The song was used as a TV theme for the American version of the British Spy show Danger Man, called Secret Agent, here in the US, ca. 1965/66, starring Pactrick MCGoohan. Song was written by P. F. Sloan and Steve Barri. All subsequent uses of the song in movies means squat to me, as a child of the 1960's. Johnny Rivers is the original bad ass musician/song writer/singer who did this, and he belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has been shunned for all his great quality work.

Secret Agent Man was one of my favorite TV shows and Johnny's theme song for the show made it even better.

@armadillotoe

4 жыл бұрын

"The Prisoner" was a great follow up to Secret Agent.

@Historian212

4 жыл бұрын

"Secret Agent" -- the "Man" was only in the song title.

@robploski4026

4 жыл бұрын

I think “The Prisoner” would blow India’s mind. Number 6 : Where am I? Number Two : In the village. Number 6 : What do you want? Number Two : Information. Number 6 : Whose side are you on? Number Two : That would be telling. We want information... information... information! Number 6 : You won't get it! Number Two : By hook or by crook, we will. Number 6 : Who are you? Number Two : The new Number Two. Number 6 : Who is Number One? Number Two : You are Number Six. Number 6 : I am not a number; I AM A FREE MAN! Number Two : [laughter] Be seeing you.

@joelanderos23

2 жыл бұрын

@@Historian212 ''man'' was in the song too.

Mr Rivers is doing well today at age 77. Still tours and sounds great. Secret Agent Man was the theme song for the tv show of the same name. James Bond was big then so networks were taking advantage of that idea.

@Historian212

4 жыл бұрын

The TV show was called "Secret Agent," the "Man" was only in the song title.

@katgrey6239

3 жыл бұрын

So glad Mr Rivers is doing well and STILL ROCKIN'!🎸👏🎶

Johnny Rivers, one of the all time greats, was so under rated, he should be in Hall Of Fame.

Secret Agent Man was also in the Movie Austin Powers

@Nefarioso

4 жыл бұрын

Also in "Ace Ventura, When Nature Call's'' , unfortunately by some other artist. I wonder why they could not get the rights to the original?

Spy movies & TV shows were the big thing back then: James Bond, Mission Impossible, The Man From Uncle, Get Smart, etc.

@stevenf1953

4 жыл бұрын

don't forget Danger Man. It's where the song came from!

@christinerobinson548

4 жыл бұрын

@@stevenf1953 I feel like this show came before the rest and was maybe the inspiration?

@palermotrapani9067

4 жыл бұрын

Another one is Dean Martin "Matt Helms" famous scene when he is in a car and his lady friend is listening to a Frank Sinatra song and Helms (Dean Martin) says man that guy can't sing, and he changes it and it is a "Dean Martin" song. The other thing I remember about Matt Helms is staying up late one night and watching it one something like CBS late night movie (11 PM) when Parents were out an baby sitter was doing whatever and The Silencers came on. If anyone remembers the opening scene you were like WOW! as a kid when you saw it.

@RedDawnRocker

4 жыл бұрын

@@stevenf1953 Yup! Danger Man, Secret Agent and the Prisoner were the John Drake Trilogy despite him just being referred to as #6 in the Prisoner instead of John Drake. He was TVs answer to James Bond.

@stevenf1953

4 жыл бұрын

@@RedDawnRocker Hey I loved the Prisoner. I loved that stupid bubble thing LOL

When I was a little kid i would beg my mom to let me stay up and watch the beginning of the show to hear the theme song. "Secret agent man" I think my bed time was 8 o'clock. Long time ago.

@idowanna837

4 жыл бұрын

Same with the theme song from Hawaii 5-O!!

