The Friends of Mr. Cairo
Jon & Vangelis/Jon Anderson/Vangelis Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

[shooting]
[movie like speech:]
Frankie: Okay, this is the picture. Johnny's been hurt. He's been hurt bad.
Woman: Look, we can't leave him here, we can't. Look, he's in a pool of blood. He's gonna die, I know it.
Frankie: We've gotta leave him here, honey. We gotta. He won't talk, I promise you that! Will you Johnny?
Woman: Frankie, I don't care whether he talks or not, I just can't leave him like this.
Johnny: Listen. Leave me here I... I... I can ... I can ... handle it.
Woman: Oh, no, Johnny, no...

[interlude]
Frankie: The cops are outside. Luke's in the car. Come on, let's get the hell outta this joint.
Woman: Frankie, when they get here wer're gonna be dead, I know we are! We don't have agun!
Frankie: Listen. We got three million... Listen, [spud]. We got three million in the can, here. We can't look after him, I'll send the bird to his mother. Come on, let's just get out of this place, we can do it!
Woman: Oh, no, Johnny, no...

[interlude]
Frankie: Okay now, just lean up against that door. When I give the word "Go" we just..., we just go through it and blast at the same time.
She came, as in the book, Mickey Spillane
That Saturday night dark masquerade
Had filled his friend with lead, the same, sweetheart

But then, as nothing happens quite the same
Investigation is the game
He had to check her story right away-he dead
Sam Spade his buddy Archer first to go he got it
She spelt it out, how could they know the 'Fatman' got it -he dead
Her sister didn't really live at all-confusion-he dead
His chase led to the Fatman, to face the friends of Mr. Cairo

[movie like speech:]
Woman: Hey, there's a really terrific dress shop. Can we stop this raid while I buy a new gown?
Frankie: I'll buy you the whole factory, sweetheart. Don't worry.

That night, the double crosser got it right
Pretending he was really dim
He slipped to Sam a double gin (Mickey Finn)

He woke, the boys had gone, but not his gun
They'd left a note to lead him on
The chase to find the Maltese Falcon-you bet-

Early thirties gangster movies
Set to spellbind population

From Chicago to Hong Kong
Via Istanbul the Talking Tong

Dirty rats through' prohibition
Money flowed through gangsterism

Acting out this fantasy
In Hollywoods vicinity

The best part for the best rendition
Al Capone he sent to prison

Citizen Kane came fast and quickly
Conquering ol' New York City
Poking fun at superstition
Media became television Give me Cagney anyday
Or Jimmy Stewart for President

Or Edward 'G' and all those guys
Who always shoot between the eyes
Between the eyes
Between the eyes

[movie like speech:]
Kasper: ha, ha, well done Mr. Cairo, and what do you have to say about that, my friend?
Spade: Allright. So you've got me in it. What about her?
Brigid: Don't worry about me, I'm okay
Kasper: Very magnanimous, sir, very magnanimous indeed, ha, ha, ha
Mr. Cairo: You mean..., you won't make us an offer we... we can't refuse...

Father love do you work, do you work for Mother
Chances could call, and accept that, be no other
Science as it might, disappear correspond with colour
Chance is the fruit, will outlive, what is now the brother
Call for total wealth to distribute like a picture
In black and white, give it joy, give it, let it hit you

Spoil our existence by extreme gift to population
Father love do you work, do you work for Mother
Tell me straight be the Godfather be no other
Media Kings give us now give us total movie
Straight right now, give it clear, give us total movie
Now being here, being now, being here believing

[movie like speeches:]
Man: I don't know which words to put in there sweetheart, you know, I can't do it. Pretty kind of useless, though, don't you think so Mary?
Man: Come with me to the far lands of Baghdad.
Woman: Oh, if only I could. That's what I want more than anything in the world, but it could never be...
Man: Of course it can...
Woman: But my father would find us wherever we went. Yes, he has forbidden me to... to even speak to you, if he finds me now. I don't know what he'd do...
Man: But he doesn't know that I'm... I'm a prince. Before, I was the thief of Baghdad now...
Woman: It doesn't matter...
Man: Then follow me, darling, follow me now to the ends of the Earth

One on one to talk to you
Like film stars they get close to you
You've mirrored his appeal
He wants you so, he wants to be beside you
Then you pass by giving him the other side of you
Like the mystics do
So that every time he moves, he moves for you

Soul and light can always see
The meeting of true love and she
This silent night and I,
I guess a lonely mind might see

I've seen love on the screen
I've seen a screen goddesss and me-oh
How often this, how often, this the power of you
And so, I must confess
Whatever I see
I'm meant to be there with you
With you with you

Silent golden movies, talkies, technicolour, long ago
My younger ways stand clearer, clearer than my footprints
Stardom greats I've followed closely Closer than the nearest heartbeat
Longer that expected-ther were great-
Oh love oh love just to see them
Acting on the silver screen, oh my
Clark Gable, Fairbanks, Maureen O'Sullivan
Fantasy would fill my life and I
Love fantasy so much
Did you see in the morning light
I really talked, yes I did, to Gods early dawning light
And I was privileged to be as I am to this day
To be with you. To be with you





[movie actor like speech:]
Mr. Cairo: Listen. I have arranged this display for... for all of you people to... to come here this evening and I... I know you have been searched, but, what you... you don't realize is, is that in the back of the Maltese Falcon, I have it ...

