The Friends of Mr. Cairo
Jon & 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 is a song that tells a story in its lyrics. The beginning of the song is like a movie scene where there are gunshots and people are discussing whether or not to leave Johnny behind after he's been hurt. The story then jumps between characters discussing their plans to get the three million dollars they have, and then goes back to the original story. What follows is an investigation into a murder involving Mickey Spillane, and the lead character Sam Spade getting involved.


The song also touches on various themes, referencing early gangster movies, Al Capone, Citizen Kane, and Hollywood's ability to create fantasies through media. There's also a section where a man is trying to convince a woman to follow him to Baghdad, despite her father forbidding her from even speaking to him. The song ends with Mr. Cairo narrating, and him revealing that he has arranged a display for the people, with the Maltese Falcon in the back.


Line by Line Meaning

shooting
A scene depicting a violent confrontation


Frankie: Okay, this is the picture. Johnny's been hurt. He's been hurt bad.
Frankie explains the situation: Johnny is 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.
The woman pleads not to leave Johnny behind as he is badly injured and may die


Frankie: We've gotta leave him here, honey. We gotta. He won't talk, I promise you that! Will you Johnny?
Frankie insists on leaving Johnny behind, assuring the woman he won't reveal any information


Woman: Frankie, I don't care whether he talks or not, I just can't leave him like this.
The woman expresses her concern for Johnny's well-being and refuses to abandon him


Johnny: Listen. Leave me here I... I... I can ... I can ... handle it.
Johnny urges them to leave him behind, claiming that he can handle the situation


Woman: Oh, no, Johnny, no...
The woman expresses her emotional distress at the thought of leaving Johnny behind


Frankie: The cops are outside. Luke's in the car. Come on, let's get the hell outta this joint.
Frankie alerts them to the presence of the police and urges them to leave quickly


Woman: Frankie, when they get here wer're gonna be dead, I know we are! We don't have agun!
The woman fears that they will be killed by the police as they do not have a firearm for protection


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 reveals that they have three million dollars and suggests sending the money to Johnny's mother. He convinces them to escape from the situation


Woman: Oh, no, Johnny, no...
The woman still refuses to leave Johnny behind


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 them to position themselves against the door, ready to forcefully open it and shoot


She came, as in the book, Mickey Spillane
A reference to a character appearing in the style of a Mickey Spillane novel


That Saturday night dark masquerade
A description of a mysterious night event


Had filled his friend with lead, the same, sweetheart
His friend was shot and killed


But then, as nothing happens quite the same
Highlighting the unpredictable nature of events


Investigation is the game
Emphasizing the importance of investigation in solving mysteries


He had to check her story right away-he dead
He needed to verify her story immediately, but unfortunately, he was killed


Sam Spade his buddy Archer first to go he got it
Sam Spade's friend Archer was the first to be killed


She spelt it out, how could they know the 'Fatman' got it -he dead
She revealed that the 'Fatman' was killed, but it's unclear how they found out


Her sister didn't really live at all-confusion-he dead
Her sister was never truly alive, causing confusion. Unfortunately, she is also dead


His chase led to the Fatman, to face the friends of Mr. Cairo
His pursuit ultimately led to the Fatman and his associates, known as the friends of Mr. Cairo


Woman: Hey, there's a really terrific dress shop. Can we stop this raid while I buy a new gown?
The woman suggests pausing their escape to shop for a dress at a nearby store


Frankie: I'll buy you the whole factory, sweetheart. Don't worry.
Frankie promises to buy the entire dress factory to fulfill the woman's desire


That night, the double crosser got it right
The person who betrayed the group made the right move


Pretending he was really dim
He pretended to be unintelligent


He slipped to Sam a double gin (Mickey Finn)
He secretly drugged Sam with a double dose of liquor


He woke, the boys had gone, but not his gun
When he woke up, his companions had disappeared, but his gun was still with him


They'd left a note to lead him on
They left a note to guide him


The chase to find the Maltese Falcon-you bet-
The pursuit to locate the Maltese Falcon, without a doubt


Early thirties gangster movies
Referring to movies depicting gangsters from the 1930s


Set to spellbind population
Intended to captivate and mesmerize the audience


From Chicago to Hong Kong
Encompassing locations like Chicago and Hong Kong


Via Istanbul the Talking Tong
Through Istanbul, the talkative criminal organization


Dirty rats through' prohibition
Cunning individuals who operated during the era of prohibition


Money flowed through gangsterism
Illegal money circulated through criminal activities


Acting out this fantasy
Portraying and living out this glamorous illusion


In Hollywoods vicinity
In the vicinity of Hollywood


The best part for the best rendition
The most suitable role for the finest performance


Al Capone he sent to prison
Al Capone was convicted and sent to prison


Citizen Kane came fast and quickly
The movie Citizen Kane gained popularity rapidly