I used to watch this back in the sixties. Takes me back to the good old days.👍👍👍😁😁

“The most famous recording of the song was made by Johnny Rivers for the opening titles of the American broadcast of the British spy series Danger Man, which aired in the U.S. as Secret Agent from 1964 to 1966. “

Got my drivers license in the summer is 1979. The car was a 65 Datsun 510 wagon. The owner left a cassette of Johnny Rivers greatest hits. It1979 was the summer of My Sharon’s by the Knack and Sheena is a punk rocker by the Ramones. But for me it was and always will be the summer of Johnny Rivers and secret Agent Man 13 years after it was first recorded

“Secret Agent”, was the American release of the British spy series, “Danger Man’, aired in ‘60- ‘62, and again in later that decade. The American release used Johnny Rivers “Secret Agent Man” as its theme song. As a kid I thought it was cool, and I guess it was!

@bobbywall172

4 жыл бұрын

How about I-spy with Bill Cosby and Bob Culp?

@christinerobinson548

4 жыл бұрын

Good info!

@jimanderson953

4 жыл бұрын

I remember it, yes I am that old. Patrick Mcgoohan was the star. I watched every episode

Johnny Rivers... underrated and not given the respect he deserves. Awesome performer, excellent singer and all around cool dude.

There was a British spy show starring Patrick McGoohan called Danger Man. When it was broadcast in the US, they added this theme song by Johnny Rivers. It's a classic and really cool. And still holds up.

I remember this song from 1966. I can picture people listening to this song on their Am radios in their cars.

@nebbindog6126

4 жыл бұрын

Your birthday cake must look like a bon fire!!! Mine does too.

@johnheinrich1718

4 жыл бұрын

I’d hear it on my small transistor radio, crammed up against my ear.

The show was orinally called Danger Man when it was only on British TV. When they started showing it in the US they changed the name Secret Agent and got Johnny Rivers to provide a theme.

Johnny Rivers, ‘Baby I Need Your Loving’ gotta see!

I think I was in 8th grade when this song was popular. Some friends and I rewrote the lyrics and turned it into a goofy parody song about our history teacher in junior high school who used to pick his nose in class. I cannot hear this song without some of those ridiculous lyrics rattling through my brain. LOL. Johnny Rivers had a nice little string of hits in the mid 60s. Then he sort of disappeared until his “Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu” was a hit in the ‘70s. Super talented guy, and according to a dear friend who had occasion to meet him and interview him, a super nice guy, too. I see you also did a reaction to “Poor Side of Town.” I think that was his best song. BTW, I think this was the theme song to a 60s TV series called Secret Agent. It didn’t last very long.

As others have said, the show originated in Britain and was called Danger Man. When they brought the show to the U.S. they renamed it Secret Agent and commissioned this as the theme song. Patrick McGoohan was the star. He went on to star in another British series called The Prisoner, which was based on a similar character: a spy who retires suddenly, and is kidnapped and held captive in a mysterious village where his captors try to figure out why he quit his job. The Prisoner is considered to be one of the best TV series in history. It's well worth checking out.

@billr3724

4 жыл бұрын

Yep, one of the best ever TV show opening themes. I liked this even more than the other spy show theme "The Man From UNCLE".

@sukie584

4 жыл бұрын

The Prisoner is amazing. My father turned me onto it when I was a teenager. It was very rarely on in the States.

@davesworld7961

3 жыл бұрын

The Prisoner is a great show. Later audiences will know Mcgoohan as the King in Braveheart.

@EzekielPrellus

Жыл бұрын

Patrick McGoohan's most famous role, for me at least, was as Number Six in The Prisoner. The show is a cult classic.

@robinmcintyre3472

Жыл бұрын

Aw, memories.. I remember this song, Loved this song, loved Johnny Rivers! I was fortunate enough to see him in Rochester, Wa. about 10 yrs ago.. he was still just so Amazing! I was only like 8 yrs old(?) when "The Prisoner" came out,, but I Do remember watching it. Lol, my brother had a "Secret Agent" attache case for kids, it had "secret" compartments, features.. I just thought that was the coolest thing ever, I was always trying to get him to let me play with it.😉

This version was recorded live at the Whisky A-Go-Go. It appeared on the And I Know You Wanna Dance album .

