"Golden Brown" - Mariachi Mexteca (now known as The Mariachis) feat. Hugh Cornwell

A great honour and great fun to meet and play with one of our favourite legends of music and being able to perform a "Golden Brown" remake with legend Hugh Cornwell.

[@Everything_All_In_One_Place]

Sometimes KZbin recommends things I wasn't expecting and I just have to say, "Wow, good job KZbin."

[@simonjj7397]

Same here, what a gem.

[@revueltaroja4621]

No my favorite version.

[@revueltaroja4621]

this is him when he was younger with his band The Stranglers. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4iXfamAZ9mXrM0si=uDAxr-HAwC58ZWsj

[@laurastrobel718]

Ikr?!😊👍

[@davekaio5934]

Close your eyes, Mr Cornwell's voice has not changed in 30 years, so beautiful

[@platoquemado]

My god he has a beautiful voice I cant believe it

[@danmetcalf3866]

A sign of real class 👌✌️

[@revolutionary-t-shirts7042]

Totally agree just as good as when I saw him with the Stranglers at San Francisco in 1987. The greatest concert of my life.

[@xscale]

It's better.

[@jimallen9442]

Slightly deeper, sounds better to me.

[@celiopodo]

The mexican touch is marvellous.

[@hastyhillfarmand4x480]

I don't care where it comes from, I just need more! Oh wait, you mean the style it's played in, right, gotcha. lol

[@marcolopez8087]

Love the song and the mariachis but I think some trumpets at the end would have been mindblowing.

[@JordanRiehm]

+Marco López Yes trumpets would effing set it off.

[@krisschaefer876]

+Marco López do an edit

[@Mrbrbusby]

This song is revolutionary.

[@krisschaefer876]

viva la revolucion

[@TheJ3builders]

absolutely!

[@MonoLith2049]

I wish I had Hugh Cornwell's voice instead of his hair!

[@whynot4828]

😂

[@SilverCanary1]

Gary McMichael #stalkerlyfe

[@Claytone-Records]

Oh, so right.

[@alex-E7WHU]

😂 😂 😂 Top comment 🤣

[@jonathanashby4719]

I used to wish I had less grey hair. Now I wish I had more.

[@bwanadave76]

Just buried my best friend of 50 years who was a bigger Stranglers fan than me although I introduced them to him. Good-bye, Denny. I love you like a brother. The best friend a man ever had.🥲

[@Spankypenguin1]

I have no idea why this suddenly popped up as recommended in 2019, but I'm glad it did.

[@bertrandgeorgeon3992]

...because you're an old punk rocker. Big Brother is watching you !!

[@Ocean-Mariner]

Good. But I wonder if they realise the song is about heroin? I suspect not.

[@houghtos]

Me neither...and me too! Love it!

[@spudtrainspotting9149]

Awesome

[@Pililinas]

Me too! :-)

[@karlp8484]

Even with completely different instruments, you recognise the song within like 5 seconds. That's the sign of greatness.

[@LULUAVEIGA]

Yep🥰

[@proximacentaur1654]

Exactly. Well said.

[@jimscobie9362]

you tube dave brubeck

[@elbentzo]

That's the sign of a 13/8 time signature...

[@MrStefanDittrich]

thats the sign of the name that is written under the video

[@harrieindewarrie2448]

What a brilliant version this is.

[@Marcus538]

Yep , I would of loved to have had this back in punk days it would of caused a stir

[@bwanadave76]

Or in 2021 on the day I buried my best friend.

[@karmasauce6288]

@@bwanadave76 I’m sorry for your loss.

[@bwanadave76]

@@karmasauce6288 thank you

[@MrWeitblick]

@@bwanadave76 May your Friend Rest in Peace

[@martindavis9826]

Great song, great version. RIP Dave Greenfield, who wrote it. Brilliant man.

[@ianwalker3950]

Co-wrote

[@punkergdl]

The song is about Hugh Ex-Girlfriend... Hugh Cornwell got to work, writing 10 minutes of lyrics that would eventually be whittled down to five to fit the music. Cheers...

