Rattus Norvegicus

Rattus Norvegicus (also known as The Stranglers IV) is the title of the debut album by British punk rock group The Stranglers. It was released on 15 April 1977 on the United Artists label. Produced by Martin Rushent, the ground breaking album became one the biggest selling album of the punk era, reaching no.4 in the UK and remaining in the Top 40 for twenty-nine consecutive weeks.

The release of Rattus Norvegicus was preceded by the release of (Get A) Grip (On Yourself) (aka Grip) in January 77 as a double-A side with London Lady, with the follow-up single Peaches / Go Buddy Go reaching no.4 in the UK in May.

The Stranglers were quick to follow up their success with another new album No More Heroes, also produced by Rushent, in September of the same year.

Rattus Norvegicus was re-released on CD in 1996 and in 2001, both editions with three bonus tracks, and again in 2018 with more bonus tracks.

Personnel

 * Hugh Cornwell – guitars, lead and backing vocals
 * Jean-Jacques Burnel – bass guitar, lead and backing vocals
 * Dave Greenfield – keyboards, backing and lead (12) vocals
 * Jet Black – drums, percussion

Tracklisting
original UK LP


 * Side One


 * 1) Sometimes
 * 2) Goodbye Toulouse
 * 3) London Lady
 * 4) Princess of the Streets
 * 5) Hanging Around


 * Side Two


 * 1) Peaches
 * 2) (Get A) Grip (On Yourself)
 * 3) Ugly
 * 4) Down in the Sewer: a) Falling b) Down in the Sewer c) Trying to get Out Again d) Rats Rally


 * Bonus 7" single with initial copies:
 * A. Peasant In The Big Shitty - Live / B. Choosey Susie


 * Two tracks, Hanging Around and Goodbye Toulouse were recorded for the group's first Peel session in March 1977 and appear on The Sessions CD (1995) which also features a version of Down in the Sewer recorded in 1982.
 * 1996 and 2001 re-releases feature the bonus single tracks, plus Go Buddy Go.
 * 2018 re-release features the above plus Peaches (airplay version), <Grip ’89 (Get a) Grip (on Yourself) and Grip ’89 (Grippin’ Stuff 12″ mix).