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STUDIO ALBUMS
Dirk Wears White Sox
Released 1979
Dirk Wears White Sox was the debut studio album by Adam & The Ants, released in 1979 by Do It Records. This album marked the beginning of Adam Ant’s career, showcasing the post-punk sound that defined the early phase of the band. The album was recorded at Sound Development Studios in London between August and September 1979. Produced by Adam Ant and Chris Hughes, Dirk Wears White Sox features dark, surreal themes and angular guitar work that set it apart from mainstream music at the time. The album’s sound was heavily influenced by the emerging post-punk and new wave movements, characterized by its raw production and cryptic lyrics.
CD Track Listings:
- “Cartrouble (Parts 1 & 2)” – 6:48
- “Digital Tenderness” – 3:02
- “Nine Plan Failed” – 5:51
- “Day I Met God” – 2:58
- “Tabletalk” – 5:32
- “Cleopatra” – 3:15
- “Catholic Day” – 3:06
- “Never Trust a Man (With Egg on His Face)” – 3:13
- “Animals and Men” – 3:21
- “Family of Noise” – 2:34
- “The Idea” – 3:26
Kings of the Wild Frontier
Released 1980
Kings of the Wild Frontier was released in 1980 and was the breakthrough album for Adam & The Ants, catapulting the band into mainstream success. The album was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales and Roundhouse Studios in London between January and July 1980. Produced by Chris Hughes and Marco Pirroni, Kings of the Wild Frontier featured a distinct blend of tribal drumming and new wave sounds that helped define the early 1980s music scene. This album saw the band’s signature “antmusic” style emerge, featuring pirate-inspired visuals and catchy, rhythmic hooks.
The album reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and earned a gold certification from the BPI. In the United States, the album peaked at number forty-four on the Billboard 200.
CD Track Listings:
- “Dog Eat Dog” – 3:07
- “Antmusic” – 3:36
- “Feed Me to the Lions” – 3:00
- “Los Rancheros” – 3:30
- “Ants Invasion” – 3:20
- “Killer in the Home” – 4:21
- “Kings of the Wild Frontier” – 3:56
- “The Magnificent Five” – 3:12
- “Don’t Be Square (Be There)” – 3:31
- “Jolly Roger” – 2:11
- “Making History” – 2:58
- “The Human Beings” – 4:32
Prince Charming
Released 1981
Prince Charming was released in 1981 as Adam & The Ants’ third studio album. Recorded at Air Studios and Abbey Road Studios in London, the album showcased a more polished sound, blending pop with new wave elements. Produced by Chris Hughes, Prince Charming continued the band’s commercial success with chart-topping singles and a refined image. The album hit number two on the UK Albums Chart and featured two iconic singles: “Stand and Deliver” and “Prince Charming,” both of which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart.
CD Track Listings:
- “Scorpios” – 2:46
- “Picasso Visita el Planeta de los Simios” – 3:28
- “Prince Charming” – 3:18
- “Five Guns West” – 5:00
- “That Voodoo!” – 4:21
- “Stand and Deliver” – 3:33
- “Mile High Club” – 2:43
- “Ant Rap” – 3:27
- “Mowhok” – 3:23
- “S.E.X.” – 5:18
Friend or Foe
Released 1982
Friend or Foe was Adam Ant’s first solo album after disbanding Adam & The Ants. Released in 1982 on CBS Records, the album signaled a shift toward a more mainstream pop sound while retaining some of the signature flair of his earlier work. The album was produced by Adam Ant and Marco Pirroni, who also contributed significantly to the songwriting. It was recorded at The Soundworks Studios in New York City between January and June 1982. The album achieved significant success, peaking at number five on the UK Albums Chart and reaching number sixteen on the Billboard 200 in the United States. The hit single “Goody Two Shoes” was particularly successful, reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart.
CD Track Listings:
- “Friend or Foe” – 3:24
- “Something Girls” – 4:00
- “Place in the Country” – 2:52
- “Desperate But Not Serious” – 4:14
- “Here Comes the Grump” – 3:33
- “Hello, I Love You” – 2:39
- “Goody Two Shoes” – 3:30
- “Crackpot History and the Right to Lie” – 2:45
- “Made of Money” – 3:30
- “Cajun Twisters” – 2:58
- “Try This for Sighs” – 3:19
- “Man Called Marco” – 3:27
Strip
Released 1983
Strip was Adam Ant’s second solo album, released in 1983 on CBS Records. The album embraced a more theatrical and experimental style, with a strong emphasis on sexual themes. The album was recorded at Polar Studios in Stockholm and Air Studios in London, and it was produced by Phil Collins and Adam Ant. The album featured guest appearances by artists such as Phil Collins on drums. While the album did not reach the same heights as Friend or Foe, it still charted successfully, reaching number twenty on the UK Albums Chart and number sixty-five on the Billboard 200 in the United States. The lead single “Puss ‘n Boots” was a top five hit in the UK.
