Monday, September 27, 2021

Adam and the Ants - "Christian D'or" (forgotten song)

"I've got a fetish for you
A fetish for me
A fetish for coffee
I've got a fetish for tea
I've got a fetish for Brando
A fetish for cats
A fetish for ladies in Christian Dior hats"

For this year's birthday song for Danette, I'm choosing "Christian D'or", the B-side for Adam and the Ants' 1981 single "Prince Charming".  I'm not entirely sure what it all means, but it certainly fits within Adam Ant's hypersexualized fashionista oeuvre.  Danette was a huge Adam and the Ants fan in HS and college, still enjoys them to this day, and certainly maintains a fetish for hats, Christian Dior or otherwise.

Another reason why this is a fitting tribute is that Adam Ant, like many British artists of the period,  always had a significant focus on non-LP singles and high-quality B-sides.  In 1982 he released the "B-Sides" EP, and in 1994 he collected his B-sides and unreleased tracks into "B-Side Babies".  In fact, the Wikipedia article claims that "B-Sides" was the name of the band that would later become "The Ants".  This article claims that "Christian D'or", then "Christian Dior", was originally written in 1978. 

Danette and I both have a collector's focus on the rare and unreleased, so it's fitting that B-sides like "Christian D'or" are still featured prominently in concert.  In 2012 (!), Adam Ant played the Norva, and we also got a picture of his set list to prove it!  It was a great concert and we'd definitely see him again if given the chance.

Hats?  Well, Danette and I enjoy going to the Kentucky Derby, which we've done a handful of times.  I think a big part of the appeal is Danette gets to play dress up and wear outrageous hats, hats in which she looks absolutely smashing.

Happy Birthday Danette!!!

Adam and the Ants - "Christian D'or" (studio) 

Adam and the Ants - "Christian D'or" (live 1981) 

Bonus link: Adam and the Ants - "Prince Charming"

 

Kentucky Oaks, 2015-05-01  

Kentucky Derby, 2015-05-02

Kentucky Oaks, 2016-05-01

Kentucky Oaks, 2016-05-01

Kentucky Oaks, 2016-05-01

Kentucky Derby, 2016-05-02

Kentucky Derby, 2017-05-06

Bonnie inspecting the hats, since you're not allowed to choose your hats before arriving in KY (zoomed in from prior pic)

2012-10-03, Norfolk VA

I've got a fetish for black
A fetish for green
A fetish for those arty magazines
I've got a fetish for blondes
I've got a fetish for blondes
I've got a fetish for blondes
A fetish for blonde haired girls
I've got a fetish for blondes
I've got a fetish for blondes
I've got a fetish for blondes
A fetish for brown haired girls

Previous birthday songs:

2020: Walk Off The Earth - "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall"
2019: Nicki Minaj - "Monster"
2018: Bear Hands - "Giants"
2017: Alvvays - "Archie, Marry Me"
2016: Molly Hatchet - "Flirtin' With Disaster"
2015: Avett Brothers - "Kick Drum Heart"
2014: Ani DiFranco - "32 Flavors"
2013: The Green Pajamas - "Kim the Waitress"
2012: The Cure - "High"
2011: Blink 182 - "Josie"
2010:  Dead Milkmen - "Punk Rock Girl"