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/
Never See
The Stranglers Lyrics
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Never see the truth in the lies between them never see
All they see is colour of a man's skin
Thoughts can be prisons and thoughts can be wings
Never see the promise of the future never see
Never see they foster their confusion never see
So many twisted meanings their words can't explain
And you'll never see, never see another man's sorrow
Did you ever read, ever read another man's story?
Plus ca change will guarantee the same tomorrow
If progress is forgiving
No progress has been made
Never see the man with his family never see
Never see the pride they can't deny him never see
All they see is colour of a man's skin
Thoughts can be prisons and thoughts can be wings, the wings
Never see, never see, never see oh! oh!
Never see, never see, never see oh! will!
Thoughts can be prisons and thoughts can be wings
The Stranglers's song "Never See" is a commentary on the issue of racial discrimination and stereotyping in society. The lyrics suggest that people often judge individuals based on their skin color or other superficial qualities, rather than looking beyond these external attributes to see the individual's true character and potential. The song also highlights how words and language can be used to create confusion and perpetuate biases, resulting in people being trapped in their own mental prisons. However, the lyrics also suggest that thoughts and words can be used to liberate people and inspire change. The singer urges listeners to see beyond the surface and to recognize the common humanity that connects all people, regardless of their differences.
The chorus repeats the phrase "never see" multiple times, emphasizing the blindness and ignorance that results from prejudice and stereotype. The line "the color of a man's skin" is repeated several times, highlighting how this superficial characteristic is often given too much importance in our society. The lyrics also suggest that there is hope for change - the singer speaks of a "promise of the future" and the potential for progress, but notes that progress can only happen if people learn to forgive and move forward.
Overall, "Never See" is a powerful commentary on the persistence of racial discrimination, but also suggests that change is possible if people are willing to look beyond surface-level differences and recognize the inherent value in all individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
Never see the beauty of a man's heart never see
People do not see the goodness in others.
Never see the truth in the lies between them never see
People do not see the lies that others tell them.
All they see is colour of a man's skin
People judge others by their skin color.
Thoughts can be prisons and thoughts can be wings
One's thoughts can either limit or empower them.
Never see the promise of the future never see
People do not see the potential in their future.
Never see they foster their confusion never see
People do not see that they create their own confusion.
So many twisted meanings their words can't explain
People cannot explain their words because they do not understand them themselves.
And you'll never see, never see another man's sorrow
People do not see the pain and struggles of others.
Did you ever read, ever read another man's story?
Have you taken the time to understand someone else's experiences?
Plus ca change will guarantee the same tomorrow
Things will not change if we do not make an effort to change them.
If progress is forgiving
If we want to progress, we must learn to forgive.
No progress has been made
We have not made any progress because we have not learned to forgive.
Never see the man with his family never see
People do not see the importance of family in a man's life.
Never see the pride they can't deny him never see
People do not see that a man has the right to be proud of himself.
Never see, never see, never see oh! oh!
People refuse to see the truth.
Never see, never see, never see oh! will!
People will continue to refuse to see the truth.
Thoughts can be prisons and thoughts can be wings, the wings
One's thoughts can either limit or empower them, and this is the key to freedom (the wings).
Contributed by Liliana H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.