This song was released on February 1966 "Secret Agent Man" is a song written by P.F. Sloan and Steve Bam. 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. Rivers's version peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the Canadian RPM chart, one of the biggest hits of his career. Numerous covers and adaptations have been recorded since then with the song becoming both a rock standard and one of Johnny Rivers's signature songs.
Excellent. Brings back wonderful memories from my youth having been brought up in the 60s and 70s. Despite everything they were great days with awesome television entertainment. Beats the hell out of this awful modern crap
Yep, it initially replaced "THE ENTERTAINERS" in April 1965 [9-10pm(et)] for the remainder of the spring and summer, and returned on Saturdays that December [8:30-9:30pm(et)] when "THE TRIALS OF O'BRIEN" was moved to Fridays, ending in September 1966.
There was supposed to have another season on "Secret Agent/Danger Man", which was to have been filmed in 1966 and broadcast on both Britain's ITV and America's CBS beginning in January, 1967 (and in color on the latter). But after just two episodes were filmed ("Koroshi" and "Shinda Shinda"), star Patrick McGoohan pulled the plug and instead began work on "The Prisoner", which sired on ITV in. 1967 and on CBS in 1968 (as a summer replacement for Jackie Gleason, of all things!).
Enjoyed this even tho i was very young. Great to watch the series again. McGooan was a very fine actor. Today it's skin & vulgarity, little if any real acting ability.
I MISS those times, as a grade school kid, I (and lots of older teens I knew) watched this show EVERY Friday night around 9pm CST, on CBS, back in Fall 1965 to Summer of '66. Secret Agent was a really cool, trending hip show, along with the Avengers and The Saint. Then, anything from England rode real high in American Culture and TV!
Johnny Rivers song Secret Agent Man and guitar work is fantastic. The song also turned up in the first Austin Powers movie. If you like Patrick McGoohan, have a look at an old English movie called "Hell Drivers". The movie stars Stanley Baker with Patrick McGooham and Sean Connery as supporting actors. As well as a lot of young English actors yet to make a name for themselves. Great movie !!!
The 'hook' on the theme song was originally meant to be "He's a... Danger Man! He's a... Danger Man!" but some CBS exec felt the phrase "Danger Man" would not be meaningful to US viewers, so Rivers had to re-record the theme with the new lyric "Secret... Agent man!" In England, the title "Danger Man" would eventually lead to the cartoon spoof "Danger Mouse," which became a cult fave here on Nickelodeon in the 80's.
The US version of this show opened with what’s seen here, then after the initial commercial(s) (“‘Secret Agent’ - is brought to you by...”), the original British opening credits and theme song were shown. I actually liked this harpsichord song better than Johnny Rivers’ more familiar “Secret Agent” that had been played a lot in the radio.
Patrick McGoohan said that John Drake wasn't the Prisoner but there do seem to be a lot of parallels. Freg Zam Pul: "They've given you a number, and taken away your name."
***** I used to think that a lot of the show, especially the last episode, was just random stuff but increasingly it begins to look like McGoohan was a conspiracy theorist ahead of his time. The rocket with the Masonic eye, that the Village was run by Our Side, the out-of-control spy agency plotting a false-flag missile attack to destroy parliament as an excuse to seize power and abolish democracy.
McGoohan said a lot of things to keep the mystery going. It was fun to watch it all unfold as kids in the 60's. He was way ahead of his time and was smart enough to get his vision produced on TV. Good stuff.
There a no videos of the show with Patrick McGoohan?This was a great series.I think it was called Danger Man in England but I saw it as Secret Agent Man.John Drake later became The Prisoner.
This version of "Secret Agent Man" was recorded in a studio and probably didn't last longer than what is heard in this clip. The version that was released as a record and became Johnny Rivers' all-time biggest hit was of a live performance of the song at Los Angeles' legendary Whiskey-A-Go-Go.
