Song meaning of Agency Man (studio version) by Frank Zappa

"Agency Man" by Frank Zappa is a satirical commentary on the manipulation and control exerted by political agencies and media in shaping public perception and ultimately influencing election outcomes. The lyrics mock the superficiality and deceitfulness of the political process, portraying a cynical view of how candidates are marketed and sold to the public like commodities.

The opening lines, "Sell us a president, agency man / Smiling Big Brother, stern father perhaps," highlight the artificial and calculated image crafted for political candidates, likening them to a deceptive figure akin to Big Brother from George Orwell's "1984." The repeated refrain, "A gay smiling nothing we know never craps," emphasizes the insincerity and emptiness of these manufactured personas.

The song delves into the tactics used to promote a candidate, such as staging events in California and manipulating public perception through media coverage. Lines like "We'll teach him how to walk and talk / We'll putty up his chin" allude to the artificiality of grooming a candidate for public consumption, focusing on image over substance.

The lyrics culminate in a scathing indictment of the public's gullibility and the ease with which they are swayed by propaganda and manipulation. The final lines, "From the heart of old Death Valley / To the ruling of our land / A simple trick, you simple pigs / Just the way we planned," underscore the cynical view of politics as a game controlled by those in power to deceive and control the masses.

Overall, "Agency Man" serves as a biting critique of the political establishment and the ways in which it exploits and deceives the public for its own gain. Through its sharp wit and dark humor, the song exposes the facade of democracy and the manipulation inherent in the electoral process.