[@dj1rst]

@@punkergdl Since when is an illegal drug a girlfriend?

[@happy_fecker]

@@dj1rst From Wikipedia's Golden Brown entry: "'Golden Brown' works on two levels. It's about heroin and also about a girl... both provided me with pleasurable times." Source: The Stranglers Song by Song (2001), a book written by Hugh Cornwell.

[@daynasmum529]

its about heroin@@punkergdl

[@pembertonsmithmusic1986]

The Mariachis look so happy to be playing with Hugh Cornwell

[@smoog]

Who wouldn't be happy to have played with Hugh?

[@benignofernandez5450]

and he too!!!...great!!

[@phillipgraves4721]

They were imbibing on golden Brown🤣

[@jaivkoltun4948]

Sure are a smiley bunch, great feel good version of a timeless classic. . .

[@christophercooper6731]

Los Estranguladores.

[@jellybean9319]

What a great version. They really do it justice 😊

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

A great song is a great song in any style. Even Mento: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJOrqIuwedCdhq8

[@nicomeier8098]

Hugh Cornwell - what a voice.

[@popeantichrist8847]

I like how he keeps the brogue while singing

[@tulioalejandro1090]

Greetings from Guadalajara México to Mariachi Mexteca, very proud of you, paisanos!!!

[@jota55581]

Saludos desde Irlanda mexicano hermano. Arriba los Patricios 💪🇲🇽🇮🇪

[@bendennis7730]

The faces on the Mariachis and Hugh’s voice and delivery that hasn’t changed for 40 years make this tear inducing stuff for someone who was born in 1971!

[@bendennis7730]

There is a mash up with Dave Brubeck Take Two which has actually lead to people thinking that Dave Brubeck wrote the original!

[@kriscuthbert9671]

Think this original was done before the Dave brubeck fake. . . ! ! !

[@JadxiaL]

More proof that when the song rocks, it doesn't matter how you kick it.

[@henryhernandez4631]

Kinda facts its has to hit... Some people shouldn't cover songs...

[@SilverCanary1]

Henry Hernandez and take heroine instead

[@wellsshady]

It helps that the guitarwork is professional, that they kept the "harmony" in the latter part of the song, and that it's the original singer. An alternate take, more than a simple cover, that's what makes it stand out.

[@saphirus1able]

Hugh Cornwell - such a beautiful voice through the years! Gives me goose pimples!

[@chelebeaqueen]

something special for sure, whatever magical alchemy was present in The Stranglers... his solo work doesn't shine and sparkle quite like this stuff. i am in love with his singing character! first real *kaBLAM!* moment i had with them was Straighten Out, how he does that little Buddy Holly hattip ohmygawd my heart leaps every time! 🥰🥰🥰

[@leonbarker7195]

I did not expect this. What a great version. 👌👍👏

[@affectivity9346]

I love his voice.

[@innocentgunn]

+affectivity Yeah he still sound real good, maybe even better?

[@GeoffBosco]

I'm not very familiar with the Stranglers...just that this is one of their songs. When he started to sing, I was like, "Wow this guy is great singer...wait that kind of sounds like the guy who sang the original." lol

[@MoreChannelNoise]

@@GeoffBosco me too.

[@MoreChannelNoise]

@@innocentgunn I think he sounds better

[@wizika]

@@MoreChannelNoise Are you kidding that you don't know this is the original singer from Stranglers? They parted ways some years ago

[@greciacolis]

this made my day, totally! I am mexican and I love the Stranglers

[@droppedbye.2698]

grecia colis ... you would would'nt you ! The song is about Heroin.

[@barock69]

Mexican Gothic

[@tonymack66]

Yeah AND it won an Ivor Novello Award ta boot !!!!! R n R subversion at its best............

[@BiffScooter1]

Is this like the Morrissey love from Latin America? Very cool if the Stranglers had that kind of following back in the day in Latin nations.

[@whitetigress7448]

I agree. "Never a frown."

[@JohnBread-bj1cr]

Mr. Hugh Corwell commanding respect wherever he goes.

[@kiteman357]

I always loved this song. Growing up in the late seventies and early eighties, never stopped to realize what it was about.After going into the military and getting hurt, I soon realized what it was about. 16 years on opiates is a heavy price to pay, my friends. Opiates are clean government heroin. I am now one year free of the governments golden brown. The song is really true, especially the part about "she stays for a day". You wake up the next morning with kicking legs and a bad stomach, shaking, itching and sneezing. Shivering while you're sweating. Its like having the flu all the time. I urge anyone who is addicted to heroin or opiates to get off of them. Best decision I ever made. You can do it, I did it by weaning myself down and then going through two and a half weeks of withdrawals but it was worth it. They do terrible things to your body and you wont even care while you're on the shit. I feel for all my brothers still on this crap. God bless, brothers. Via con Dios, hermanos.

[@kiteman357]

@Ralph Macchiato Thank you! I really knew nothing about them, just that they made pain bearable. Within months they didn't work so good so Docs upped the rx. It's a vicious cycle. You're right about never starting. I hope people are more aware now with all the OD's and such. Don't become a statistic.

[@terencemichaels]

Well said

[@kiteman357]

@@terencemichaels Thank you

[@deanbroad5719]

Well done Brother

[@kiteman357]

@@deanbroad5719 Thank you. I was highly motivated.

[@andrew1212w]

I enjoyed this version of a classic song also RIP Dave Greenfield who passed away recently (The Stranglers Keyboardist) 🙁

[@MegaPoxie]

Dave gave the Stranglers their unique sound that stood out amongst other bands of the era, a great loss.

[@WillyEckaslike]

never forget his solo on this track archive.org/details/THE_STRANGLERS_Nice_N_Sleazy_1978

[@springformband]

@@WillyEckaslike And I must say I'm excited. Very nice and sleazy!

[@MegaPoxie]

@@WillyEckaslike Yeh, I see why that was very memorable! 😛

[@justincase4812]

RIP Dave, amazing on the keys.

[@patcapozzi8358]

Great to see the legend in person!!

[@sionnachmacbradaigh1010]

This a magnificent. I have been a Stranglers fan since I was 7 years old. Hugh Cornwell still has an amazing voice. The mariachi accompaniment is inspired!

[@andrewglover9874]

A great song can be done in so many ways and still hold its integrity, this one is a classic.

[@racketman2u]

good observation.

[@Sickleh]

If Heinsenberg made Heroin, this would of been his theme tune.

[@smike230966]

You made me laugh and cough at the same time.

[@chrishansen869]

i laughed and farted at the same time

[@whitetigress7448]

Rasputin: Classy bunch of folks up in here. ;-)

[@gadaviman1061]

White Tigress lmfao

[@dogmachine2406]

Would have fit seamlessly into an intro or outro (even a mid episode scene segway) in breaking bad.

[@grahamhill8280]

Wherever Hugh Cornwell is... spirit of The Stranglers

[@AndyBHome]

Isn't that him singing in the video?

[@johnmcdonnell81]

Wow. He's still got it big time.

[@DerekDogsforSentience]

I don’t care which way this song is played, whatever version I just love it !

[@AP86777]

Mister Cornwell is such a gentleman. I met him in 2010 in Vienna, we had a great chat. Miss those old days with Stranglers music.

[@Peter_Pepper_Love]

Hugh was and will always be the voice of The Stranglers ☝🏻😏💛

[@AP86777]

@@Peter_Pepper_Love You are so right 💗

[@Peter_Pepper_Love]

@James Tudornever a frown with golden brown 🤎 🎶"walkin on the beaches lookin at the 🍑 's 😁💞

[@nandogomez2525]

I love this song, God bless you Mr Hugh

[@Hysteria98]

One of the best songs ever made and this cover does it justice as such.

