Stuart Pearce, the legendary England footballer and ardent punk rock enthusiast, has made a special appearance in the latest music video by The Stranglers. Known for his fierce playing style and passion for punk, Pearce is featured in the video for the band’s new single, “This Song.”
Pearce, who earned the nickname “Psycho” during his football career for his intense and aggressive play, is a long-time fan of The Stranglers. He has attended over 300 of their concerts, making his involvement in the video a dream come true.
“When The Stranglers make you an offer you can’t refuse… you can’t refuse!” Pearce exclaimed. “I played it cool, but honestly, I was thrilled and honored to be asked. As a lifelong fan, being part of this video was very special.”
The video showcases Pearce’s parkour skills as he navigates the streets of London, pursued by mysterious assailants. The Stranglers’ lead singer, Baz Warnes, explained that the song’s lyrics inspired the video’s concept, blending parkour action with a Bond-like performance from Pearce.
“The lyrics drove this idea that we can sometimes be trying to escape feelings and emotions that actually we need to confront head-on,” Warnes said. “This led me down a route in which we could mix parkour action with a Bond-like performance from Stuart.”
Warnes added, “I wanted Stuart to perform as if he was giving a half-time team talk to his team that had just conceded before the break. Luckily for us, that actually happened to West Ham the day before, so that emotion was fresh in his memory.”
“This Song” is part of The Stranglers’ upcoming album, “Dark Matters,” set to release on September 10. The album is the band’s first since the passing of their long-time keyboard player, Dave Greenfield, who died from COVID-19 in May 2020. Greenfield’s contributions are featured on eight of the eleven tracks on the new album.
The Stranglers, formed in 1974, have undergone several lineup changes over the years. After the departure of their original frontman, Hugh Cornwell, in 1990, bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel took over lead vocals until Baz Warnes joined in 2006. The band is currently on their “full final tour” of the UK and Europe, dedicated to Greenfield’s memory.
Pearce’s connection to The Stranglers runs deep. In 2018, Burnley manager Sean Dyche revealed that Pearce had sought permission from Burnel before trashing the band’s dressing room after a show in Leicester. Pearce has always admired the band’s musical prowess, stating, “They came up and flourished in the punk era, but they always had more about them musically.”
Reflecting on the upcoming album, Pearce said, “It’s a fitting tribute to Dave Greenfield, who will be missed by everyone. I’m sure I speak for all Stranglers fans by saying we can’t wait to see the boys touring again.”
The Stranglers have released several tracks from “Dark Matters,” including “…And If You Should See Dave,” “The Lines,” and “If Something’s Gonna Kill Me (It Might As Well Be Love).” The album is available for pre-order now.
Fans of both football and punk rock will undoubtedly be excited to see Pearce’s dynamic performance in “This Song” and to hear the new music from The Stranglers. The collaboration is a testament to the enduring bond between the football legend and the iconic punk band.