Conquering ol' New York City
Achieving success in New York City


Poking fun at superstition
Mocking beliefs in superstitions


Media became television
The media industry transitioned to television


Give me Cagney anyday
Expressing a preference for actor James Cagney


Or Jimmy Stewart for President
Suggesting actor Jimmy Stewart as a presidential candidate


Or Edward 'G' and all those guys
Referring to actor Edward G. Robinson and similar performers


Who always shoot between the eyes
Noting that these actors commonly shoot their targets directly between the eyes


Mr. Cairo: You mean..., you won't make us an offer we... we can't refuse...
Mr. Cairo questions if they won't make an irresistible offer


Father love do you work, do you work for Mother
Love from a father figure, does it work for the sake of the mother


Chances could call, and accept that, be no other
Possibilities may arise, and accepting them may be the only option


Science as it might, disappear correspond with colour
Despite scientific explanations, love transcends rational understanding, akin to perception of color


Chance is the fruit, will outlive, what is now the brother
Opportunity is the result, destined to surpass the current relationship as it stands


Call for total wealth to distribute like a picture
Appeal for sharing complete abundance, as a work of art is exhibited


In black and white, give it joy, give it, let it hit you
Deliver happiness and impact through distinct clarity, striking the audience


Spoil our existence by extreme gift to population
Our lives are compromised by the excessive offering to society


Father love do you work, do you work for Mother
Again questioning if a father's love is valuable for the mother's sake


Tell me straight be the Godfather be no other
Be honest, act as the protector and provider, just like in the movie The Godfather


Media Kings give us now give us total movie
The powerful figures in the media industry, give us a complete cinematic experience


Straight right now, give it clear, give us total movie
Present it directly and clearly, provide us with a complete film


Now being here, being now, being here believing
Living in the present, believing in the significance of being in the current moment


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?
A man struggles to find the right words and expresses his frustration to Mary


Man: Come with me to the far lands of Baghdad.
The man invites Mary to accompany him to the distant 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...
The woman expresses her desire to go to Baghdad with him but believes it to be impossible


Man: Of course it can...
Asserting that it is indeed possible


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...
The woman fears her father's disapproval and potential consequences if they are discovered together


Man: But he doesn't know that I'm... I'm a prince. Before, I was the thief of Baghdad now...
The man reveals that he is actually a prince, having transitioned from being a thief in Baghdad


Woman: It doesn't matter...
The woman dismisses her father's disapproval, stating that it doesn't matter anymore


Man: Then follow me, darling, follow me now to the ends of the Earth
The man implores her to join him on an adventurous journey, showing his love and commitment


One on one to talk to you
Having a personal, intimate conversation with you


Like film stars they get close to you
Similar to how film stars appear close and familiar on screen


You've mirrored his appeal
You have reflected and reciprocated his attractiveness and charm


He wants you so, he wants to be beside you
He desires your presence, wanting to be by your side


Then you pass by giving him the other side of you
But instead, you ignore him or only show him a different, less personal side of yourself


Like the mystics do
Similar to how mystics or spiritualists behave


So that every time he moves, he moves for you
He is constantly motivated and influenced by you in his actions


Soul and light can always see
The essence of a person and their true nature can always be perceived


The meeting of true love and she
The union of genuine love and the woman


This silent night and I, I guess a lonely mind might see
In this quiet night, a lonely mind might envision


I've seen love on the screen
Having witnessed love portrayed on the movie screen


I've seen a screen goddesss and me-oh
Having encountered a glamorous movie star and myself


How often this, how often, this the power of you
Frequently experiencing the powerful influence you have


And so, I must confess
Therefore, I must admit


Whatever I see
No matter what I observe


I'm meant to be there with you
I am destined to be by your side


With you with you
Always together with you


Silent golden movies, talkies, technicolour, long ago
Referring to the era of silent films, speaking films, and those in vibrant technicolor from the distant past


My younger ways stand clearer, clearer than my footprints
The memories of my youth are more vivid than the traces I have left behind


Stardom greats I've followed closely Closer than the nearest heartbeat
Having closely followed the greatest stars of stardom, closer than one's own heartbeat


Longer that expected-ther were great-
The admiration lasted longer than anticipated because they were truly great


Oh love oh love just to see them
Oh, how I love to see them on screen


Acting on the silver screen, oh my
Performing on the silver screen, oh my


Clark Gable, Fairbanks, Maureen O'Sullivan
Referencing famous actors like Clark Gable, Douglas Fairbanks, and Maureen O'Sullivan


Fantasy would fill my life and I
Fantasies would occupy my life and thoughts


Love fantasy so much
Having a great love for fantasies


Did you see in the morning light
Did you witness the beauty of the morning light


I really talked, yes I did, to Gods early dawning light
Having engaged in a heartfelt conversation with the enlightening morning light


And I was privileged to be as I am to this day
I feel fortunate to be who I am at this very moment


To be with you. To be with you
To be in your presence, to be by your side


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 addresses the audience, revealing that he has organized an event and emphasizing the hidden secret inside the Maltese Falcon




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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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