1) ANT a.k.a. Antony Harding is an English singer/songwriter and musician f… Read Full Bio ↴1) ANT a.k.a. Antony Harding is an English singer/songwriter and musician from the Isle of Wight. He is best known as the drummer in London band Hefner, and plays independently as ANT. So far ANT has released 3 full length albums, 2 compilation albums and 4 mini albums. He recorded a session for the legendary DJ John Peel in 2000 and toured China in 2011. His 2012 album The Birds Sing Goodnight To You And Me was hailed as 'the best album of 2012' by Dandelion Radio's Mark Whitby.
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2) Ant is a prominent drum & bass dj from Warsaw, Poland. He often mixes the deeper side of d'n'b with the more old-school techstep sounds.
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3) Ant is a hip hop producer, whose full name is Anthony Davis. He is best known as being one half of the hip hop group Atmosphere, but has worked with many other artists and projects, mostly with Rhymesayers Entertainment, such as Brother Ali, I Self Devine, Felt and The Dynospectrum. He has also released two solo albums, Melodies and Memories, and Melodies and Memories 85-89.
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4) Ant (Anthony Wilson, DJ Ant) is a techno producer from London. Part of the Stay Up Forever Collective, he releases through his own label, Powertools, and may others in UK and overseas.
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5) Anthony Steven Kalloniatis (born August 22, 1968), known professionally as ANT, is an openly gay Greek-American stand-up comedian and actor. ANT prefers his name spelled in all caps. A native of Londonderry, New Hampshire, ANT performed at comedy clubs across the nation and for four years starting in 1995, he was a semiregular cast member on the WB series Unhappily Ever After.
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6) Ant Parker, ex-frontman of the Christian Folk/Rock band 'Why?'. He only release one 4 track e.p. after the band split. His last known occupation was as groundsman for a golf club somewhere in Devon.
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7) Ant, a sick guy who makes the occasional tune and only listens to them himself and rarely shares them.
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Side B
ANT Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Adam ant

My baby says I mistreat her
I don't know about that
I only know when I beat her
She like to call me a -

She keeps on playing those b-side records

All day long in the flat
They're a little bit obscure she says
I call her a -

B-side baby
And that's that
She's just a b-side baby
And that's a fact

I think punk is an overused word
As a matter of fact
I hate joey ramone when he says
He's gonna beat on a -
He's going to find himself d-d-down an alley
With his face beaten flat
And a spray job in bright pink letters, saying
B-r-a-t spells

B-side baby

Overall Meaning

The opening lyrics of Adam Ant's Side A is a polarizing statement about abusive behavior within a relationship, as he asserts that he doesn't believe he mistreats his partner despite beating her. The lyrics hint at the fog of denial that sometimes cloaks deep-seated emotional problems like relationship violence. Later in the song, Ant speaks to the idea of obscurity, both musically and emotionally, as his partner only listens to the "B-side" records that are less popular, just as Ant himself feels like a "B-side" character. Ant's own feelings of obscurity are enforced by his language towards his partner, calling her a "B-side baby," a derogatory term often used to diminish someone's importance or relevance. Ant seems to be working through his perception of himself and his partner, as well as dealing with his deeply concerning attitude towards relationship violence.

The lyrics of the song might be referring to Adam Ant's own time in the punk scene, where violent and misogynist lyrics and behavior were prevalent. His comments about Joey Ramone are particularly pointed, as The Ramones were one of the most influential punk bands of the era. Adam Ant might be commenting on the cultural tendency to lionize musicians who behave badly, and how this can make it harder to have necessary conversations about violence and abusive behavior. In essence, Side A is a song about abusive behavior and relationships, as well as the power dynamics that exist in music culture.

Line by Line Meaning

My baby says I mistreat her
My significant other claims that I mistreat her

I don't know about that
I am uncertain if that is true

I only know when I beat her
I only recognize when I physically harm her

She like to call me a -
She enjoys referring to me as a derogatory name

She keeps on playing those b-side records
She continuously plays the lesser-known songs on the flip side of a vinyl record

All day long in the flat
Throughout the entire day while in our apartment

They're a little bit obscure she says
She claims the songs are lesser-known and difficult to recognize

I call her a -
I use a derogatory nickname to refer to her

B-side baby
She is someone who is not as popular or well-known

And that's that
There is no more discussion on the matter

She's just a b-side baby
She is not as important or significant as others