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/
Daddy's Riding The Range
The Stranglers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walk in your prairie dreams
Shining dawn
Whispers of worlds you'll see
Now it's dusk
Darkness has killed the fire
I must ride
She calls me into my night
Daddy's riding the range
In the toy cowboy suit
That his mother bought for him
Leaving, he won't stop loving you
Now that he's riding
The trail of the lone star
When you cry
I'll send the sun down to you
When you're lost
I'll spin the world round for you
The lyrics of The Stranglers' "Daddy's Riding the Range" carry a melancholic tone that speaks of a father who is conflicted between his role as a parent and his own desires. The verse "Oh my child, walk in your prairie dreams" sets the stage of the song as the singer addresses his child, encouraging them to dream and explore the world. However, as the song progresses, the father's thoughts are preoccupied with his own needs, as he explains, "I must ride, she calls me into my night." The metaphorical horseback ride is a representation of the father's longing to pursue his own dreams, leaving behind his child and their family. The lyrics "And you're leaving me cold as ice" add to the sense of loss and abandonment felt by the child.
The chorus of the song has an upbeat melody, which contrasts with the darker imagery of the verses. The lyrics depict the father wearing a toy cowboy suit, bought for him by his mother, as he rides away from his child. However, it is made clear that he will always love his child, despite his need to follow his own path. The chorus repeats the line "Daddy's riding the range", serving as a reminder of his departure, and the line "the trail of the lone star" is a nod to the metaphorical journey he is embarking on.
Overall, "Daddy's Riding the Range" is a poignant reflection on the complexities of parenthood and the sacrifices that often come with pursuing one's dreams. It brings up the question of whether it is possible to balance one's own desires with those of their family, and explores the emotional toll that can come with making such choices.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my child
Addressing the child in a paternal, affectionate manner
Walk in your prairie dreams
Encouraging the child to pursue their dreams without fear
Shining dawn
Imagery of a bright future for the child
Whispers of worlds you'll see
The promise of exciting experiences and opportunities in life
Now it's dusk
A shift in tone to a darker, melancholic mood
Darkness has killed the fire
Symbolic language for the fading of passion or hope
I must ride
The father acknowledging an important responsibility he must follow through with
She calls me into my night
A mysterious and ominous call that the father must answer to
And you're leaving me cold as ice (times 2)
The child's indifference and detachment from the father's struggle
Daddy's riding the range
A reference to the father's ambition to take on new challenges and explore uncharted territories
In the toy cowboy suit
A playful and somewhat ironic image of the father as a grown man wearing a child's costume
That his mother bought for him
A detail that adds a personal touch to the father's story
Leaving, he won't stop loving you
Despite his departure, the father will always love and care for the child
Now that he's riding
Emphasizing the father's determination to follow his dreams
The trail of the lone star
A metaphor for the journey of self-discovery and personal growth that the father is undertaking
When you cry
Assuring the child of the father's enduring support and affection in difficult times
I'll send the sun down to you
A grand gesture of love and protection that the father is willing to make
When you're lost
Recognizing the child's vulnerability and insecurity in the face of uncertainty
I'll spin the world round for you
An all-encompassing promise to always be there for the child and help them find their way
Contributed by Bentley S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@paddytaggart
I met him and paul roberts at the 100club gig in london and they both signed my stranglers cdz which was really cool...
@goodwina
Not one of my favourite songs, but a nice addition to Youtube so thanks for adding. I notice that JJ has his back to the other two - should we read anything I to this?
@paddytaggart
Is it really your dad, thats cool that is...
@bingoace
Get out of the pub Dave!! lol