Rattus Norvegicus (album)

Background and production

The album was originally to be entitled Dead on Arrival but was changed at the last minute. The released title is the taxonomic name for the common brown rat. The album was produced in one week by Martin Rushent, and was a snapshot of the band's live set at the time.

Release

The album peaked at No. 4 in the UK Albums Chart, eventually spending 34 weeks on the chart. The first 10,000 copies of the original vinyl release included a free 7" single, containing "Peasant in the Big Shitty (live)" and "Choosey Susie".

Two singles were taken from the album: "(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)" (released as a double A-side with album track "London Lady"), and "Peaches" (released as a double A-side with the non-album track "Go Buddy Go"), which gave the band their first major hit single, reaching No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart.

A remastered version of the album was reissued on CD in 2001, including these three additional tracks. The album launch party was held in Chelsea's Water Rat pub, in the World's End of the King's Road.

Reception

It was ranked at No. 10 among the top "Albums of the Year" for 1977 by NME, with "Peaches" ranked at No. 18 among the year's top tracks. NME later ranked it at No. 196 in its 2014 list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". It was included in Robert Dimery's 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Track listing

All songs credited as written by the Stranglers.

Side A

1. "Sometimes" (4:56)

Written by Hugh Cornwell, describes a violent argument with a girlfriend. The same girlfriend is the subject of "Strange Little Girl" which was written earlier by Cornwell and Hans Wärmling.

2. "Goodbye Toulouse" (3:12)

Music by Cornwell, lyrics by Burnel. Describes the destruction of Toulouse predicted by Nostradamus.

3. "London Lady" (2:25)

Music by Cornwell, lyrics by Burnel. Loosely based on a contemporary female journalist.

4. "Princess of the Streets" (4:34)

Written in 6/8 time, music and lyrics by Burnel. Penned 'pre-Stranglers'.

5. "Hanging Around" (4:25)

Music by Burnel, lyrics by Cornwell. Describes the characters found in the London pubs that the band played live at.

Side B

6. "Peaches" (4:03)

Burnel/Cornwell. The Stranglers influenced by reggae.

7. "(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)" (3:55)

Music and lyrics by Cornwell. Based on band life in their Chiddingfold squat, featured Eric Clarke, a Welsh coal miner, on saxophone.

8. "Ugly" (4:03)

Music and lyrics by Burnel. Described as 'abstract psychedelia' by Cornwell, the poem Ozymandias is featured.

9. "Down in the Sewer" (7:30)

Has four sections: "Falling"/"Down In The Sewer"/"Trying To Get Out Again"/"Rat's Rally". Music by Burnel, lyrics by Cornwell. The 'sewer' refers to London.

Bonus 7" (limited first issue)

1. "Peasant in the Big Shitty" – live 2. "Choosey Susie"

2001 bonus tracks

10. "Choosey Susie" (3:14)

Music and lyrics by Burnel, describes the same girl as "Princess of the Streets".

11. "Go Buddy Go" (3:58)

Music and lyrics by Burnel, middle 8 by Cornwell. Uses verse chord structure of "Hey Joe" by Billy Roberts for the chorus. Written 'pre-Stranglers'.

12. "Peasant in the Big Shitty (Live at 'The Nashville', 10 Dec 1976)" (3:42)

Music and lyrics by Burnel, written in 9/4 time. Another observation on life in a city. Recorded for Rattus Norvegicus.

Personnel

The Stranglers

Hugh Cornwell – guitars, lead (1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9) and backing vocals

Jean-Jacques Burnel – bass guitar, lead (3, 4, 8, 10, 11) and backing vocals

Dave Greenfield – keyboards (Hammond L100 Organ, Hohner Cembalet electric piano, Minimoog synthesizer), backing and lead (12) vocals

Jet Black – percussion

Additional personnel

Eric Clarke – Guest tenor saxophone (track 7)

Martin Rushent – production

Alan Winstanley – engineering

Benny King – assistance and mixing engineering

Doug Bennett – mixing engineering

Trevor Rogers – sleeve photography

Paul Henry – sleeve art direction, artwork and design