Dave Greenfield was the most accomplished musician in the band, but even though he's miming, he was playing the right notes on the keyboard basically to show he could do it.
Totally the best band of that time and anytime. Real music that was never punk, these guys could actually play, and really play, so creative and talented. Jean actually sang many of the tracks, such a versatile group that had so much energy. Love the stranglers
Those shows asked bands to mime to their own music which would be mixed into the TV broadcast from the original recordings. The studio audiences likewise, if they had them, would be asked to dance to no live music. The Stranglers were one of many bands who subverted the format by making the fact that they weren't playing live very obvious. At the time they also had a reputation for being "hard" compared to the average boy band or pop act, that they intimidated and according to schoolboy legend occasionally beat up behind the scenes. When you play this at home, you have to be sure to turn it up to 11 before you hit "play", to properly appreciate that bass intro that deserved to be much louder. In clubs they play it at normal volume, and a lot of people don't notice that killer intro.
Hi Sue, The Stranglers were not your typical punk band. They were older than the normal puck rockers and were rather ostracised by the other groups at the time. They learned their trade as pub rockers, so could actually play their instruments. I saw them before they became famous. The keyboard player was magnificent.
@@playitagainsue It was because they were around 30 at the time & that they were “professional” players, without the real punk attitudes. As you said, they moved on to produce more traditional rock/pop records. Their “punk” style records of the late 70s were fun, but more polished than the real thing. That is why they succeeded with older audiences.
This was fantastic The Stranglers were possibly the most musical of the british punk bands They were slightly over than most of the bands and i always thought of them as a punk version of The Doors ( because keyboards being most prevalent) Their Debut album Rattus Norvegicus is a masterpiece and has Peaches Hanging Around Get a grip on Yourself Down in the Sewer 2nd only to Televisions ;Marquee Moon Another great Stranglers song is Duchess As for characters in No More Hero’s They mention Sancho Panza He was the squire to Don Quioxite Any of the songs i mention would be great Golden Brown you should listen with fresh ears if you didn’t know os it was about Heroin
@jessem470 Hey Jesse, great comparison with the punk version of the Doors...yes it is the keyboards. Peaches is a great song and so is Golden Brown. I saw them back in the day in a small club. I still have my Rat cap that I still wear to play ball in. But even though, I saw them, I really need to dive deeper into them. I went because my bro was a big fan. Thanks a bunch for the info 🤩💛
One of favourite punk / new wave era bands ! .. These guys were just wonderful .. Started off with their rougher punk / post punk feel, and had many classics such as this, "Hanging Around", "Get A Grip On Yourself", "Peaches", "Who Wants The World" and "Something Better Change" .. Then they refined their sound and had hits with songs such as "Golden Brown" :"Strange Little Girl", "Skin Deep" and :"Always The Sun" .. I preferred their edgier early stuff, but it was all good .. Dave Greenfield ( RIP ) added a very distinctive sound to the band with his brilliant keyboards, which were a bit unusual for punk type bands .. More Stranglers please, Sue !
@wayne_twentyfive Hi Wayne, I will be more than happy to do more of the Stranglers. I agree with with on the evolution of the band's sound. I really need to dug deeper into this band. I know some stuff but not tons. I appreciate your suggestions. It will point me in the right direction 🥰💜
@@playitagainsue Looking forward to it, Sue .. But I must qualify my love for The Stranglers .. I am a super huge fan of the classic line up of Hugh Cornwell, JJ Burnell, Dave Greenfield, and Jet Black", but once Hugh left in 1990, it just wasn't the same anymore .. For me, the 70s was there very best and captivating work, with a smattering of great songs ( particularly "Golden Brown" ) after that.
@@playitagainsue Golden Brown by The Stranglers went to number one here in the UK, see if you can guess what it's about! It's beautiful, very simple and think it only features two members of the band, quite unique. Of course they're all in the video. Take care Sue!
Loving your reactions, Sue, if you like this era, don't forget I would love you to review Ian Dury and The Blockhead's 1979 song Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick!💙👍💙
Made to mime so they made a mockery of it. They're obviously not playing the instruments and JJ Burned, the bass player is singing over High Cornwall's (singer, guitarist) singing. They were one of the first punk bands to appear on Top of the Pops (popular UK TV music programme where they also made artists mime). They resented having to mime so made it obvious that's what they were doing, no strings on the guitar or bass and lots of antics. This is a classic, but in my opinion, 5 Minutes, (released early 79) is the best song from this period of their work. This is a band, like The Damned, whose music evolved into something deeper and more substantial than their punk roots. Unlike many of that era, they weren't just a one trick pony whose career faded when punk did.
