The theme song "Secret Agent Man", which was in the Patrick McGoohan U.S. TV series "Secret Agent", was a billboard hit for which singer?

In 1963, Johnny Rivers began working with song writers P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri to create a theme song for the American TV broadcast of "Secret Agent" (the British television series "Danger Man"), starring Patrick McGoohan. At first Rivers balked at the idea but eventually changed his mind. The American version of the show went on the air in the spring of 1965.

The theme song was very popular and created public demand for a longer single version. Accordingly, Rivers' recording of "Secret Agent Man" reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1966. It sold over one million copies, also winning gold disc status.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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44 Comments

dvdeaton

Johnny Rivers: had good original stuff and did good covers.. Great pop performer of that generation. also wrote some songs for the 5th Dimension...

filmnut

I saw Johnny Rivers at the “The Wiskey”. Many years later I sang it with him a Nepenthe in Big Sur. It was a Halloween Party.What a song. I used to sing it in High School.

Mark Ann Dubaz

I met Johnny Rivers when I was a young teenager. He and his group drove through the little town I grew up in, in Mississippi and stopped for gas at the station we all hung out at. He gave all of us there his autograph. Have no idea what I did with it.

scottlarock

there's a man who leads a life a danger...to everyone he meets he stays a stranger...

Donna Smith

Got the correct answer.

Don Racette

dlh When I was a disc jockey I played them all.

earlepg

At least I've heard of Johnny Rivers.

Bewick Finzer

joan musicmasters, please get your hearing checked!

Bewick Finzer

One of year favorite TV shows growing up!

dlh

Remember his songs 👏👏

joan musicmasters

Stephen Vilcko, I am an American and I love British TV and movies and the Queen as well. Grow up.

joan musicmasters

For years, I though he was singing, "Secret Asian man". He has terrible diction. (lol)

Ed Mawhinney

I love that song and Johnny Rivers is a great singer.

Lynne Zeman

Stephen Vilcko - l do not need an American spokesman. And as an American I do enjoy a lot of British broadcasting. Apparently you are not someone I would care to know.

Lynne Zeman

Good song. Always wondered why he did it - not really his style of recording. Now I know.

Chris Braun

Is that the song from Ace Ventura??

Lisa Rodrigues

Stephen Vilcko, You are the epitome of the "Ugly American." Saying Benny Hill is one of the only British shows worth watching speaks volumes about you. You list your status as "writer," but I have never heard of you. British TV obviously has a lot to offer since many popular American shows are just reboots of British shows. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_television_series_based_on_British_television_series