CD Track Listings:
- “Strip” – 3:53
- “Baby, Let Me Scream at You” – 4:00
- “Libertine” – 4:55
- “Spanish Games” – 2:57
- “Vanity” – 4:06
- “Puss ‘n Boots” – 4:02
- “Playboy” – 3:55
- “Montreal” – 4:04
- “Navel to Neck” – 3:54
- “Amazon” – 3:45
Vive Le Rock
Released 1985
Vive Le Rock was released in 1985 and marked a shift toward a rockabilly-inspired sound. The album was recorded at Good Earth Studios in London and produced by Tony Visconti, best known for his work with David Bowie. Although the album did not achieve the same commercial success as its predecessors, it reached number forty-two on the UK Albums Chart and number one hundred thirty-one on the Billboard 200 in the United States. Despite this, Vive Le Rock contained some notable tracks, including the single “Apollo 9,” which became a minor UK hit.
CD Track Listings:
- “Vive Le Rock” – 3:39
- “Miss Thing” – 2:50
- “Razor Keen” – 2:41
- “Rip Down” – 3:22
- “Scorpio Rising” – 3:17
- “Apollo 9” – 3:25
- “Hell’s Eight Acres” – 4:18
- “No Zap” – 3:11
- “Goose Step Mama” – 3:26
- “Mohair Lockeroom Pin-Up Boys” – 3:10
Manners & Physique
Released 1990
Manners & Physique was Adam Ant’s fourth solo studio album, released in 1990 on MCA Records. The album saw Adam Ant experimenting with a more commercial dance-pop sound, influenced by the collaboration with producer André Cymone, a former member of Prince’s band. The album was recorded at Studio Ultimo in Los Angeles. Although the album did not perform as well as his earlier releases, it still charted, peaking at number nineteen on the UK Albums Chart and reaching number one hundred thirty-nine on the Billboard 200. The single “Room at the Top” achieved moderate success, hitting number seventeen on the UK Singles Chart and number seventeen on the Billboard Hot 100.
CD Track Listings:
- “Room at the Top” – 4:45
- “Rough Stuff” – 4:39
- “If You Keep On” – 4:17
- “Manners & Physique” – 3:27
- “Can’t Set Rules About Love” – 4:42
- “USSA” – 4:59
- “Bright Lights Black Leather” – 4:29
- “Piccadilly” – 3:13
- “Young, Dumb and Full of It” – 5:02
- “Anger Inc.” – 4:36
Wonderful
Released 1995
Wonderful was Adam Ant’s fifth solo album, released in 1995 on EMI Records. The album represented a return to a more guitar-driven, rock-oriented sound after the experimentation of his previous works. The album was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London and was produced by David Tickle. Wonderful was a critical and commercial success, particularly in the UK, where it peaked at number twenty-four on the UK Albums Chart. In the United States, the album reached number one hundred forty-three on the Billboard 200. The lead single “Wonderful” was particularly successful, reaching number thirty-five on the Billboard Hot 100 and number thirty-two on the UK Singles Chart.
CD Track Listings:
- “Wonderful” – 4:21
- “Kick!” – 4:12
- “Vampires” – 4:05
- “Angel” – 3:53
- “Won’t Take That Talk” – 4:30
- “Gotta Be a Sin” – 3:37
- “Image of Yourself” – 4:35
- “Alien” – 4:35
- “Beauty” – 3:51
- “Yin & Yang” – 4:15
Read More: Top 10 Adam & The Ants Songs
Adam Ant Is the Blueblack Hussar in Marrying the Gunner’s Daughter
Released 2013
Adam Ant Is the Blueblack Hussar in Marrying the Gunner’s Daughter was released in 2013 as Adam Ant’s first album in eighteen years. The album was self-released on Blueblack Hussar Records, reflecting his return to a more independent approach to his music. It was recorded at multiple locations across London and produced by Adam Ant, with support from various musicians, including Boz Boorer. The album revisited many of the musical and thematic elements from his earlier work, blending rock, punk, and pop with a raw, unpolished sound. Despite its independent release, the album reached number twenty-five on the UK Albums Chart.
CD Track Listings:
- “Cool Zombie” – 4:07
- “Stay in the Game” – 3:12
- “Marrying the Gunner’s Daughter” – 4:42
- “Vince Taylor” – 4:31
- “Valentines” – 3:42
- “Darlin’ Boy” – 4:03
- “Dirty Beast” – 3:41
- “Punkyoungirl” – 3:40
- “Saigon” – 3:29
- “Cradle Your Hatred” – 4:11
- “Hardmentoughblokes” – 3:30
- “Shrink” – 4:41
- “Vivienne’s Tears” – 4:32
- “Who’s a Goofy Bunny Then?” – 3:50
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Complete List Of Adam & The Ants Albums And Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024
About The Author
Brian Kachejian
Brian Kachejian was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of ClassicRockHistory.com. He has spent thirty years in the music business often working with many of the people who have appeared on this site. Brian Kachejian also holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Stony Brook University along with New York State Public School Education Certifications in Music and Social Studies. Brian Kachejian is also an active member of the New York Press.