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/
Harry
The Stranglers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a friend like him I don't need enemies
I don't know where morning is
It might not come today
That's the trouble when Harry's around
He forces me to play
I should have refused to meet this midnight cheat
I don't know where morning comes
It might not come today
Harry likes to play all night
I'll do what harry says
Don't bring harry
I don't need him around
Don't bring harry
I don't need him around
Ah... you've met harry
I can see by your eyes
If once there was life there
Now there's compromise
Harry is a beast of luxury
He just wants my body and soul leaves the bones behind
Ah... you've met harry
I can see by your eyes
If once there was action
Now there is no life
Don't bring harry
I don't need him around
Don't bring harry
I don't need him around
The Stranglers' song, Don't Bring Harry, is a tale of warning about the dangers of succumbing to temptation and indulging in vices. The main character, the singer, is haunted by Harry, who is portrayed as a devilish figure that preys on his mind and encourages him to engage in activities that he knows are harmful.
Throughout the song, the singer struggles with his desire to resist Harry's temptations and maintain his self-control. He knows that Harry will lead him down a dangerous path, but he finds it hard to resist Harry's allure. Ultimately, the singer recognizes the destructive power of Harry and warns against bringing him into his life.
Some possible interpretations of the song include addiction, temptation, and self-destructive behavior. Harry could be seen as an allegory for drugs, alcohol, or any other vice that can consume a person's life.
Overall, the lyrics create a haunting and eerie atmosphere that emphasizes the danger of giving in to temptation. The Stranglers' dark and brooding sound only adds to the ominous feeling of the song, making it a chilling cautionary tale about the pitfalls of indulgence.
Line by Line Meaning
Harry and me we live in a dream
I am living in a fantasy world with Harry
With a friend like him I don't need enemies
Harry is a bad influence on me
I don't know where morning is
I have lost track of time because of Harry's influence
It might not come today
Harry has no sense of time and it affects me
That's the trouble when Harry's around
Harry creates problems for me
He forces me to play
Harry persuades me to do things I shouldn't
I should have refused to meet this midnight cheat
I regret agreeing to meet Harry at night
He likes to prey on my mind with his own special treat
Harry enjoys teasing and manipulating me
Harry likes to play all night
Harry is always up for mischief at night
I'll do what harry says
I am easily influenced by Harry
Don't bring harry
I don't want Harry in my life
Ah... you've met harry
You have also met Harry in the past
I can see by your eyes
I can tell from your expression
If once there was life there
If there was genuine excitement and enthusiasm before
Now there's compromise
Now there is only settling and accepting less
Harry is a beast of luxury
Harry only indulges in pleasure and extravagance
He just wants my body and soul leaves the bones behind
Harry only values my physical and emotional connection and disregards my well-being
If once there was action
If there were meaningful experiences before
Now there is no life
Now there is nothing worthwhile or fulfilling
Don't bring harry
I need to stay away from Harry
I don't need him around
I am better without Harry in my life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN JOHN DUFFY, DAVID GREENFIELD, HUGH ALAN CORNWELL, JEAN JACQUES BURNEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevenandrews8204
Ah you've met Harry I can tell by your eyes where once there was laughter now there's compromise
So so true.brilliant lyrics
@mikeparcej839
The most versatile pop group of all time return with a song that bears no resemblance to anything else they have ever recorded. A spine tingling masterpiece.
@marksimons9359
Sounds like lou Reed meets the Doors!
@jonesy2111
That guitar is so awesome...one of the best solos I have ever heard... Hugh is so criminally underrated its just insane... he plays like very few can- he never over plays it and manages to create a solo that is melodic ,evocative and beautiful
@danielstump3204
"one of the best solos I have ever heard ..."
then I guess you haven't heard very many solos.
@DavidCoutts11
JJ Burnel wrote the guitar solo for this along with most of the first 2 albums I not so much black-and-white where he wrote almost all the music him and Greenfield
@jonesy2111
@Daniel Stump I've heard enough to know a bunch of fast notes and pseudo scales do not make a good solo and unfortunately you haven't a clue what good music really is
@invisiblevulturesinc.9882
Funnily enough he doesn't think so.
Secondly I've seen him so out of it in a solo gig he couldn't even do the mini solo for 'strange little girl'
@invisiblevulturesinc.9882
@David Coutts so Cornwell and Black did nothing for three albums even though they founded the band ?
I find that impossible to believe
@stuart6756
Was best pals with Harry for over 20 years.Still catch glimpses around town of my old mate, even miss him sometimes.