Led by Adam Ant (real name Stuart Goddard), the band formed in 1977 in London, England, consisting of Lester Square (guitar), Andy Warren (bass guitar) and Paul Flanagan (drums). Square was replaced by Mark Gaumont early in the band's career, before the release of their debut album Dirk Wears White Sox (1979, Do It Records). The album was somewhat dark, with post punk riffs and some vestiges of glam rock. The album was not a success, so Adam and the Ants hired Malcolm McLaren (manager of the Sex Pistols) to help with their image.
While preparing for their second album, McLaren convinced the Ants to leave Adam and form Bow Wow Wow. A new version of the Ants was formed by Marco Pirroni (guitar), Kevin Mooney (bass guitar) and two drummers, Terry Lee Miall and Merrick. Pirroni would go on to become an influential member of the group, and cowrite many of their songs with Adam Ant.
The band signed a major label deal with CBS Records and began recording Kings of the Wild Frontier. That album was an enormous hit in the United Kingdom and put the band at the forefront of the New Romantic moment. The album reached #1 on the UK album charts on January 24, 1981.
There were several hit singles from this LP, including Dog Eat Dog (reaching #4 on the UK singles charts in October 1980), Ant Music (#2 in January 1981) and Kings of the Wild Frontier (#2 in March 1981). In addition, Antmusic made it to No.1 in Australia for five weeks.
Bassist Kevin Mooney left the band in 1981, and was replaced with Gary Tibbs who joined just in time to record the hit single "Stand and Deliver".
In November 1981 Adam and the Ants released another highly successful album, Prince Charming. The band had two United Kingdom #1 singles. "Stand and Deliver" was the #1 single in the UK for 5 weeks in May 1981, followed by "Prince Charming", which topped the UK charts, for 4 weeks in September 1981. "Antrap" reached #3 in January, 1982.
The band seized the opportunities provided by music videos on the new MTV channel to develop a theatrical, charismatic onscreen persona. With romantic costumes and heavy make-up, the band was an early example of the New Romantic movement, with contemporaries such as Duran Duran dressing similarly. Lavish videos were produced for the Prince Charming singles, including Stand and Deliver, Prince Charming, and Ant Rap. In the Stand and Deliver video, Adam Ant is dressed as a "dandy highwayman" and generally indulges his exhibitionist tendencies. These videos helped break the band in the United States when MTV began airing them.
In early 1982 the band received a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist.
Killer In The Home
Adam and the Ants Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I leave most things unspoken
But deep inside Geronimo is tearing me apart
I've seen him in the streets
And I've seen him in the pictures
Killer in the home
Killer in the home
Now's the time I must digress
Take my head out of its sling
Free the warrior
I'll fight him in my dreams
And I'll fight him till he kills me
Killer in the home
Killer in the home
They cut you in half with a gun
And give you a band aid
They gut you in half with a gun
And give you a band aid
Killer in the home
Killer in the home
Killer
Is the home
The song "Killer in the Home" by Adam and the Ants is a haunting and introspective tune that explores the darker side of the human psyche. The lyrics speak to the idea that we all have a "killer" inside of us, a part of ourselves that we keep hidden away but that can emerge at any time. The reference to Geronimo tearing the singer apart is a metaphor for this internal battle, as Geronimo represents the part of himself that he cannot control.
The song also touches on the idea of societal violence, with the line "They cut you in half with a gun and give you a band aid." This speaks to the way that violence is often normalized and sanitized in our culture, with traumatic events being reduced to mere band-aids over the wounds. The repeated refrain of "Killer in the home" is a chilling reminder that violence and aggression can emerge from even the most seemingly safe and mundane environments.
Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the human condition and the ways in which darkness can lurk beneath the surface. It is a call to action to confront that darkness, both within ourselves and within society as a whole.
Line by Line Meaning
I live the life that I've been left
I am living the life that I have inherited from my family, without trying to change or question it.
I leave most things unspoken
I tend to keep my thoughts and feelings to myself, without expressing them to others.
But deep inside Geronimo is tearing me apart
However, there is a part of me, represented by the Native American warrior Geronimo, that is causing me great emotional pain and conflict.
I've seen him in the streets
I sometimes see visions of Geronimo when I am out in public.
And I've seen him in the pictures
I also see him in photographs and other images.
Killer in the home
There is a dangerous presence or threat that is present in my everyday life, within my own home.
Killer in the home
This danger is persistent and prevalent, and continues to cause me fear and anxiety.
Now's the time I must digress
It is now necessary for me to deviate from my usual course of action, in order to confront this issue.
From going through the motions
I cannot continue to simply repeat the same actions and behaviors, without making any real changes that could affect the situation.
Take my head out of its sling
I need to stop relying on others for support or protection, and instead take control of my own life and actions.
Free the warrior
I must confront and address the troubled, conflicted part of myself that is causing me so much pain.
I'll fight him in my dreams
I will confront and battle Geronimo, who represents this troubled part of myself, in my subconscious mind.
And I'll fight him till he kills me
I am willing to fight and struggle with this issue until it is resolved, even if it causes me harm.
Killer in the home
The dangerous presence or threat is still present in my home, and continues to be a cause of fear and anxiety.
Killer in the home
The situation of danger and fear is still ongoing and has not been resolved.
They cut you in half with a gun
Sometimes, the people who are supposed to protect and care for you can also be a threat or cause of harm.
And give you a band aid
However, instead of addressing or solving the problem, they may try to merely cover it up or pretend it is not happening.
They gut you in half with a gun
The people who are supposed to protect you can sometimes harm you in a deeper, more emotional way than a physical injury.
And give you a band aid
Despite causing this harm, they may still try to dismiss or deny the problem, without taking responsibility for their actions.
Killer in the home
The danger and fear that is present within my own home continues to persist and has not been resolved.
Killer in the home
The issue of danger and fear is a continuing and ongoing problem.
Killer
The presence of danger and fear is so pervasive and persistent, it has become a defining characteristic of my life and surroundings.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARCO PIRRONI, ADAM ANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tutorworldliverpool2076
Bought this album in 1981 at tender age of 8. Still my favourite ever...
@jcflores8021
One of the greatest bands of all TIME!!!!
@jhup4718
Keep coming back to this. Still speaks to me.
@harmonicresonanceproject
This always felt more like it belonged on Dirk Wears White Sox. So good. And that reverse verb on the toms. The engineering and production on this is still ultra modern. Unique in fact.
@garrettodonnell4177
This track really rumbles.
@THECLARENCES
Good one! Nice pun!
@amygdala51
Yeah, that power chord is a link throughout.
@gregraines1599
Ray of reverb
@kevinfitzgerald4561
I see what you did there :)
@mojojojo6400
I see what you did there