Charles Stevens Since Johnny Rivers is American and the show was filmed in England, I wonder if Rivers flew to London to record the theme song, or the original version of "Secret Agent Man" was recorded in the 'States, or if the music track was recorded in England and Rivers' vocal track here in America.
altfactor I really don't know. It was the theme for the American version of the show... the English version had a different tune for the theme. This US theme is beautifully synched with the intro tape... lead in with Drake in a helluva jam, quick cut to the drum and guitar start...
altfactor I wouldn't be surprised if some Top-40 DJ's recorded this theme off the broadcast of the TV episodes and began playing it on the air even before the single was released.
You Dern Skippy, I Would, Until I Sat Down And Watched An Episode, I Tells Ya, I Got Hooked On The Show, "Secret Agent Man" Worked For Me, Love To See 👀 It Again, We Sho Could Use Him Now, Cuz "🎶The Odds Are, We Won't Live To See Tomorrow 🎶"
lol :) thanks. I know a lot of "secrete distraction men" (in exo-politics - UFO stuff....) and so thought I would play this to freshen up my temo and such when I humm the song to myself...........
+robert szvetics Actually, "Danger Man" was originally produced for ITV in England as a half-hour series, and some of the half-hour shows were imported by CBS as a Summer replacement in 1961. While a hit in Britain, the half-hour version was a flop in the U.S., and production of the half-hour "Danger Man" ended after 39 episodes. In 1964, after the "James Bond" craze became big on both sides of the Atlantic, "Danger Man" returned to ITV, this time as an hour-long series. After becoming a huge hit in the UK, the show's producers convinced CBS to run the show again, but given that the half-hour version wasn't successful in America, the show was retitled "Secret Agent" in the U.S. to avoid confusion with the earlier version. And as part of the re-branding for American viewers, producer Ralph Smart commissioned two young American songwriters, P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri, to write a rock 'n roll theme song ("Secret Agent Man"), and got an up-and-coming young American rock singer named Johnny Rivers to sing it. The hour-long version was far more successful in the 'States, and may well have run for several seasons were it not for star Patrick McGoohan's sudden decision to pull the plug in 1966 (after two episodes had been filmed for what would have been Season Four, which would have started airing in January, 1967 on ITV and CBS, on the latter in color) in favor of doing "The Prisoner".
I wonder how much they had to edit from the show to include this song for the opening titles? I am watching the DVD of the show and the opening takes a few seconds with no theme until the end credits.
+James Valenti Look harder. Nothing was cut. Only the first season played in the USA. The Danger Man intros included exterior shots of Washington DC, a theme song a Patrick McGoohan doing a voice over about every country having a secret service type of organization while John Drake exits an office building, gets into a sports car and drives off. The half hour shows of the first season, like many subsequent ITV productions were specifically formatted to play in the USA.
NOT any episodes ?? Then you're obviously not Up on this series. Try searching for "Danger Man." "Secret Agent" was the title given in the UK. "Danger Man" is the American title given the same program. A simple Seach could have told you that OLD news.
Awesome, you happen to have more episodes credits? Sadly these are gone from existence now, as only the UK prints survive in this global culture world. Check out alternate versions of The Prisoner theme there ruclips.net/video/Yc4Xmw8oeDk/видео.html
What was the wrong with the original title of the show "Danger Man?" And what was wrong with the original theme music composed by Edwin Astley? Why were the changes made?
Americans... Don't understand the Offside rule without an extra line on the pitch, voted Biden into the White House, needs things explained to them... Go figure...
***** What are you--another Autofill67?Turing helped e.g. to start the world of modern espionage and counter-espionage, by "cracking" (mathematically) the German code during WWII. Turing (like #6 in The Prisoner) was later rewarded for his efforts with imprisonment for his non-violent alleged sexuality (by Britain's "progressive" postwar Labour govt!).
***** If "parental neglect" (unproven), allegedly "causes" male homosexuality, living around "homeless" guys in e.g. Seattle for a few months will definitely "cure" it! !!!!!!!!!
I always liked the US song, BUT now that I have watched the series, I think it wasn't at all fitting for the show, musically. "Odds are he won't live to see tomorrow"? Drake? SURE he will, he's the BEST! ;-) "Everyone he meets he stays a stranger", THAT is apt... "Giving you a number and taking away your name" smacks of "The Prisoner".
