Don't Be Square
Adam and the Ants Lyrics


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Music for a future age
Don't be square be there
All good clean fun
(Whatever that means)
Ant music for sex people
Sex music for ant people
Get off your knees
And hear the insect prayer
Dirk wears white sox
The brain will suffer

So ride hard ride clean
How reputations scare
And love goes to war
(Whatever that means)
Ant music for sex people
Sex music for ant people
Get off your knees
And hear the insect prayer




You may not like it now but you will
(The future will not stand still)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Adam and the Ants' "Don't Be Square" are an interesting mix of seemingly unrelated phrases that come together to create a unique message about the power of music and breaking free from societal norms. The opening lines, "Music for a future age, don't be square be there, all good clean fun," set the tone for the song. The idea is that the music is meant for the future, yet the listener is being urged to be present and not stuck in the past. The idea of "all good clean fun" suggests that the music is not harmful, and is perhaps even a way to improve oneself.


The next few lines of the song, "Ant music for sex people, sex music for ant people, get off your knees, and hear the insect prayer," are a bit more abstract. The idea of ant music for sex people and sex music for ant people suggests that this music is for everyone, no matter their shape or size. The idea of getting off your knees and hearing the insect prayer may be a call to embrace one's primal instincts and connect with nature. The reference to "Dirk wears white sox" is a nod to the band's earlier single and album by the same name.


The final lines, "So ride hard, ride clean, how reputations scare, and love goes to war, ant music for sex people, sex music for ant people, get off your knees, and hear the insect prayer, you may not like it now but you will, the future will not stand still," suggest that the music is a call to action. It is not enough to simply listen to the music; one must also take action and embrace it. The idea of riding hard and riding clean suggests that this is not a passive activity, but something that requires effort and intention. The final line, "you may not like it now, but you will," suggests that even if the listener does not fully understand or appreciate the music currently, they will eventually come around to it.


Line by Line Meaning

Music for a future age
This music is intended for people who are forward-thinking and open-minded.


Don't be square be there
Don't be boring and conventional, come and experience this exciting music.


All good clean fun
This music is harmless and enjoyable for everyone.


(Whatever that means)
Not sure what is meant by 'good clean fun'.


Ant music for sex people
This music is intended for people who are passionate and sexual.


Sex music for ant people
People who are usually considered small or insignificant can still enjoy and appreciate sexual music.


Get off your knees
Stop being subservient and stand up for yourself.


And hear the insect prayer
Listen closely to the sounds of nature and the world around you.


Dirk wears white sox
A random statement, possibly referring to the band's drummer or a character in a story.


The brain will suffer
Excessive exposure to loud or intense music can have negative effects on the brain.


So ride hard ride clean
Be passionate and dedicated in everything you do, but still be true to your values.


How reputations scare
The fear of damaging one's reputation can hold people back from truly expressing themselves.


And love goes to war
Even love can be difficult and cause conflict at times.


(Whatever that means)
Not sure what is meant by 'love goes to war'.


Ant music for sex people
Repeating the earlier sentiment that this music is for people who are sexual and passionate.


Sex music for ant people
Repeating the earlier metaphorical idea that even small or overlooked people can appreciate sexual music.


Get off your knees
Repeating the notion to stand up for oneself and not be subservient.


And hear the insect prayer
Repeating the idea to listen closely to the world around you.


You may not like it now but you will
You might not appreciate this music immediately, but eventually you will come around.


The future will not stand still
The world is constantly evolving and changing, and this music is a reflection of that.




Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Ant, Marco Pirroni

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@AaronHendu

I heard Stand and Deliver when I was an early teen or there around in the late 90's and have been hooked ever since.

@MontagZoso

I love the early sound of the 1980 to 82 music coming out of England. I could easily imagine early Duran Duran singing this.

@MicheleBohmke

Dirk wears white sox!

@jerrymarbury9365

It took skill and talent to create this music,sound is unmistakable.

@petemarr824

Should have been a single !!!

@RobCLynch

This was my first album. You may not like it now, but you will...

@geoffreylogsdon162

I am having a serious issue here. I am 59 years old, in the US, and l promise you l have never heard this song before. It was not a single, no radio play, and no video for it either. A few mornings ago l awakened at 5AM with it playing in my head and enough lyrics that l was able to Google it.
I swear l have never heard this. I didn't party with any Ant fans, never bought any records, etc.
The only thing l can think of is that l heard it playing in a record store 40 years ago. Is that even possible, that it would have been in my head all of that time, and just surface now?
Obviously it is weird enough to make me wonder because l sound like a twit.

@mhurst4317

have you checked if it was flying ant day?

@geoffreylogsdon162

@@mhurst4317 I don't know if that is a thing but it could have been!

@Calmany37

its your angels saying you need to listen to the full album

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