The Stranglers - Skin Deep TOTP 1984

[happygirl1968ful]

I bought Killing Jokes' "Love like blood" and The Clash "Rock the Casbah" at around the same time.Singles cost abt £1.10 then!!The 80's had SO MUCH to offer when it came to brilliant 3 minute songs......

[happygirl1968ful]

i bought this in 1984 and still have the single,Id forgotten all about it till I came across this!!bloody wonderful,young,lovely memories!!!aaaah!!

[oblongfan1]

love dave greenfield!

[artsignsuk1]

brilliant!

[plasticbudgie]

Just aint, no more heroes ;p;

[Marinas1stDiamond]

only 4 dislikes,ppl know this a fkn tune!

[Marinas1stDiamond]

You've no idea i much i adore this song.ITS PERFECT.X

[austpom333]

Just remember the days as long as you keep !!!

[austpom333]

Old blokes with real wisdom - should be more of it, life is cruel to those who don't realize they are in charge of there own lives.

[marcin11059]

Samo życie bracie... :)

Umiesz liczyć, licz na siebie.

[Marinas1stDiamond]

pure class,one of the best songs ever written.xx

[Marinas1stDiamond]

Nothing,but CLASS,musically.lyrically and the voice too.Beautiful!! xx

[MyAruga]

great band

[Marinas1stDiamond]

@MyAruga I wasn't particularly a fan,but this tune blew me socks off!! class then,sounds even classier now. :)x

[coolkayaker1]

The lead singer stole my grandmother's hair!

[vespasianlegx11]

keyboard player looks like a psycopath .

[stevebenbob]

After growing up in the era of The Stranglers,its only now that i appreciate what a fantastic band they actually were.5 *

[MrZee1967]

@stevebenbob

I totally agree. The 80's were pivitol, some bad music, some good. This brings back some really good memories...cheers

[HitchHikersBlues]

@MrZee1967 Yeah but, even the bad music from then, was better than the good from now...lol

[SpeedTriple59]

Fuckin Wally at 1.51.

[johnlennon1970]

The keyboard player is wearing a wig right??

[Yickbob]

@johnlennon1970 It's possible it's his own hair, but I remember even in the bad-hair-days 80's we always thought the Stranglers looked dorky (like they only cared about the music). It actually looks like a Beatles wig!

[johnlennon1970]

@Yickbob if it is one i think he's wearing it the wrong way around!...lol

[Yickbob]

@johnlennon1970 Lol indeed - horrendous!

[SpiritualDimensionX]

Magic combination of talent

[daveinred]

ttttuuuuunnnneeeee tune

[ItchyTheHappyElf]

lol at 1:25.....that's a rape face if i've ever seen one

[MrM894]

@ItchyTheHappyElf haha mate good one

[Thereisonlythemoment]

This conjures up amazing memories for me. My sister and I used to frequent a place called "The Ferry Bar" for heavy rock fans, this was always belting out. Great Post.

[JDnBeastlet]

I heard this on the radio yesterday for the first time in at least fifteen years. What an awesome song! I'm also a big Fan of "Golden Brown", which I discovered on the soundtrack to Snatch.

[resmeister]

Who the hell 'disliked' this? Was it the ponce and his bitch from the middle of the vid?? :o

[flemwad]

great song..at 1.50 I could do with seeing the guy in the green burst into flames though

[SuperPais]

I hope that this song was a N.1

Suberb pop.

[4745ken]

as one of the first Gen-Xers, i've reached the age where my own youth is now being marketed back to me. so much of the 80's which is dredged up for advertising and nostalgia is utter crap. the real gems, like this band and video, are lost in the mire. and who couldn't love a group named the Stranglers.

[jaarex]

Wielu ludzi mówi ci, że są twymi przyjaciółmi

Ty im wierzysz Potrzebujesz ich do tego, co jest za rzeki zakrętem

Upewnij się że odbierasz wysyłane przez nich sygnały

Bo masz, bracie, tylko dwie ręce do pomocy Być może jest ktoś kto doprowadzi cię do łez I pewnej nocy wyłoni się przed tobą

gdy będziesz spał W niektóre dni są rzeczy w twym umyśle które powinieneś zapamiętać Czasami trudniej jest patrzyć niż się usunąć.

[SteveResin]

@jaarex my thoughts exactly!

[rocoreb]

@SteveResin yes, I concur the comment hit the nail on the head!

[MrTobester1]

Watch out for the Skindeeps!

[MrM894]

@MrTobester1 just remember the days as long as you keep

[tommynnocker]

what a laugh...they didn't even give greenfield a mic!!!! not that any of them needed one!!!!

[hooliiisdewayne]

I love this song.I always must sing it,when i listened to it.

[jm29164]

GOOD THING ABOUT STRANGLERS SONGS IS THAT YOU CAN SING EVERY SONG IN KARAOKE AND NOT FEEL LIKE A TWAT!!!

[01suiteness]

here because I heard the stranglers playing on the tannoy in the supermarket today. SO out of place, nothing like it live when you're moshing and screaming along with everyone :D

[01suiteness]

1:21 - I want a totp hat :(

[Idah0Duncan]

the idiots in the "audience" have no clue that the Stranglers are singing about THEM

Classic

[supercamberwell]

listen to the words true then ..and very true now ..great london group ..can still smell the grass???

[Linda4Conor]

Joe Evans in Belfast loves this song so much.... sing up man !!!

[georgeytaylor]

many people tell me that they are my friend, yet the only thing I can truly trust is my dog.... just about sums it up!

[mrralvintwerp]

@steveResin thanks

[mrralvintwerp]

who is the TOTP presenter ????

[SteveResin]

@mrralvintwerp Richard Skinner

[Marinas1stDiamond]

@mrralvintwerp I could be wrong,but i think it's Tommy Vance.

[MrKayaker69]

look at the dullhards in the big shitty ......................great band timeless

[ttgagger]

bet they were pissed when you see those dickheads dancing,we are the meninblack

[mrralvintwerp]

the keyboard player looks like him out of " no country for old men"

[CultFan666]

@mrralvintwerp what the hell is going on with his haircut though?

[HELPTHEPICKLEISALIVE]

@mrralvintwerp Whereas, the drummer looks like a cross between Mick Molloy and a rapist.

[ThisBoyTV]

"watch out for the skin deep..." great measure of friendship

[TheDudleyDave]

Knob Helmet haircut.

[Jeanny1978]

God how I love them. Too bad I'm from 1978 so at that time I was too young....

[MrM894]

@Jeanny1978 your never too young pet that music will always be here

[CletisVanDam1]

I saw them live twice, I wish I could remember it. This version, with Hugh. Once in Philadelphia once in Camden new jersey.

[EveryGirlsCowboyMan]

the stranglers are awesome... this is the studio recording, and the keyboard player has very weird hair lol

[brentmcd]

fantastic guitar tone -- tele twang, reverb, and tremolo!

[freitag314]

Frank Zappa commented favorably on these guys. More than once. That's quite an endorsement.

[mrbrydon63]

FANTASTIC GROUP FROM MARCUS BRYDON

[BottomBoosh]

Were JJ's BLACK trousers in the wash.

[thetiktokman]

genius! a song from a long dead time when bands knew how to write & perform great material...

[karahamilton]

i was born the year this came out. love this song

[oblongfan1]

lmao theyre lip synching you can tell they hate it. had they done this live it would have been through the roof

[Looii5]

Cheery little number!

[chimetrooper]

"It's tougher to look than to leave" - how very true! Great song from a great band. Thanks so much for posting this great old memory. I was working in a bank when this song came out. God I hated that place but the Stranglers made it a little better with this catchy number one song.

[p1ngu45]

Played Aural Sculpture nonstop,on cassette too,side two was apparently a game to play on the Spectrum64,has anyone tried it??

