In October 2004, Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer, and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. At the 2005 Grammy Awards, she made a return to the stage and, although bald from chemotherapy, performed a tribute to Janis Joplin with the song "Piece of My Heart". Etheridge's performance was widely lauded, with India.Arie writing "I Am Not My Hair" about Etheridge. Later that year, Etheridge released her first compilation album, Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled. The album was a huge success, peaking at #14 on the Billboard 200, and going Gold immediately. Her latest release is 4th Street Feeling.
Etheridge is known for her mixture of "confessional lyrics, pop-based folk-rock, and raspy, smoky vocals." She has also been an iconic gay and lesbian activist since her public coming out in January 1993.
Secret Agent
Melissa Etheridge Lyrics
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She's like a hot roller coaster on a video screen
She's off the hook
Take a look
Let your imagination cook
She don't play by the rules
She don't go by the book
All the girls are relieved she working for the other side
She's a sinner a saint
She'll run it cool and hot
She's a secret agent
You can believe it or not
Killer eyes and homicidal sighs
You can't resist it to be twisted in her suicidal thighs
Confessional lips
Professional fingertips
It's a deception to perfection
Her exceptional hips
Her disguise is specialized
And her code is confidential
It's her modus operandi
She's a threat makes them sweat
As she drags her cigarette
Man what you see
Ain't always what you get
She make a grown man cry
She make a woman try
She make you want to believe
Then she will leave you high and dry
You got nowhere to run
Got her phasers on stun
With her toys like the boys she is second to none
The lyrics to Melissa Etheridge's song "Secret Agent" describe a woman who embodies all the qualities of a secret agent - elusive, seductive, and dangerous. The song's protagonist is described as having a smooth persona that embodies a young boy's dream. The lyrics are filled with sexual and violent imagery that describes this character, that of being a seductive yet deadly woman. The song reveals the character's true nature as an agent who doesn't follow the rules and doesn't adhere to any book. She operates alone, and her only code is to succeed in her mission.
The lyrics also describe the effect this woman has on those around her. All the boys are attracted to her, while all the girls are relieved that she works for the other side. Her deception is almost perfect, and she uses it to her advantage. It's her modus operandi as she toys with men, making them want to believe in her, only to leave them high and dry, running with nowhere to go except for her phasers on stun. Overall, the song paints a picture of a woman who is both a survivor and a killer, one who can take down her enemies as effortlessly as she can seduce men and women alike.
Line by Line Meaning
Smooth as cream she's every young boys' dream
She has an attractive and pleasant personality, and every young boy dreams of being with her.
She's like a hot roller coaster on a video screen
She is like an exciting and thrilling adventure that you can only experience through a screen.
She's off the hook
She is not bound by any rules or regulations.
Take a look
Take a careful look at her and observe her actions.
Let your imagination cook
Let your imagination run wild and dream of all the possibilities with her.
She don't play by the rules
She ignores the rules and norms set by society.
She don't go by the book
She does not follow a set of guidelines or a script for how to act.
All the boys want to know if she's got something to hide
All the boys wonder if she has secrets that she is hiding from them.
All the girls are relieved she working for the other side
All the girls are relieved that she is not interested in boys, but is working for the other team.
She's a sinner a saint
She has both good and bad qualities.
She'll run it cool and hot
She can maintain her composure while also being very passionate.
She's a secret agent
She is like a spy, always having a hidden agenda and operating in secret.
You can believe it or not
It's up to you to decide whether to believe in her as a secret agent.
Killer eyes and homicidal sighs
Her eyes are powerful and her sighs can be deadly, in a metaphorical sense.
You can't resist it to be twisted in her suicidal thighs
It is hard to resist her allure, as she can be both exciting and dangerous, like the thrill of a suicidal ride.
Confessional lips
She has lips that can confess, reveal secrets or give in to pleasures.
Professional fingertips
She has fingers that can skillfully and effectively use tools or weapons.
It's a deception to perfection
She is a perfect liar and makes deception look easy.
Her exceptional hips
She has hips that are extraordinary in their movement, grace, and impact on men.
Her disguise is specialized
She has a special disguise that is designed for her specific role as a secret agent.
And her code is confidential
She has a secret code that nobody knows except her and her team.
It's her modus operandi
Her unique strategy or approach for executing tasks and missions.
She's a threat makes them sweat
She is a threat that causes fear and anxiety for her enemies.
As she drags her cigarette
She smokes a cigarette in a way that exudes sex appeal and confidence.
Man what you see
What you see on the surface is not always the whole truth.
Ain't always what you get
Your expectations may not match the reality of what you actually receive.
She make a grown man cry
She has the power to make even the most experienced men weak and vulnerable.
She make a woman try
She can even make a woman question and explore her own sexuality.
She make you want to believe
She has a convincing and persuasive personality that can make you trust in her.
Then she will leave you high and dry
She might abandon you suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving you alone and helpless.
You got nowhere to run
You are trapped and there is no escape from her.
Got her phasers on stun
She is always in control and has varying levels of power and ability, like a phaser.
With her toys like the boys she is second to none
She is skilled in using weapons and gadgets, proving herself to be the best, even among men who are usually better equipped in this regard.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JON CRAIG TAYLOR, MELISSA L ETHERRIDGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind