"Passing Strangers" is Ultravox's second single from Vienna, the band's first album with Midge Ure, released on Chrysalis Records on 15 October 1980.[1]

"Passing Strangers"
Single by Ultravox
from the album Vienna
B-side	"Face to Face (Live)" "King's Lead Hat (Live)"
Released	15 October 1980
Recorded	February 1980 at RAK Studios
Genre	Post-punk, electronic, new wave
Length	3:48
Label	Chrysalis Records
Songwriter(s)	Warren Cann, Chris Cross, Billy Currie, Midge Ure
Producer(s)	Ultravox and Conny Plank
Ultravox singles chronology
"Sleepwalk" (1980) "Passing Strangers" (1980) "Vienna" (1981)

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.[2]

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".[3] "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.[4]

Track listing

7" version

1. "Passing Strangers" – 3:48
2. "Face to Face (Live 16 Aug 80 at St Albans City Hall)" – 6:04

12" version

1. "Passing Strangers" – 3:48
2. "Face to Face (Live 16 Aug 80 at St Albans City Hall)" – 6:04
3. "King's Lead Hat (Live 17 Aug 80 at Lyceum)" – 4:06

References

This 1980s single–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e