Overall Meaning

The Friends of Mr. Cairo by Jon & Vangelis tells the story of a group of criminals who get involved in a murder and robbery. The song begins with a scene in which the group leaves Johnny, who has been injured, in a pool of blood. The rest of the song is a story of investigation and intense action. The song refers to characters from classic noir movies like Mickey Spillane and Sam Spade. The lyrics also touch on themes of betrayal, greed, and love.


The song was released in 1981, and it was a commercial success in Europe. The song's lyrics were written by Jon Anderson, who was also the lead vocalist on the track. The music was composed by Vangelis, who is known for his synth-based pieces. The Friends of Mr. Cairo is an epic song that blends jazz, pop, and rock elements in a unique way. The song's lyrics are full of movie-like speeches that create a cinematic experience for the listener.


Line by Line Meaning

Frankie: Okay, this is the picture. Johnny's been hurt. He's been hurt bad.
Frankie explains the situation to his companions, Johnny has been seriously injured


Woman: Look, we can't leave him here, we can't. Look, he's in a pool of blood. He's gonna die, I know it.
One companion argues against leaving Johnny behind due to his injuries


Frankie: We've gotta leave him here, honey. We gotta. He won't talk, I promise you that! Will you Johnny?
Despite the objections of the other companion, Frankie insists that leaving Johnny behind is necessary for their safety


Woman: Frankie, I don't care whether he talks or not, I just can't leave him like this.
The companion argues for leaving Johnny behind due to concerns for his well-being


Johnny: Listen. Leave me here I... I... I can ... I can ... handle it.
Despite his injuries, Johnny tries to convince his companions to leave him behind


Frankie: The cops are outside. Luke's in the car. Come on, let's get the hell outta this joint.
Frankie alerts his companions that the police are closing in, they need to leave quickly


Woman: Frankie, when they get here we're gonna be dead, I know we are! We don't have a gun!
The companion expresses fear for their safety without a weapon


Frankie: Listen. We got three million... Listen, [spud]. We got three million in the can, here. We can't look after him, I'll send the bird to his mother. Come on, let's just get out of this place, we can do it!
Frankie reminds his companions of the amount of money they have at stake, making it necessary to abandon Johnny and escape


Frankie: Okay now, just lean up against that door. When I give the word "Go" we just..., we just go through it and blast at the same time.
Frankie instructs his companions on their escape plan before they engage in a shootout


She came, as in the book, Mickey Spillane That Saturday night dark masquerade Had filled his friend with lead, the same, sweetheart
A summary of the events in the story, where a friend is shot at a party


But then, as nothing happens quite the same Investigation is the game He had to check her story right away-he dead
The singer leads an investigation into the shooting and quickly discovers that someone in the story is lying


Sam Spade his buddy Archer first to go he got it She spelt it out, how could they know the 'Fatman' got it -he dead Her sister didn't really live at all-confusion-he dead His chase led to the Fatman, to face the friends of Mr. Cairo
The artist uncovers a series of murders and discovers a conniving criminal organization behind them


Woman: Hey, there's a really terrific dress shop. Can we stop this raid while I buy a new gown? Frankie: I'll buy you the whole factory, sweetheart. Don't worry.
During their escape, the companion asks to stop for a new dress and Frankie offers to buy her an entire factory


That night, the double crosser got it right Pretending he was really dim He slipped to Sam a double gin (Mickey Finn) He woke, the boys had gone, but not his gun They'd left a note to lead him on The chase to find the Maltese Falcon-you bet-
The singer is drugged during their investigation and wakes up to find their pursuers have left him a clue, leading him to pursue the Maltese Falcon


Early thirties gangster movies Set to spellbind population From Chicago to Hong Kong Via Istanbul the Talking Tong Dirty rats through' prohibition Money flowed through gangsterism Acting out this fantasy In Hollywood's vicinity The best part for the best rendition Al Capone he sent to prison Citizen Kane came fast and quickly Conquering ol' New York City Poking fun at superstition Media became television Give me Cagney anyday Or Jimmy Stewart for President Or Edward 'G' and all those guys Who always shoot between the eyes Between the eyes Between the eyes
A tribute to gangster movies and Hollywood's depiction of organized crime


