"If I Was: The Very Best of Midge Ure and Ultravox" - Ure, Midge

Compilation Album

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Full Track Listing


If I Was – Midge Ure
No Regrets – Midge Ure
Love’s Great Adventure – Ultravox
Dear God – Midge Ure
Cold, Cold Heart – Midge Ure
Vienna – Ultravox
Call of the Wild – Midge Ure
After a Fashion – Midge Ure and Mick Karn
Dancing with Tears in My Eyes – Ultravox
All Fall Down – Ultravox
Yellow Pearl – Phillip Lynott
Fade to Grey – Visage
Reap the Wild Wind – Ultravox
Answers to Nothing – Midge Ure
Do They Know it’s Christmas? – Band Aid
That Certain Smile – Midge Ure [CD Only]
The Man Who Sold the World – Midge Ure [US Only]

Background Information

This 1993 compilation of the best work of Midge Ure, includes the 1984 recording of “Do They Know it’s Christmas?” which Bono sings on, and Adam Clayton plays the bass. For a time, this compilation was the easiest way to find this track on CD in North America. It is now available on other releases, including the 20th anniversary single release.

It was November 25th, 1984 when a group of artists concerned about the famine in Ethiopia joined together to form the Band Aid project. Unable to take part, producer Trevor Horn gave his Sarm West Studios in London for the recording of this song, and the song was recorded over 24 hours in that studio. Horn would later help out with the production of the song, and also doing a remix for release on the 12” version. Bono and Adam Clayton were both part of the group of musicians that made up Band Aid, and both feature on the recording of this song. The single would be released only a few days later on radio and would go on to be a number one single throughout Europe that Christmas. All proceeds from the song were promised to charity and Geldof had a stand off with the British government over the collection of the VAT tax on the single. Eventually the goverment agreed that even the tax made from the purchase of the single would be donated. The song was written by Midge Ure and Bob Geldof. Midge Ure also acted as co-producer with Trevor Horn.

As the single states, “this record features the cream of pop music talent” and included both Bono and Adam Clayton along with the following: Phil Collins; Bob Geldof, Simon Crowe, Peter Briquette, Johnny Fingers (Boomtown Rats); Steve Norman, Tony Hadley, Martin Kemp, John Keeble, Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet); Midge Ure, Chriss Cross (Ultravox); Paul Young; John Taylor, Simon Le Bon, Roger Taylor, Andy Taylor, Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran); Glenn Gregory, Martin Ware (Heaven 17); Marilyn; Jody Watley; Keren, Sarah, Siobhan (Bananarama); Paul Weller; Peter Blake; James Taylor; Robert Bell, Dennis Thomas (Kool and the Gang); George Michael (Wham); Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt (Status Quo); David Bowie; Paul McCartney; Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes to Hollywood); Sting; Jon Moss, Boy George (Culture Club).

Liner Notes

Do They Know it’s Christmas? (Single Version):
Written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. Produced by Midge Ure and Trevor Horn. Engineered by Steve Lipsom.

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