1. UK rock band formed in … Read Full Bio ↴Stray is the name of at least 5 artists:
1. UK rock band formed in 1966
2. Drum 'n Bass producer from London
3. Erica Dunham's EBM/futurepop project
4. Mattias Axelsson's R'n'B / Hip-Hop project
5. A Portuguese hip-hop artist
1. Stray are a UK rock band that formed in 1966. Vocalist Steve Gadd, guitarist Del Bromham, bass
player Gary Giles and drummer Steve Crutchley formed the group whilst all were attending the local Christopher Wren School in London. They signed to Transatlantic Records in January 1970, delivering eight albums in seven years for the label. Iron Maiden covered 'All In Your Mind' on their single 'Holy Smoke'. The band are still regularly touring today (often with their contemporaries the Groundhogs), although only Bromham survives from the original line-up. A new album VALHALLA will be released in 2009. For more information go to their website at http://www.stray-the-band.co.uk
2. Stray is also a drum & bass producer and DJ from London. Championed by Autonomic owners d bridge and Instra:mental, he appears on their already infuential FabricLive 50 mix, and notably has had releases on labels including Med School and Critical, as well as having his track "Pushed" featuring on Exit Record's 2011 compilation "Mosaic Volume 1". For more information and to hear some of his music check out http://www.soundcloud.com/straydnb
3. Stray is the name of a side-project of Erica Dunham -aka Unter Null. Her music is described as a trancey tunnel of melancholy melodies carrying clear sequences, bittersweet words and mesmerising atmospheres. Stray is a much more positive approach than Unter Null. The first album called "Abuse By Proxy" was released in 2008, with a follow-up in 2012 - "Letting Go".
4. StraY is also the name of Mattias Axelsson's R'n'B / Hip-Hop project. Take a look at his MySpace page: Mattias Axelsson
5. Stray is also a Portuguese Hip Hop artist, from the label Monster Jinx.
Suicide
Stray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put the gun to my head, but I could not pull the trigger
In a while I'll be dead, who would ever miss a nigger
The whites would all smile and say
Another one gone hip - hip hooray
Fire the gun - aim don't miss
End your life - death is bliss
In a while I'll be dead, who would ever miss a nigger
The blacks they'd all stand and cry
Should have been a white that ought to die
Fire the gun - aim don't miss
End your life - death is bliss
Listen all, gather round, why don't we all reconsider
Live a life all as one
We will all forgive the sinner
Then we'll all live together
Black and white and green and yellow
Fire the gun - aim don't miss
End your life - death is bliss
The lyrics of Stray's song Suicide revolve around the themes of discrimination, racial hatred and suicide. The first line of the song "Put the gun to my head, but I could not pull the trigger" suggests the singer's intention to end his life due to the racial discrimination he faces. The line "In a while I'll be dead, who would ever miss a nigger" illustrates the perception of the singer that his life is worthless and insignificant, in the eyes of those who hate him.
The song highlights the contrast between the attitudes of the whites and the blacks towards the singer's death. The whites are portrayed as rejoicing at his death, while the blacks mourn the loss of yet another member of their community. The lines "The whites would all smile and say, Another one gone hip - hip hooray" and "The blacks they'd all stand and cry, Should have been a white that ought to die" evoke a sense of disgust towards those who perpetrate racial hatred.
The final verse of the song offers a message of hope and unity, suggesting that all people, irrespective of their race or ethnicity, should come together to live a life free from hatred and discrimination. The lines "Listen all, gather round, why don't we all reconsider, Live a life all as one, We will all forgive the sinner, Then we'll all live together, Black and white and green and yellow" encourage us to embrace diversity and strive towards a world where everyone is accepted and respected.
Line by Line Meaning
Put the gun to my head, but I could not pull the trigger
I contemplated suicide but lacked the courage to carry it out.
In a while I'll be dead, who would ever miss a nigger
I feel hopeless and worthless because of the color of my skin.
The whites would all smile and say
Another one gone hip - hip hooray
Racists would celebrate my death and feel pleased with themselves.
Fire the gun - aim don't miss
End your life - death is bliss
I'm encouraging myself to commit suicide despite the fear of death.
See the sweat on my face, I must never reconsider
In a while I'll be dead, who would ever miss a nigger
I am scared but feel like there is no other choice than suicide.
The blacks they'd all stand and cry
Should have been a white that ought to die
Even my own race would be outraged by my death but would rather see a white person die instead.
Listen all, gather round, why don't we all reconsider
Live a life all as one
We will all forgive the sinner
Then we'll all live together
Black and white and green and yellow
Let's come together and live harmoniously, regardless of our differences.
Fire the gun - aim don't miss
End your life - death is bliss
This repetition emphasizes the suicidal thoughts, but the song concludes with encouragement to choose life over death and unity over division.
Contributed by Gabriella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@proud098
This album is a masterpiece!!!!!!! Criminally ignored in the 70's,this LP has a fantastic relentless sound thanks to Del Bromham!!!! Really deserves a major audience!!!!!!!!! Listen Listen
@graemeduckett7576
Bought this album in 1971,great album.
@donaldjosefczyk6418
Damn, what a great band. I am mad I did not discover these cat's sooner.
Very good job TP.
@michaelpuleston3496
Always rated this album, for me the first three Stray albums were underated classics, also recommend 'Move it'. and Mundaza .My favourite is Saturday Morning pictures - had a great vinyl double sleeve.
@HrhFish
Mundaza produced by the geezer Wil Pine (RIP)
@nataliebriant3947
The sound of my childhood, having another listen and I'm getting Hawkwind vibes...
@franciscomontero1607
Ahora veo porque los Maiden son unos fans de esta banda y han supuesto una gran inspiración para ellos. Fantasticos. 😍😍😍
@wynkindeworde6504
They were superb live and loud and heavy!
@callypebs
Wynkin de Worde Stray are still brilliant live! Was at the 51st anniversary gig last October, original and current line ups!
@jmsbk12345
Yes for me their best album was Saturday Morning Pictures. Anyone like that one?