My Leg Ends of Pop Music – Part Eight–The Stranglers
After 60 proper legends of pop (OK, you may have thought that some were a bit iffy), it is now time for my Top 20 Leg Ends of pop. These are those groups or artists that have had hits and sold well, but by no means a favourite of mine.
I do know that some of you will really like these, as there is no accounting for taste.
Now, SB does not like the use of profanity in the articles (comments fine, not articles), therefore if I say, for example, “Clut” I mean that well known GP word which is a sign of endearment, and if I say the word “Fluff” it is a well know word beginning with F, four letters, last letter a K, 2nd letter a U and just in case there is doubt, the 3rd letter is a C. The use of the word “Sausage” means that four letter word for when evacuating the bowels.
H/T to Brett of this parish, who very kindly sent me his play list of dire, dreadful, suicidal and basically fluffing songs generally done by right Cluts which are all pretty Sausage.
So, on we go with No 13 on my list: – The Stranglers
Quite possibly but in my view only, one of the most overrated bands in the history of pop.
The Stranglers are an English rock band who emerged via the punk rock scene. Scoring 23 UK top 40 singles and 19 UK top 40 albums to date in a career spanning five decades, the Stranglers are one of the longest-surviving bands to have originated in the UK punk scene.
Formed as the Guildford Stranglers in Guildford, Surrey, in early 1974,[5] they originally built a following within the mid-1970s pub rock scene. While their aggressive, no-compromise attitude had them identified by the media with the emerging UK punk rock scene that followed, their idiosyncratic approach rarely followed any single musical genre, and the group went on to explore a variety of musical styles, from new wave, art rock and gothic rock through the sophisti-pop of some of their 1980s output. They had major mainstream success with their 1982 single “Golden Brown“. Their other hits include “No More Heroes“, “Peaches“, “Always the Sun“, “Skin Deep” and “Big Thing Coming“.
The Stranglers’ early sound was driven by Jean-Jacques Burnel‘s melodic bass, but also gave prominence to Dave Greenfield‘s keyboards. Their early music was also characterised by the growling vocals and sometimes misanthropic lyrics of both Burnel and Hugh Cornwell. Over time, their output gradually grew more refined and sophisticated. Summing up their contribution to popular music, critic Dave Thompson later wrote: “From bad-mannered yobs to purveyors of supreme pop delicacies, the group was responsible for music that may have been ugly and might have been crude – but it was never, ever boring”
Keyboard player Dave Greenfield died on 3 May 2020 after contracting covid-19 while receiving treatment for a heart ailment. The remaining band members completed a new album recorded with Greenfield, Dark Matters following his death and confirmed that they would proceed with their “Final Full UK Tour”, initially announced in January 2020, in his honour.
The featured song is of course their biggest hit, Golden Brown (TOTP 1982). The only good thing I can say about this song is that eventually it does end.
The Stranglers – live in 2007 – No more heroes anymore – Tolerable.
The Stranglers – Peaches (Live at Battersea Park, 16/09/1978) – It’s OK
The Stranglers – Skin Deep (Rock Pop Music Hall) 1985 – bearable
The Stranglers, Big Thing Coming, Live on the Lawn, Ayr – an acquired taste. I do like sausage, but not this kind.
The Stranglers – This Song (Official Video) – Included as it stars Stuart Pearce, who is a particular favourite person of mine from my Nottingham Forest days. Respect.
The only song they do that I would not actually turn the radio channel over or off, is this one:
The Stranglers-Always the sun (live)-royal albert hall
There are no songs by this band I find appealing, at best the ones above are just about tolerable.
Singalong, enjoy and be happy!
Links to previous Legend articles:
Featured image: “black and white – the stranglers 1978” by oddsock is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
© Phil the ex test manager 2022