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.
The Magnificent Five
Adam and the Ants Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
a man called Ant sat deeply sighing
he was wondering
which side of the fence he was on
prick up your ears...
time went by and soon
the one was five young hombres
they were in no doubt
which side of the fence they were on
prick up your ears (mag-nificent five)...
he who writes in blood
doesn't want to be read
he must be learned by heart
he's got to be learned by heart
they believed in sex and looking good
with their own brand of music
they weren't pandering
so which side of the fence
are you on?
The Magnificent Five by Adam and the Ants is a song about a man called Ant who is pondering which side of the fence he is on. The fence here symbolizes the choice one has to make between conformity and individuality. Ant is someone who loves to stand out and be different, and he is wondering whether he should continue to be himself or conform to society's norms. As time goes by, Ant is joined by five young hombres who share his beliefs on individuality and self-expression. They embrace their sexuality and love to look good, not for anyone else but for themselves.
The line "he who writes in blood doesn't want to be read, he must be learned by heart" seems to suggest that the lyrics of the song are not meant to be taken literally but rather understood through personal experience. The Magnificent Five are not just about sex, music, and fashion but about a particular way of living that is not widely accepted. The chorus of the song ("Prick up your ears, magnificient five") is a call to attention, encouraging everyone to listen to what The Magnificent Five have to say about being true to oneself and living a self-defined life. The song is an anthem for individuality and living life on one's own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
long ago in London town
A long time in London town
a man called Ant sat deeply sighing
A man named Ant sat there very upset
he was wondering
He was thinking
which side of the fence he was on
Which side of the fence he was on
prick up your ears...
Listen closely...
time went by and soon
Time passed and then
the one was five young hombres
Ant was joined by five young men
burning fire
Enthusiasm and passion
they were in no doubt
They were certain
which side of the fence they were on
Which side of the fence they were on
prick up your ears (mag-nificent five)...
Listen closely (Magnificent Five)...
he who writes in blood
Someone who writes with passion
doesn't want to be read
Doesn't want to be simply understood
he must be learned by heart
Must be understood deeply and memorized
he's got to be learned by heart
He must be understood and memorized
they believed in sex and looking good
They believed in sexuality and aesthetic appearance
with their own brand of music
Through their unique style of music
they weren't pandering
They weren't trying to appeal to everyone
so which side of the fence
So, which side of the fence
are you on?
Are you on?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM ANT, MARCO PIRRONI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gallopingglen1
lyrics:long ago in London town
a man called Ant sat deeply sighing
he was wondering
which side of the fence he was on
prick up your ears...
time went by and soon
the one was five young hombres
burning fire
they were in no doubt
which side of the fence they were on
prick up your ears magnificent five
he who writes in blood
doesn't want to be read
he must be learned by heart
he's got to be learned by heart
they believed in sex and looking good
with their own brand of music
they weren't pandering
so which side of the fence
are you on
@frankthomason755
Hard to believe this song is 40 years old, YET, it still pumps! One of my favorite Ant songs!!!
@OneHalfOfBent
Will do in 80 years time too! X
@Howy_Produce
Marco brought those huge eternal riffs with him. He doesn't get enough credit.
@Kelly14UK
Marco is an incredibly bad assed guitarist. Vive Le Rock for example.
@beverlybrooks2736
Absolutely f*****g MAGNIFICENT indeed, Marco was
@Anglo_Saxon1
Still know all the words! Just surprised myself as i haven't listened to this tune for about 30 years.
@camarossdriver
Marco just makes this song sound MEAN! (in a good way.)
@Kelly14UK
Song is unique soundwise plus the Joe Orton ref.
@marionroach4582
Hey !! Sending Enormous Love n Great Vibes out to This Awesome Band !! I've Loved Adam and The Ants for A great many Years and having a Great time now Jamming out now .. with Them !!!! Love You " Adam and The Ants " !!!!....." A New , Royal Family ; A Wild Nobility -- WE ARE THE FAMILY !;!!! "
@kevinedw2002
“Of all that is written, I love only what a person has written with his blood. Write with blood, and you will find that blood is spirit… He that writes with blood and proverbs does not want to be read, but learned by heart. In the mountains the shortest way is from peak to peak, but for that route you must have long legs. Proverbs should be peaks, and those spoken to should be big and tall.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra