The Stranglers are an English rock band that emerged in the mid-1970s during the punk and new wave movement. They are known for their distinctive sound, which blends elements of punk rock, new wave, and post-punk with dark and often edgy lyrics.
Formed in Guildford, Surrey, in 1974, The Stranglers initially consisted of Hugh Cornwell (vocals, guitar), Jean-Jacques Burnel (bass, vocals), Dave Greenfield (keyboards), and Jet Black (drums). Their early music drew from punk influences but quickly evolved to incorporate elements of reggae, psychedelic rock, and other genres.
The Stranglers gained prominence in the late 1970s with hits like “No More Heroes,” “Peaches,” and “Golden Brown.” Their music was characterized by Cornwell’s gritty vocals, Burnel’s powerful basslines, Greenfield’s keyboard flourishes, and Jet Black’s solid drumming.
Throughout their career, The Stranglers released numerous albums and singles, experimenting with different styles and pushing the boundaries of rock music. They developed a reputation for their provocative lyrics and controversial subject matter, tackling themes such as politics, social issues, and human relationships.
Despite lineup changes over the years, The Stranglers continued to produce music and tour well into the 21st century. Their influence on alternative and punk rock is widely recognized, and their music continues to resonate with fans around the world. The band’s longevity and enduring popularity are a testament to their talent and innovation within the rock music landscape.
1. Hanging Around
“Hanging Around” is a song by The Stranglers, released in 1977 as part of their debut album “Rattus Norvegicus” (also known as “The Stranglers IV”). The track was written by the band’s members: Hugh Cornwell, Jean-Jacques Burnel, Dave Greenfield, and Jet Black.
“Hanging Around” is one of The Stranglers’ early hits and is characterized by its driving bassline, catchy guitar riffs, and distinctive vocals. The song’s lyrics reflect a sense of disillusionment and frustration, with themes of urban alienation and boredom. The protagonist of the song finds himself “hanging around, downtown by myself” and expresses a desire to break free from the monotony of everyday life.
Musically, “Hanging Around” showcases The Stranglers’ unique blend of punk rock, new wave, and post-punk influences. Jean-Jacques Burnel’s bass playing is particularly notable, driving the song’s rhythm and adding to its overall intensity.
“Hanging Around” received critical acclaim upon its release and remains a fan favorite at The Stranglers’ live performances. It captures the energy and attitude of the late 1970s punk rock scene while also showcasing the band’s musical versatility and songwriting prowess.
2. Nice n Sleazy
“Nice ‘n’ Sleazy” is a song by the British punk rock band The Stranglers, released in 1978 as a single and later included on their album “Black and White.” The song was written by Hugh Cornwell, Jean-Jacques Burnel, Dave Greenfield, and Jet Black, the members of The Stranglers.
“Nice ‘n’ Sleazy” is known for its gritty and edgy sound, combining elements of punk rock with influences from other genres such as reggae and funk. The song features a driving bassline, catchy guitar riffs, and aggressive vocals, creating a dark and menacing atmosphere.
Lyrically, “Nice ‘n’ Sleazy” explores themes of urban decay, corruption, and the seedy underbelly of city life. The lyrics depict a character who revels in the sleazy and depraved aspects of society, embracing a hedonistic and nihilistic lifestyle.
Despite its controversial subject matter, “Nice ‘n’ Sleazy” was a commercial success, reaching the top 20 on the UK Singles Chart. It remains one of The Stranglers’ most popular and enduring songs, often cited as a classic of the punk rock genre.
3. All Day and All of the Night
“All Day and All of the Night” is a song by the English rock band The Kinks, released in 1964. It was written by the band’s lead guitarist and vocalist, Ray Davies.
The song features a powerful and driving guitar riff, played by Dave Davies, Ray’s brother. The riff is one of the most recognizable in rock music and has contributed to the song’s enduring popularity.
Lyrically, “All Day and All of the Night” expresses the narrator’s obsession with a romantic interest, with the repeated refrain emphasizing the intensity of their feelings. The song’s lyrics capture the youthful exuberance and passion of the 1960s British rock scene.
“All Day and All of the Night” was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 on both the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. It remains one of The Kinks’ most iconic songs and is often cited as a classic of the British Invasion era.
4. Golden Brown
“Golden Brown” is a song by the British rock band The Stranglers, released in 1981. It was written by the band’s keyboardist Dave Greenfield and lead vocalist and guitarist Hugh Cornwell.
“Golden Brown” features a distinctive harpsichord riff played by Dave Greenfield, which gives the song its unique and memorable sound. The song’s lyrics are enigmatic and cryptic, with references to a mysterious woman and themes of temptation and desire.
Despite its upbeat melody and catchy rhythm, “Golden Brown” is often interpreted as a song about drug addiction, with the “golden brown” referring to heroin. However, the band members have stated that the song’s meaning is open to interpretation and may vary depending on the listener.
“Golden Brown” was a commercial success, reaching No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and becoming one of The Stranglers’ most well-known and enduring songs. It has been covered by numerous artists and is often cited as a classic of the new wave and post-punk genres.
5. Peaches
“Peaches” is a song by The Stranglers, released in 1977 as a single from their debut album “Rattus Norvegicus” (also known as “The Stranglers IV”). The song was written by the band’s members Hugh Cornwell, Jean-Jacques Burnel, Dave Greenfield, and Jet Black.
“Peaches” is one of The Stranglers’ most well-known and enduring songs. It features a catchy bassline, driven by Jean-Jacques Burnel’s distinctive bass playing, and memorable guitar riffs. The lyrics of the song are suggestive and somewhat ambiguous, with references to desire and sexuality. The chorus, “Walking on the beaches, looking at the peaches,” has become iconic and is often cited as one of the band’s signature lines.
Musically, “Peaches” is representative of The Stranglers’ unique blend of punk rock, new wave, and post-punk influences. The song’s infectious energy and catchy melody helped propel it to success on the charts, reaching the top 10 in the UK Singles Chart.
“Peaches” remains a fan favorite and a staple of The Stranglers’ live performances. Its timeless appeal and memorable hooks continue to resonate with audiences, cementing its status as one of the band’s classic tracks.
6. No More Heroes
“No More Heroes” is a song by The Stranglers, released in 1977 as a single from their album of the same name. The song was written by the band’s guitarist and vocalist, Hugh Cornwell, along with keyboardist Dave Greenfield.
“No More Heroes” is one of The Stranglers’ most iconic and enduring songs. It features a driving bassline, powerful guitar riffs, and catchy melodies. The lyrics of the song reflect a sense of disillusionment with society and a desire to break free from the constraints of traditional heroes and role models. The chorus, with its defiant proclamation “No more heroes anymore,” has become a rallying cry for the disenfranchised and disillusioned.
Musically, “No More Heroes” is representative of The Stranglers’ unique blend of punk rock, new wave, and post-punk influences. The song’s infectious energy and rebellious spirit helped propel it to success on the charts, reaching the top 10 in the UK Singles Chart.
“No More Heroes” remains a fan favorite and a staple of The Stranglers’ live performances. Its powerful lyrics and memorable hooks continue to resonate with audiences, cementing its status as one of the band’s classic tracks.
7. Always the Sun
“Always the Sun” is a song by the British rock band The Stranglers, released in 1986 as a single from their album “Dreamtime.” The song was written by the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist Hugh Cornwell, keyboardist Dave Greenfield, and bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel.
“Always the Sun” features a catchy melody, driven by Dave Greenfield’s synthesizer and Jean-Jacques Burnel’s bassline. The song’s lyrics explore themes of hope, resilience, and the cyclical nature of life, with the phrase “always the sun” serving as a metaphor for optimism and the promise of better times ahead.
Despite its upbeat sound, “Always the Sun” has a somewhat melancholic undertone, reflecting the band’s trademark mix of dark lyrics with catchy melodies. The song’s anthemic chorus and memorable hook helped it become one of The Stranglers’ most commercially successful singles, reaching No. 30 on the UK Singles Chart.
“Always the Sun” remains a fan favorite and is often included in the band’s live performances. Its message of perseverance in the face of adversity continues to resonate with listeners, making it a timeless classic in The Stranglers’ discography.
8. Skin Deep
“Skin Deep” is a song by The Stranglers, released in 1984 as a single from their album “Aural Sculpture.” The song was written by the band’s vocalist and guitarist, Hugh Cornwell, along with keyboardist Dave Greenfield and bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel.
“Skin Deep” marked a departure from The Stranglers’ earlier punk and new wave sound, incorporating elements of synth-pop and dance-rock. The song features a catchy melody, driven by synthesizers and electronic beats, and explores themes of love, desire, and physical attraction.
Lyrically, “Skin Deep” delves into the complexities of human relationships, touching on the idea that true beauty lies beneath the surface. The chorus, with its refrain “Beauty is only skin deep,” suggests that physical appearance is not the most important aspect of a person’s character.
“Skin Deep” was a commercial success for The Stranglers, reaching the top 20 in the UK Singles Chart and receiving significant airplay on radio and music television channels. The song’s polished production and infectious hooks helped it appeal to a wider audience, further solidifying The Stranglers’ status as one of the leading bands of the era.
Despite its departure from the band’s earlier sound, “Skin Deep” remains a fan favorite and is often included in The Stranglers’ live performances. Its upbeat tempo and memorable melody continue to resonate with audiences, making it a standout track in The Stranglers’ discography.
9. Duchess
“Duchess” is a song by the British rock band The Stranglers, released in 1979 as a single from their album “The Raven.” The song was written by the band’s keyboardist Dave Greenfield and bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel.
“Duchess” features a driving rhythm and catchy melody, with Dave Greenfield’s distinctive keyboard playing and Jean-Jacques Burnel’s melodic bassline. The song’s lyrics are enigmatic and poetic, exploring themes of desire, power, and decadence, with the title character representing a figure of wealth and influence.
Despite its dark and brooding tone, “Duchess” has a danceable energy that became a hallmark of The Stranglers’ sound. The song was a commercial success, reaching No. 14 on the UK Singles Chart, and remains one of the band’s most popular and enduring songs.
“Duchess” is often cited as a classic of the new wave and post-punk genres, known for its infectious groove and atmospheric production. It has been covered by various artists and continues to be a favorite among fans of The Stranglers.
10. 5 Minutes
“5 Minutes” is a song by The Stranglers, released in 1978 as a single from their album “The Raven.” The song was written by the band’s guitarist and vocalist, Hugh Cornwell.
“5 Minutes” is characterized by its driving rhythm, aggressive guitar riffs, and dark lyrics. The song’s lyrics depict a sense of urgency and paranoia, with the protagonist feeling like they have just five minutes left to live. The chorus, with its repeated refrain “Just five minutes away,” adds to the song’s sense of impending doom.
Musically, “5 Minutes” showcases The Stranglers’ signature blend of punk rock and new wave influences. The song features gritty vocals from Cornwell, along with powerful guitar and bass work from the rest of the band.
“5 Minutes” received critical acclaim upon its release and remains a fan favorite at The Stranglers’ live performances. Its intense energy and dark subject matter make it a standout track on “The Raven” album and a classic example of The Stranglers’ unique sound and style.
Edward Tomlin is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