Oh Johnny Rivers...coolest stoty teller of his time. Love it.

Check out Summer Rain by Johnny Rivers.

@stang7342

3 жыл бұрын

Good one!!!

That riff has been in my head since the day it came out!

Love this "Secret Agen Man" tune. Best version! Check out "Baby, I need your loving"

Too cool for school! He's in like Flint!

@incub8

4 жыл бұрын

Yes ... Our man ... Flint!

The show was called Dangerman and came from England. It was a summer replacement here and the name was changed to Secret Agent Man and this song was added as a theme. Starred Patrick McGoohan.

This is the theme song that was composed for the US release of the TV program "Secret Agent." In the UK the show was called "Danger Man" and had an entirely different theme, a baroque harpsichord piece, but the US distributors thought that was too staid sounding, so they had this one written.

@ElliotNesterman

4 жыл бұрын

"Danger Man" (Secret Agent in the US) was an important show in the spy genre. Patrick McGoohan had a lot of input into the character he played, John Drake. Unlike other spy characters Drake rarely carried a gun, tried to avoid violence, and did not seduce women as part of his mission. This was something that McGoohan insisted on. McGoohan had been offered the part of James Bond before Connery but turned it down because he thought that Bond treated women badly.

It makes my heart happy seeing your reaction to Johnny Rivers. My favorite from him is Memphis.

One of the first songs ever recorded live for a hit single. Have you heard this before, it's one of the most famous and played songs from the 60's and is in lots of movies and films.

I've never, in all my years, heard any other song that captures the 'era' of James Bond, the spy movies, etc etc...such a catchy guitar riff but so mysterious!!! GREAT SONG!!!

This was the theme song to a TV show called Secret Agent Man

I love this song. It's one of my stay in the car until it's over songs. I had a mad crush on Patrick McGoohan who played the secret agent in the TV show 'Secret Agent". This was the theme song to that show. And I just love Johnny River's music. He has so many hits. Thanks for bringing back great memories:-)

Patrick McGoohan starred in the TV series, Secret Agent, from 1964 -1967.

@SiriusJMoonlight

4 жыл бұрын

The year after that he was in The Prisoner, where they DID give him a number, and take away his name.

This was a cold war era song. There was a lot of spying going on at that time.

@flomurdock

4 жыл бұрын

It was a TV show theme.

@warangel4389

4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely- we had bomb drills in grade school brain washing us to hate Russia

@jacklowe3429

4 жыл бұрын

@@flomurdock "Secret Agent" starring Patrick McGoohan, mid 1960s.

@amazinggrace5692

4 жыл бұрын

My father in law use to say “RUSSIA dropped another stupid bomb us!” Whenever the US something dumb.

Back in the 1960s, we were well into the Cold War and with the first James Bond movie, came all kinds of secret agent novels, movies and television shows. We had The Man from U.N.C.L.E, Mission: Impossible, The Avengers but this was a wonderful show called Secret Agent (with Patrick McGoohan - called Danger Man in the UK). There was a kind of sequel but no one admitted it called The Prisoner, which was great television. Johnny Rivers was holding up America's end during the British Invasion (along with the Beach Boys). His popularity was so great, he became the house band at the famed Sunset Strip club, Whiskey A-Go-Go. The man, the guitar, the legend...

Great reaction 😀, always loved this song! Hit about the time spy stuff was hot. James Bond movies & my favorite two TV series The Saint & The Avengers.

this song brings back a lot of memories. It was so nice hearing it again. another song that brings back memories from that same era is this song called, "bottle of wine", by the fireballs. It was one of those fun songs burned into our memories. We all have an uncle or an old neighbor or someone the song reminds us of.

Johnny is a Living Legend. Such a damn shame he is not in the Rock N' Roll of Fame.

