"Slow Motion" is a song by new wave and synthpop band Ultravox, and the first single from the then-forthcoming Systems of Romance album, released on 4 August 1978.[1] It subsequently spent four weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1981, peaking at no. 33.[2]
| "Slow Motion" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Ultravox | |
| from the album Systems of Romance | |
| B-side | "Dislocation" |
| Released | 4 August 1978 |
| Recorded | 1978 |
| Genre | Synthpop |
| Label | Island |
| Songwriter(s) | John Foxx, Billy Currie |
| Producer(s) | Conny Plank, Ultravox |
"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."[3]
About the song
edit"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 synthesizers and electric drums.[1]
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.[4]
Track listing
editOriginal released version
edit- "Slow Motion" – 3:27
- "Dislocation" – 2:55
3-song EP
editThe EP was released by Island Records on 23 February 1981.
A-side
edit- "Slow Motion"
- "Quiet Men" (single version)
B-side
edit- "Hiroshima Mon Amour" (album version)
4-song EP
editReleased the same day as the 3-song EP
A-side
edit- "Quiet Men" (single version)
- "Hiroshima Mon Amour" (ROckWrok single version)
B-side
edit- "Slow Motion"
- "Dislocation"
References
edit- ^ a b Warren Cann Ultravox interview Part 3
- ^ "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 4