Kasper: ha, ha, well done Mr. Cairo, and what do you have to say about that, my friend? Spade: Allright. So you've got me in it. What about her? Brigid: Don't worry about me, I'm okay Kasper: Very magnanimous, sir, very magnanimous indeed, ha, ha, ha Mr. Cairo: You mean..., you won't make us an offer we... we can't refuse...
A dialogue exchange between several characters in the story discussing a deal, with Mr. Cairo making an offer


Father love do you work, do you work for Mother Chances could call, and accept that, be no other Science as it might, disappear correspond with colour Chance is the fruit, will outlive, what is now the brother Call for total wealth to distribute like a picture In black and white, give it joy, give it, let it hit you Spoil our existence by extreme gift to population Father love do you work, do you work for Mother Tell me straight be the Godfather be no other Media Kings give us now give us total movie Straight right now, give it clear, give us total movie Now being here, being now, being here believing
An abstract passage about love and chance, with themes of wealth distribution and a desire for a perfect movie


Man: I don't know which words to put in there sweetheart, you know, I can't do it. Pretty kind of useless, though, don't you think so Mary? Man: Come with me to the far lands of Baghdad. Woman: Oh, if only I could. That's what I want more than anything in the world, but it could never be... Man: Of course it can... Woman: But my father would find us wherever we went. Yes, he has forbidden me to... to even speak to you, if he finds me now. I don't know what he'd do... Man: But he doesn't know that I'm... I'm a prince. Before, I was the thief of Baghdad now... Woman: It doesn't matter... Man: Then follow me, darling, follow me now to the ends of the Earth
A dialogue exchange between a man and a woman discussing a forbidden love and the possibility of eloping


One on one to talk to you Like film stars they get close to you You've mirrored his appeal He wants you so, he wants to be beside you Then you pass by giving him the other side of you Like the mystics do So that every time he moves, he moves for you Soul and light can always see The meeting of true love and she This silent night and I, I guess a lonely mind might see I've seen love on the screen I've seen a screen goddesss and me-oh How often this, how often, this the power of you And so, I must confess Whatever I see I'm meant to be there with you With you with you
A romantic passage about the power of love and attraction, with references to movies and screens


Silent golden movies, talkies, technicolour, long ago My younger ways stand clearer, clearer than my footprints Stardom greats I've followed closely Closer than the nearest heartbeat Longer that expected-ther were great- Oh love oh love just to see them Acting on the silver screen, oh my Clark Gable, Fairbanks, Maureen O'Sullivan Fantasy would fill my life and I Love fantasy so much Did you see in the morning light I really talked, yes I did, to Gods early dawning light And I was privileged to be as I am to this day To be with you. To be with you
A nostalgic passage reflecting on old Hollywood and film stars, with themes of love and being privileged to be with the person they love


Mr. Cairo: Listen. I have arranged this display for... for all of you people to... to come here this evening and I... I know you have been searched, but, what you... you don't realize is, is that in the back of the Maltese Falcon, I have it ...
Mr. Cairo makes a mysterious statement suggesting he has something valuable hidden in the Maltese Falcon




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EVANGELOS PAPATHANASSIOU

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@andybullemor-music5928

My Dad had this album on vinyl, still does. I used to bug him to play the full 12 minute version of this song. Really captured my imagination. RIP Vangelis.

@jbg101

I was lucky to have had an older brother. 7 years older than me. He taught me some new type of music that I never would have know. May he be blessed.
Almost 2 years since his passing .
But it is all good

@Steve-oq7pk

I once got on Virgin radio, DJ asked me what song I wanted playing, I asked for this one, DJ never heard of it, couldn’t find it in their music library, shocking, haven’t listened to Virgin since , this song an absolute classic and year’s ahead of it’s time

@francoispasquet1394

Me also...

@lachlanj9901

@@jbg101 like listening to a story..my favorite series boardwalk empire. I agree with you

@lachlanj9901

Amasing how she does that chorus, let alone rest

7 More Replies...

@bluewaters3100

My husband and I loved Vangelis. One day he brought home this album and we just went insane for it. When my kids were little we had it on our big stereo all the time. Thanks you Vangelis for all your music. You are the Greek God of music forever.

@lecutter9382

RIP Vangelis. Thanks for the great music.

@WaitAMinute1989

40 years later and I'm still listening to this tune.

@eroche12

40 years ago I discovered this song on French TV while on holidays. I didn't wait long to find the LP (yes LP) of the Friends of Mr. Cairo. Epic. Ground braking songs with Jon. And then my discovery of China album and much more. In all your songs you have just that moment where the angels just kindly touch the notes and we listened together with you. RIP Maestro

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