Music Review: Adam Ant "Friend Or Foe"

Adam Ant

Friend Or Foe

Album: Friend or Foe

Year: 1982

           Adam Ant wants to know who his true friends are in the unorthodox “Friend Or Foe.”

               A disaffected trombone opens the single, setting an obstinate tone.  The chorus opens the single. He prefers to people to have a clear-cut opinion of him. (“I want those who get to know me/To become admirers or my enemies/I want those who get to know me/To become admirers or my enemies/I want those who get to know me/To become admirers or my enemies/I want those who get to know me/To become admirers or my enemies.”)

                  He is who he is. He isn’t going to bend for anyone. It may mean people not talking to him anymore. In the past, he had hurt some people close to him. He’s still trying to fix those relationships. However, it’s not who he is now. (“Take it up or leave it/I'm not gonna change a bit/If it means heartache/Then leave it out for your sake/I tried and I tried/To take care of my insides/Nobody's perfect so leave me if you object.”)

                The chorus is sung again.

               In the bridge, he is known for being quite the character. People think he’s being absolutely for real. He is, to a point. Sometimes, he likes to mess people’s minds. (“When you're a pirouetting, highkicking, thigh slapping cruiser/When you're a hip grinding, spellbinding, clean cut seducer/You have to be careful so people take note/I take it serious, but I still like a joke.”)

               The chorus is sung again.

                 The first verse is sung twice to end the single.

                  Ant is on the joke. He really doesn’t care what anyone thinks. He doesn’t like being played. He will take his music into every turn if he wants – and he does. Big band with twangy synths standoff, ready to face other. They pop in and out of the arrangement.

              The whimsical  “Friend Or Foe” may not  be everyone but it’s creativity has to be admired.