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/
Gain Entry to Your Soul
The Stranglers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gain entry to your soul
Well I tried to succeed
To fulfil this great need
And gain entry to your soul
I defy any guy to penetrate
That stealy gaze
Get through one of these days
Repeat chorus
Men have tried to I've seen them hide
She's likened to Medusa's head
But behind that ice inside those eyes
There's a frightened little girl instead
Repeat chorus
And if you want me
You know where to call
And if you want me
I'll give you my all
Closer to that mystery
You try so hard to hide
I think this time you'll realise
There's no escape
It won't be long and I'll be at your side
I defy any guy to penetrate
That stealy gaze
Well I'm the man who thinks he can
Get through one of these days
Entry to your soul
Entry to your soul
Entry to your soul
I defy any guy to penetrate
That stealy gaze
Well I'm the man who thinks he can
Get through one of these days
Well I tried to succeed
To fulfil this great need
And gain entry to your soul
And if you want me
You know where to call
And if you want me
I'll give you my all
The Stranglers’ song “Gain Entry to Your Soul” is a classic rock track that features a man’s attempt to penetrate a woman’s emotional walls and connect with her at a deeper level. The opening lines suggest the singer’s strong desire to achieve this goal as he repeats the title line, “gain entry to your soul”. He states that he has tried to fulfill this need before, implying that this woman has been in his life for a while and he is persistent in his pursuit of her.
The second verse has the singer acknowledging the difficulty of connecting with this particular woman as he states that other men have tried but failed. The woman is likened to Medusa’s head, implying that she has the power to turn any man into stone with her icy exterior. However, the singer believes that behind that façade is a “frightened little girl” who needs someone to break through her walls and give her the love and attention she craves.
The chorus repeats the title line, emphasizing the singer’s need and determination to get through to the woman’s soul. The song ends on a hopeful note as the singer declares that he will be by her side soon, possibly suggesting that he has finally succeeded in his quest to enter her soul.
Line by Line Meaning
Gain entry to your soul
The singer wants to connect with the deepest part of the listener.
Well I tried to succeed
The singer has put effort into trying to connect with the listener's soul.
To fulfil this great need
The singer has a strong desire or need to connect with the listener's soul.
And gain entry to your soul
The singer wants to achieve a connection with the listener's soul.
I defy any guy to penetrate
Others have tried and failed to connect with the listener's soul.
That stealy gaze
The listener has a cold and distant look in their eyes.
Well I'm the man who thinks he can
The singer believes they can succeed where others have failed.
Get through one of these days
The singer hopes to eventually connect with the listener's soul.
Repeat chorus
The singer reiterates their desire to connect with the listener's soul.
Men have tried to I've seen them hide
Others have attempted to connect with the listener's soul but have been unsuccessful.
She's likened to Medusa's head
The listener is compared to the Greek mythological creature Medusa - cold and unapproachable.
But behind that ice inside those eyes
Despite the listener's unapproachable exterior, there is a vulnerable person inside.
There's a frightened little girl instead
The listener is not intimidating, but scared and vulnerable.
And if you want me
If the listener desires a connection with the singer.
You know where to call
The singer invites the listener to reach out if they desire a connection.
I'll give you my all
The singer promises to put their full effort into connecting with the listener's soul.
Closer to that mystery
The singer desires to uncover the mystery of the listener's soul.
You try so hard to hide
The listener is actively trying to conceal their soul.
I think this time you'll realise
The singer believes they will succeed in connecting with the listener's soul this time.
There's no escape
The singer believes the listener cannot avoid being connected with.
It won't be long and I'll be at your side
The singer hopes to connect with the listener's soul soon.
Entry to your soul
The singer once again expresses their desire to connect with the listener's soul.
Contributed by Isaac N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.