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/
Dreamtime
The Stranglers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Into the earth and in the stone
When you wanna be on your own, is dreamtime
I am there in the rock
From the start of the total clock
All of my dreams can interlock, in dreamtime
Share my dreamtime
To be there everyday
Letting curiousity point the way
Never felt I had a pleasant stay, in dreamtime
The sites are there before the eyes
History is crystallised
Every place has got a special size, in dreamtime
Share my dreamtime
Share my dreamtime
Share my dream
We won't have to touch x2
We won't say too much
The only thing for us to do
Is walk about and then appreciate the view
Share my dreamtime
The Stranglers' song "Dreamtime" is a tribute to the Aboriginal concept of the same name, which refers to a mythical time before the present, where the spirits of ancestors merge with the land. The lyrics speak of a desire to escape the pressures of modern life and retreat into this timeless realm of dreams and spirits. The singer encourages the listener to join him in this alternate reality, where they can be truly alone and explore the mysteries of the past.
The song is structured around a repeated refrain, "Share my dreamtime," which becomes a kind of mantra or invitation to the listener. The verses describe the various aspects of this dreamworld, including the rocks and stones that hold the memories of the earth, the curious explorations that lead to new discoveries, and the sense of detachment from the mundane world that comes with experiencing dreamtime. The final lines suggest that in dreamtime, communication is unnecessary, and the beauty of the landscape speaks for itself.
Overall, "Dreamtime" presents a utopian vision of an alternate reality where one can escape the pressures of modern life and connect with the spiritual and historical roots of the earth. The song's dreamy, hypnotic rhythm and haunting melodies create a sense of otherworldliness that perfectly evokes the idea of dreamtime.
Line by Line Meaning
The only way for us to be alone
The only way for us to truly have solitude
Into the earth and in the stone
Completely surrounded by nature and its elements
When you wanna be on your own, is dreamtime
Indicates that dreamtime is an escape from reality
I am there in the rock
The artist is present in the history and legacy of the location
From the start of the total clock
From the beginning of time
All of my dreams can interlock, in dreamtime
All of the singer's dreams and aspirations can come together in this place
To be there everyday
To be able to reside in this place constantly
Letting curiosity point the way
Following inquisitiveness as a guide to discovering the location
Never felt I had a pleasant stay, in dreamtime
A bittersweet feeling regarding the artist's experiences in dreamtime
The sites are there before the eyes
The locations' appearance is evident and presented to behold
History is crystallised
The past is physically present
Every place has got a special size, in dreamtime
Each location in dreamtime has its own unique features and environment
We won't have to touch
Physical touch is not necessary while being in this space
We won't say too much
No need for excessive conversation while in dreamtime
The only thing for us to do
The only action necessary
Is walk about and then appreciate the view
Explore and enjoy the environment
Share my dreamtime
Inviting others into the experience of dreamtime
Share my dream
Sharing the singer's own dream and vision of this place
Contributed by Lily O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@patrickstocks3986
The only way for us to be alone
Into the Earth and in the stone
When you wanna be on your own, is dream time
I am there in the rock
From the start of the total clock
All of my dreams can interlock, in dream time
Share my dream time
Share my dream time
To be there everyday
Letting curiousity point the way
Never felt I had a pleasant stay, in dream time
The sites are there before the eyes
History is crystallised
Every place has got a special size, in dream time
Share my dream time
Share my dream time
Share my dream
We won't have to touch (x2)
We won't say too much
The only thing for us to do
Is walk about and then appreciate the view
Share my dream time
@admiralsybil4196
Stranglers are the true sound that rocks the world with feeling. I am besotted deep down with my heart always for the stranglers. Always the sound that rocks my everything. Love you guys immensely 🥰
@martinjohnston6685
they do it right
@doggadean
Beautifully put together. Respect!
@sarahcrees
I agree.
@discoduckgandolf
This was absolutely unexpected. How did I miss this one all this time???
@RossMcCarthy1990
I heard it was released on an old VHS cassette released in America. They did a highlight video especially for the VHS cassette.
@frederickmcdougall3734
Dig it when an old forgotten tune pops in my head and I can go to YouTube and have a "new" listening experience. Cool stuff from a groovy band.
@dominicseanmccann6300
Ruthless. Love this band.
@user-le4bt9gx6w
I love this song ! So simple so powerful !
@paddymacinblack
Still love the atmosphere on this , briliant Vid whoever did this