[@tonyschannel2281]

It's not technically a cover if the original singer is singing it, just a new rendition of it.

[@cuchanu]

One of the best songs ever made is right, this one is nice but feels impromptu probably because it is. If they fleshed it out more it could have been pretty epic

[@marleyite]

Won’t call it a cover more like a Spanish sounding rendition of the original song.

[@vladdrakul7851]

@@cuchanu It is epic. The very inspired impromtu version is precisely why this version is so great. It is equally moving as the genius original to me.

[@idonthavealoginname]

@@tonyschannel2281 The original version is by Dave Brubeck by the way but the Stranglers put lyrics to it so this is a rendition of a cover so to speak .

[@vijaysuraaditya2666]

Brings back some damn fine memories. How I wish those times could return.

[@inisboru3181]

A great version of one of the greatest songs composed ever. Thank you Hugh.

[@wotchatalkinboutwillis4577]

These Mariachi's know a good song when they play it. The smiles are all there. Cool cover👌

[@therealpils]

except hugh cornwell. I don't think I've ever seen him smile.

[@TheBirchCreek]

@@therealpils Never a frown either.

[@therealpils]

​@@TheBirchCreek 🤣😐😂

[@therealpils]

@@TheBirchCreek Dad, is that you?.

[@brad42948]

Man, that voice. Hugh is one of England's best.

[@bigd5080]

WOW!!!!....WOW! It’s like this song was meant for Mariachi. Well done👏👏👏

[@chelebeaqueen]

i know, right???! makes perfect sense when heard, but i NEVER would have put it in mariachi land until this! ♡

[@rahulshah1408]

The voice…. Wow.

[@JustChadC]

Just needed a trumpet and it would be perf. God his voice still holds tho

[@Peter_Pepper_Love]

Hugh's voice is The Stranglers 🤔💞

[@Epoxinator]

I really miss the harpsichord from the original, but Cornwall's voice seems deeper and richer in this version. A nice alternative. Interesting that the other musicians didn't contribute backing vocals.

[@adrianred236]

The Stranglers were/are the most underrated band ever.

[@grootkormelink]

I think that Talk Talk is the most underrated band, I like both by the way! ;-)

[@ehrenperle728]

Golden brown, texture like sun Lays me down, with my mind she runs Throughout the night No need to fight Never a frown with golden brown Every time just like the last On her ship tied to the mast To distant lands Takes both my hands Never a frown with golden brown Golden brown, finer temptress Through the ages she's heading west From far away Stays for a day Never a frown with golden brown Never a frown (never a frown), never a frown With golden brown (with golden brown), with golden brown Never a frown (never a frown), never a frown With golden brown (with golden brown), with golden brown Never a frown (never a frown), never a frown With golden brown (with golden brown), with golden brown Never a frown (never a frown), never a frown With golden brown (with golden brown), with golden brown

[@scottcates]

Exquisite temptress is she.

[@marksuperkid1253]

an ode to heroin

[@roddymcniven8734]

Duh

[@dlordmeister]

This is so damn good i keep coming back to it!

[@corinnabuck-lachenmann54]

Me too. Over and over again...

[@simonjj7397]

same here, something extraordinary about this music.

[@dawidpetka]

The best cut that happens to our lifes in last 21 days of 2024...

[@peterparkingmeter4764]

How good is this!!! Hugh Cornwall's voice is amazing and the smile on the Mexican guitarists faces says it all It gets better after each watch.

[@mt.rushmore7916]

Well stated.

[@Autotrope]

Two videos i love on youtube, this version of Golden Brown, and the Dave Brubeck version of Golden Brown 😉

[@DavidJohnson-mz5dt]

There is no Dave Brubeck version. It is a video mashup.

[@Autotrope]

@@DavidJohnson-mz5dt hence the wink

[@ezrhino100]

this is probably the most brilliant musical collaboration of all time... hugh cornwall...

[@stevebond4458]

A true artist, brilliant version.

[@johnatherton8602]

without a doubt one of the best bands ever.