[randomglen]

Aural Sculpture is a true gem of an album. The Stranglers really contributed to the 80s with such a brilliant masterwork. I love this TOTPs performance... they are really not the "pop" stars but their presence especially Hugh Cornwell's is so engaging. I love his voice. Thanks Stranglers for shaping my youth in profound ways!

[GNeuman]

Dave Greenfield is just one of the greatest rock keyboardists of all time

[ItchyTheHappyElf]

lol at 1:24

[Malocosa]

LOL, Richard Skinner looks like Donald Pleasance with an 80s wig

[flagship21]

they just dont make music like they use to

[MrM894]

awsome stuff from a great band

[sirdoccy]

Looks like Neil buchanan presenting this!

[flares]

@sirdoccy Richard Skinner. 

[RoxasTheNobody93]

better watch out for the string bean!

[MrM894]

fucken vintage stuff

[newaver64]

in still waiting for the meninblack

[KongKegso2]

Better watch out for the scooby O.o

[polarbear01278]

good track ...nuff said

[KevLancaster1]

Amazing tune. The extended version is great too. Cant help but think the lead singer looks like jose mourhino tho ha ha

[mightywhite41]

Class song from a class band..The Stranglers didnt do miming but TOTP didnt allow live acts until 1987 when New order performed..Bands can express themselves more when they perform live hence judging by this The Stranglers didnt look comfortable

[gregglesmegma]

this song was such a gigantic return to form for the band after 2 or 3 yrs where they floundered a little, superb album. They came back to Newcastle (NSW) for the 2nd and so far at least last time. Hugh quipped that the largely sedate audience were obviously from a steel city because they stood perfectly steel.........

[ashbackwards]

I saw them in Winnipeg in 1981 and it changed my life. Radio is still the same there. Van Halen and Led Zep. People were calling out for Peaches continuously, so Hugh yelled 'you want Peaches? You want Peaches?' he then ran off stage and came back with a basket of peaches and whipped them into the crowd. The best part was -- they didn't play it.

[berky1]

@ashbackwards That's awesome!!! :o) LOL!

[steinber]

It's so clear how much they hate miming the song...too funny! Glory days...

[OrbvsTomarvm]

I just played the same festival as them (stormin the castle) :-D they started the main stage 30mins before we finished and fair do's, no-one left our gig to see them.. hehe.

Hats off tho, i caught a bit of them and (god bless baz warne) even without that great man Mr Cornwall, they are still f*ckin' AWESOME!!! This track in particular has rocked my ye olde worlde immensely, and with v few otha exceptions is largely responsible 4me playin keybords and my musicianship. Dave Greenfield=Kybord God.

[volumex2000]

Stranglers are headlining at Triumph Live Sept 18

triumph-live.co.uk

spread the word

[martindowland]

Guildford music. Oh isnt it.

[helltopay1]

1:52 NNNOOOONNNNCCCEEEEE!!!!!11

[kristingle48]

A haunting song, and great song, reminds me of my beloved late brother. r.i.p.

[thelaird1234]

Jesus.... Heard this song for the 1st time in ages the other day on Absolute Radio and now i can't get enough of it. Brings back great memories. Love it

[tumbraider]

jesus what a song

[tumbraider]

1984

[TheWIERDChannelLOL]

the lead singer looks like such a king wank!

[seanreillyireland]

@TheWIERDChannelLOL if you'd said that about 1.55 dancer I'd understand, but our Hugh?!!!

[vintagezigg]

@seanreillyireland I certainly agree with your choice of Wankership sir. An excellent observation. Hugh however is as smooth as velvet ,as well as a Baddass and Gentleman.. The man is a Rock and Roll God ! And if anyone has a problem with that you just may find strangled in your own jealousy, MrWeirdchannellDouchebag .

