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/
Curfew
The Stranglers Lyrics
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London south of the Thames is invaded
Westminster is razed down to the ground
The government has fled
The government has fled
The government has fled to Scotland today
Is it true what they say?
They turn the day into night
Black and white becomes
The government has fled into thin air
What's left of our troops has joined with the Scots
To form in defence across of the north
Stay in your homes
Stay in your homes
Be off the streets by nightfall
Gray becomes black and white
Is it true what they say?
They turn the day into night
Black and white becomes
Germany failed to protect her borders
She had grown soft with the American dream
The men from the Steppes delivered their vacuum
A new kind of freedom
Freedom's a chain
Maybe I'll find love when there's nothing to do
Grey becomes black and white
Is it true what they say?
They turn the day into night
Black and white becomes
The Stranglers’ song Curfew is set in a dystopian universe where London south of the Thames has been invaded and the government has fled to Scotland. The power has been cut and Westminster has been razed to the ground. The Londoners are instructed to stay indoors by nightfall and the only defense lies in the northern side where the remaining troops have joined forces with the Scots.
The lyrics are insightful observations about oppression and control on the people by governments, and the vulnerable state of society that exists, particularly during times of war. The song refers to the darkness and hopelessness that can come with times of conquer and tyranny, as people are left to survive in a dystopian and brutal world where there is no hope of redemption. The term “freedom's a chain” expresses this idea with intensity, as it suggests that freedom is perceived solely because of what people are allowed to do, rather than what they want to do.
There are multiple interpretations of the song he lyrics of ‘Curfew’ that do not state which war is being referenced. But, there are suggestive references that the song could be referring to a post-World War II scenario, with Germany’s rebuilding effort after the war, and mentions of men from the steppes, possibly a reference to Russia. The song’s lyrics have also been analyzed from the perspective of the politics of the time it was released in, with the Cold War heavily influencing the mood of the time.
Line by Line Meaning
The enemy has cut down all the power
Power supply to the area is cut off by the enemy.
London south of the Thames is invaded
The enemy has invaded the southern part of London that is south of the Thames river.
Westminster is razed down to the ground
Westminster is completely destroyed by the enemy.
The government has fled
The government has left the area due to the invasion.
The government has fled to Scotland today
The government has relocated to Scotland to continue governing from a safer location.
Gray becomes black and white
The situation changes from uncertain to clear.
Is it true what they say?
Questioning whether the information being circulated is true.
They turn the day into night
The situation is so dire that it feels like night even during daytime.
Black and white becomes
The situation becomes certain.
The government has fled into thin air
The government has disappeared without a trace.
What's left of our troops has joined with the Scots
The remaining army personnel have joined forces with the Scots for defense.
To form in defense across of the north
The army and the Scots have formed a defense across the northern part of the country.
Stay in your homes
People are advised to stay indoors for safety.
Be off the streets by nightfall
People are warned to not be on the streets after sunset for their own safety.
Germany failed to protect her borders
Germany was unable to secure its borders.
She had grown soft with the American dream
Germany had become complacent due to American influence.
The men from the Steppes delivered their vacuum
People from the steppes seized the opportunity to take control.
A new kind of freedom
A new regime has taken power, bringing in a different kind of freedom.
Freedom's a chain
The freedom brought in by the new regime is in fact a chain that binds people.
Maybe I'll find love when there's nothing to do
The artist expresses a hope to find love during these troubled times when there's nothing else to do.
Grey becomes black and white
The situation becomes certain.
Is it true what they say?
Questioning whether the information being circulated is true.
They turn the day into night
The situation is so dire that it feels like night even during daytime.
Black and white becomes
The situation becomes certain.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Hugh Alan Cornwell, David Greenfield, Brian John Duffy, Jean Jacques Burnel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind