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/
Leave It to the Dogs
The Stranglers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But now the wise man stays underground
Above the creepers creep
And a steal our spirit while we sleep
Ancient photograph
In sepia days our mothers laughed
But now the face is blank
I'm gonna leave it to the dogs
Let them pick the bones
Gonna leave it to the dogs
I'm going home
Beneath the skin of saints
Little devils of worm their way
Into our sacred heart
And so the seed that tears first us apart
Repeat chorus
London is my town
But now the wise man stays underground
Above the creepers crawl
And tear the house down wall to wall
The Stranglers's "Leave It to the Dogs" is a contemplative commentary on modern life in London. The song begins with the singer acknowledging his love for London, but the city has been taken over by the "creepers" who steal the city's spirit while its inhabitants sleep. The singer is disillusioned with modernity, as he recalls "sepia days" where his mother would laugh, but now all we have is an "ancient photograph." This serves as a metaphor for how London has lost its sense of community and has become more individualistic, leaving people with a sense of emptiness.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more frustrated with London's spiritual downfall. He refers to the "little devils" that worm their way into the sacred heart of the city's saints, hinting at how the darker side of humanity has infiltrated the very soul of London. The seed that tears the city apart may be greed, corruption or even the loss of humanity in the modern world.
The chorus of "Leave It to the Dogs" becomes a kind of refrain, as the singer decides to leave London's problems to the dogs. The metaphor of dogs picking at bones suggests that there is little left to salvage in modern London, and perhaps a return to a more primitive state is the only answer.
Line by Line Meaning
London is my town
The singer is familiar with the city of London and identifies with it.
But now the wise man stays underground
Those who are observant and wise avoid the public eye to stay safe from danger or hidden from society.
Above the creepers creep
Dangerous people and influences lurk about, waiting to take advantage of those who are unaware or unsuspecting.
And a steal our spirit while we sleep
They can steal a person's soul or energy, even while they sleep or are unconscious.
Ancient photograph
A visual of the past that is old and fading, yet still dear to the people who remember it.
In sepia days our mothers laughed
In the past, our ancestors lived joyful lives, documented in the sepia-toned photography of their time.
But now the face is blank
Over time, those memories fade and become lost, with no new moments captured in photography to refresh them.
They take it all and give none back
Those who control society or manipulate people have the power to take everything from them, often without giving anything back.
I'm gonna leave it to the dogs
The singer has given up hope for society and will allow the animals to pick at the remains.
Let them pick the bones
There is nothing left for them to take; only remnants of the old world remain.
Gonna leave it to the dogs
The singer will walk away from society to find something new in their own personal world.
I'm going home
Home represents a place where it is safe and welcoming, away from the reality of the world outside.
Beneath the skin of saints
Even those who appear to be good on the outside might hide darker motives, hurts, or flaws underneath.
Little devils of worm their way
Those hidden motives can be like small worms that eat away at one's faith or sense of purpose.
Into our sacred heart
The heart is a vulnerable place for these darker motives to take root, and soon they contaminate the goodness from within.
And so the seed that tears first us apart
This process can cause division and strife, as the darker motives and flaws bring out the worst in people and communities.
Repeat chorus
The chorus reinforces the message of turning away from society and finding a more authentic version of home in oneself or with loved ones.
London is my town
The singer reiterates their connection to the city, but their perspective on it has been changed by their experiences.
But now the wise man stays underground
This line reinforces the idea that those who are smart or aware of the dangers around them will find ways to avoid them.
Above the creepers crawl
The hidden dangers remain present and can cause harm if one is not careful.
And tear the house down wall to wall
These dangers can destroy or break down the foundations of society or one's personal life if not addressed and resolved.
Contributed by Grayson K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.