Secret Agent Man
The Toasters Lyrics


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There's a man who lives a life of danger
For everyone he meets, he stays a stranger
with every move he makes and every chance he takes
Odds are you won't live to see tomorrow

Secret agent man, secret agent man
They're giving you a number
and they take away your name

Beware of those pretty faces you find
'cause a pretty face can hide an evil mind
Be careful what you say
'cause you could give yourself away
Odds are you won't live to see tomorrow

Secret agent man, secret agent man
They're giving you a number
and they take away your name

Secret agent man, secret agent man
They're giving you a number
and they take away your name

Chilling on the Riviera one day
Lying on the Bombay alley the next day
Don't let the wrong word slip
while kissing persuasive lips
Odds are you won't live to see tomorrow

Secret agent man, secret agent man




They're giving you a number
and they take away your name

Overall Meaning

The Toasters’s “Secret Agent Man” is a dynamic song that aims to capture the essence of an undercover life-one where danger and unpredictability are a constant. It tells the story of a secret agent who is born into a world where anonymity is key, and everything is centered around living life dangerously. Therefore, the man the song portrays understands that he must keep his identity close to his chest, as everyone he meets could be an enemy. Every decision he makes is critical because his life is always on the line, and if he makes a mistake, he knows he may not live to see tomorrow.


Overall, the lyrics of the song convey that being a secret agent is not for the faint-hearted, and while the nature of the job may sound enticing, it's one that comes with immense pressure and danger. The lyrics can also be interpreted on a deeper level, highlighting the situation of people who must live in hide-out from some unknown entity. It's an exciting song that captures the thrill of undercover work and the risks that come with it.


Line by Line Meaning

There's a man who lives a life of danger
This man lives a perilous life that is shrouded in secrecy


For everyone he meets, he stays a stranger
He ensures that he remains unknown to anyone he encounters


with every move he makes and every chance he takes
Every action or decision he takes is a calculated risk


Odds are you won't live to see tomorrow
The likely outcome of being in his line of work is death


Secret agent man, secret agent man
This is a nickname for the man in question


They're giving you a number
The organization he works for assigns a code for identification purposes


and they take away your name
The man's true name is not revealed to anyone for his own safety


Beware of those pretty faces you find
Don't be fooled by attractive people, they may have ulterior motives


'cause a pretty face can hide an evil mind
Someone who looks good may have evil intentions


Be careful what you say
Watch your words to avoid giving away too much information


'cause you could give yourself away
Sharing certain details about himself could compromise his safety


Chilling on the Riviera one day
He is capable of switching locations seamlessly


Lying on the Bombay alley the next day
This man's job requires him to stay in a variety of different locations


Don't let the wrong word slip
Being mindful of what he says is important in his line of work


while kissing persuasive lips
Even romantic encounters could lead to dangerous situations




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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