"Passing Strangers" is Ultravox's second single from Vienna, the band's first album with Midge Ure, released on Chrysalis Records on 10 October 1980.
A fast-paced guitar track recalling early John Foxx-era Ultravox, Passing Strangers ultimately failed to live up to the top 30 success of its predecessor "Sleepwalk". It stalled at #57 in the UK charts despite having a music video (directed by Russell Mulcahy and featuring Barbie Wilde and Tok from Tik & Tok) and release on 12" format alongside the regular 7", both of which "Sleepwalk" lacked. The video was shot in Beckton Gas Works, London.
The single contains two live b-sides; "Face To Face", an original Ultravox track that was never recorded in studio, and a live cover of the Brian Eno song "King's Lead Hat". "Face to Face" was taken from a show in St Albans City Hall. The complete show was released on the 40th anniversary Vienna box-set 2020.
Track listing
7" version
- "Passing Strangers" – 3:48
- "Face to Face (Live 16 Aug 80 at St Albans City Hall)" – 6:04
12" version
- "Passing Strangers" – 3:48
- "Face to Face (Live 16 Aug 80 at St Albans City Hall)" – 6:04
- "King's Lead Hat (Live 17 Aug 80 at Lyceum)" – 4:06
References
"officialcharts". Official Charts. 1 August 2021. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/18593/ultravox/ ↩
Ultravox Rare 1 CD sleeve notes. Chrysalis Records 1993 ↩
"allmusic". AllMusic. 1 August 2021. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ultravox-mn0000809266 ↩
"vienna-40th-anniversary". 1 August 2021. https://superdeluxeedition.com/news/ultravox-vienna-40th-anniversary/ ↩