The Magnificent Five
Adam The Ants Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
a man called Ant sat deeply sighing
he was wondering
which side of the fence he was on
prick up your ears...
time went by and soon
the one was five young hombres
they were in no doubt
which side of the fence they were on
prick up your ears (mag-nificent five)...
he who writes in blood
doesn't want to be read
he must be learned by heart
he's got to be learned by heart
they believed in sex and looking good
with their own brand of music
they weren't pandering
so which side of the fence
are you on?
"The Magnificent Five" is a song by Adam Ant which tells the story of his journey from being a lone man, unsure about his place in society, to joining the "Magnificent Five," a group of five men who had a strong sense of identity and purpose. The song starts by describing the singer, Ant, who is contemplating which side of the fence he is on. The fence can be viewed as a metaphor for the boundary between conforming to society's norms and being a rebel. The song then moves on to describe Ant joining the Magnificent Five, who had a belief in sex, fashion, and their own music, and weren't concerned with conforming to societal expectations. The final lines of the song ask the listener to consider which side of the fence they are on in terms of conforming to societal norms versus embracing individuality and rebellion.
Overall, the song highlights the struggle between conforming to societal norms versus embracing individuality and paving one's own path. It shows how joining others who share the same beliefs and values can give a sense of belonging and purpose. The lyrics also celebrate non-conformity, sex, and fashion, which were all significant parts of the 1980s punk subculture.
Line by Line Meaning
long ago in London town
This story takes us back in time to the streets of London
a man called Ant sat deeply sighing
The man known as Ant was sitting and contemplating
he was wondering
He was pondering and questioning
which side of the fence he was on
He was unsure of his beliefs and loyalties
prick up your ears...
Listen closely, pay attention
time went by and soon
As time passed, things changed
the one was five young hombres
The one man became five young friends
burning fire
They had a passion and drive
they were in no doubt
They were confident in their beliefs
which side of the fence they were on
They knew what they stood for
prick up your ears (mag-nificent five)...
Pay attention to these magnificent five individuals
he who writes in blood
Someone who writes with a lot of passion and emotion
doesn't want to be read
They don't want to be taken lightly or ignored
he must be learned by heart
Their message should be memorized and deeply understood
they believed in sex and looking good
They had a strong focus on sexuality and appearance
with their own brand of music
They had a unique style of music
they weren't pandering
They weren't trying to please everyone or follow the crowd
so which side of the fence
Which group or belief system do you belong to?
are you on?
Where do you stand?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM ANT, MARCO PIRRONI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gallopingglen1
lyrics:long ago in London town
a man called Ant sat deeply sighing
he was wondering
which side of the fence he was on
prick up your ears...
time went by and soon
the one was five young hombres
burning fire
they were in no doubt
which side of the fence they were on
prick up your ears magnificent five
he who writes in blood
doesn't want to be read
he must be learned by heart
he's got to be learned by heart
they believed in sex and looking good
with their own brand of music
they weren't pandering
so which side of the fence
are you on
@frankthomason755
Hard to believe this song is 40 years old, YET, it still pumps! One of my favorite Ant songs!!!
@OneHalfOfBent
Will do in 80 years time too! X
@Howy_Produce
Marco brought those huge eternal riffs with him. He doesn't get enough credit.
@Kelly14UK
Marco is an incredibly bad assed guitarist. Vive Le Rock for example.
@beverlybrooks2736
Absolutely f*****g MAGNIFICENT indeed, Marco was
@Anglo_Saxon1
Still know all the words! Just surprised myself as i haven't listened to this tune for about 30 years.
@camarossdriver
Marco just makes this song sound MEAN! (in a good way.)
@Kelly14UK
Song is unique soundwise plus the Joe Orton ref.
@marionroach4582
Hey !! Sending Enormous Love n Great Vibes out to This Awesome Band !! I've Loved Adam and The Ants for A great many Years and having a Great time now Jamming out now .. with Them !!!! Love You " Adam and The Ants " !!!!....." A New , Royal Family ; A Wild Nobility -- WE ARE THE FAMILY !;!!! "
@kevinedw2002
“Of all that is written, I love only what a person has written with his blood. Write with blood, and you will find that blood is spirit… He that writes with blood and proverbs does not want to be read, but learned by heart. In the mountains the shortest way is from peak to peak, but for that route you must have long legs. Proverbs should be peaks, and those spoken to should be big and tall.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra