Quiet Men


"Quiet Men" is the fifth single by Ultravox. It was released in 1978 and was their last single on Island Records before the band signed to Chrysalis Records. It also was the last single featuring frontman John Foxx and guitarist Robin Simon.
"Quiet Men" features prominent synthesizer and guitar riffs and was one of the more popular songs of the John Foxx era. It was performed in concert by Ultravox from March 1978 until the Vienna Tour in 1980/81 with Midge Ure singing. John Foxx also continued to perform the song live in his solo concerts.
The B-side is "Cross Fade", a pure synthpop piece that did not appear on the album. It was never performed live.
The single was described in the Record Mirror as:
The Quiet Man was written as a stand against fashion, an obvious declaration that the band are quite happy on the outside, surveying rather than participating.

Track listing

7" version

  1. "Quiet Men" – 3:16
  2. "Cross Fade" – 2:53

    12" version

  3. "Quiet Men " – 3:54
  4. "Cross Fade" – 2:53