The fact JJ Burnel did NOT sing this one is being smeared in the audience's face. They hated doing this kind of promotional nonsense. Here they scarcely mask their contempt. Interestingly, Hugh Cornwell (guitarist) started out with Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention.
@playitagainsue There is a second video of this from the same show. Top Pop were not very happy and asked them to do another take, but that was even more hilarious than this one.
@@ChrisPBacon-iu8my Really! Good on them. I will have to see if I can find that one and watch it. I can't even imagine what the other one was like. Thanks Chris 🤩
This was Top of the Pops, a TV show, nobody really sung or played their instruments, it's all playback. The Stranglers were live on TV, I think it was John Peel or the Old Grey Whistle Test.
I've seen a similar set they did (on Dutch TV I think) where they actually all swapped instruments and made no attempt to look even remotely convincing. I think JJ ended up 'dismantling' the stage ...
Great punk band but a lot of appearances on Top Pop were mimed and it looked like The Stranglers were making fun of that simple fact - they were really good live.
If you like it when bands muck about when miming, try 'Tom Hark' by The Piranhas, 'Don't Leave me this Way' by the Communards, and - most famously - 'Maggie May' by Rod Stewart and The Faces on (UK TV show) Top of the Pops. For one, they have legendary DJ John Peel 'playing' the mandolin. And then there's the fact they give up even pretending and start playing football...
the band is showing their contempt for not being able to play live, which was the norm on top of the pops.
@greygreen5610 And I am here for it haha 😎💙
Great band. Unique tunes. Great seeing someone react to such underrated music
@jimm9051 Thanks Jim 🥰💙
Dave Greenfield was the most accomplished musician in the band, but even though he's miming, he was playing the right notes on the keyboard basically to show he could do it.
@@timholder6825 I thought it was cool that he was still playing. Thanks Tim 🤩
Great song. Great band. Great reaction! Its so simple sometimes. They just didnt care!❤. Greetings from gothenburg Sweden.😊
@jonassundell9366 Greetings back to you, Jonas from me here in Canada. This was amazing...so much fun 🤩💙
A lot of bands who could play their instruments would sometimes protest about being made to mime on TV shows.
I love their attitude, Paul. Great performance 🤩
The first to protest this was Michelle Phillips from the Mamas and the Papas, eating a banana on stage.
@@DrStrangelove3891 haha, awesome. Thanks for that, Joris 🤩
Totally the best band of that time and anytime. Real music that was never punk, these guys could actually play, and really play, so creative and talented. Jean actually sang many of the tracks, such a versatile group that had so much energy. Love the stranglers
@@DavidHopkinsdj Hey David, there will be more Stranglers' songs in the future 🤩
@@playitagainsueYes keep them coming. Thanks 🙏
Those shows asked bands to mime to their own music which would be mixed into the TV broadcast from the original recordings. The studio audiences likewise, if they had them, would be asked to dance to no live music. The Stranglers were one of many bands who subverted the format by making the fact that they weren't playing live very obvious. At the time they also had a reputation for being "hard" compared to the average boy band or pop act, that they intimidated and according to schoolboy legend occasionally beat up behind the scenes.
When you play this at home, you have to be sure to turn it up to 11 before you hit "play", to properly appreciate that bass intro that deserved to be much louder. In clubs they play it at normal volume, and a lot of people don't notice that killer intro.
Love it....they gave no fucks and quite right.....loved the reaction Sue 👍
@dr.zacking2097 Thanks Dr Zac! This was fantastic 🤩💚
Peaches would be a great Stranglers to listen to.
From when I was 16 The Stranglers were my Favourites by a Distance.
@@simondalzell5635 😎💙
Hi Sue, The Stranglers were not your typical punk band. They were older than the normal puck rockers and were rather ostracised by the other groups at the time. They learned their trade as pub rockers, so could actually play their instruments. I saw them before they became famous. The keyboard player was magnificent.
