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.
Young Parisians
Adam and the Ants Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They love Patti Smith
Young Parisians are so French
At the Champs Elycee
I want to go to Paris with you
Just to see what the French boys do
Why don't you come to Paris with me?
Young Parisians are so French
They sit on the metro
Young Parisians are so French
Not like me and you
I want to go to Paris with you
Just to see what the French boys do
Why don't you come to Paris with me?
And see the young Parisians
Alors... et maintenant:
I want to go to Paris with you
Just to see what the French boys do to you
Why don't you come to Paris with me?
And see the young Parisians
Young Parisians are so French
They're always called Dubois
Young Parisians are so French
Talk nothing but French
I want to go to Paris with you
Just to see what the French boys do
Why don't you come to Paris with me?
And see the young Parisians
They're so French
They're so French
They're so French
Ah-ooh
© BMG Music Publishing Limited
The lyrics of "Young Parisians" by Adam and The Ants are a celebration of the cool and sophisticated culture of Parisian youth. The song talks about the fascination with the young, stylish crowds that roam the streets of the city, especially with their love for Patti Smith and French language. The lyrics evoke an image of a romantic trip to Paris with someone special to explore the city and mingle with the young local crowd.
The repeated phrase, "I want to go to Paris with you, just to see what the French boys do," implies a sense of curiosity and longing to indulge in the world of Parisian youth. The song also highlights the stark contrast between the English and French culture, as the English group is described as being dissimilar to the young Parisians.
Overall, "Young Parisians" is an ode to the carefree yet sophisticated spirit of the Parisian youth, and the desire to be a part of their world.
Line by Line Meaning
Young Parisians are so French
This is repeated multiple times to emphasize how different Parisians are from the singer and their audience
They love Patti Smith
Parisians appreciate and admire American cultural icons
At the Champs Elycee
Parisians spend their time at the famous avenue full of luxury stores and cafes
I want to go to Paris with you
Just to see what the French boys do
Why don't you come to Paris with me?
And see the young Parisians
The artist wants to experience the French lifestyle, specifically what French men are like, with someone they care about
They sit on the metro
Parisians use public transportation to get around the city
Not like me and you
The singer and their audience are different from the Parisians in terms of culture and behavior
They're always called Dubois
The singer perceives that a lot of Parisians have the same last name
Talk nothing but French
Parisians primarily speak in their native language
They're so French
Ah-ooh
More emphasis on the cultural gap between the artist and Parisians
Contributed by Tyler M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@piamessing4730
I always loved this. Its so bloody funny!!! I'm freaking old now and this is ..the dog's.....( all rude British people, please fill in the blank). Hey I was an original punk back in the 70s!!! Love to all. Be safe and well. ( And if you're in dear old blighty, please appreciate where you are and kiss the ground for me)!!
@harrymarshall
Bollocks is a completely permitted word yknow 😂 the sex pistols argued it in court bc it's in the Bible etc,, you can even say fuck as much as you like on yt due to regular freedom of speech and historical education 🎉
@rachelgummer2743
Iam in Paris at the moment,been singing this song since I got here.great song
@noelephantitis
At the time, critics and haters seemed to miss the great humour of this band . . .
@iannicholls4078
This still cracks me up, over 40 years after I first bought it.... "They're always called Dubois" .... just such a random lyric, and slotted in there perfectly :D
@fretboardmaster70
I always thought he sung “ they’re always called to war “ 😂😂😂😂
@kerrymason609
I was 13,and listened to Dirk wears white socks over and over,I just listened to it,its full of humour,great lyrics and really leftfield songs,I loved the band so,so much!
@scratchinmad
I remember recording this on my little tape deck when i was 12, it still sounds great now!
@frenchoire
What a tune id completely forgotten about this song. a real gem. thanks for putting this up!
@spikeneil
this was the first 7" vinyl I ever bought ! I think I was about 14. Takes me back - thanks