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.
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
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
@lsky4446
Believe it or not, AdamAnt literally inspired me as a young black kid in da hood. He was an eccentric artist to me. I was the ONLY fan in my home and amongst peers. My brothers thought I was weird because I was a huge fan. Lol The drums drums drums. Driving beats, native American undertones, African rhythms, high energy, costumes, war paint make up and overall theatrics captivated me!!! I LOVED Adam and the ANTS AND I WAS ridiculed for it...HOWEVER... "Ridicule is Nothing to be scared of"!😉
-Prince Charming (Adam Ant)
@garybradley1
Totally agree.........
@jeanbaumgartner4052
ADAM ANT As PRINCE CHARMING 🤴 😍 ❤ ♥ 💜 💙 IS SOHOT 💘 👌 🔥 ❤ 💯 %×☺❤😍
@Horrorflicksnchill
🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾
@faymacdonald7245
I agree .... the drums !! :-)
@Brixtaan
Well said sir , as an 11 yr old clueless white kid from Kent I knew nothing of all the influences you mention but I knew something special was going on here
@jacquelinelewis8121
As a 60 yr old looking back to those days ..fabby so much energy and how handsome 😊glad I was an 80s teenager
@bgierat
The drums, rockabilly twang guitar and Adam’s dancing.....A true 80’s pioneer
@jeanbaumgartner4052
I!Agree With You About This One!BriG!ADAM ANT Is So SEXY 🔥 👌 😍 💯 %!
@Wailwulf
Rockabilly? I was thinking Surf Music 😃