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/
I Hate You
The Stranglers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And when you're dead I'll hate you still
I'll have my way, I'll make you pay
And I don't care if you suffer 'cos I know that it will surely make my day
You betrayed my trust, you ate my food
You soiled my house with your falsehood
Signs of remorse I ain't seen one
Will satisfy me until I have won
Oh how enjoyable, to see you squirm and wriggle now
That things ain't going your way
Oh how simply wonderful, to see you suffer badly
Now I think this dog will surely have its day (I'll have my way)
If you're infirm or merely ill
I'll be right there, in for the kill
Delicious treats which I'll enjoy
And I won't be just the only one to savour your discomfort
Oh what joy
Oh how enjoyable, to see you squirm and wriggle now
That things ain't going your way
Oh how simply wonderful, to see you suffer badly
Now I think this dog will surely have his day (I'll have my day)
I hate you now, I always will
And when you're dead I'll hate you still
I'll hate you forever, even longer than that
I'll hate you longer than radioactivity
The Stranglers' song "I Hate You" is a dark and twisted tale of revenge and hatred. The lyrics are directed towards someone who has betrayed the singer's trust, ate their food, and soiled their house with falsehood. The singer harbors a deep hatred towards this person and wishes to make them suffer. The lyrics describe the joy the singer would take in seeing their tormentor squirm and suffer, relishing in their discomfort.
The singer's hatred is so intense that it extends beyond the person's death, vowing to hate them forever and longer than radioactivity. The lyrics suggest that the singer will enjoy the suffering of this person even if they are infirm or merely ill. The song is a disturbing and unsettling commentary on the darker aspects of human nature, exploring the lengths people will go to seek revenge for perceived wrongs.
Overall, "I Hate You" is a chilling and disturbing song that explores the depths of hatred and revenge. The lyrics are visceral and graphic, painting a picture of someone consumed by their hatred and willing to go to any lengths to make their enemy suffer.
Line by Line Meaning
I hate you now, I always will
I despise you currently, and I always will in the future.
And when you're dead I'll hate you still
Even after your demise, I will continue to loathe you.
I'll have my way, I'll make you pay
I will take my revenge upon you and make you suffer.
And I don't care if you suffer 'cos I know that it will surely make my day
I find pleasure in your agony and it will brighten my day.
You betrayed my trust, you ate my food
You broke my trust and consumed my provisions.
You soiled my house with your falsehood
Your lies contaminated my dwelling place.
Signs of remorse I ain't seen one
I have yet to witness any remorse from you.
And no punishment you suffer
No penalty imposed upon you will suffice.
Will satisfy me until I have won
My satisfaction can only be attained when I have emerged victorious.
Oh how enjoyable, to see you squirm and wriggle now
It brings me great pleasure to observe you in a state of discomfort.
That things ain't going your way
Since things are not progressing in your favor.
Oh how simply wonderful, to see you suffer badly
It is truly delightful to witness your intense agony.
Now I think this dog will surely have its day (I'll have my way)
My time for vengeance has come and I will make sure to exact it.
If you're infirm or merely ill
Whether you are debilitated or just sick.
I'll be right there, in for the kill
I will be present, ready to deliver the final blow.
Delicious treats which I'll enjoy
I will relish in the delightful spectacle of your suffering.
And I won't be just the only one to savour your discomfort
I will not be the only one enjoying your misery.
Oh what joy
What bliss.
And when you're dead I'll hate you still
Even after your passing, my hatred will remain.
I'll hate you forever, even longer than that
I will hold my hatred towards you eternally, possibly even beyond the specter of time.
I'll hate you longer than radioactivity
My disdain for you will outlast even the longest-lasting radioactive substances.
Contributed by Makayla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.