There is more than one artist with this name:

1) The Untouchables a … Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:

1) The Untouchables a reggae vocal duo from Jamaica, featuring Jimmy London (born Trevor Shaw) and Billy Dyce (born Ransford White). They also recorded as The Inspirations. Their song 'Tighten Up' (from either The Inspirations on the Upsetter label in Jamaica or The Untouchables on the Trojan release in London) gave the name to a series of albums on Trojan that were pivotal in promoting and crossing over Jamaican music in the UK.

2) The Untouchables, A mod revival band from Los Angeles, CA that got its start in the early 80's. Their sound crossed genres from soul to ska to reggae. Most notable for their minor hits "I Spy (For the F.B.I.)" & "Free Yourself". They also had a non-singing cameo as the "Scooter Guys" in the 1984 cult movie "Repo Man".

3) The Untouchables, A hardcore band from DC. One of the bands that laid the groundwork for the legendary DC hardcore punk scene of the early eighties / late seventies. The band existed from October 1979 until January 1981.

4) The Untouchables were a hard rock band which existed from 1992 until 1995. It was fronted by Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith. Other members included: Gary Leideman, Mike Sturgis, Huey Lucas, Bob Richards and Jamie Stewart. With line-up changes, this eventually evolved into the band Psycho Motel.

5)The Untouchables, An early 1960s “Beatnik”-styled novelty garage rock band who had a minor hit with “Benny the Beatnik”.

6) The Untouchables, A moniker of house music producer Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez . Gonzalez released several tracks as The Untouchables on the New York label Strictly Rhythm in the early 1990's.

7) A.K.A Napalm Beach old band name. Part of that anti-commerical nature is apparent in their choice for a new name. Untouchables is already owned by several other bands forcing the band into a situation similar to the one that turned the Heaters into the Heats. But rather than stick with a simple and recognizable variable, the Untouchables have chosen the bizarre: They plan to call themselves Napalm Beach in the near future. It’s not the type of name mothers embrace but it bespeaks the Untouchables’ attitude towards commercialism.

I Spy
The Untouchables Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I spy for the FBI
(I spy for the FBI)
I spy for the FBI
(I spy for the FBI)

I got an X-ray camera hidden in your house
That sees what I can't see
And that man you were kissin' last night

Definitely was not me, oh baby

I spy for the FBI
(I spy for the FBI)
I spy for the FBI
(I spy for the FBI)

Just because he was wearin' shades
You thought he didn't leave a clue
I got his name, I know his game
He's double-O you know who, oh baby

I spy for the FBI
(I spy for the FBI)
I spy for the FBI
(I spy)

I've got the facts in the file
Baby, I don't have to guess
I took that agent's fingerprints
Off of your new red dress, oh baby

I spy for the FBI
(I spy for the FBI)
I spy for the FBI
(I spy for the FBI)

I know when you're out
I know when you're in
I know where you're goin'
'Cause I know where you've been

I spy for the FBI
(I spy for the FBI)
Baby, I spy for the FBI
(I spy for the FBI)

Baby, I spy for the FBI
(I spy for the FBI)

Overall Meaning

The Untouchables' song "I Spy" is a playful take on the paranoia surrounding government surveillance during the 1960s. The lead singer claims to be an FBI spy with access to an X-ray camera hidden in the subject's house, revealing their secrets and affairs. He knows the man his lover kissed wasn't him because of this camera, and he has evidence of the agent's fingerprints on her dress. The singer asserts that he knows his lover's every move: when she's out, in, where she's going, and where she's been because he is always watching.

The lyrics use humor to comment on the growing concern about government surveillance and the loss of privacy in American life during the Cold War. The FBI was known to spy on American citizens at the height of McCarthyism, and this song takes a lighthearted approach to the unsettling reality of government intrusion. The singer's playful boasting about his spy abilities seems to double as a criticism, highlighting the absurdity of the government's efforts to monitor and control civilians.

