This album introduced the new Burundi Beat drum sound. After having his previous backing band wooed away by producer Malcolm McLaren, who used them to form Bow Wow Wow, Adam Ant recorded Kings of the Wild Frontier with guitarist Marco Pirroni as his new writing partner. In spite of the difficulties with the recording, Kings of the Wild Frontier has become acknowledged as an inspirational and unique-sounding album, introducing two drummers, with Duane Eddy-esque guitar riffs.
The album spawned three hit singles: "Kings of the Wild Frontier" (7/80, reached # 2 in 2/81), "Dog Eat Dog" (reached # 4 in 10/80) and "Antmusic" (12/80 reached No. 2 in 1/81). In addition, Antmusic reached No. 1 in Australia for five weeks. The album was remastered and reissued in 2004 with several bonus tracks.
The US version (LP and subsequent CD issue) dropped "Making History" in favour of two tracks penned by Ant prior to teaming up with Marco Pirroni: The "brilliant grind-rocker" "(You're So) Physical" and "Press Darlings".
"Killer in the Home" is based on the same twangy, descending glissando riff that is featured in Link Wray's "Rumble" (Ants' guitarist Marco Pirroni has cited Link Wray as a major influence). "Dog Eat Dog" was featured in the film Doomsday. It is used in the closing credits of the British television series The Kevin Bishop Show.
The album was the UK number 1 selling album in 1981 (and the 48th best seller in 1980) and won Best British Album at the 1982 Brit Awards. The album is included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Personnel
Adam Ant – Vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, harmonica
Marco Pirroni – Guitar
Kevin Mooney – Bass
Merrick (Chris Hughes) – Drums
Terry Lee Miall – Drums
Chris Hughes – Producer
Kings of the Wild Frontier
Adam and the Ants Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A new Royal Family, a wild nobility, we are the family
A new Royal Family, a wild nobility, we are the family
I feel beneath the white
There is a redskin suffering
From centuries of taming
No method in our madness
Just pride about our manner
Antpeople are the warriors
Antmusic is the banner!
A new Royal Family, a wild nobility, we are the family
A new Royal Family, a wild nobility, we are the family
And even when you're healthy
And your colour schemes delight
Down below those dandy clothes
You're just a shade too white
Shade too white!
Shade too white!
I feel beneath the white
There is a redskin suffering
From centuries of taming...
I feel beneath the white
There is a redskin suffering
From centuries of taming...
The lyrics to "Kings of the Wild Frontier" by Adam and the Ants is a commentary on the state of society and the need for change in the world. The "new Royal Family" represents a shift away from the traditional hierarchy and towards a more inclusive and egalitarian society. The "wild nobility" is a nod to the idea of a ruling class that is not based solely on birthright or wealth but instead on strength, courage and resilience. The repetition of the phrase "we are the family" drives home the point that this new way of thinking will require a collective effort and the unification of all people.
The lines "I feel beneath the white, there is a redskin suffering from centuries of taming" is a reference to the Native American experience of colonization, displacement and cultural genocide. The idea of the "redskin" symbolizes a person who has been stripped of their identity, language, beliefs and traditions as a result of the dominant society's desire for power and control. Adam Ant acknowledges that this suffering has been ongoing for centuries and has yet to be rectified. The use of the word "taming" implies that the Native American people have been treated like animals, rather than human beings with inherent dignity and value.
Finally, in the lines "And even when you're healthy, and your colour schemes delight, down below those dandy clothes, you're just a shade too white," Adam Ant is critiquing the superficiality of society. The idea that someone's worth is based on their appearance, rather than their character or actions, is no longer sufficient. The metaphor of being "just a shade too white" implies that there is a deeper, more meaningful aspect to people that goes beyond their outward appearance.
Line by Line Meaning
A new Royal Family, a wild nobility, we are the family
We are a group of people with a new way of life, free from society's norms and expectations. We are proud of our wild and untamed nature, and consider ourselves a family.
A new Royal Family, a wild nobility, we are the family
Our group is superior to the traditional royal families of the past, as we are wild and untamed, with our own unique values and way of life.
A new Royal Family, a wild nobility, we are the family
We have come together to form a new type of society, one that values freedom, individuality, and a fierce, warrior-like spirit.
I feel beneath the white
There is a redskin suffering
From centuries of taming...
Despite our outward appearance of being white, we recognize the pain and suffering that indigenous people - specifically Native Americans (also referred to as 'Redskins') - have endured throughout history due to colonization and forced assimilation into white culture.
No method in our madness
Just pride about our manner
Antpeople are the warriors
Antmusic is the banner!
We have an unconventional way of life, but we take pride in it nevertheless. Our group of people, the 'Antpeople,' are fierce warriors, and our music - 'Antmusic' - is a representation of our values and beliefs.
And even when you're healthy
And your colour schemes delight
Down below those dandy clothes
You're just a shade too white
Shade too white!
Shade too white!
We recognize that even people who appear healthy and well-dressed on the outside may still be affected by the pressure to conform to white, western beauty standards. This results in people of color being viewed as 'too' ethnic and excluded from these standards.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARCO PIRRONI, ADAM ANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nige
on Lou
So... we're just going to let AI invent song-lyrics now? This is not Adam Ant's Lou. Shameful lazy website.
Ben - Moderator
on Cleopatra
Hi Kevin, I have updated the song facts to reflect these corrections. Please let us know if any further errors are found.
Kevin Manktelow
on Cleopatra
Couple of glaring errors, Cleopatra was first performed on the 10th July 1978 on the Peel Sessions and it was record in in the studio in 1979 for the Dirk Wears White Sox album which was released in January 1980. Marco Pirroni didn't join the band until after Malcolm Mclaren persuaded the rest of the band to quit and form Bow Wow Wow at the end of January 1980. It also wasn't on the normal release of the Prince Charming album, nor was it released as a single.