The Stranglers were so much more than the archetypal punk band. Much like The Jam, they used and exploited the vehicle of punk in 1976 & 1977 to gain traction, credibility and publicity and attention, but ultimately it was the talent of great musicianship and song writing that gave both bands mass appeal.

2014 sees The Stranglers celebrate their 40th anniversary, having formed in Guildford as a pub rock band in 1974. Their emergence in the UK charts in 1977 was facilitated by their menacing, angst ridden and bellicose vocals, lyrics and general aura that chimed so well with the punk movement, as much as their musical talent. It was only as the punk and new wave revolution faded that we began to see the sophisticated and refined musicianship of which The Stranglers were capable, coming to the fore.

As the 1970s turned into the 1980s, The Stranglers output turned from melodrama to melodic in the form of songs like “Golden Brown”, “Strange Little Girl” and “Always The Sun”. Whilst many contemporary bands were turning to synthesiser driven music in the 1980s, The Stranglers continued to drive their music through the lead guitar of Hugh Cornwell and the melodic bass of lead vocalist Jean-Jacques Burnel. That said, much of the The Stranglers music was enhanced by Dave Greenfield’s keyboards / organ.

It should be placed on record ( if you will pardon the pun ) that the Record Press author loves both the early aggressive style of The Stranglers and the later more melodic, ballad era and this is reflected in the eclectic group of songs that make up this Record Press Top 10 Best Stranglers Songs –

Top 10 Best Stranglers Songs

1) Always The Sun ( No30 1986 )

2) No More Heroes ( No8 1977 )

3) Golden Brown ( No2 1982 )

4) Something Better Change ( No9 1977 )

5) Nice ‘n’ Sleazy ( No18 1978 )

6) Walk On By ( No21 1978 )

7) Strange Little Girl ( No7 1982 )

8) Peaches ( No8 1977 )

9) European Female ( No9 1983 )

10) Skin Deep ( No15 1984 )

What is your favourite Stranglers song? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

Celebrate your favourite Stranglers song in your home or office, by ordering your favourite Stranglers song in a vinyl single or CD single format; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque……   ORDER NOW…….. www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Framed vinyl records, framed CDs and framed DVDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!

For further Stranglers merchandise, memorabilia & information go to ………