Line by Line Meaning

I spy for the FBI
I work secretly as a spy on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

I got an X-ray camera hidden in your house That sees what I can't see And that man you were kissin' last night Definitely was not me, oh baby
I have a hidden camera that can see through walls, and I saw you kissing someone who wasn't me

Just because he was wearin' shades You thought he didn't leave a clue I got his name, I know his game He's double-O you know who, oh baby
You thought the man you were kissing was anonymous because he wore sunglasses, but I know his identity and he's a dangerous individual

I've got the facts in the file Baby, I don't have to guess I took that agent's fingerprints Off of your new red dress, oh baby
I have all the information about your activities and don't need to speculate. I even found the fingerprints of another FBI agent on your clothing

I know when you're out I know when you're in I know where you're goin' 'Cause I know where you've been
I have access to all your movements and whereabouts because I have been tracking you

Baby, I spy for the FBI
I am a covert informant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation

Contributed by Julian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Comments from YouTube:

@dietpepsivanilla3095

5y↑18

Brings back great memories of living in LA during the 80s, a great time to be alive. The Untouchables deserved better.

@bobsoldrecords1503

3y↑4

The most professional local band on the L.A. scene in the 80s. They put on a real show.

@soulrongang

8y↑10

Great cover of a 51 year-old song...dug it then, dig it now!

@Thefubeca12

9y↑4

One of the few bands who had albums with 99% listenable tunes. I saw them a ton in California and they were as good and better live as on vinyl.

@jonniebyford7747

51w

Were they a Northern Soul band per se? (I saw a comment here that said they were signed to a UK label, and that would make sense); or a covers band (no doubt with some of their own stuff too, they're that good)? You were lucky to have seen them.

@losblancos5089

Absolutely killer live band, tighter than tight.

@LAKingsare1

2y↑4

This song really means something nowadays.

@alexvillegas8971

2y↑2

Saw these guys a number of times in the 80’s….first time I was 14 and my big sister took me to a show they did on campus for f CalTech in Pasadena…blew me away! The whole scene was so different and new! The LA mod scene was huge ! Vespas, parkas, girls with pixie cuts, one of a kind !

@browncodhdin3610

45w

So much good times even when times won’t good we made it through. Thank you TMH.

@johnarmstrong9634

4y↑5

Saw them in Santa Cruz 1989 at the Catalyst...one of the best shows I ever went too, they TORE the house down!

@RedSango67

I saw them once back in 1984. They were the opening act for John Waite's No Brakes show. They were so good I ran out and bought their album the next day.

@thomasm5126

5y↑2

Saw them again on Dec. 1st at House of Blues Anaheim. Different but Jerry Miller still has it. He has a great voice. One of my favorites.

@joefish5197

4y↑3

I saw these guys open for UB40 back in the day . . . Still recovering!

@garethjones8529

3y↑4

I painted my Vespa with the untouchables on the side panels, this was back in 1986 great band , great songs and I have great memories of meeting loads of mods and rude boys in L.A , you guys made me so welcome.

@soulhappyhour

10y↑22

UTs were a vibrant band from L.A. Ska revival hit the U.S. hard. They hopped the pond and got signed on a U.K. label. Musically quite good. These boys could throw a mean ass show.

@Declan50

9y↑1

I use to see them back in the day as well. These guys came so close to blowing up. Lord knows they had the talent!

@83mosco

Good to know. They will be playing here in Pittsburgh for free July 25. It's only 2 miles down the road from me at a nice park. Think I'll go now that I know it's it's good show!

@MelissaWood99

12y

Kick ass! The Untouchables rule!

@go-goakins1489

5y↑4

Great song!!! Just as cool😎as " Free yourself". Both awesome 👏 songs!👍

@Declan50

What a shame....These guys just missed stardom! The UT's were awesome, especially live!

@donthewatcher

8y↑17

rest in peace to clyde grimes(guitarist) he passed away on july 5th 2016, your ska will be missed, prayers go out to marty grimes and family and to all of the untouchables musicians from don kingski (skatemaster tate& the concrete crew) ska in heaven

@perpetual61

13y↑1

I remember the Untouchables during the 80's. They're more known for their other hit " Free Yourself."

@s.g.r.2773

5y↑6

1986, opened for UB40 in Ithaca, NY. Hell of a show.

