Originally formed in London in 1974 as Tiger Lily, Ultravox was led by singer John Foxx until his departure in 1979 to pursue a solo career. With a gaping hole to be filled, keyboardist Billy Currie recruited Midge Ure after the pair had worked on a studio project together in Visage; Ure took over as guitarist and frontman in 1980.

The introduction of Ure revitalized the band; the frontman managed to steer them to commercial chart success which lasted until 1987 when Ure established his own solo career and left as abruptly as he had arrived.

In 1992, a new line-up was formed which was led by Currie, but the group achieved limited success. Two albums failed and one solitary single reached only 90 in the UK Singles Chart.