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.
Libertine
Adam and the Ants Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her main concern is honesty
She beat the selfishness right out of me
The wild eyed child
She my Libertine
My only books where women's looks
And the more I read the less I said
She wanted to search inside me
To find this so called purity
She acts the films that I can't see
The wild eyed child
She my Libertine
My only books where women's looks
And the more I read the less I said
She showed me the slim chance I'd got
And all the friendships baby, that I had not
Be sure she has the guts of three
The wild eyed child
She my Libertine
I know a girl she's got a lust for danger
Thinks being tough makes her the Lone Ranger
But when the chips are down it's loving she craves
She's just another Aphrodite slave
I know a girl she's got a lust for danger
Thinks being tough makes her the Lone Ranger
But when the chips are down it's loving she craves
She's just another Aphrodite slave
I know a girl she's got a lust for danger
Thinks being tough makes her the Lone Ranger
But when the chips are down it's loving she craves
She's just another Aphrodite slave
I know a girl she's got a lust for danger
Thinks being tough makes her the Lone Ranger
But when the chips are down it's loving she craves
She's just another Aphrodite slave
The Adam and the Ants song "Libertine" tells the story of a man's journey to self-discovery and acceptance through his relationship with a woman who brings him honesty and purity. The lyrics suggest that the man once had a selfish and wild nature, but the woman he calls his Libertine has influenced him to become a better person. Her words and actions have taught him the importance of honesty and searching for purity within himself. The line "She showed me the slim chance I'd got and all the friendships baby, that I had not" implies that the woman has helped him to see his flaws and has shown him the value of cultivating true friendships.
The chorus is repeated several times throughout the song, and it is clear that the singer is infatuated with his Libertine. He says that she is his only source of knowledge and inspiration, and that the more he reads about women's looks, the less he says. He seems to be entranced by her and grateful for the ways in which she has changed him.
Overall, "Libertine" is a romantic and introspective song that explores themes of self-improvement, love, and human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
A word from her is worth ten from me
Her opinions and thoughts hold significant value and weight compared to mine.
Her main concern is honesty
She prioritizes honesty and truthfulness in all aspects of life.
She beat the selfishness right out of me
She taught me to let go of my selfish tendencies and adopt a selfless attitude.
The wild eyed child
She possesses an untamed and untethered spirit.
She my Libertine
She is my symbol of freedom and unrestricted expression.
My only books where women's looks
My sole source of entertainment and interest revolves around female physical appearance.
And the more I read the less I said
Despite my focus on female beauty, I find myself losing words and things to say.
She wanted to search inside me
She had a desire to explore and discover my innermost thoughts and emotions.
To find this so called purity
She hoped to uncover any traces of purity or innocence within me.
She acts the films that I can't see
Her life is filled with action and adventure that I can only imagine and dream of.
She showed me the slim chance I'd got
She revealed to me the small opportunity or hope I had for success or happiness.
And all the friendships baby, that I had not
She opened my eyes to the lack of meaningful friendships and connections I had in life.
Be sure she has the guts of three
Without a doubt, she possesses bravery and boldness beyond the ordinary person.
I know a girl she's got a lust for danger
I am acquainted with a woman who is drawn to risky and dangerous situations.
Thinks being tough makes her the Lone Ranger
She believes that her strength and resilience sets her apart from others like the fictional character, the Lone Ranger.
But when the chips are down it's loving she craves
Despite her tough exterior, she desires love and affection in trying times.
She's just another Aphrodite slave
She is not as independent and free as she would like to believe, but rather controlled by her own desires and passions like the Greek goddess, Aphrodite.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ADAM ANT, MARCO PIRRONI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nige
on Lou
So... we're just going to let AI invent song-lyrics now? This is not Adam Ant's Lou. Shameful lazy website.
Ben - Moderator
on Cleopatra
Hi Kevin, I have updated the song facts to reflect these corrections. Please let us know if any further errors are found.
Kevin Manktelow
on Cleopatra
Couple of glaring errors, Cleopatra was first performed on the 10th July 1978 on the Peel Sessions and it was record in in the studio in 1979 for the Dirk Wears White Sox album which was released in January 1980. Marco Pirroni didn't join the band until after Malcolm Mclaren persuaded the rest of the band to quit and form Bow Wow Wow at the end of January 1980. It also wasn't on the normal release of the Prince Charming album, nor was it released as a single.