The band first came together in Guildford in 1974 with Jet and Hugh before recruiting guitarist turned bassist Jean Jacques

Singles Pt2

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Mid 1978 saw The Stranglers beginning to change direction musically to a more song and melody orientated style. The band were now a major rock band and serious artists with all that entailed. As they attempted to break free from the constraints of their punk past, musical styles changed and they found their position in the singles charts slipping while albums Black & White and The Raven still reached the higher reaches. After 1979 saw the band go slightly off the rails with Meninblack but that's another story and out of this sites timeframe.

Chart Position 18
Released April 1978

Nice 'n' Sleazy / Shut Up

An attempt at reggae that tells the tale of band meeting the Dutch Hells Angels. Barracuda bass and mad keyboard solo courtesy of planet psychedelia made this a strange hit. The b side is their shortest and most aggressive song ever - Shut Up.

Click to hear clip of Shut Up


The Stranglers perform Nice 'n' Sleazy on Top Of The Pops 1978

Chart Position 21
Released August 1978

Walk On By / Old Codger / Tank

Only The Stranglers could do this. Give away 70,000 copies of a free single then release it as a single and get into the charts. Superb Doors style take on on the classic Walk On By a staple of earlier live sets. Worth it just for George Melly singing 'What an old bugger I am' on Old Codger. Why wasn't Tank the A side?

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Duchess / Fools Rush Out

After X Certs The Stranglers come back with this bouncy 60's sounding number which was a prelude to The Raven and a new direction.

Chart Position 14
Released October 1979


The Stranglers perform Duchess on Top Of The Pops 1979

Chart Position 36
Released November 1979

Nuclear Device / Yellowcake UF8

Cool tune but weird time signatures made it unlikely to be a hit and punk was passing. Always a favourite live with the 'Bruce' and 'Sheila' refrain added. The b side is one of my favourites - the backwards Yellowcake UF6. This is due a dance remix!

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Don't Bring Harry / Crabs / Wired / In The Shadows

And what do the boys do next ? Bring out the slowest song they have done yet. Don't Bring Harry is a beautiful tune sounding like a soundtrack to a French film which which must have confused the punks somewhat! Also featured a live In The Shadows, a live JJ Burnel Crabs and Hugh's Wired.

Chart Position 41
Released December 1979