Undercover of the Night

The Rolling Stones

About Undercover of the Night

"Undercover of the Night" is the lead track and first single from English rock and roll band The Rolling Stones' 1983 album Undercover.


Year:
2012
4:13
90 

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Hear the screams of Center 42
Loud enough to bust your brains out
The opposition's tongue is cut in two
Keep off the street 'cause you're in danger

One hundred thousand disparus
Lost in the jails in South America

Cuddle up baby, cuddle up tight
Cuddle up baby, keep it all out of sight
Undercover, keep it all out of sight
Undercover of the night

The sex police are out there on the streets
Make sure the pass laws are not broken
The race militia has got itchy fingers
All the way from New York back to Africa

Cuddle up baby, keep it all out of sight
Cuddle up baby, keep it all out of sight
Cuddle up baby, keep it all out of sight

Undercover, undercover, undercover
Keep it all out of sight
Undercover of the night

All the young men, they've been rounded up
And sent to camps back in the jungle
And people whisper people double-talk

And once proud fathers act so humble
All the young girls they have got the blues
They're heading on back to Center 42

Undercover, all out of sight
Undercover, all out of sight
Undercover, all out of sight, undercover
Keep it all out of sight, undercover of the night

Down in the bars the girls are painted blue
Done up in lace, done up in rubber
The John's are jerky little G.I. Joe's
On R&R from Cuba and Russia
The smell of sex, the smell of suicide
All these dream things I can't keep inside

Undercover all out of sight
Undercover of the night

Undercover of the night
Undercover of the night

Undercover, undercover
Undercover of the night

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in Dartford in 1962. The earliest settled line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (keyboards, piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums). Since Wyman's retirement in 1993, the band's full members have been Jagger, Richards, Watts and guitarist Ronnie Wood who joined in 1975. Darryl Jones (bassist) and Chuck Leavell (keyboardist) are regular contributors but not full band members. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted the Rolling Stones in 1989, noting that "critical acclaim and popular consensus has accorded them the title of the “World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.”Rolling Stone magazine ranked them 4… more »

26 fans

Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


21 facts about this song

Album Origin
"Undercover of the Night" is the lead single from The Rolling Stones' 17th British and 19th American studio album, "Undercover."
Release Date
The song was released in November 1983.
Music Video
"Undercover of the Night" was known for its music video, which was directed by Julien Temple. The video presented a stark and graphic portrayal of political and social chaos.
Subject Matter
The song's lyrics express political dissent and discuss the violence and corruption of a South American regime, which was a departure from the band's usual topics.
Chart Rankings
"Undercover of the Night" peaked at No.9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK, it reached No. 11 on the singles chart.
Musical Style
The song is notable for its dance-influenced sounds and its use of dub effects. This was in line with the band's experimentation with different styles in the 1980s.
Controversy
Due to its political content and the explicit violence in the music video, the song sparked controversy upon its release.
Debut Performance
"Undercover of the Night" was performed for the first time during the band's concert at the Carrier Dome, Syracuse, in November 1981 and was included in the 1982 European Tour setlist.
Band Members' Opinions
Despite mixed opinions from fans and critics, both Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have expressed disappointment in the song in various interviews, stating they believed it could have been worked a lot better.
Co-Writers
"Undercover of the Night" was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the band's leading songwriting duo also known as the "Glimmer Twins."
Limited Live Performances
The Rolling Stones have rarely performed "Undercover of the Night" live since the mid-'80s, adding to its uniqueness within their repertoire.
Release and Commercial Success
"Undercover of the Night" was released as the lead single from The Rolling Stones' 1983 album "Undercover." It reached the number nine spot in the UK Singles Chart and number eleven in the US Billboard Hot 100.
Lyrical Theme
The lyrics are heavily politically influenced, which is unusual for the band. The song chronicles the violence and political unrest in Central and South America during that period, more specifically referencing the death squads in places like El Salvador and Chile.
Music Video Controversy
The music video for "Undercover of the Night," directed by Julien Temple, received substantial controversy due to its violent portrayal and political undertones. It depicted scenes of kidnapping, interrogation, and gunfighting. Part of it was filmed in Mexico City, intending to portray the reality in Central and South American countries.
Collaboration
"Undercover of the Night" marks a significant collaboration between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, despite their strained personal relationships during the era.
Signature Sound
The song is noted for its slick production values, showing an embrace of the more contemporary sound of the time, and a departure from the raw rock sound The Rolling Stones were known for.
Rare Live Performances
Despite being a successful single, "Undercover of the Night" was rarely performed live by the band. It was only included in the setlists for tours in the mid-to-late '80s and made occasional appearances in live shows in the 2000s.
Multiple Mixes
The song was mixed multiple times, with various edits appearing on different versions of the 7" and 12" singles. A dub-oriented remix was even commissioned which further emphasized the song's dance and new wave elements.
Famous Quotes
According to Keith Richards, Mick Jagger told him after writing the lyrics for "Undercover of the Night": "It's funny, it sounds really tough and hard, but when you really come down to the reality of what I'm singing about, it's really quite sad."
Song Credit
As with many Rolling Stones originals, "Undercover of the Night" is listed as being written by Mick Jagger/Keith Richards, although Jagger was the primary writer.
Album Reception
Despite its commercial success, the "Undercover" album divided both fans and critics alike; some praised the band's new sound and political commentary, while others felt that it strayed too far from the Stones' roots. Regardless, "Undercover of the Night" remains one of the standout tracks from this period in their career.

Discuss the Undercover of the Night Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Undercover of the Night Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/28177556/The+Rolling+Stones/Undercover+of+the+Night>.

    Missing lyrics by The Rolling Stones?

    Know any other songs by The Rolling Stones? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Undercover of the Night

    2M
    13,471     324

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1984

    Billboard #9


    more tracks from the album

    GRRR! [Super Deluxe Box Set]

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    What are Imagine Dragons' 2012 and 2018 albums?
    A Origins, Smoke & Mirrors
    B Smoke & Mirrors, Evolve
    C Night Visions, Evolve
    D Night Visions, Origins

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    The Rolling Stones tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!