FAWM: "Undercover"

Undercover

2 days ago by @berni1954

Skirmish: Undercover Heart/ Underco... (@jem)

Undercover

berni1954

00:00

Liner Notes

I had the lyrics and music roughed out ready to record within the hour. BUT when I started to record, my recorder ran out of battery power. I had bought some rechargeables earlier in the week and I was relying on them, but they ran out within minutes of loading. I recharged them (tick tock tick tock) - but they didn't even last for a whole song! They are crap! Bought from Flying Tiger ("Buying cheap means buying twice" - my Dad 🙃).

So, I had to brave the gale force winds outside to get some new non-rechargeable batteries. Thank goodness for stay open all hours Pakistani owned supermarkets! Lesson learned.

Instrument: 55 Year Old Yamaha FG180 #folk

Lyrics

INTRO (F) (G) (Am)

(Am) Got a half a dozen passports in my (G) leather briefcase A (Am) lock on it that's fingerprint con(Em)trolled I have (Am) changed my name (G) so many (Am) times More (F) times than I've (G) had the common (Am) cold (Dm) Bars and hotels are my (Am) permanent homes There's no (Dm) way a woman could get to my (Am) heart I love them and I leave them, (G) that's how it is Com(F)mitments could (G) tear my world a(Am)part

I've (C) never been caught out when (G) I tell a (C) lie I'm the perfect chameleonic (G) spy (C) Playing with me is a (G) dangerous (C) game As (Dm) anyone who's (G) crossed me could testi(Am)fy

I've (Am) taken on so many roles (G) over the years I'm like a (Am) Hollywood actor in dis(Em)guise (Am) Secret information is (G) what I must (Am) seek I can con(F)vince the greatest (G) sceptic with my (Am) lies I (Dm) don't even know who (Am) I'm working for The (Dm) jobs come by a message I de(Am)lete To be a success in (G) my line of work It (F) helps if you know (G) how to be dis(Am)creet

CHORUS

There's' no (Am) cosy pension (G) waiting for me No (Am) treasure found in the shadows where I (Em) lurk My Swiss (Am) bank account is my (G) only life(Am)line If I (Fm) ever have to renounce (G) this line of (Am) work I (Dm) sometimes ask myself (Am) just who I am Is there (Dm) really a me behind the (Am) mask But I wouldn't change my life for a (G) nine to five job So (F) don't you even (G) think that you can (Am) ask

CHORUS Repeat last line.

Comments

@mikeskliar 1d

And now.. the “real” Bond, James Bond! This is great, evocative and fun!

@berni1954 1d

Thanks, Mike. BTW "The skies are clearing over Vienna tonight!"

@jem 1d

This is simply terrific storytelling. The details read like an Ian Fleming novel and I really like your Verse chord progressions and vocals on it. "Chameleonic spy" and "like a hollywood actor in disguise" are particularly great phrases. Amazing for one hour! It's a keeper.

@berni1954 1d

Thanks Jem. I was pleased with this one.

@jongoldie 1d

Great stuff Bernie, Laughed at some of those lines. Love "chameleonic spy" (is that really a word!) Cheers

@berni1954 1d

Yes, "Chameleonic" is really a word. A lot of people can be described that way. You probably know a few; they change their whole personality and belief systems depending who they are with. They must be careful to keep their friendships separate, otherwise, if meeting two people from separate circles at once they get panicky.... Much like the pet chameleon I had as a boy did on a tartan blanket.

@porrectus 2d

Nice write, great performance. I like your take on the prompt. Well done.

@berni1954 2d

Cheers. SINGs: "He's the last of the secret agents And he's my man!"

@sunfire 2d

Really good words and delivery, both vocally & musically. Enjoyed listening. "I'm the perfect chamelonic spy" Love it.

@berni1954 2d

Ah, I probably watched too many spy films as a kid 😉

@hmstreetteam 2d

Well done in working some glamour into a dark and difficult way of life. I like the progression from superficial to existential — it blends together seamlessly.

@berni1954 2d

Thanks. I can only hope that basically immoral people like him do have moments of self doubt. Do those ICE agents involved in shooting innocent bystanders ever lie in bed and question themselves... If they don't we are lost.

@ruby 2d

This is great, I love the picking pattern, the story, the arrogance that barely conceals the loneliness. Thanks for sharing

@berni1954 2d

You really got this one, Ruby. Thanks!

@mikeb 2d

Great finger-playing! Is that the kind of place that this song could be taken literally by the wrong people? (sorry, seen too many 'spy' tv shows lately!) What an ordeal just to record!

@berni1954 2d

Yes, maybe I am passing information to my handlers with every song I write on FAWM this year 😉

@markg 2d

I like the attitude in your voice--tells me so much about the character: arrogant, self-centered, mercenary. An excellent portrait and story telling

@berni1954 2d

I used to be an actor and so getting inside the skin of a character, no matter how repulsive they might be is a major part of my art.

@youraveragejoe 2d

Oh man, that technical issue story resonates! Yesterday I struggled with some strange audio issues and it killed my spirit, I'm glad you didn't give you! What great playing, I love the chord changes. And the way you sing out chameleonic is super creative, the Lyrics had me thinking of Jason Bourne with an acoustic guitar while James Bond is singing. Haha. Nicely skirmished!

@berni1954 2d

Glad you liked my Spy story. I have probably watched so many that getting in this guy's head was easy for me.

Command Center

Undercover

Liner Notes

Lyrics

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