[@geemonster9179]

I like this rendition a lot i'm glad Hugh was singing it too

[@alancaunce3199]

Absolutely Bloody Brilliant Mr Cornwell. Original Majestic, This Just Blew Me Away. Thank You For This And Many More Belting Memories.

[@darylcollins2727]

How did I only find this in December 2021???? Brilliant

[@lornasimpson3462]

So it's Hugh Cornwall who sings Golden Brown, he has an amazing voice and one of the best songs of all time. Keep on singing Hugh!

[@johnk5910]

Amazing how strong his voice still is. Excellent.

[@lukakorlaet6558]

Pure brilliance. Gave me the chills.

[@jeremysmith228]

This is probably the best thing that's ever happened to me.

[@MachineThatCreates]

The quality musicians never age or degrade in any way. Hugh's voice has not changed since I saw the Stranglers in Syd in 1980. Form is temporary...class lasts forever.

[@Kalamuzud]

Depeche Mode is another good example of quality, also one could point out Faith No More w/ Patton on vocals is another great example

[@raymondwebb8711]

I was at the entertainment centre too

[@MachineThatCreates]

@@raymondwebb8711 that's nice. They played at the Capitol Theatre.

[@alexiskatsogiannos7468]

What a great voice!!! I LOVE The Stranglers!!

[@tomreynolds9078]

THE MARIACHIS WAS A GENIUS STROKE BY HUGH CORNWELL!!

[@kevinhanson4703]

Best ive heard of Golden brown since 82.Brilliant version brilliant musicians the Mexican touch is nearest to the Egyptian feel

[@mirror1675]

Everyone looks very happy - as they should be playing this great song!

[@keithmckeith]

"Golden Brown" - The Mariachis and Hugh Cornwell are Brilliant! This is Genius! A Big Thank You!

[@kazelciegomiller1289]

When you start your night drinking in a pub In England and Then you woke up riding a horse in Mexico

[@ronniebreslin2799]

Top comment 😂😂

[@Cernumospete]

This sounds like the start of a quest.

[@niallmurray7521]

Is this still available

[@MartinLopez-ys5dm]

...With a needle in a good one.

[@halexiszhr6905]

suena como el inicio de un buen libro... riding a horse and singing mariachis...

[@isshinryu11]

I need to be a mariachi band player...they look so happy!

[@nick1f]

I'm pleased to see that he still maintained his wonderful voice

[@sheenaghm3053]

Saw him last month - if anything, his voice is even better now. Amazing performer!

[@lightmaker2010]

Brilliant! I'm Mexican too, love the Stranglers!

[@hectorcot597]

Omg , that was the best thing I've heard on KZbin by a country mile

[@1sydman1]

Love this version, love the stranglers

[@stringlarson1247]

So cool. I've never heard this version. Brilliant.

[@vincelewis8360]

how have I only discovered this now?????

[@TuorTheBlessedOfUlmo]

Man nothing makes you smile more than a mariachi band. Those guys smiles are contagious

[@nicktonyman]

have loved this version for years .........

[@jack94987002]

Brilliant release this version.

[@rw8733]

Alexander Watson Language gentlemen please!! 😂

[@divinefallfromgrace]

Alexander Watson ACTUALLY, Hugh Cornwell himself that the song is deliberately ambiguous, and is about multiple things. SERVED. Now feck off back to your bummery.

[@alexanderwatson4075]

Don't chat shit especially when it is literally shit. Now fuck off back to your pathetic existence.

[@divinefallfromgrace]

Alexander Watson No, and no. I don't answer to plebladytes with a weak grasp on reality.

[@alexanderwatson4075]

So you clearly think I'm not that as you answered :-)

[@timsimpson9367]

Damn that takes you far away. Thanks Stranglers. Beautiful.

[@Jojo8080daisy]

The Great Pandemic of 2020 has taken another artist - thank you David Greenfield for such a haunting melody - and...like golden leaves of an Autumn tree...they keep dropping one by one...there's never a frown with Golden Brown.