@lisac4215

4 жыл бұрын

Are you serious? That's absurd.

@hockaday2fer2

4 жыл бұрын

Hell Yes, and Tommy James Shondells both Belong in H. O. F.!

Written by P F Sloan for the American release of a British TV show. Sloan came up with the guitar riff and one verse as the opening theme. It was so popular they decided to make it a complete song. The Johnny Rivers hit version was actually a live recording with some studio editing.

This was the theme song for a tv series in the sixties called "Secret Agent". It actually was a pretty good series at the time.

You got to do his "Slow Dancing Swaying to the Music"

@kenrk

4 жыл бұрын

Love that song.

@keithm.7335

4 жыл бұрын

I like the cricket sounds in the recording. It is a great song, too.

@randall-king

4 жыл бұрын

Yes!!

@kyleterrell6842

4 жыл бұрын

I was just about to suggest this.

@fatlittlekid1982

4 жыл бұрын

Totally, possibly the best song ever. Hijack your comment due to shadowbanning, to ask indiagirl if she would do another tune from 60s television show. Lavern Baker - Batman to the rescue. And also Jackie Wilson & LaVern Baker - Think Twice Version X. And of course do some Jackie wilson,, lonely teardrop or say you will as it might be listed as.

Oh wow! I was just a little kid when this came out and I used to change it to Secret Agent Girl and our German Shepherd Kody was my sidekick. I still love this song.

When this song came out in the early 1960s it was the theme song for a prime time tv show called "Secret Agent Man." It was a show every week about spies, sort of like a James Bond Movie. Great show, and great song.

A secret agent is a spy. Like James Bond, 007 - "They've given you a number and taken away your name". Johnny Rivers had a number of great songs, and was highly rated as a guitarist by other top guitarists of the time. Mountain of Love, Seventh Son, (I Washed My Hands in) Muddy Water, Summer Rain, Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Blues, Swayin' to the Music (Slow Dancing), and, Where have all the flowers gone are all cool songs.

@drdr76

4 жыл бұрын

He had 17 songs in the Top 40 from 1964 to 1977. Summer Rain was my favorite and according to a documentary, his too or at least that album.

Saw you swooning....you like those clean cut dudes with the deep voices.....😊

@dixiedoo5876

4 жыл бұрын

Lol! Yes, she was swooning, I was too! He was a cutie back in the day!

Great song. Always like Johnny Rivers. Good voice and usually had a guitar in his hands. Now you should hear Devo - Secret Agent Man. It's not a cover, but similarities.

More Johnny Rivers... Bring it on!! Do "Swaying to the Music"

I saw J.R. live in 1976 when I was 10 years old. I went with my mother (she's a huge fan) and it was my first live music concert. I was blown away, and credit that show for making me become a live music fan. Although not my taste in music today, it will remain a treasured and influential memory until my dying day.

The 1960’s spy craze started after the success of the first James Bond film, Dr. No, in 1962. Then followed all kinds of spy films and television series. This was all preceded by the Bond novels of the 1950’s and then President Kennedy mentioning the Bond novel From Russia With Love was one of his favourite books.

This has always been one of my favorite songs. It takes me back to childhood and going to see my first James Bond movie with my Dad, "Live and Let Die", I was 8 and it led me to a life long love of action movies.

You have to check out "Seventh Son". That is an awesome song. I agree with the posters about "Summer Rain", you will love that song.

As a seven year old when this came out, many a kid thought he was singing about a Secret Asian Man...

@cynergy4

4 жыл бұрын

That could be a whole different TV show. haha! I always thought that it would be a good skit for SNL

@mspfinney

4 жыл бұрын

I was the same age and thought the same ! LOL!

@Missangie827

4 жыл бұрын

not this seven year old---lol! being a little kid in the sixties was so cool wasn't it? I wanted to go to woodstock but 10 year olds probably didn't have any business being there

@davesworld7961

3 жыл бұрын

That would have worked for Bruce Lee's character Kato on both levels and it was a 1966 show.

use to watch that show all the time when i was a kid that"s how i memorized the song to this day hearing it every week. love to see you react to it.