[johnps65]

Many people tell you that they're your friend You believe them You need them For what's round the river bend Make sure that you're receiving the signals they send 'Cause brother you've only got two hands to lend Maybe there's someone who makes you weep And some nights loom up ahead When you're asleep Some days there's things on your mind you should keep Sometimes it's tougher to look than to leap Better watch out for the Skin Deep Better watch out for the Skin Deep

[Electromusicaus]

Love the keyboard work!

[Electromusicaus]

Top Class!!!

[vilesilencer]

fucken love these guys, saw them live at the Apollo Stadium in Adelaide, South Australia back in 1984, phqn hell, how the years have flown my dear.

[xMichaelxGreenx]

@Ah, the Apollo! Would have been great.

[LoveHeartLogicHead]

Hmmmmm.........

This performance.. not the song but the performance brings it home to me how much of a purist I am. I think The Stranglers are great and this song in particular. A great, great song. I have just come from watching the official film clip and there, it was played with the seriousness it deserves. It seems to me that the atmosphere which was on Top Of The Pops on this occasion didn't allow them to play it with real character. Just me and my intention is not to offend anyone.

[xMichaelxGreenx]

Yeah, that's because it's mimed, my dear... top of The Pops policy, I'm afraid (The Smiths broke the rules though)

[jeffbeck70]

"Punk" became a trademark very early.

Too much attitude and far less sincerity for most of them (like always). However some bands were very good and had good musicians and good songwriters, hence The Stranglers.

[sentinal2000]

brill group

[mugwamp4]

cant understand why anyone would label the Stranglers "punk" they simply played great hard edged quality pop

[xMichaelxGreenx]

same reason Talking Heads got labelled punk sometimes. Just lazy journalism I guess.

[mugwamp4]

@xMichaelxGreenx yeah talking heads were great ,,but again about as punk as pat boone theres a great i/view with the stranglers  in OZ about early 80's with some straight fuck from a local tv show they give him shit its on utube somewhere

[66gadus]

great song - saw them back on the Raven tour - great band!

[baggie00001]

The dancers at 1:50 made me laugh. Looks like some dude and his mom. No way is she below 40.

[ady10001]

Familiar scene from the Rotherham nightclubs.

[nittenboys]

the lead singer is  not related to my uncle !

[thegazzamataz]

My toast burnt bad ..

[thecleaner2010]

Great from ''THE CLEANER 2010''

[danchapers]

best song allways puts me in a little world of my own and how time goes so fast when your young!!!!

[johnanthonyp]

How unorthodox and consequentally cool were these guys. They are such a big part of my teenage years. No one else got a look in. They could just change their musical style to suit the time but still retain absolute credibility. Thus their longevity.

[TheGodParticle]

@johnanthonyp I think they started off as a punk band, or am i thinking of the clash.

[johnanthonyp]

They predated that, my friend. Their first incarnation was in1973 and I believe they were aiming for the soft rock market but a change in personnel saw a change of direction.

[TheGodParticle]

@johnanthonyp Cheers for the info, such a great band, had some good times in 84

[sy30sw]

check out the drummer at about 1.24

man hes high!!!!

[johnanthonyp]

Jet could project a look like that for dark humour effect. He's always been one for food and beer rather than the wacky stuff. It's not as if he's classically emaciated as a result of overindulgence of drugs. Love the man.

[crapple009]

I think he was pushing 50 when this was filmed. He's now in his mid 70s!

[j4wn]

@sy30sw Jet Black , born 1938! Check him out!

[artgenies]

you would better watch out for the skindeep! How true... Even in Top of the POps this song is blossoming!

[keddw]

Nice bass playing. One of the better tracks from a crap decade.

[johnanthonyp]

I agree. An awful and pretty forgettable era for music. Blame the yuppies and Thatcherism. Just goes to show the talent of this group with regards to endurance. Most of their contemporaries were playing Pontins in the '90s.

[ddwigo3]

This Song

Skin Deep By The Stranglers

Is A Good Song

I Do Liked Hearing This Song

[Vijaysuper]

Anybody else 'get' Daves hair? Look at it... then look at your knob... must have taken ages to style it! lol

[Max1baL]

¡Un gran clásico de los 80's!

