If I was
| If I was | |
|---|---|
| Midge Ure | |
| publication | 2nd September 1985 |
| length | 4:46 (single), 5:20 (album), 6:45 (extended mix) |
| Genre (s) | Synth-pop , new wave |
| Author (s) | Danny Mitchell, Midge Ure |
| album | The Gift |
If I Was ( If I had ) is a synth-pop / new wave -Song the English musician Midge Ure , who on September 2, 1985 Chrysalis Records appeared. In October 1985 he also appeared on his album The Gift . It became a number one hit in both England and Ireland . In Germany it reached number two in the charts.
Text and music
In the synth-pop song, the protagonist makes assurances to the loved one - apparently separated from him - what he would do for her if he had different professions that gave him certain skills (sailor, soldier, poet, painter, leader) . In the quieter bridge , he tells her to come back to him.
Emergence
If I Was was written by Midge Ure with Danny Mitchell of his tour support band The Messengers . In the liner notes on the 2001 compilation If I Was: The Very Best of Midge Ure & Ultravox , named after the song, Ure wrote:
“This song is pure Danny Mitchell. I found a demo recording of it on a tape Danny sent me for his band The Messengers. I grabbed it [the song] in both hands, played around with it, sprayed it with fairy dust, and the rest is history. "
Publication and reception
The song was released as a single on September 2, 1985. The instrumental piano appeared on the B-side of the 7 "and 12" singles. The 12 "single with the extended mix also contained a cover of David Bowie's The Man Who Sold the World . An earlier version of this track was originally released on the soundtrack of the British comedy film Party Party (1983). Both songs were released later also as bonus tracks for the CD reissue of The Gift in 1996.
The song reached high chart positions in many European countries, such as Germany (number two), Switzerland (number 16) and Austria (number six), but also in the Flemish part of Belgium (number nine) and in the Netherlands (number twelve) . In the United Kingdom and Ireland he made it to the top position, in New Zealand at number eight in the local charts.
Music video
In the music video, Ure's face shape can be seen in a nail board animation , which is ultimately destroyed. Ure sings the song in white clothes against a black background, sometimes he plays an electric guitar.