Favorite "Man" Songs #10 - "Secret Agent Man"
@teamfreak16 (43418)
Denver, Colorado
November 24, 2017 10:41pm CST
Hey man, it's time for a new music series, and the theme is songs with "man" in the title. And even better, you will probably recognize most of these. We start with #10: "Secret Agent Man" by Johnny Rivers.
Often, "Secret Agent Man" is misheard as "Secret Asian Man." The song was originally a 15 second theme for the American airing of the British show, Danger Man, which aired as "Secret Agent" in the US. The theme proved popular enough that Johnny Rivers recorded, live, a full version, which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song has been covered multiple times, notably by Devo, who altered the lyrics, Mel Torme, The Ventures, Hank Williams Jr, and Agent Orange.
As great as Devo's cover is, nobody can touch Johnny Rivers' original. I've linked to a video of Rivers performing it on television.
Enjoy!
(Info verified by Wikipedia)
Johnny Rivers was born as John Ramistella and became Johnny Rivers because Allan Freed gave him this alias or atistic name. He get much success in 60's with ...
14 people like this
14 responses
@LeaPea2417 (37468)
• Toccoa, Georgia
25 Nov 17
Wow, I had forgotten about that song, I remember hearing that song when I was a real small kid.
4 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Nov 17
It is definitely a rock music classic.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
25 Nov 17
That was a super cool show and song from my youth. My mother had that song on Rivers greatest hits album.
3 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
25 Nov 17
@teamfreak16 The one you mentioned: Danger Man known as Secret Agent here. Starred Patrick MacGoohan.
3 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Nov 17
@JohnRoberts - Ah. I got confused. I thought you meant the show he was singing on. Duh!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Nov 17
What show was it? I was only two at the time. I don't know if it's something I've seen.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
25 Nov 17
I always did like that one @teamfreak16 . Johnny Rivers was a good singer too.
3 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Nov 17
He had the perfect voice for this one in particular. I used to play some of his songs on the radio.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (117891)
• Anniston, Alabama
25 Nov 17
I love this song, I must have been in my crib with that playing 
3 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
26 Nov 17
@teamfreak16 Two? Really? God, I feel old, no, wait, I AM old.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
26 Nov 17
@JamesHxstatic - What makes me feel old is finding out certain albums I've owned are 30-40 years old.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Nov 17
I know. I was only two when this was released.
1 person likes this
@workathomefan (8957)
• Prairieville, Louisiana
25 Nov 17
I love this song and other songs by Johnny Rivers.I love his song mountain of love.Johnny is from Baton Rouge just like me.
3 people like this
@dgobucks226 (35952)
•
25 Nov 17
His was the best version for sure! Also liked "Memphis" a song Elvis passed up on and "Poor Side of Town" his only # 1 hit. They've given you a number and taken away your name...007 had to love that line 
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
26 Nov 17
@dgobucks226 - It is. It's one we didn't play at the station.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35952)
•
26 Nov 17
@teamfreak16 "Mountain of Love" was another nice track.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
25 Nov 17
it is a great song but it would have been wrong for the superb Danger Man series - this is the theme that was used
Theme song from the 1960's TV show Danger Man, starring Patrick Mcgoohan
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Nov 17
Thanks for the heads up. I just looked it up. I totally misread it.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
26 Nov 17
@arthurchappell - I'll have to see if they are on You Tube or something.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
25 Nov 17
I love this song, always have since I remember it on that show when I was real young.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Nov 17
I don't remember it. Of course, I was two.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (70639)
• United States
25 Nov 17
Written by P.F. Sloan, go figure. Great, great song.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Nov 17
He was quite prolific, wasn't he.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (82023)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
25 Nov 17
Never really liked this song. I did a theme about song titles with man on my music blot and was surprised how many songs like that there are. However for each of my blogs I only use up to eight songs at a time.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Nov 17
I had to narrow it down to ten, which is, for me anyway, part of the fun of doing these countdowns.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
26 Nov 17
Great song, used in the opening/closing titles of "Danger Man" with Patrick McGoohan.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
26 Nov 17
I did watch a clip on You Tube. It looked like a really cool show.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Nov 17
I didn't know that. I haven't seen it, believe it or not.
