Original personnel were singer/guitarist Hugh Cornwell (from Kentish Town, London), keyboardist/guitarist Hans Wärmling (from Sweden, replaced within two years by Brighton-born keyboardist Dave Greenfield), London-born bass guitarist Jean-Jacques Burnel and drummer Jet Black (real name Brian Duffy), a native of Ilford, Essex.
They began as a sinister sounding, hard-edged pub rock group, but eventually branched out to explore other styles of music. The Stranglers were, beginning in 1976, tangentially associated with punk rock, due in part to their opening for The Ramones' first British tour. The Stranglers were also associated with new wave music as well as gothic rock, but their idiosyncratic approach never fit completely within a musical genre.
In August 1990, founding member Cornwell left the band to pursue a solo career. In his autobiography, Cornwell states that he felt the band was a spent force creatively, and cited various examples of his increasingly acrimonious relationship with his fellow band-members, particularly Burnel. The remaining members recruited two replacements, including John Ellis, who had opened for the band in the 1970s as a member of The Vibrators, and singer Paul Roberts.
Interest in The Stranglers resurfaced when, in 2001, singer Tori Amos covered their song "Strange Little Girl" and titled the album it was featured on Strange Little Girls. "Golden Brown" was also used in the hit film Snatch by film director Guy Ritchie and extensively in the Australian film He Died With A Felafel In His Hand. Their hit "No More Heroes" was covered by Violent Femmes and used for the film Mystery Men. "Peaches", finally, also appears prominently in another British movie, Sexy Beast by director Jonathan Glazer.
The Stranglers had a critical and popular renaissance in 2004 (together with their first top 40 hit for 14 years - "Big Thing Coming") with the acclaimed Norfolk Coast album and a subsequent sell-out tour. The follow-up album, Suite XVI, was released in September 2006 (the title is a pun on "Sweet 16" and also a reference to the fact that it is the band's 16th studio album).
During the recording of Suite XVI Paul Roberts left the band to pursue his solocareer. Guitarist Baz Warne, who replaced John Ellis in 2000, became the main vocalist.
A quite rare Hugh Cornwell audio interview may be listened to on http://www.jasonwrightonline.com/
96 Tears
The Stranglers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For one heart to be crying
Too many teardrops
For one heart to carry on
You're way on top now
Since you left me
You're always laughing
Way down at me
I'm gonna get down
And we'll be together
For just a little while
And then I'm gonna put you
Way down here
And you'll start crying
Ninety-six tears
Cry
You're gonna cry
And when the sun comes up
I'll be on top
You'll be right down there looking up
I'm gonna get to you
But I know now
You're gonna cry ninety-six tears
You're gonna cry ninety-six tears
You're gonna cry ninety-six tears
You're gonna cry ninety-six tears
You're gonna cry cry cry cry now
You're gonna cry cry cry cry now
Too many teardrops
All night long
Too many teardrops
Cry cry cry cry now
You're gonna cry cry cry cry now
Ninety-six tears
All night long now
You're gonna cry cry cry cry now
Ninety-six tears
Cry cry cry now
Ninety-six tears
Cry cry cry now
Ninety-six tears
You're gonna cry ninety-six tears
You're gonna cry ninety-six tears
You're gonna cry cry cry cry now
The Stranglers's song "96 Tears" is a classic tune that speaks of the pain of heartbreak and the desire for revenge. The lyrics talk about how one heart cannot handle too many tears, implying that the singer has cried enough over their lost love. However, they are still determined to get revenge by making their ex-partner cry. The song's tone is bitter and vengeful, with the singer confident that they will come out on top in the end.
The song opens with "Too many teardrops for one heart to be crying," which sets the tone for the rest of the song's lyrics. The singer speaks of their lost love being "way on top" and always "laughing" at them. But they vow to "get down" and bring their ex-partner "way down here." This is a clear indication that they want revenge and are confident that they will get it.
The chorus of the song is repetitive but impactful, with the line "You're gonna cry ninety-six tears" being repeated several times throughout the song. This line is delivered with a sense of urgency and menace, making it clear that the singer is determined to make their ex-partner regret leaving them. The song concludes with the singer declaring that they will be "on top" when the sun comes up, and their ex-partner will be "looking up" at them from the bottom.
Overall, "96 Tears" is a powerful song that captures the pain and bitterness of heartbreak. The singer is determined to get revenge and make their ex-partner pay for leaving them. The lyrics are simple but impactful, with the repetition of the chorus driving home the message that the singer is determined to make their ex-partner cry.
Line by Line Meaning
Too many teardrops
There is an overwhelming amount of tears being shed.
For one heart to be crying
It is too much for one person to bear.
Too many teardrops
Reiterating the fact that there is an excessive amount of tears.
For one heart to carry on
It is impossible for someone to keep going under this stress.
You're way on top now
You are in a higher social standing than me.
Since you left me
You broke my heart and left me alone.
You're always laughing
You find happiness in my misfortune.
Way down at me
You look down on me and see me as lesser than you.
But watch out now
Be careful, things are about to change.
I'm gonna get down
I will succeed in my plan.
And we'll be together
We will reunite.
For just a little while
Our union will be brief.
And then I'm gonna put you
I will have control over you.
Way down here
I will bring you down to a lower status.
And you'll start crying
You will experience the same pain I have felt.
Ninety-six tears
You will shed 96 tears.
Cry
You will cry over what you have done to me.
You're gonna cry
You will experience extreme emotion.
And when the sun comes up
The next day will begin.
I'll be on top
I will be the one in power.
You'll be right down there looking up
You will be looking up to me.
I'm gonna get to you
I will inflict revenge.
But I know now
I understand your weakness.
You're gonna cry ninety-six tears
You will cry 96 times.
Cry cry cry cry now
You will cry a lot.
You're gonna cry cry cry cry now
You will cry now and in the future.
Ninety-six tears
You will cry 96 tears.
All night long now
You will be crying for a long time.
You're gonna cry cry cry cry now
You will cry a lot.
Ninety-six tears
You will shed 96 tears.
Cry cry cry now
You will cry a lot.
Ninety-six tears
You will experience a great deal of pain.
Cry cry cry now
You will cry a lot.
Ninety-six tears
You will shed 96 tears.
You're gonna cry ninety-six tears
You will feel immense pain and sorrow.
You're gonna cry ninety-six tears
Your actions will have consequences and you will suffer the repercussions.
You're gonna cry cry cry cry now
You will experience a great deal of emotional pain and sadness.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Rudy Martinez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Simpson
RIP Dave Greenfield. You left many fabulous hooks in loads of songs. Ty.
MRTI
I love this song..
ODYSSEUSMORTEL
Hypnotic groove and great lyrics!
James Rucker
Amazing song. I LOVE this, top 5 of all time.
Animal Black
Notice how the best rock drummers (Black, Bruford, Michell, Baker etc) all have roots in straight ahead jazz
Pamela
Nice cover choice <3 RIP Dave
F CH
Siempre en el recuerdo: Dave Greenfield, maravilloso teclista. Los Stranglers son cojonudos. Gracias por tan buenos momentos. Gora Hispania.
Louis Wendruck
A very good cover version of 96 Tears. I also like the version by ? and the Mysterians and Thelma Houston.
Appleholic1
Wow what a great version
Global Wildlife Warriors
love this...thanks..the first time I heard of the Stranglers was in the cooking show by "Floyd"..cool