Why would the Brit version have a different series name compared to the show presented to US viewers?....never could undertand that ......the same as certain Beatles albums..... the UK release vs American version.... why?
McGoohan was offered the role of James Bond in "Dr. No," but turned it down because of his strong Catholic faith. He didn't want to be associated with such a "racy" character.
There are already too many James Bond movies. Even if Secret Agent Man became a movie, that will flop big time, just as if the Warner Brothers movie The Avengers did. Austin Powers is a comedic and rudely uncalled secret agent.
One of the most iconic television programs of the 1966 seasons. Patrick McGoohan was absolutely lights out with hi is
People would watch this show just for the theme song. One of the best ever.
Johnny Rivers: ruclips.net/video/6iaR3WO71j4/видео.html
This song was released on February 1966
"Secret Agent Man" is a song written by P.F. Sloan and Steve Bam. 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. Rivers's version peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the Canadian RPM chart, one of the biggest hits of his career. Numerous covers and adaptations have been recorded since then with the song becoming both a rock standard and one of Johnny Rivers's signature songs.
Excellent. Brings back wonderful memories from my youth having been brought up in the 60s and 70s. Despite everything they were great days with awesome television entertainment. Beats the hell out of this awful modern crap
I watched this show religiously back in '66, when I was in 1st grade. Always loved the cool intro with the gun firing!
I remember him firing a gun while sliding on a floor.
THIS WAS MY FAVORITE SHOW IN THE 1960'S. I LOVED PATRICK MCGOOHAN IN "SCARECROW" FROMWALT DISNEY AND IN "SECRET AGENT"AND IN THE" PRISONER"!!!!
Always liked this version much more than the one released on 45. Sounds so good!
I love this song and show.
The coolest introduction ever.
...isn't this the original?
...DAMN it i WANTED ""Johnny-Rivers on Those ...88...Videos...not ...that ...other ...sorry...Ass...Soundtrack-'''...
...nope...Crime-Story'''...song...done...by The DEL-Shannon...(RunAWay)-...
You haven't seen The Prisoner then.
Maybe the greatest guitar riff in rock 'n roll history!
@ Ho...I agree with your name, but disagree with your musical tastes :P
Yup ....of sloan
Watched this series back in the 60's I believe (born 1953) and now watching it again on Amazon Prime TV.
洒落てますねぇ
The original... and the best version by far. Matter of fact, the best theme ever period. Thanks Sir Alvin.
...'''THE BEST THEME EVER ...Next to ...McGarreTT...(JACK-LORD-)...and HAWAii-5-O...
@@PedalToTheMetal61888 Ron Grainer's theme for 'The Prisoner' is better than Hawaii-5-0's theme.
Secret Agent aired on CBS in the mid 60s on Saturday nights right after Gilligan's Island and I never missed it.
Yep, it initially replaced "THE ENTERTAINERS" in April 1965 [9-10pm(et)] for the remainder of the spring and summer, and returned on Saturdays that December [8:30-9:30pm(et)] when "THE TRIALS OF O'BRIEN" was moved to Fridays, ending in September 1966.
Watched it every time too!
There was supposed to have another season on "Secret Agent/Danger Man", which was to have been filmed in 1966 and broadcast on both Britain's ITV and America's CBS beginning in January, 1967 (and in color on the latter).
But after just two episodes were filmed ("Koroshi" and "Shinda Shinda"), star Patrick McGoohan pulled the plug and instead began work on "The Prisoner", which sired on ITV in. 1967 and on CBS in 1968 (as a summer replacement for Jackie Gleason, of all things!).
Hope you missed Gilligan's Island.
Lol.
Enjoyed this even tho i was very young. Great to watch the series again. McGooan was a very fine actor. Today it's skin & vulgarity, little if any real acting ability.
I used to have a flip open pair of binocs just like Drake. Wish i still had em.