@HayelsMartin

11y

I've got this somewhere , still stands the test of time

@KelsaRavenlock

3y↑1

Used to see these guys and the Surf Punks on weekends at a diner on PCH. At one point the dinner became a Denny's and still had these bands playing, must be the only time people have been in a hurry to get to Denny's on a Saturday night.

@katoness

9y↑2

Remember having the wild child album on cassette tape. Nice tunes and memories

@mokumskinfranky5233

1y↑1

Great tune. I got this on 12", a much longer version with an extra long instrumental part. Not seen on YT.

@mokumskinfranky5233

43w

Yeah, why isn't that on YT?
I love the extra instrumental bit on the end. It makes the whole tune 10 x better!

@GrowingJournal

9y↑2

I saw the untouchables in Sheffield back in in 86/87. They rocked the house!

@davidpatterson7934

I saw this band at least a dozen times. R.i.p. Clyde

@Tom_Roberts

9y↑1

I don't usually like cover versions, but this is a great up tempo of Jamo Thomas's original.

@MegaOwlsman

8y↑1

+Paul wilson I thought the original version was by Luther Ingram, Paul?

@Tom_Roberts

+Kindred Mole You may be right. I didn't know that. I'll look it up.

@TheRealCaptainFreedom

It was Ingram.

@wehavexplosiv23

11y

Caught them live around '88 at my favorite club. Skankin'!

@Antertainment531

I thought I was the only one who undercover liked this back in the day! I called them a wanna be Morris Day & The Time!! 😂😂😂

@jim7862

5y↑1

AWESOME

@dancoatest5

8y↑3

their biggie was Free Yourself great US Ska/Soul band had the pleasure of seeing them in Sheffield in 80s great live

@rocketboy9127

5y↑1

Filmed in Hamburg - Germany in 80`.... Reeperbahn, Landungsbrücken ... great band

@davidpatterson7934

they played a lot of shows in l.a. in the 1980's saw them a lot.

@maxkaz8383

3y↑2

Finally! a theme song for every FBI agent looking at our cams from phones. :P
(just a joke)

@frmoak2atl

11y

Was looking for the original version made in the 1960's. This version is interesting.

@52barney

Jamo Thomas ?

@ThomasFrie

11y↑1

so frking good!

@gregoryproiette4115

31w

Clyde had a sick scooter I remember it had chrome cowls and expansion chamber.

@Ukulelebanjoboy

Reminds me of scooter do's back in the day😎

@davemoore9901

Good version, but not as good as Jamo Thomas, which was already a cover of the Luther Ingram original

@steves1588

Down at Balboa on the beach. Life was never better.

@MrBigcityal

9y↑24

They were the scooter gang in Repo Man.

@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music

6y↑2

No shit? Wow..

@RG-wq2fm

3y↑1

wow, never knew that

@chelsea_bogota_z1_casual685

4y↑1

Pure Californian Mod. <3

@Blues444

12y↑3

I Ska (For the FBI) (Bad Pun ~ But I Couldn't Resist)

@MarmaladeStex

7y↑2

Apparently this Los Angeles Outfit were Credited as Being the 1st American Ska Band!.

@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music

But did they really spy for the F.B.I.?

@KelsaRavenlock

Lol next recommended video is "10 ways to tell if the FBI is spying on you".

@mswhk49

11y↑1

I spy for the Five Eyes...

@stalked5627

Stalking

@rjjcms1

nico napo It's a song. Get over yourself.

@eileenmontroy6665

9y↑2

Anybody ever think this is a stalking song?

@stalked5627

Yes yes

@lisajensen9395

10y↑2

Imgoose, I was just thinking the same thing!! But, really, look at his creepers.

@vincelimtiaco1839

Thats right.i had the red/black tiger striped creepers by NANAs of santa monica.had to mail order them from vegas.

@mauriziosapori9471

6y↑1

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

@EndingSummerwithRalph

8y↑1

He works at Google, lol.

@Roland0554

I Investigate for te FBI.

@rjjcms1

T-shirt spotted among those saucy items,for people who don't have to take everything absolutely seriously,that you used to get on their trips to the seaside: "FBI - Female Body Inspector".