Hey Dave, why were they ostracised? Was it because they were older
@@playitagainsue It was because they were around 30 at the time & that they were “professional” players, without the real punk attitudes. As you said, they moved on to produce more traditional rock/pop records. Their “punk” style records of the late 70s were fun, but more polished than the real thing. That is why they succeeded with older audiences.
I have tickets to see them in August. Still going strong!
That is awesome. It will be a great show I bet 🤩
Have a great evening man, I saw the first gig in March. Brilliant. In case you don't know, there's no support , they do the whole gig.
In true stranglers fashion, if we are miming we will mine our way…
HAHA, love it! 😎💚
One of the funniest trolling’s in music history
@@princebusta1st1 I agree 🤩🤪💚
they are miming, which was normal in those days, so they are mucking about
This was fantastic
The Stranglers were possibly the most musical of the british punk bands
They were slightly over than most of the bands and i always thought of them as a punk version of The Doors ( because keyboards being most prevalent)
Their Debut album
Rattus Norvegicus is a masterpiece and has
Peaches
Hanging Around
Get a grip on Yourself
Down in the Sewer
2nd only to Televisions ;Marquee Moon
Another great Stranglers song is Duchess
As for characters in No More Hero’s
They mention Sancho Panza
He was the squire to Don Quioxite
Any of the songs i mention would be great
Golden Brown you should listen with fresh ears if you didn’t know os it was about Heroin
@jessem470 Hey Jesse, great comparison with the punk version of the Doors...yes it is the keyboards. Peaches is a great song and so is Golden Brown. I saw them back in the day in a small club. I still have my Rat cap that I still wear to play ball in. But even though, I saw them, I really need to dive deeper into them. I went because my bro was a big fan. Thanks a bunch for the info 🤩💛
@@playitagainsue also their version of walk on by is truly sublime.👍
As someone who agrees with your opinion on Marquee Moon and Rattus, I hope you're also listening to Can, Funkadelic, and Hawkwind.
@@willywonka7812 absolutely do love all those bands and Gong
One of favourite punk / new wave era bands ! .. These guys were just wonderful .. Started off with their rougher punk / post punk feel, and had many classics such as this, "Hanging Around", "Get A Grip On Yourself", "Peaches", "Who Wants The World" and "Something Better Change" .. Then they refined their sound and had hits with songs such as "Golden Brown" :"Strange Little Girl", "Skin Deep" and :"Always The Sun" .. I preferred their edgier early stuff, but it was all good .. Dave Greenfield ( RIP ) added a very distinctive sound to the band with his brilliant keyboards, which were a bit unusual for punk type bands .. More Stranglers please, Sue !
@wayne_twentyfive Hi Wayne, I will be more than happy to do more of the Stranglers. I agree with with on the evolution of the band's sound. I really need to dug deeper into this band. I know some stuff but not tons. I appreciate your suggestions. It will point me in the right direction 🥰💜
@@playitagainsue Looking forward to it, Sue .. But I must qualify my love for The Stranglers .. I am a super huge fan of the classic line up of Hugh Cornwell, JJ Burnell, Dave Greenfield, and Jet Black", but once Hugh left in 1990, it just wasn't the same anymore .. For me, the 70s was there very best and captivating work, with a smattering of great songs ( particularly "Golden Brown" ) after that.
@@wayne_twentyfive I gotcha, my friend 🥰
They certainly had fun! Not my usual choice of music but I enjoyed that😊
@@andrewjenkinson7052 hi Andy, they were definitely having a good time. I really enjoyed that performance 🥰
Punks were all about reality being asked to mime was a betrayal.
On 23 oct 1977 the uUK chart included both No More Heroes (Stranglers) and Heroes (Bowie) in the top 40. Strange huh?
@irreverendian5581 Hey Ian, that is very weird...both cool songs though 🤩
The singer is actually the guy on the right, Hugh Cornwell, they're all miming, you had to back then in TV studios.
I love it, Phil. This was a riot to watch 😂
@@playitagainsue I've subscribed as you seem to have good taste.
@@playitagainsue Golden Brown by The Stranglers went to number one here in the UK, see if you can guess what it's about! It's beautiful, very simple and think it only features two members of the band, quite unique. Of course they're all in the video. Take care Sue!
@@philjones45 thanks Phil. I really appreciate it 🤩
@@philjones45 🥰
The Stranglers were so F'n PUNK rock
The bass player did sing some of their songs.
I enjoyed this!