I MISS those times, as a grade school kid, I (and lots of older teens I knew) watched this show EVERY Friday night around 9pm CST, on CBS, back in Fall 1965 to Summer of '66. Secret Agent was a really cool, trending hip show, along with the Avengers and The Saint. Then, anything from England rode real high in American Culture and TV!
Cool and hip are two entirely different things, but I get what stevewonderr is trying to say.
Definitely.
Followed by The Prisoner , great series!
..i watch that now on Tubi...:D..
Patrick McGoohan made it a strict policy NOT to kiss any women on Danger Man or The Prisoner. I think it was something about his religion or marriage.
The golden age of television.
Johnny Rivers song Secret Agent Man and guitar work is fantastic. The song also turned up in the first Austin Powers movie. If you like Patrick McGoohan, have a look at an old English movie called "Hell Drivers". The movie stars Stanley Baker with Patrick McGooham and Sean Connery as supporting actors. As well as a lot of young English actors yet to make a name for themselves. Great movie !!!
Music written by PF SLOAN....like most of all 1960s music....just never was credited.....used n abused by dunhill record label
Including David McCallum, the future Illya Kuryakin.
The 'hook' on the theme song was originally meant to be "He's a... Danger Man! He's a... Danger Man!" but some CBS exec felt the phrase "Danger Man" would not be meaningful to US viewers, so Rivers had to re-record the theme with the new lyric "Secret... Agent man!"
In England, the title "Danger Man" would eventually lead to the cartoon spoof "Danger Mouse," which became a cult fave here on Nickelodeon in the 80's.
"They've given you a number and taken 'way your name".
They SUUURE did! *wink wink*
The best !
This is way better than the Danger Man intro. It gives it a real spy feeling of adventure.
Just great! Thanks for that.
All the Secret Agent clips are listed under Danger Man FYI if that's what you're looking for.
imho the danger man british theme is superior a great claviet sound check it out
I remember this "Secret Agent" intro played by Johnny Rivers back in the day.;)
That closing line....I wonder was that a foreshadowing of The Prisoner? (There had been theories that he was Drake from this series)
They did take his name away and gave him Number 6
U68 reran this show in the 80's; thanks.
The US version of this show opened with what’s seen here, then after the initial commercial(s) (“‘Secret Agent’ - is brought to you by...”), the original British opening credits and theme song were shown. I actually liked this harpsichord song better than Johnny Rivers’ more familiar “Secret Agent” that had been played a lot in the radio.
Always lied this version of the Johnny Rivers song, more than the live version that was sold on vinyl.
Patrick McGoohan said that John Drake wasn't the Prisoner but there do seem to be a lot of parallels. Freg Zam Pul: "They've given you a number, and taken away your name."
McGoohan said no but the series co-creator said yes, #6 was John Drake ;)
Great shows.
***** I used to think that a lot of the show, especially the last episode, was just random stuff but increasingly it begins to look like McGoohan was a conspiracy theorist ahead of his time. The rocket with the Masonic eye, that the Village was run by Our Side, the out-of-control spy agency plotting a false-flag missile attack to destroy parliament as an excuse to seize power and abolish democracy.
McGoohan said a lot of things to keep the mystery going. It was fun to watch it all unfold as kids in the 60's.
He was way ahead of his time and was smart enough to get his vision produced on TV. Good stuff.
Yes, Patrick denied it. I can see it both ways. Perhaps he denied it for legal reasons. Perhaps it was simply a different character.
I don’t think they are the same character. There are subtle differences in how McGoohan plays them.
I remember!😎🤔👊😁
There a no videos of the show with Patrick McGoohan?This was a great series.I think it was called Danger Man in England but I saw it as Secret Agent Man.John Drake later became The Prisoner.
Look for Danger Man
Thank Q 😎🎼😎
T.U.F.F. Puppy
Classic 60s spy show.
John Drake was never like James Bond.
Patrick Newell, AGAIN !
This version of "Secret Agent Man" was recorded in a studio and probably didn't last longer than what is heard in this clip.
The version that was released as a record and became Johnny Rivers' all-time biggest hit was of a live performance of the song at Los Angeles' legendary Whiskey-A-Go-Go.
Figures. Used session musicians, resulting in a tighter sound IMO.