[@sebatianalvarado7171]

song is about brown herion ... texture like sand etc ...

[@Partooza1]

Priceless Mariachis!!! and Hugh's voice still crisp as ever after all these years.

[@mcallisterk]

Absolutely brilliant shame you left all those years ago still got it

[@SolariusScorch]

This is the manliest song I've heard this year.

[@rabbitss11]

That really works well, a great version of a terrific song

[@Emilianchic]

FANTASTIC !!!!

[@britsh_weather_has_bipolar8199]

Hugh's got to be a little bit of a genius - hasn't he?

[@youjoker9647]

Hughs been clean for years.

[@RegisPPalmer]

he always looks that way.. just his look. :/

[@stevobath]

Hugh stopped using heroin way back in the mid 80's. He's been a fitness freak for the last 25+ years.

[@mikefoley3785]

Yes, Hugh is a bit of a genius, and the Stranglers were sheer genius as well. Period.

[@stevobath]

+Lioness Fierce Are you serious?

[@ThePremanand711]

For songs like these, voice like these and music like these are why God bless us with ears

[@Fresheification]

I discovered this version last week. Listen to it about 3 times a day since. Absolutely love it ❤❤❤❤

[@DarkLord61636]

Amazing singing voice, and performance overall! I love how visibly happy/enjoying themselves the performers all are.

[@whitetigress7448]

I agree. I like to think of myself as dark and evil, but this transforms me. It's lovely.

[@jhentai0316]

always makes things better when the performers are having fun!

[@MisAnnThorpe]

The Anti Stranglers!

[@g13flat]

@@MisAnnThorpe The Snugglers? )

[@therespectedlex9794]

Yes, one of those magical eighties sounds, but here seems somewhat dubbed to be honest.

[@TighelanderII]

This, is amazing.

[@surfaceten510n]

This popped up on my feed great version still got the voice.

[@milbury55]

Love this version of Golden Brown and some Mariachi trumpet at the end would've been magickal!

[@PinkyPuff69]

AMAZING and so touching. To see him still performing a very favorite song of mine put a smile on my face tonight.

[@RunaroundAtNight]

This still makes me smile. I don't know how or why Hugh Cornwell decided to record a version of his song with The Mariachi band, or why they would want to record such a very un-mariachi song, but I'm glad they did. It is very surreal seeing these guys in full mariachi outfits playing along with a retired pop star singing his 70s hit song about heroin (allegedly) use.

[@glenchapman3899]

It sort of became a thing a while back. To be honest have not seen a bad version. Perhaps the most surprising Was the cover of Twisted Sisters' we are not gonna take it lol

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

80s hit song

[@SigEpBlue]

I can't believe how great this is. Two music styles you'd _never_ imagine working, coming together like magic. Amazing.

[@lindahandley5267]

He's still looks so fine ❤

[@annetta7]

that's just what i was thinking

[@lindahandley5267]

@@annetta7 We know quality men when we see them!🌹

[@deejaaywalker2314]

It is simply impossible to hear this only once. Beautiful!

[@delsmith568]

One of the best voices - so rich and velvety

[@gabart900]

Hugh Cornwell and the Mixtec Mariachi rocks!!!!

[@Rogge73]

Beautiful 😍😍

[@Nettsinthewoods]

This song has been in my head all night, I kept waking up and it was there. I didn’t mind one bit. I love all versions. Thank you Hugh. X I’d like a mariachi band at my funeral - get a jolly send off.

[@Crroow]

Damn! A voice that never fail to surprise. Love this version.

[@michelelamberti1327]

never a frown with golden brown... never gets old...

[@ezzar8165]

OMG how could I just discover this now!!! 🤯 Amazing!!!❤

[@Berry-fr5wj]

Art Class is for ever

[@jonksmodels]

It's a great track I love the way The Mariachis play it in this too. Hey ez zar, have you listened to the original recording by the Stranglers?

[@tose917]

He is singing better than ever. Amazing!!