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/
Ice Queen
The Stranglers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I sat in for a hand with the Ice Queen
It was just a game with a noble name
When I sat in for a hand with the Ice Queen
I didn't have time The aces weren't mine
I knew the stakes were high
She started melting when I was dealt in
I thought I'd just go along for the ride
When I sat in for a hand with the Ice Queen
Cards were laid and the hand was played
When I sat in for a hand with the Ice Queen
I didn't play fair I was beyond care
The stakes were getting high
She started melting when I was dealt in
I thought I'd just go along for the ride
I thought I'd just go along for the ride
I knew the Ice Queen
I knew the Ice Queen
I was never sure of the accurate score
When I sat in for a hand with the Ice Queen
One day I'd win and the next I'd lose
When I sat in for the blues with the Ice Queen
I didn't play fair I was beyond care
The stakes were getting high
She started melting when I was dealt in
I thought I'd just go along for the ride
I knew the Ice Queen
I knew the Ice Queen
The Stranglers’ song “Ice Queen” is a song that tells the story of a poker game between the singer and an elusive “Ice Queen”. The song is about the singer’s experience playing poker with the “Ice Queen” and his fluctuating feelings towards her. The lyrics describe how the singer is uncertain of the “accurate score” and how he didn’t have time to see if the “aces” were his. As the song progresses, it becomes apparent that the “Ice Queen” is losing interest in the game and the stakes have gotten high. The singer confesses that he didn’t play fair and he was beyond caring about the consequences. By the end of the song, the singer admits that he knew the “Ice Queen” and he knew the game was never going to be easy.
The lyrics of "Ice Queen" can be interpreted as a metaphor for love and relationships. The poker game represents the push and pull of a relationship, where the singer is uncertain of the “accurate score” of their relationship. The “Ice Queen” could be seen as the singer’s love interest, who is often elusive and difficult to read. The stakes of the game represent the risk involved in relationships, and how one wrong move can lead to losing everything. The singer’s confession that he didn’t play fair and was beyond caring could represent a moment of weakness or frustration in a relationship, where emotions run high and people act out of character.
Line by Line Meaning
I was never sure of the accurate score
I lacked certainty in the rules of the game
When I sat in for a hand with the Ice Queen
When I played cards with the charismatic and intimidating player known as the Ice Queen
It was just a game with a noble name
Despite its high stakes, the game had a prestigious reputation
I didn't have time The aces weren't mine
I was not dealt the strongest cards and did not have much time to consider my strategy
I knew the stakes were high
I was aware that the outcome of the game would have significant consequences
She started melting when I was dealt in
The Ice Queen became more vulnerable and expressive when I joined the game
I thought I'd just go along for the ride
I decided to join the game and see where it took me, without much intention or strategy
Cards were laid and the hand was played
The cards were dealt and the game was set in motion
I didn't play fair I was beyond care
I cheated and disregarded the consequences of my actions
One day I'd win and the next I'd lose
I experienced alternating periods of success and failure in the game
When I sat in for the blues with the Ice Queen
When I played cards with the Ice Queen and experienced emotional highs and lows
I knew the Ice Queen
I had a deep understanding of the Ice Queen's personality and tactics
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
Maxim Simon
an absolute classic. this band is irreplacable!!
eldorado62
They really had an identifiable sound. No one sounded like 'The Stranglers'.
Yoke Records
My review on Allmusic written March 11, 2018. 4 Stars
Aural Sculpture is another example of just how great The Stranglers are. If you love early Stranglers, you can hardly recognize this band. But that does not take away from the fact that Aural Sculpture is chock full of very strong songs that demand repeated listenings. There is not a bad cut on this LP and many standout tracks including "Ice Queen", "Skin Deep", "No Mercy", "North Winds" and "Laughing". I have always been amazed at how different The Stanglers became on their mid 80's albums yet retained their fan base from their punk heyday. Absolutely one of the special bands of our time. Aural Sculpture is highly recommended. A very enjoyable record.
Kristi Lee, aka Astrid Astrolabe 🐉
One of my favorite albums ever. Thank you so much!!
Benjamin Smith
As much as a lot of their punk fans hate it I actually love the use of brass in this song and Laurie Lathams production on this record and Echo and the Bunnymen's self titled record
Chris Horn
What a great track to start a great album off with...always been a fan from the start...I never classed the stranglers as punk anyway...
mickey thompson
Always older rockers with an attitude... they just came into their own around the time of punk.
Lucien86
No More Hero's is one of the great punk classics.
nechesh
Their early albums could certainly be considered Punk.
Brandon McInnis
New stranglers fan...great jam, love everything about it.