@@kimr3729 wasn't it fun, Kim?! I really liked it too 🤩
Loving your reactions, Sue, if you like this era, don't forget I would love you to review Ian Dury and The Blockhead's 1979 song Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick!💙👍💙
@Willster389 thanks Willster. I appreciate your kind words. HMWYRS is on the list 🥰
Made to mime so they made a mockery of it. They're obviously not playing the instruments and JJ Burned, the bass player is singing over High Cornwall's (singer, guitarist) singing. They were one of the first punk bands to appear on Top of the Pops (popular UK TV music programme where they also made artists mime). They resented having to mime so made it obvious that's what they were doing, no strings on the guitar or bass and lots of antics. This is a classic, but in my opinion, 5 Minutes, (released early 79) is the best song from this period of their work. This is a band, like The Damned, whose music evolved into something deeper and more substantial than their punk roots. Unlike many of that era, they weren't just a one trick pony whose career faded when punk did.
@@timholder6825 Hey Tim,I loved that they were miming. It was throwing it back in their faces for asking them to do it 😎
Sometimes the bass player did sing …usually with the stranglers whoever wrote the song would sing it …Burrell sang a lot of songs …
@paulclements6277 thanks for the info, Paul 🤩
'Sometimes' was one of them. Dave Greenfield sang a few too.
Euroman...
Good “punk’ era songs: something better change, peaches, nice’ n sleazy
'Lenny' was your very own Lenny Bruce.
The fact JJ Burnel did NOT sing this one is being smeared in the audience's face. They hated doing this kind of promotional nonsense. Here they scarcely mask their contempt. Interestingly, Hugh Cornwell (guitarist) started out with Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention.
I read that wrong, at first I thought you said Hugh Cornwell was in fairport convention 😂
The first time he mimes no more heroes lip read what hes really saying 👍
@@MrSirusDvirus Hey Brett, I will go back and check. Thanks for the heads up 🤩
@playitagainsue There is a second video of this from the same show. Top Pop were not very happy and asked them to do another take, but that was even more hilarious than this one.
@@ChrisPBacon-iu8my Really! Good on them. I will have to see if I can find that one and watch it. I can't even imagine what the other one was like. Thanks Chris 🤩
This was Top of the Pops, a TV show, nobody really sung or played their instruments, it's all playback. The Stranglers were live on TV, I think it was John Peel or the Old Grey Whistle Test.
@davidmarkwort9711 thanks David 🤩
No, this wasn't at the BBC. This is a foreign show called Top Pop. I believe it is Dutch.
@@ianz9916 same format?
@@davidmarkwort9711 It was based on the BBC show but was a lot more casual and less slick.
I've seen a similar set they did (on Dutch TV I think) where they actually all swapped instruments and made no attempt to look even remotely convincing. I think JJ ended up 'dismantling' the stage ...
@butnooneshome Haha I love it 😎💕
most tv would not let you perform live now most don't want to now
but they're not live
@@philjones45 just said that
Great punk band but a lot of appearances on Top Pop were mimed and it looked like The Stranglers were making fun of that simple fact - they were really good live.
I agree, Willster. They are definitely having some fun with the lip synching 🤩💛
If you like it when bands muck about when miming, try 'Tom Hark' by The Piranhas, 'Don't Leave me this Way' by the Communards, and - most famously - 'Maggie May' by Rod Stewart and The Faces on (UK TV show) Top of the Pops. For one, they have legendary DJ John Peel 'playing' the mandolin. And then there's the fact they give up even pretending and start playing football...
@@SpikeMatthews Really, that is funny, Spike. Thanks a bunch. I will give that performance a look 🤩
They are playing this ironically - they did not like miming so they deliberately gaffed it up - thats why it is all out of sinc delibately.
@@rayglover8697 I love their style 🤩
They were taking the urine because bands were forced to mime on TV . . .
@@philipturner9087 I love it 😂
peaches.
Yes please!
Always the sun . 😀
"I like 70s punk, it's super cool" and yet you don't know No More Heroes 😂
@@ollythorp5428 can't know everything
3:40 they are mocking lipsync bands, guitar heroes etc
@fredarsenault8987 hey Fred, I loved it...well done 🤩
Lip read what the singer actually mouths on the 2nd chorus
Why don't you tell us what he is actually saying - for those that happen not to be able to read lips?
Top of the Pops version is far better