Charles Stevens
Since Johnny Rivers is American and the show was filmed in England, I wonder if Rivers flew to London to record the theme song, or the original version of "Secret Agent Man" was recorded in the 'States, or if the music track was recorded in England and Rivers' vocal track here in America.
altfactor I really don't know. It was the theme for the American version of the show... the English version had a different tune for the theme. This US theme is beautifully synched with the intro tape... lead in with Drake in a helluva jam, quick cut to the drum and guitar start...
altfactor I wouldn't be surprised if some Top-40 DJ's recorded this theme off the broadcast of the TV episodes and began playing it on the air even before the single was released.
"Secret ASIAN Man," in Seattle!! "Giving you a number..." Sad, but true!
Secret Agents
He is much like Dr. House.
You think? How so?
You Dern Skippy, I Would, Until I Sat Down And Watched An Episode, I Tells Ya, I Got Hooked On The Show, "Secret Agent Man" Worked For Me, Love To See 👀 It Again, We Sho Could Use Him Now, Cuz "🎶The Odds Are, We Won't Live To See Tomorrow 🎶"
lol :) thanks. I know a lot of "secrete distraction men" (in exo-politics - UFO stuff....) and so thought I would play this to freshen up my temo and such when I humm the song to myself...........
Try to learning spell words correct first...lol
THE SHOW WAS CALLED DANGER MAN IN ENGLAND ONLY WHEN THE SERIES RAN IN THE UNITED STATES THE NAME WAS CHANGED TO SECERT AGENT
robert szvetics I prefer the American intro to the series.
Gerald Johnson Me too! It was the coolest show, on CBS at 9pm--it had a gunshot noise right after Rivers sings
stevewonderr I remember the gun shot too.
+robert szvetics Actually, "Danger Man" was originally produced for ITV in England as a half-hour series, and some of the half-hour shows were imported by CBS as a Summer replacement in 1961.
While a hit in Britain, the half-hour version was a flop in the U.S., and production of the half-hour "Danger Man" ended after 39 episodes.
In 1964, after the "James Bond" craze became big on both sides of the Atlantic, "Danger Man" returned to ITV, this time as an hour-long series. After becoming a huge hit in the UK, the show's producers convinced CBS to run the show again, but given that the half-hour version wasn't successful in America, the show was retitled "Secret Agent" in the U.S. to avoid confusion with the earlier version.
And as part of the re-branding for American viewers, producer Ralph Smart commissioned two young American songwriters, P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri, to write a rock 'n roll theme song ("Secret Agent Man"), and got an up-and-coming young American rock singer named Johnny Rivers to sing it.
The hour-long version was far more successful in the 'States, and may well have run for several seasons were it not for star Patrick McGoohan's sudden decision to pull the plug in 1966 (after two episodes had been filmed for what would have been Season Four, which would have started airing in January, 1967 on ITV and CBS, on the latter in color) in favor of doing "The Prisoner".
Better than the gunshot in the opening of every James Bond movie. As the blood oozes over the eye.
Prefer the Danger Man theme, but like this too
I wonder how much they had to edit from the show to include this song for the opening titles? I am watching the DVD of the show and the opening takes a few seconds with no theme until the end credits.
+James Valenti Look harder. Nothing was cut. Only the first season played in the USA. The Danger Man intros included exterior shots of Washington DC, a theme song a Patrick McGoohan doing a voice over about every country having a secret service type of organization while John Drake exits an office building, gets into a sports car and drives off.
The half hour shows of the first season, like many subsequent ITV productions were specifically formatted to play in the USA.
Confiram como ficou nossa versão:
BLACK&WHITE - KID - Secret Agent Man
Interview on Patrick McGoohan: ruclips.net/video/kxsv16iWOdk/видео.html
...just...forget...about..it...'''BEST-DAMN-THEME-SONG""...ever ...sung...by...'''DEL-SHANNON-'''...starring-DENNIS-FARINA-(...BIG-BubbA-Guy...with SHOTGUN-...was never ...mentioned...'''CRiME-STORY-)...music...& INTRODUCTION...(...song-''R-U-N-A-W-A-Y-)-'''...case...closed...
