| Hymn | |
| Cover: | Ultravox-Hymn.png |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Ultravox |
| Album: | Quartet |
| Released: | 19 November 1982 |
| Recorded: | 1982 |
| Studio: | AIR, London |
| Genre: | Synthpop, post-punk, new wave |
| Length: | 4:24 (single edit) 5:46 (album version) |
| Label: | Chrysalis Records |
| Producer: | George Martin |
| Prev Title: | Reap the Wild Wind |
| Prev Year: | 1982 |
| Next Title: | Visions in Blue |
| Next Year: | 1983 |
"Hymn" is a song from Ultravox's sixth studio album Quartet. Released as the album's second single on 19 November 1982, it reached #11 on the UK Singles Chart[1] and the Top 10 in Germany and Switzerland.[2]
The song was written by Warren Cann, Chris Cross, Billy Currie and Midge Ure and produced by George Martin. The cover art depicts certain symbols of Freemasonry, most notably the compass and the square.
The melody of the song was heavily inspired by The Zones' song "Mourning Star" (1977).
Lyrically, the song describes a time of corruption, in which "all that's good will fall from grace" and "Different words [...] have other meaning"; the protagonist expresses his worldly ambitions for "power and glory" in phrases from Bible ("the storybook"), especially The Lord's Prayer.
In line with this theme, the music video, directed by Ure and Cross, depicts a diabolical figure (played by Oliver Tobias) seducing men struggling in their fields (an actor, a politician, a musician and an office assistant, played by the four Ultravox members). After signing a contract, they all achieve success, though - as hinted at by the final scenes - at a cost.[3]
Multiple synthesizers are listed in the creation of the track, including the PPG Wave, Minimoog, ARP Odyssey, E-mu Emulator, and Yamaha CS-80.[4]
The song has been covered by numerous acts including Cabballero (1994), Cosmo (1994), German electro project Music Instructor (1995), Supporters (1997), (1998), Edguy (1998), DJ Jaxx (2000), 4 Clubbers (2002) Gigi D'Agostino (2003 and 2020), Lunatica (2004), Tina Cousins (2004), Polish DJ Psychophaze (2005), Mägo de Oz (under the name "Mañana empieza hoy") (2005 and 2013), Raz Ohara (2005), Age Pee (2006), Trancemission (2006), Parasytic (2008), PROXIMITY (2010),[5] Kirlian Camera (2011), Marnik & Danko (2018), and Lord of the Lost (2023).