Spies
Undercover Shadows: Unveiling Secrets in Randy Newman's 'Spies'
Lyrics
Little mama
Refers to a woman, possibly a spy
From Japan
Indicates her origin, from Japan
Sent by her Masters
Suggests she was sent by her superiors
To a foreign land
Assigned to a foreign mission
"Go out with the sailors
Instructions for her to associate with sailors
Hang 'round the dock
Advises her to be around the dock area
Get out of the way
Warns her to move away when bombs are dropping
When the bombs start to drop"
Implies wartime context, potential danger
You know she's a...
Confirms her role as a spy
Spy
Reiterates her spy identity
Be careful what you say, boys
Caution to be discreet in conversation
Spy
Reemphasizes the need for secrecy
She looks just like a schoolgirl
Describes her appearance as innocent
Big fat Russian Looks into a buffalo
Introduces another character, a Russian
Check into a dude ranch
Sets the scene in a New Mexico dude ranch
In New Mexico
Describes the Russian checking into the ranch
Nearby in the desert
Places the ranch in the desert
Great scientific minds
Indicates the presence of great scientific minds
Struggle with questions of space and time
Highlights their struggle with space and time questions
Watch out for him spy
Warns about the Russian being a spy
You can tell he ain't no cowboy
Suggests the Russian doesn't fit the cowboy stereotype
Spy Vhoaaa !
Expresses surprise or emphasis
If you love this country
Appeals to love for the country
And I hope you do
Expresses patriotism
Then listen closely
Encourages close attention to the message
To what I say to you
Hints at an imminent revelation or warning
They're in the shipyard
Indicates the presence of spies in shipyards
They're in the factory
Expands the locations to factories
And they might look just like me
Notes spies may blend in with regular people
But they're...
Reaffirms their identity as spies
Spies
Emphasizes the ubiquity of spies
Everywhere you go see 'em
Reiterates the prevalence of spies
Spies
Points out the presence of spies even in Chicago
They even got 'em in Chicago
Confirms the widespread nature of espionage
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