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.
Los Rancheros
Adam and the Ants Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They'll hang me high
But still my spirit
will survive
There's money over there
but not for long
Soon my worries
(chorus)
Rancheros (Clint)
Rancheros (Eastwood)
Rancheros (Clint)
Rancheros
Rancheros (Clint)
Rancheros (Eastwood)
Rancheros (Clint)
Rancheros
And there's a bullet with my name on it
Time's a-comin'
when a new breed say
Welcome tomorrow
instead of yesterday
My time's a-comin'
when those despised
take shelter from the power
of my Kiowa eyes
(chorus)
Rancheros (Clint)
Rancheros (Eastwood)
Rancheros (Clint)
Rancheros
Rancheros (Clint)
Rancheros (Eastwood)
Rancheros (Clint)
Rancheros
And there's a bullet with my name on it
The lyrics to Adam and the Ants' song "Los Rancheros" are a mix of Western imagery and a rebellious spirit. The first verse talks about how money won't save the singer from being hanged, but their spirit will still survive. The second verse speaks of how there's money in the West, but it won't last long and soon the worries will be gone. The chorus repeats the term "rancheros" several times, evoking the names of Clint Eastwood's famous Western characters, and there's a bullet with the singer's name on it, suggesting that they're both daring and in danger.
The third verse seems to speak of a coming change, where a new breed will "Welcome tomorrow instead of yesterday," and the singer will be in power with their "Kiowa eyes" as others take shelter. This suggests that the singer is part of a new generation that will challenge the old order and their ways. Overall, the song seems to mix a celebration of the Western genre with a kind of punk-style protest and rebellion against traditional authority.
Line by Line Meaning
A few dollars more
There is a price to pay
They'll hang me high
The consequences of my actions are severe
But still my spirit will survive
Regardless of my fate, my will to live is strong
There's money over there, but not for long
Opportunities for profit exist, but they won't last forever
Soon my worries will be gone
Financial concerns will be resolved
(chorus) Rancheros (Clint) Rancheros (Eastwood) Rancheros (Clint) Rancheros Rancheros (Clint) Rancheros (Eastwood) Rancheros (Clint) Rancheros And there's a bullet with my name on it
Reference to the Western genre and foreshadowing of danger
Time's a-comin' when a new breed say Welcome tomorrow instead of yesterday
Positive change is coming, and people will embrace it
My time's a-comin' when those despised take shelter from the power of my Kiowa eyes
Those who have been marginalized will find protection under my watchful eye
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARCO PIRRONI, ADAM ANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hippieliciouschick2972
My grandson (who just had his first birthday) has been making a sound like he's rolling his R's, so I played this for him (because let's face it, no one rolls their R's quite like Adam Ant!). He was totally enthralled and dancing to the beat. Thank you Adam Ant for making fun music that is enjoyed by many generations!
@dindi8270
Just replayed this album for the first time in 30 years - no idea how I survived this long without it !!! That double drum sound is infectious and unique. Rancheros could easily have been another hit single off this album - had it on replay for the past 15 mins :-) :-)
@switchbladeromance1466
This album shaped my entire teenage years..addicted..captivated...suffocated ..obsessed with Adam..thank you sooo much for life long memories..bless you ♥️💋😘
@kelbell9312
The memories are so enduring. He was able to move and innovate. In times like these the lyrics resonate. What an artist!!!!
@rhodayackez9570
One of their best songs
@hippieliciouschick2972
I love how Adam rolls his "R's" fun song... Actually the whole album is fun!
@peaky859
Very true
@mcphee36
Idiot
@MkeKen67
@@mcphee36 - my reply was removed
@dougmedina4619
I always loved the fake bullet ricochet sounds!!!