What's with The Stanglers - Golden Brown?

[adzy31]

Someone told me it was about drugs but I'm not sure, anyone know?

[TheHitMaker]

Yup, it's about heroin - apparently a favourite with some members of the band.

[adzy31]

ah, thanks. I think the song is bloody amazing... the Heroin thing is... strange, but it doesn't stop the song being good.

[TheHitMaker]

Yes, it's a great song - one of my all time favourites - the drug references are obscure enough not to worry about!

[adzy31]

haha, yep! woo-hoo, I found someone else that likes it!

[FTVS]

It is a great song although not the Stranglers best in my view, yes it is about heroin and is written in 3/4 time - very unusual for a "pop" song

[Pinotage]

"Golden Brown works on two levels. It's about heroin and also about a girl. She was of Mediterranean origin and her skin was golden brown. So the song was about how my girlfriend and heroin both provided me with pleasurable times. The third verse is more about the feelings you have when taking heroin. When you smoke ir or snort heroin you can still feel it in your body the next day. And heroin comes from the Far East."

 

- Hugh Cornwall, Stranglers singer/songwriter, quoted in 'The Stranglers Song by Song' by Hugh Cornwall and Jim Dury, Sanctuary Publishing 2001. ISBN 1-86074-362-5 �12.99

 

Golden Brown appeared on the 1981 album 'La Folie'

[adzy31]

Brilliant, cheers :-) wow... you know your stuff, lol.

[Pinotage]

Stranglers are a good group, one of my favourites. Since you like my answer, perhaps you'll award it some stars?

[adzy31]

Oooh, cool! Sure I will, didn't know you could do that, lol. Sorry about that.