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/
Heaven or Hell
The Stranglers Lyrics
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The beggar asleep in the door
The man In the moon says
I've seen this production before
The prisoner dreams of escaping
In about to a far away places
The stars in the sky say
Heaven or hell
Sometimes you just can't tell
So we keep on walking
Look at the news in the paper
I can't believe all the things I see
Progress is taken for granted
But it's a lie you can take it from me
Civilisations lie swallowed up in the sand
The song "Heaven or Hell" by The Stranglers talks about the disparity between the different classes of people, and the uncertain path that life takes. The first verse of the song paints a picture of two people, one wealthy and one poor, both asleep in different places. The man in the moon, who is witness to all that happens on earth, feels a sense of familiarity with this situation - one that has been replayed many times in history. The second verse deals with the idea of escape - the dream of getting away from one's problems and starting fresh. The stars in the sky offer hope, but there is no clear direction, no easy path to follow. The chorus speaks to the uncertainty of it all - sometimes it's hard to distinguish between heaven and hell, and we keep moving forward nonetheless. The song ends on a dark note, with a commentary on the state of the world. Despite all the advancements we've made, there are still civilizations being lost to time, swallowed up by the unforgiving sands of the earth.
The themes in "Heaven or Hell" are both timeless and universal - the struggles of the working class, the dreams of escape, the ever-present sense of uncertainty in the world. The song was released in 1979, during a time of political and social upheaval in Britain, and it can be seen as a reflection of the mood of the country at the time. The Stranglers were known for their provocative lyrics and their ability to tap into the zeitgeist of the era. "Heaven or Hell" is a powerful example of their ability to create music that speaks to the struggles of the common people.
Line by Line Meaning
The master asleep in his chamber
The ruler is resting in his private quarters
The beggar asleep in the door
A poor person is sleeping outside the entrance
The man In the moon says
I've seen this production before
The mythical character observes a familiar scene playing out
The prisoner dreams of escaping
In about to a far away places
A captive wishes to break free and go somewhere distant
The stars in the sky say
Look up and we'll show you the way
Celestial objects suggest a path by shining brightly
Heaven or hell
Sometimes you just can't tell
So we keep on walking
The destination can be unclear, but the journey goes on
Look at the news in the paper
I can't believe all the things I see
Information in the media is hard to accept as true
Progress is taken for granted
But it's a lie you can take it from me
Advancement is assumed to be real, but it's actually false
Civilisations lie swallowed up in the sand
Entire societies are buried and forgotten over time
Contributed by Zoe N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.