The song was inspired by frontman Brian Molko discovering his neighbours were spying on him:
“I began writing the lyrics when I discovered my neighbors were spying on me on behalf of parties with a nefarious agenda.
“I then began to ponder the countless ways in which our privacy has been...
I saw you jump from a burning building
I saw you jump from a burning building
I’ve seen you move like Elvis set on fire
I’ve seen you move like Elvis set on fire
This search for meaning is killing me
This search for meaning is killing me
This search for meaning is killing me
This search for meaning
Ping pong ball at the back of my throat
Ping pong ball at the back of my throat
And I won't be spoken to like that
And I won't be spoken to like that
Suspicious bag on the platform
Suspicious bag on the platform
Suspicious bag on the platform
Suspicious bag on the platform
Ex-drummer’s nose stuck in the past
Ex-drummer’s nose stuck in the past
Found dead behind the wheel of a car
Found dеad behind the wheel of a car
World leadеr going under the knife
World leader going under the knife
Stage four, stage two, stage three
Stage four, stage two, stage three
We go to Sweden in the back of a cab
We go to Sweden in the back of a cab
And every picture house is empty
And every picture house is empty
I gave my heart, now I want it back
Gave my heart, now I want it back
I gave my heart, now I want it back
I gave my heart, now I want it back
I am surrounded by spies
I am surrounded by spies
I am surrounded by spies
I am surrounded by spies
Dead fly on the national anthem
Dead fly on the national anthem
Dead fly on the national anthem
Dead fly on the national anthem
I see faces on the bathroom floor
I see faces on the bathroom floor
I see faces on the bathroom floor
Come on over and I'll show you more
Where are you now when I need you the most?
(Shut up)
Where are you now when I need you the most?
(Shut up)
Where are you now when I need you the most?
(Shut up)
Where are you now when I need you the most?
(Shut up)
I am surrounded by spies
I am surrounded by spies
I am surrounded by spies
I am surrounded by spies
I am surrounded by spies
I am surrounded by spies
I am surrounded by spies
I am surrounded by spies
I am surrounded by spies
I am surrounded by spies
I am surrounded by spies
I am surrounded by spies
Spies
Spies
Spies
Surrounded by Spies was written by Stefan Olsdal & Brian Molko.
Surrounded by Spies was produced by Adam Noble & Placebo.
Placebo released Surrounded by Spies on Tue Nov 09 2021.