Friday, September 21, 2018

Musical Interlude: Secret Agent Man (1974)

For those of you who think Devo was a product of the late 70's punk rock-new wave era, think again.

Turns out the Akron, Ohio natives had been around for a few years before 1980's "Whip It" climbed the Hot 100 chart. In 1974, the band released "Secret Agent Man", which is not an exact cover of Johnny Rivers' #3 hit from 1965-6. Instead, some new lyrics were written, and the chorus only has a cosmetic adjustment. Also, Bob Mothersbaugh, rather than brother Mark, is the singer.



"Secret Agent Man" was rerecorded and reissued five years later with a quicker beat closer to the band's now-familiar sound.

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