"Headhunter" was released in 1988 on the album Front By Front, in two versions (Version 1.0 and Version 3.0). Version 1.0 was then released as a single and includes Version 2.0 as one of the b-sides. Version 2.0 was accompanied by a music video directed by Anton Corbijn. It depicted the bandmembers in an urban landscape of Brussels, including the Berlaymont building and the Atomium that had been built for the 1958 World's Fair, and used eggs as a visual theme. According to bandmember Patrick Codenys this was because Corbijn accidentally heard that the song title was "Egg Hunter".
When asked during an interview about the concept for the song, Jean-Luc De Meyer replied, "I had the chance to work in an insurance company before, and I worked in the department of human resources and I saw the way that this company was trying to hire people. It was very polite and very nice with men in suits, but at the same time it was very cut-throat. I wanted to make a parallel between tribal warfare and these activities. The song means both of these activities."
After a long hiatus from 1993 onward, Front 242 regrouped to re-record the song in late 1999, releasing it with multiple remixes on the dual-CD single Headhunter 2000.
Hot Tracks and Razormaid! (also known as "Welcome to...Headhunter") released remixes of the song to DJs. In addition, Danny Tenaglia, Eskimos & Egypt, DBS, Project 12:01 and Icon of Coil made cover versions. Aghast View also did a remix, and ThouShaltNot produced a parody version in a relaxed jazz/lounge style (in contrast to the pounding industrial dance beat of the original). Funk carioca group Bonde do Tigrão sampled the instrumental of this song in "Cerol na Mão", released in 2001, resulting in a lawsuit by Front 242 against Bonde do Tigrão due to musical plagiarism.
Headhunter
Front 242 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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)
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
@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
@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