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/
Always in the Sun
The Stranglers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How many times have you seen the papers apportion the blame?
Who gets to say?
Who gets to work and who gets to play?
I was always told at school, everybody should get the same
How many times have you been told if you don't ask you don't get?
How many lads have taken your money, your mother said you shouldnt bet
Is it always a man with a gun?
Someone must have told you, if you work too hard you can sweat
There's always the sun
Mm-hmm, there's always the sun
Always, always (always the sun)
How many times has the weatherman told you stories that made you laugh?
You know it's not unlike the Politicians and leaders, when they do things by half
Who gets the job
Of pushing the knob?
That sort of responsibility, you draw straws for it if you're mad enough
There's always the sun (always the sun)
Mm-hmm, there's always the sun
Always, always (always the sun)
There's always the sun (always the sun)
Mm-hmm, there's always the sun
Always, always (always the sun)
There's always the sun (always the sun)
There's always the sun
Always, always (always the sun)
(Always the sun)
(Always the sun)
There's always the sun (always the sun)
There's always the sun
Always, always (always the sun)
There's always the sun (always the sun)
There's always the sun
Always, always (always the sun)
The Stranglers' "Always The Sun" is a socio-political commentary on the inequalities that plague society. The lyricist begins by asking how many times one has wished for the rain to come – an implied reference to wanting a fresh start or to wash away the pain, and how many times one has seen the blame being apportioned in the newspapers – the tendency to play the blame game instead of finding solutions. The question then arises: who decides who works and who plays? The answer, in a fair and just world, would be everyone gets the same.
The second verse follows the same pattern: how many times have we been told that we won't get what we don't ask for? Or that we shouldn't bet our hard-earned money and sweat? The first two lines are designed to challenge the viewers and listeners, to make them think about the kind of society we live in. The chorus then follows: There's always the sun. An eternal truth, no matter how dark the night may seem, there is always a new day, a new hope, a new beginning.
The third verse takes a direct jab at the politicians and leaders in our society. Just like the weatherman who tells amusing stories, the politicians also tell stories – only they are not always amusing. Like the weatherman, they try to predict the future but rarely get it right. In other words, they do things by half. The question then arises: who gets to decide what happens and who gets to manipulate the controls? The answer, arguably, is whoever is mad enough to take on the responsibility.
Line by Line Meaning
How many times have you woken up and prayed for the rain?
How many times have you wished for something negative to happen in order to distract you from your troubles?
How many times have you seen the papers apportion the blame?
How often have you seen the media blame someone or a group of people for issues, rather than addressing causes and solutions?
Who gets to say?
Who holds the power to make decisions and enforce change?
Who gets to work and who gets to play?
Who has to toil to make ends meet while others have the privilege of leisure and entertainment?
I was always told at school, everybody should get the same
I was taught in school that every person should have equal access to opportunities and resources.
How many times have you been told if you don't ask you don't get?
How many times has it been impressed upon you that you have to assert yourself and take risks to get what you want in life?
How many lads have taken your money, your mother said you shouldn't bet
How many unscrupulous people have taken advantage of you, even when someone close to you warned you it wasn't wise?
And who has the fun?
Who gets to enjoy life and all its pleasures?
Is it always a man with a gun?
Is violence and intimidation often used to control and dominate others?
Someone must have told you, if you work too hard you can sweat
Someone may have warned you of the risks of over-exertion and the importance of self-care.
How many times has the weatherman told you stories that made you laugh?
How many times has the media or other external sources helped you find humor and joy amidst life's challenges?
You know it's not unlike the politicians and leaders, when they do things by half
You know that many officials and authorities take half-hearted or incomplete measures to address issues, rather than being fully committed to finding solutions.
Who gets the job of pushing the knob?
Who has to be in charge of difficult and sensitive tasks, such as making crucial decisions on behalf of others?
That sort of responsibility, you draw straws for it if you're mad enough
Taking on such responsibilities can feel daunting and nerve-wracking, and often requires great fortitude and courage.
There's always the sun
There is always hope and the possibility of brighter days ahead.
Mm-hmm, there's always the sun
Indeed, even when situations seem dire, there is always the potential for transformation and renewal.
Always, always (always the sun)
Regardless of how endlessly bleak and bleak things may seem, there is always the hope of a new day and better future.
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
@patrickstocks3986
How many times have you woken up
And prayed for the rain?
How many times have you seen
The papers apportion the blame?
Who gets to say?
Who gets the work and who gets to play?
I was always told at school
Everybody should get the same
How many times have you been told
If you don't ask you don't get?
How many liars have taken your money
Your mother said you shouldn't bet?
Who has the fun?
Is it always the man with the gun?
Someone must have told him
If you work too hard you can sweat
There's always the sun
There's always the sun
Always, always, always the sun
How many times have the weatherman told you
Stories that made you laugh?
You know it's not unlike the politician
And the leaders when they do things by half
But who gets the job
Of pushing the knob?
That sort of responsibility
You draw straws for if you're mad enough
There's always the sun
There's always the sun
Always, always, always the sun
There's always the sun
There's always the sun
Always, always, always the sun
There's always the sun
There's always the sun
Always, always, always the sun
Always the sun
Always the sun
There's always the sun
There's always the sun
Always, always, always the sun
There's always the sun
There's always the sun
Always, always, always the sun
@user-nr2fp2zs5v
How many times have you woken up and prayed for the rain?
How many times have you seen the papers apportion the blame?
Who gets to say?
Who gets to work and who gets to play?
I was always told at school, everybody should get the same
How many times have you been told if you don't ask you don't get?
How many lads have taken your money, your mother said you shouldnt bet
And who has the fun?
Is it always a man with a gun?
Someone must have told you, if you work too hard you can sweat
There's always the sun
Mm-hmm, there's always the sun
Always, always (always the sun)
How many times has the weatherman told you stories that made you laugh?
You know it's not unlike the Politicians and leaders, when they do things by half
Who gets the job
Of pushing the knob?
That sort of responsibility, you draw straws for it if you're mad enough
There's always the sun (always the sun)
Mm-hmm, there's always the sun
Always, always (always the sun)
There's always the sun (always the sun)
Mm-hmm, there's always the sun
Always, always (always the sun)
There's always the sun (always the sun)
There's always the sun
Always, always (always the sun)
There's always the sun (always the sun)
There's always the sun
Always, always (always the sun)
There's always the sun (always the sun)
There's always the sun
Always, always (always the sun)
@MiaMeezy
Golden Eighties?!.! Omg where did the time go
@susietowers7331
There's an ageless, timeless quality to this great song. Perfectly produced. Sounds as good as it ever did, or better.
@jda2525
Let the good times roll! As long as the generations of the 80s are still alive, this music will never die. So, let's live forever!!!! 🤘😎
@michaelplatter3281
R I P Dave Greenfield. You were one or the best keyboard artists in the world.
Dave, we never will forget you and you gave the Stranglers the individually
and distinctive style in music.
@head_in_the_clouds
Beautiful sunny day here today in Berlin..and this song was the first thing that came into my mind whilst walking under the glorious October sun 🌞
@glennhalila8279
It's a Beautiful Sunny Day in Cincinnati Ohio. It's Noon, and I can smell the lunch being prepared. Frankfurter Wrapped in a Blanket topped with Shredded Hot Chili and Cheese! Extra Chili and Extra Cheese too!
@thefog7067
It's beautifully sunny today here where I live . . . I always play this song in October coz that's when it was released back in 86. This song is October to me
@Sunburst75
Great song which was written by the great Dave Greenfield, RIP Dave thanks for all the memories. Never forget the Stranglers concerts in the old Glasgow Apollo in 78 and 79...they blew the roof off it. Long live The Stranglers!!
@glennhalila8279
I can't decide which song is my favorite Stranglers Song this one, Get a Grip or Golden Brown. They're all really good in my opinion. Other people have other favorites. RIP Dave Greenfield. How can you measure his contributions to the Stranglers and the Music World? Their in a class all their own. Original, Unique and Melodic of course Always...
@volkernagel6420
Super melancholischer Song. Traurig nur zu hören, dass neben Dave Greenfield auch nun auch der langjährige Drummer Jet Black verstorben ist. Auch wenn nun zwei Original Bandmitglieder nicht mehr unter uns weilen lebt die Magie der Musik von den Stranglers immer weiter. Eben Always the sun.