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/
European Female
The Stranglers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She moved with ease and grace
Her green eyes, they held mystery
No emotion on her face
The European female she's here
She speaks her, lips are kissing
I don't always understand her
I love her air and grace
The European female she's here
The European female's here
We'll be together for a thousand years
And do you really fear
That you might fall?
I saw her in the Strasse
And in the Rue as well
Pursued her in the high street
She had me in her spell
The European female she's here
The European female's here
We'll be together for a thousand years
And do you really fear
That you might fall?
The European female's here
We'll be together for a thousand years
And do you really fear
That you might fall?
The European female's here
We'll be together for a thousand years
And do you really fear
That you might fall?
The Stranglers' song "European Female" is an intriguing ode to an enigmatic and mysterious woman. The lyrics suggest that the singer is hopelessly infatuated with this woman, who is not only physically alluring but also possesses an almost otherworldly air of grace and elegance. The song describes her as a "feline" and her movement is effortless and fluid. She has an air of mystery that is captivating, with green eyes that hold secrets and no emotion is visible on her face. The song seems to celebrate the fact that this woman exists and is present in the world, a “European female,” who the singer cannot help but be completely mesmerized by.
The song also expresses that there is a level of mystery and intrigue associated with this woman, which is highlighted with the lines "I don't always understand her, but I love her air and grace." It's evident that the singer is struggling to fully comprehend this woman, but is completely enamored and entranced by her. The woman is an enigma and the singer is almost intoxicated by her mystery, to the extent of seeing her wherever he goes.
One interpretation of the lyrics suggests that this song is an ode to the ideal of a perfect woman, but one that is almost unattainable. This perfect woman is a vision of grace, beauty, and poise, that the singer cannot resist, but also cannot fully understand. The song is not just about a woman but about how one can be consumed by their idealization of another person.
Line by Line Meaning
I knew she was a feline
I knew she was someone who moved with the grace and agility of a cat
She moved with ease and grace
She walked or carried herself with fluid, effortless movements
Her green eyes, they held mystery
Her eyes, which were green in color, conveyed a sense of enigma or intrigue
No emotion on her face
She did not display any obvious emotions or feelings with her facial expressions
She speaks her, lips are kissing
Her way of speaking is almost like her lips are caressing the words
The air around her face
The atmosphere, or aura, that surrounds her is almost visible to the singer
I don't always understand her
The singer does not always comprehend the nuances of her speech or behavior
I love her air and grace
Despite not understanding her completely, the artist admires the elegance and poise she possesses
We'll be together for a thousand years
The artist envisions a long-lasting, enduring relationship with the European female
And do you really fear
The artist questions whether the listener is afraid of the possibility of falling in love with the European female
That you might fall?
The singer implies that falling in love with the European female may be dangerous or risky
I saw her in the Strasse
The artist saw her in a street or road named Strasse
And in the Rue as well
The singer also saw her in a street or road named Rue
Pursued her in the high street
The singer followed or chased after her in a busy, urban setting
She had me in her spell
The European female had a mesmerizing, captivating effect on the singer
The European female's here
The European female, who embodies a certain mystique and allure, is present in the current setting
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID GREENFIELD, BRIAN JOHN DUFFY, JEAN JACQUES BURNEL, HUGH ALAN CORNWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sergiocastillo3929
I have tried showing this song to people yet they don’t appreciate it. Such an amazing song.
@jean-erictateia3273
This Song is a WONDER ,HIGHT CLASS ,a pure FANTASTIC JEWEL of this incredible and rich era ,the FABULOUS EIGHTIES ,i always love it and often listenning to it as MIDNIGHT SUMMER DREAM ,the two of y Favourites of THE GREAT STRANGLERS...
@alejandroperezmoreno3242
Perfect music to listen at night
@justinebourke2811
My older brother was given the Feline album when I was 10. I promptly stole it and this song was my first favourite..still listen to it often.😊
@michaelherin
Absolutely love the bass playing on this entire album. This album is definitely in my desert island collection.
@whatsitwhosit
Me too
@blackcoffy83
Beautiful song! I recently discovered this song through Spotify and I've been obsessed with it! The Stranglers are an underrated band ❤️
@debbieturner6194
One of the best songs - ever.
@alanhawley8900
Debbie Burgess i think so too.
@darrenlucas5069
Debbie Burgess, so is