A great classic from the 80's!

[MoveOverCasanova]

i cannot help to feel that cornwell was responsible for their real best stuff, though burnels songs were amazing too, just think of the raven

[terrythekittie]

Akin to JOHN LENNON leaving the BEATLES to carry on without him...I can't say I've heard much of the post-Cornwell Stranglers but the more recent Stranglers vocalists are pretty average at the best of times judging by what I see on YOUTUBE.

[jfpOne23]

man I had to shut it off just for the clapping

[SpeedTriple59]

Pity the sheep are clapping..Classic record.Classic band,so glad i seen these guys back then,shite bands now,no idea.

[topcat1916]

Those were the days, Great song from a great band :-)

Thx......

[MrJuicejohn]

@topcat1916 Indeed they were...

[britshop1]

@topcat1916 Can you tell these reckless youths around you to listen.

[MoveOverCasanova]

i love jet black´s looks --- he poses so gloomy, though he is the daddy of the bunch,

he is over 70 today!!!

[Annamandabella]

Whoa . Just Wikipedia'd him. Impressed

[katfiles]

Takes me back...good times even better music.

[ajnevitt]

Used to play on 91X in San Diego all the time when I was going to university.

[MoveOverCasanova]

3:07---just see how cornwell looks---what a muscician, folks!!!

[MoveOverCasanova]

as a kiddo i used to find that albums feline, aural sculputure uncool and a treachery to their old stuff - but the oldrer i get i find that they jcared a fuck about styles or superficial images - they just let out what was in their weird, brillant heads, -i mean this is music made withsuch real passion, honest and emotional

[atomicFlyer]

I've heard this played in shops in the US, but never on the radio.

[Proper4567]

the best.....

gruß ricky

[louthesz]

Great song, crappy miming though Mr Cornwell

[MoveOverCasanova]

crappy miming was the oplympic discipline of bands appearing on TOTP!!!

The stranglers were rather disciplined in this,

in other cases drummers used their forehead as a snare drum:-))

[CombatRocks]

This is excellent miming compared to what they used to do in the early days! Hugh was never a fan of the miming. He preferred his Crackerjack pencils.....

[sozialismakrause]

subcutan? does the injection goes right under the skin? or intravenös? Stranglers - best punk ever thought over!

[vintagezigg]

What a song !!!!!! Just can't enough of the Stranglers !!! Hugh is so damn cool.

[NineShagnasty]

Odd to see them NOT arsing about on TOTP.

Decent song.....but the beginning of the end with JJ switching from lead to melodic basslines.

[liverpool80000seater]

cannabis panic attacks

[j0nw]

Excellent performance considering nothing is plugged in!

[posuerbuster]

Better watch out...

[DrDaveHPP]

This song is a real life-event marker for me - takes me back to the beginning of my first year at Brum Uni. :-)

My elder brother told me that Purple Rain by the Purple Pain would perform that particular function. He was wrong.

[stripeyhole]

I heart the Stranglers, but sometimes their bad hair really bothers me. JJ Burnel looks pretty adorable here though.

[armalyte]

amazing quality rip...cheers.

[bbbrobo]

great song, but the lip sync was awful.....

[WimDeVolder]

The best group in history !

[waitaniwha]

xlnt

[skdragon]

took me 20 years to get it!!!

[termin9r]

not so non conformist here... ehh

got to watch out for the skin deep

[IanLewis321]

Totally awesome track, thanks for posting!

[humanrightsabusesare]

did they borrow the drommer from the muppets?

1:27secs , i believe his name is animal!

[luxyaltz219]

brillinat , love it all , bass ,keyboards ,vocals , harmonies ...awesome

[PAULLONDEN]

SUCH a C☻☻L BAND •♫•♫•♫•♫•♫

[shilo507]

What a song! Great pop-writing! Great driving melody, sublime keyboards and harmonies!