This was the theme song for the TV series “Secret Agent” starring Patrick McGoohan. Ran from 1964 to1967.

After the first season, I believe, the 1960s British series, "Secret Agent" replaced its original theme music with this.

The 1st austin powers movie

Thanks for reminding us how great this guy was, especially the first song you did of his. Love how you’re digging it!

So awesome i was 16 and just started listening to music my parents thought was just screaming. Secret agent man

Reminds of Robert Scorpio on General Hospital

This was in the middle of the first James Bond spy craze. Hey, speaking of great TV themes, Hawaii Five-O by the Ventures is worth a listen.

Whiskey a-go-go, Johnny’s place.

Summer Rain is a great song he did many people do not know it was written by Jimi Hendrix. Memphis is another great song of his also!

When my sisters and I were young, whenever the tv show Secret Agent Man came on, we’d all jump up from where we were sitting and dance to this haha

Mountain of Love, maybe my favorite JR songs.

Check out his cover of chuck Berry's 'Memphis' - best version I think.

@joelliebler5690

4 жыл бұрын

Dave Munson great cover

@donaldkennedy9573

4 жыл бұрын

And his version of Tom Dooley.

@buckjohnson1119

4 жыл бұрын

Donald Kennedy I liked Memphis. I did not know he did, Tom Dooley. I will have to see if it’s on utube.

@rozequinn1519

4 жыл бұрын

Oh yes please Memphis!

@gregorybrown3272

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, you will absolutely adore Memphis! It'll make you cry.

This song & TV series, by the same name, came out in the '60's. The same decade James Bond movies was introduced to the world. So this song reminds me of a James Bond (Sean Connery) type of dude. Rivers definitely deserved more recognition. Underrated for sure.

Please review Johnny Rivers "Seventh Son", my absolute favorite song. It has that live audience feel in the background, as well! Short, but sweet.

My favorite of Johnny Rivers! 👏👏👏👏 "James Bond" was really big back then and are still popular! 👍

I have heard the song a 100 times but thought he was just doing the vocal, with someone else playing lead, wow he could jam, some really nice riffs in there.

This song was the theme song for a british tv show called "Danger Man" but aired in the USA as "Secret Agent". 👍

Written by P.F. Sloane and Steve Barri it was the American version of the British Show Danger Man,starring Patrick MacGoohan it was also on the Imperial Lp And I Know You Wanna Dance,issued 1966 it was his final Whisky album before Poor Side Of Town.

thank you for bringing old school muisc.

The song is the theme song for the 'Secret Agent', starring Patrick McGoohan. The series grew from the half hour action series 'Danger Man'. Patrick McGoohan was the actor who was originally offered the James Bond role, but refused it because of the bed hopping roles in the books and screenplay. Patrick McGoohan was a rare actor with integrity. The 'Secret Agent' show then graduated to one of the most innovative shows in the history of television 'The Prisoner', also starring McGoohan. Johnny Rivers was also extremely talented, but greatly underrated in the sixties.

Hey India!! Great Reaction!! After watching how you reacted to Secret Agent Man I want you to try "Seventh Son" if you would Please!! IMHO you can't listen to one without the other!! Many Thanks!!!

The song was so successful that they had to create a tv show for the song. One of my favorites when I was 8.

I think the James Bond movie "Goldfinger" was big at the time this was recorded.

@sheilameyers152

4 жыл бұрын

Goldfinger.....my favorite Bond movie!

Please react to his song Mountain of Love.

