Artists
Musicians featured in this piece are:
Cheryl Bentyne – vocals
Tim Hauser – vocals
Alan Paul – vocals
Janis Siegel – vocals
Written by David Foster, Jay Graydon & Alan Paul, with Monty Norman added as co-writer after the song’s use of elements from Norman’s James Bond theme. Produced by Jay Graydon, recorded 1981. Released as the third track on Mecca for Moderns (Atlantic Records, 1981).
“Spies in the Night” is an up-tempo, James Bond-flavored track from Mecca for Moderns, the group’s second collaboration with producer Jay Graydon and their first full album with Cheryl Bentyne, who’d replaced Laurel Massé. Because the song incorporated elements of Monty Norman’s famous 007 theme, Norman was later added to the songwriting credits.
The Manhattan Transfer – Spies in the Night Lyrics
Shadows looking through an open window
Footsteps following wherever you go
Undercover eyes
Search to find the key to alibis
Living in a hideaway
You can’t hide
You can never get away
They’ll find you
Be aware of strangers in the dark
Jealous lovers quarrel in suspicion
Passions justifying their positions
Vengeance on the rise
Now they’re throwing daggers from their eyes
Maybe they can find a way
Past their pride
Live and let it die away
If not they’ll
Lie a lot and fight a lot
But you beware
‘Cause in the air they’re
Spies in the night
They go wherever you are
You’re in their sight
Watch out for spies in the cold, cold, restless night
Heartache like a burning, turning fever
Someone tells his girl that he will leave her
Ooh her ravaged eyes
Kiss goodbye the years of hidden lies
Photos taken on display he denies
But the cheating heart will pay
She says you lie a lot
And fight a lot
But it’s in vain
You can’t explain ’cause
Spies in the night
They go wherever you are
You’re in their sight
Watch out for spies in the night
Sorry, now you will pay
– Hello
– The winds are calm in the channel
– The boat will sail at midnight
– Listen very carefully to me. I don’t have much time and I’m being watched
– You’re being watched – By who?
– I have your pictures
– Oh. Thank you. You don’t know how much this means to me
– Do you have my money?
– Yes. Of course I do
– Meet me in an hour. Position A. Code 3XZ. I’ll…
– Hello! Hello! Hello!
Spies in the night
They go wherever you are
You’re in their sight
Watch out for spies in the night
To listen to other songs from the Teleskop 15 program and the full program, click here.