Written by P F SLOANZ
Oops...SLOAN
the first time I heard this song, I noticed that it sounded like the theme song from teen titans.
Danger Man
Teen titans
Exatamente, eu pensei a mesma coisa
NOT any episodes ?? Then you're obviously not Up on this series. Try searching for "Danger Man." "Secret Agent" was the title given in the UK. "Danger Man" is the American title given the same program. A simple Seach could have told you that OLD news.
Uh, other way around. Show was Danger Man in the UK.
日本では「秘密諜報員ジョン・ドレイク」として放送された英国産スパイドラマ「デンジャーマン」はアメリカではパテント上orセールス面の都合でこの題名になった。主演のP・マクグーハンはこの題名が大嫌いだったらしく、シリーズ継続の意欲を失うキッカケともなった（とは言え、番外編且つ最も世界的に知られたシリーズ「プリズナーNo.6」に繋がることにもなった）。ハッキリ言って、本編内容とジョニー・リヴァースの曲「秘密諜報員」との相性は合っていません。
E foi assim que provavelmente surgiu a abertura dos Jovens Titãs
The British themes are much better.👍
Awesome, you happen to have more episodes credits? Sadly these are gone from existence now, as only the UK prints survive in this global culture world. Check out alternate versions of The Prisoner theme there ruclips.net/video/Yc4Xmw8oeDk/видео.html
I have the cold open for the show here as well where it's just some animation and a musical sting. That's about it.
What was the wrong with the original title of the show "Danger Man?" And what was wrong with the original theme music composed by Edwin Astley? Why were the changes made?
Americans... Don't understand the Offside rule without an extra line on the pitch, voted Biden into the White House, needs things explained to them... Go figure...
Too bad Alan Turing never lived long enough to see this show (or The Prisoner!).
***** What are you--another Autofill67?Turing helped e.g. to start the world of modern espionage and counter-espionage, by "cracking" (mathematically) the German code during WWII. Turing (like #6 in The Prisoner) was later rewarded for his efforts with imprisonment for his non-violent alleged sexuality (by Britain's "progressive" postwar Labour govt!).
***** If "parental neglect" (unproven), allegedly "causes" male homosexuality, living around "homeless" guys in e.g. Seattle for a few months will definitely "cure" it! !!!!!!!!!
Which esteemed journal was that published in? Nature? Science? PLOS? The BMJ? The Lancet? Cite your sources you inbred moron.
Whoever u r u should transfer your VHS to D.V.D. just may b come valuable one of these days good for u
I prefer the original one !!!!!!!!!!!!
This version makes the show much more exciting.
Original was written n sang by PF SLOAN
I always liked the US song, BUT now that I have watched the series, I think it wasn't at all fitting for the show, musically. "Odds are he won't live to see tomorrow"? Drake? SURE he will, he's the BEST! ;-) "Everyone he meets he stays a stranger", THAT is apt... "Giving you a number and taking away your name" smacks of "The Prisoner".
But the song existed before The Prisoner, so it's more like The Prisoner smacks of the song. Maybe the song inspired it?
perhaps it was an harpsichord
Why would the Brit version have a different series name compared to the show presented to US viewers?....never could undertand that ......the same as certain Beatles albums..... the UK release vs American version.... why?
PF SLOAN was 1st person to discover and promote the Beatles music
Boom swaztika
McGoohan was offered the role of James Bond in "Dr. No," but turned it down because of his strong Catholic faith. He didn't want to be associated with such a "racy" character.
There are already too many James Bond movies. Even if Secret Agent Man became a movie, that will flop big time, just as if the Warner Brothers movie The Avengers did. Austin Powers is a comedic and rudely uncalled secret agent.
Austin Powers was a laugh a minute. The pulled out every 1960's cliche. Like Quentin Tarentino's Kill Bill, Volume 1, and Kill Bill, Volume 2.
I wish the A&E DVD'S used this outro, the British version is so silly.
Didn't know this was pre Dr No!