You play ALL the music I loved as a kid. This was a big hit, as many of Johnny's songs were. This was the theme song for a television show "secret Agent" which was from a tv series from England. It starred Patrick McGoohan. It was a great show. McGoohan starred in a series a few years later thar told the story of this guy (or so many people conjectured) after he quits the spy agency. He's kidnapped by a group that held ex-spies. We never found out why. A great series and a great spin off. It was called something else in England. What do you call your tv series reaction site. I'd LOVE to watch. I think you are terrific India!!! 135,000 subscribers AND COUNTING !!!!

Don't forget one of the most fun songs ever recorded, The Rockin pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie flu! That was probably Johnny's last Rocking song.

This Song was made first for James Bond Movies. When they could not use it, the song became the theme for Secret Agent. One of the first T.v. shows that star Bill Crosby. Even if he was not the first of the two stars.

It was the theme song for the TV series “Secret Agent”. It was a black and white gritty kind of spy drama.

Top notch musician. I saw him live and he's total pro

When I was in Okinawa in 1966, a local Japanese band sang this - they called Secret Asian Man.

That opening riff (Em - C/E - Em6 - C/E) is featured in all of the James Bond 007 films. Kind of the go-to for spy movies!

They played Johnny Rivers version of “Secret Agent Man” in the last scene in the movie Bowfinger starring Eddie Murphy and Steve Martin.

I used to watch a TV show, "Secret Agent", which used this song in the introduction.

never a hit man - the character became the Prisoner, one of the best shows ever made

@armadillotoe

4 жыл бұрын

I am not a NUMBER! I am a free man! One of the greatest, and strangest series ever.

@jamessmithe5490

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, though admittedly, with the worst ending. Still great though.

@duralinium1

4 жыл бұрын

@@jamessmithe5490 the ending was terrific, splendid and enigmatic, not tying up the loose ends, endlessly questioning! Like Blake's 7, its part of the reason the series is still so popular today

The rif is very similar to many rifs in spy movies and tv series. Usually when the "Spy" is following someone or getting to a climax. That is where you have heard similar sounds.

I loved this show & Man From UNCLE! ❤️ I wanted that Secret Sam briefcase 💼 toy soooo badly! Santa evidently didn't get my letter that year. 🙄

I think my dad could play all his music on his electric guitar and he amazed me. 💣💣💥🥰❤RIP dad.

It was a giant hit on radio and has been in endless movies and tv shows. It was basically inspired by James bond. If you wanna hear similar songs, check out some of the opening songs for James bond movies. Every James bond movie starts off with a full song music sequence usually with someone who's big at the time singing an original song inspired by the movies the latest one is called no time to die by Billie eillish. The one I really think you'd like is another way to die by jack white and Alicia keys

It was made for the American broadcast of British spy TV series Danger Man and inspired by music and themes from James Bond.

there's a YT vid with this very tv show theme and clips from the series. Anyway great song. Rivers had a string of hits, 7th Son, Mountain of Love and the Poor side of town you mentioned. Played drums in a Top 40 band (cover) as a teen in the mid 60s - early 70s and we used to do 7th Son, Memphis and Mountain until they got rotated out. Brought back some memories. Enjoyed watching you get into it.

The year I was born! Love this song!

@AdrianDeVore

4 жыл бұрын

Same here!

There was a show called 'Secret Agent' Ran in England from 60-68, this was the theme song, Patrick McGoohan was the star that of that show.

Baby I Need Your Lovin' sung by Johnny Rivers.

Listen to his album Realization. One of the best albums ever made IMO.

There was a TV show called Secret Agent. This was the theme song.

Salve morena, te acho simpática e parabéns pelo trabalho!

The show was from a UK Show called Danger Man PF Sloane and Steve Barri wrote it and the producers retitled it Secret Agent. It debuted on CBS.

Great hair and t-shirt! Fits well with this song and its "groovy" beat! Gotta dig those cats dancin' in the background. Kinda makes me want to do the same right now, LOL! I've always liked the song, even though I was only 7 when it came out! My parents went to all the James Bond and espionage movies and this brings me back to that era. :)