on the ground
When I found

You lied
From your head down to your toes
You lied
But somehow I know I'll survive
And I can't believe another word you say
So go your way
You lied

You lied
From your head down to your toes
You lied
But somehow I know I'll survive
And I can't believe another word you say
Go your way

You lied
Every little word you said
You whispered lies
And right now I know I despise
Every thing I find that came from you
'Cos I hurt too
You lied

You lied
As you looked me in the eyes
I saw you lie
But somehow I knew I'd get by
When nothing seems to matter anymore
Who did you lie for?

You lied
From your head down to your toes
I know you lied
But somehow I know I'll survive
And I can't believe another word you say
So go your way

You lied
Every little word you said
You whispered lies
And right now I know I despise
Every thing I find that came from you
'Cos I hurt too
You lied


HOMELAND

Sometimes I find that the ghost from behind me won't go
You'd think by this time
You'd be gone from my mind
But it isn't so
Sometimes I hear your voice ringing clear on the radio
Hearing you tell words that I knew so well
Not so long ago

And though it's changed for us all
I know you will always be near
And though you watch from afar
I know where you are
You walk the homeland

I remember that night
Of that year when the tears wouldn't clear my eyes
I'd seen it before
Like a dream I'd ignore
It was no surprise
I tried to pretend that the madness would end and you'd realise
That all that was left was the whisper of death and your children's cries

And though it's changed for us all
I know you will always be near
And though you watch from afar
I know where you are
You walk the homeland

You slipped away like snow in a warm hand
You welcomed that warm hand
You made it too easy


REMEMBRANCE DAY

While I was standing I saw
Two men before my eyes, I saw
One man all dressed in truth
The other man was dressed in lies
One man held green and gold
The other man blue, white and red
And they smiled as they held guns to our heads
While I was standing I saw
Two men before my eyes

Watch as the rain begins to fall
Like tears from heaven on us all
To clean the sins we've made
And wash them away, wash them away

While I was standing I saw
Two countries go to war, I saw
Faces of children wondering
What their friends were fighting for
A crowd of people stood in silence
On Remembrance Day and I cried
As they blew them all away
While I was standing I saw
Two men before my eyes

Watch as the rain begins to fall
Like tears from heaven on us all
To clean the sins we've made
And wash them away, wash them away

While I was standing I saw
Two men with one God to share
Both wanting peace by war
Both want to win by prayer
How long before they find
This holy war a heinous sin
And they find that there's nothing left to win

 M P 3   S a m p l e s


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