Headhunter
Front 242 Lyrics


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Freeze! (freeze!) Shoot

Might be, might be, might, might

Today has no means
He's alone and anonymous
But written in his cells
He's got the marks of a genius

I'm looking for this man
To sell him to other men

One, you lock the target
Two, you bait the line
Three, you slowly spread the net
And four, you catch the man (catch the man)

You catch the man (the man)
You catch the man (the man)

I'm looking for this man
To sell him to other men
Sell him to other men
At ten times his price, at least

Who's able to forget them to realize my aim

One, you lock the target
Two, you bait the line

Bait the line (bait the line), spread the net (spread the net)
Catch the man (catch the man), lock the target (lock the target)
Bait the line (bait the line), spread the net (spread the net)
Catch the man

Freeze! (freeze!)
Shoot to kill (shoot to kill) or die (or die)
Hurry up, hurry up

Might be, might be, might, might
Might be, might be, might, might

I'm looking for this man
To sell him to other men

Might be, might be, might, might
Might be, might be, might, might

Lock the target, bait the line (bait the line)
Spread the net (spread the net), catch the man (catch the man)
Lock the target, bait the line (bait the line)
Spread the net (spread the net), catch the man (catch the man)
Lock the target, bait the line (bait the line)
Spread the net (spread the net), catch the man (catch the man)
Lock the target, bait the line (bait the line)
Spread the net (spread the net), catch the man (catch the man)

You catch the man (you catch the man)

I'm looking for this man (man, man, man)
I'm looking for this man (man, man, man)
To sell him to other men
Sell him to other men
At ten times his price, at least

Freeze! (freeze!)

Lock the target, spread the net and catch the man
Spread the net, spread the net and catch the man
Lock the target, spread the net and catch the man




Lock the target, bait the line (spread the net)
Spread the net and catch the man (young man)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Front 242's song Headhunter seem to be describing the actions of a person who is looking for a particular man to sell him to others, and the process involved in achieving that. The song opens with the command 'Freeze', followed by 'Shoot', which seems to suggest an authoritarian or militaristic environment. The singer is looking for a specific man who has the 'marks of a genius' imprinted in his cells, implying that he is highly valuable. The chorus describes the process of capturing the man through a series of steps: locking onto the target, baiting the line, spreading the net, and finally catching the man. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the singer's determination and focus in achieving his goal.


The song's tone is cold and mechanical, with a sense of detachment from the subject matter. The lyrics describe the process of capturing and selling a human being with a clinical precision, devoid of any emotional attachment. The use of the word 'man' instead of a name further dehumanizes the subject, making him appear like an object that can be bought and sold.


Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the commodification of human life in a capitalist society, where people are reduced to mere products to be bought and sold, with little regard for their intrinsic value. The cold and mechanical tone of the song reinforces this idea, highlighting the dehumanizing effect of such a system.


Line by Line Meaning

Freeze! (freeze!) Shoot
Command to stop and fire a weapon


Might be, might be, might, might
Uncertainty, doubt or speculation


Today has no means
The present has no purpose


He's alone and anonymous
He is isolated and unknown


But written in his cells
His potential is inherent in his nature


He's got the marks of a genius
He possesses signs of great intelligence


I'm looking for this man To sell him to other men
The singer is looking for this man to profit from him


One, you lock the target
Step 1 of the process is engaging the target


Two, you bait the line
Step 2 is luring your target with an attractive offer or strategy


Three, you slowly spread the net
Step 3 is gradually closing in on the target, to ensure success


And four, you catch the man (catch the man) You catch the man (the man) You catch the man (the man)
Step 4 is finally capturing the target


Who's able to forget them to realize my aim
The artist wants those involved to forget their morals in pursuit of profit


Bait the line (bait the line), spread the net (spread the net) Catch the man (catch the man), lock the target (lock the target) Bait the line (bait the line), spread the net (spread the net) Catch the man
Repetition of steps 1-4 for emphasis


Shoot to kill (shoot to kill) or die (or die) Hurry up, hurry up
Urgency in carrying out the mission with extreme measures


Lock the target, bait the line (bait the line) Spread the net (spread the net), catch the man (catch the man) Lock the target, bait the line (bait the line) Spread the net (spread the net), catch the man (catch the man) Lock the target, bait the line (bait the line) Spread the net (spread the net), catch the man (catch the man) Lock the target, bait the line (bait the line) Spread the net (spread the net), catch the man (catch the man)
Repetition of the full cycle of steps 1-4, emphasizing the process


I'm looking for this man (man, man, man) To sell him to other men Sell him to other men At ten times his price, at least
Reiteration of the mission to capture and profit from the target


Spread the net and catch the man (young man)
Final repetition of step 3 and 4 to capture the target




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Daniel Bressanutti, Jean Luc De Meyer, Patrick Codenys, Richard Jonckheere

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@EvilSpeculator

I was totally into Front 242 back in the mid 80s. Wrote them a letter to the address printed on their album and they actually wrote me back and hand written card with signatures of everyone. Very cool band which fortunately was able to keep a loyal core of fans. Thanks for the awesome beats Front 242 - an old fan!!

@DaisyOh

That's cool they wrote you back :)

@khristopherceniceros6913

Depeche Mode style

@christophecapello8154

@@DaisyOh https://youtu.be/q4TxlM6CpzQ

@lolololalala8225

@@khristopherceniceros6913 Well Anton corbijn made this video, so yeah kinda ..

@allanmeierjensen4925

Yes back in Old time where IT where not against fx facebook last to show a real body or truth....kids shod learn great comment best regards from Denmark PS we All use to swim naket in the summer No one Ever Day anyrhing..(try that today)...politik Shake my head yes gear number (ro bad i where not there Heidi have a great Day maam

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@knightsofrreee7961

Front 242, Skinny Puppy, Frontline Assembly, Nitzer Ebb, Sisters, Depeche Mode---hell even Soft Cell-a few bands that used to kick arse back in the alternative/Goth clubs. I hear any of them now and I wish I could go back and do it all again. I miss those days.

@maureencholewka9755

Same ❤🎉

@StreetJustice77

Cassandra Complex, Swampsurfers, Godflesh, Fields of the Nephilim, Bauhaus, Kraftwerk, DAF etc etc.. damn i miss those parties

@matthewscott5450

You make me salivate. Fortunately the 90s haven't ended for me. Chaps said I saw the great bands. Plus I aged well. Meow

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