Slow Motion (Ultravox song)
| "Slow Motion" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Ultravox | |
| from the album Systems of Romance | |
| B-side | "Dislocation" |
| Released | 11 August 1978[1][2] |
| Recorded | 1978 |
| Genre | Synth-pop |
| Label | Island |
| Songwriters | |
| Producers | |
"Slow Motion" is a song by the British new wave and synth-pop band Ultravox, and the first single from the then-forthcoming Systems of Romance album, released by Island Records on 11 August 1978, with a limited edition clear/opaque 12-inch single released on the same date.[3][4][5] It subsequently spent four weeks on the UK Singles Chart in March–April 1981, peaking at no. 33,[6] after being reissued by Island Records on 7-inch and cassette single formats in March 1981.
"Slow Motion" was an important influence to Gary Numan who would have commercial success with electronic pop the following year. Numan said of the song: "This was a fantastic fusion of different elements and set a standard I then tried very, very hard to reach with 'Are "Friends" Electric?' and 'Cars'. I was trying to be as good as Ultravox."[7]
About the song
"Slow Motion" was the material of a changing band. It was the first single featuring Robin Simon as guitarist (replacing Stevie Shears) and also the first under the new name "Ultravox", without the exclamation mark. New sounds were provided by the use of a guitar multi effects pedal set up, using 5 pedals into the guitar amplifier, which also added a tremolo effect, unusual in an era where guitarists would use a minumum of pedals, usually just for lead guitar. A timed echo effect was also added to sections of the guitar at mixdown, creating a dual echo effect. A synthesizer was used to provide the bass part, also very unusual for the time, particularly in a rock band format.[8]
The song was performed live on Old Grey Whistle Test in early 1978, before the release of the single and the Systems of Romance album. It was performed by the band during their first tour with Midge Ure in 1979.[9]
Track listing
Original released version
- "Slow Motion" – 3:27
- "Dislocation" – 2:55
3-track EP
Released by Island Records on 2 March 1981[10][11][12]
A-side
- "Slow Motion"
- "Quiet Men" (7-inch single version)
B-side
- "Hiroshima Mon Amour" (Ha! Ha! Ha! album version alternate mix)
4-track double single EP
Released the same day as the 3-track EP
A-side
- "Quiet Men" (7-inch single version)
- "Hiroshima Mon Amour" (ROckWrok single version)
B-side
- "Slow Motion"
- "Dislocation"
4-track "1+1" Cassette EP
Released a week later on 9 March 1981
A-side
- "Slow Motion"
- "Hiroshima Mon Amour" (Ha! Ha! Ha! album version alternate mix)
- "Quiet Men" (7-inch single version)
- "Dislocation"
B-side
B-side is blank to enable personal recording
References
- ^ "[promotional advertisement]". New Musical Express. August 5, 1978. p. 19. Retrieved 11 November 2025 – via Flickr.
- ^ "Metamatic - The Official John Foxx Website: Discography". metamatic.com. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "The New Singles" (PDF). Record Business. August 7, 1978. p. 17. Retrieved 11 November 2025 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "Releases - Index / Listings" (PDF). Music Week. August 12, 1978. p. 35. Retrieved 11 November 2025 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "NEWS" (PDF). Record Business. August 14, 1978. p. 4. Retrieved 4 November 2025 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "Ultravox", Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 January 2019
- ^ From Being Boiled to I Feel Love: Gary Numan's top electro tracks The Guardian 29 May 2017
- ^ Warren Cann Ultravox interview Part 3
- ^ Warren Cann Ultravox interview Part 4
- ^ "New Singles" (PDF). Record Business. February 23, 1981. p. 22. Retrieved 25 January 2025 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "Now 1+1 tape EP due from Island" (PDF). Record Business. March 2, 1981. p. 2. Retrieved 25 January 2025 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "Island gives away debut Plastics single [second paragraph]" (PDF). Music & Video Week. March 7, 1981. p. 3. Retrieved 25 January 2025 – via World Radio History.