Sleepwalk (song)

Last updated

"Sleepwalk"
Ultravox-Sleepwalk.jpg
Single by Ultravox
from the album Vienna
B-side "Waiting"
Released20 June 1980
RecordedFebruary 1980
Studio RAK (London)
Genre Electronic [1]
Length3:10
Label Chrysalis
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Ultravox singles chronology
"Quiet Men"
(1978)
"Sleepwalk"
(1980)
"Passing Strangers"
(1980)

"Sleepwalk" is a song by Ultravox, released on 20 June 1980 [2] [3] [4] , as the first single from their fourth album Vienna , and their first with Midge Ure as frontman. It was Ultravox's first UK top 30 chart hit, reaching number 29 in August 1980. [5]

Contents

Background

"Sleepwalk" was the first song the band recorded with Midge Ure February 1980 at RAK Studios, London. Rather than offering a demo tape of several songs to Chrysalis Records the reformed band opted to do a "finished" version of "Sleepwalk" with producer Conny Plank, a recording that clinched the band's record deal with Chrysalis Records. The original version was later remixed May 1980 at Conny's Studio in Cologne for inclusion on the band's album Vienna . There is no difference between the album version and the single version. The lyrics to the song were written by Warren Cann. It was released as a single in June 1980. [6]

Release

As well as the standard black vinyl, the 7 Inch was released as a limited clear vinyl. The 12" release does not contain an extended version of the song, or a third/additional song, [7] in fact it is simply a double A-sided promo single, with only "Sleepwalk" on each side.

The single's B-side, "Waiting" is a more solemn, bass-laden affair in comparison to the faster synth work of the A-side. It was recorded and mixed March 1980 at Matrix Studios, London. It now appears on the CD re-issue of Vienna as a bonus track, as well as various other Ultravox compilations.

Track listing

  1. "Sleepwalk" – 3:10
  2. "Waiting" – 3:51

References

  1. Evans, Richard (6 August 2024). "1980.2". Listening to the Music the Machines Make: Inventing Electronic Pop 1978-1983. Omnibus Press. p. 213. ISBN   978-1-915841-45-2.
  2. "Releases". Record Mirror . 7 June 1980. p. 4. Retrieved 30 June 2025 via Flickr.
  3. "News in brief..." (PDF). Music Week . 14 June 1980. p. 22. Retrieved 30 June 2025 via World Radio History.
  4. "New Singles" (PDF). Record Business . 16 June 1980. p. 22. Retrieved 30 June 2025 via World Radio History.
  5. Sleepwalk Official Charts
  6. Warren Cann interview by Jonas Wårstad
  7. "Ultravox - Sleepwalk (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 17 October 2016.