Vocabulary and Grammar: Spy In The House Of Love

• If the air is filled with suspicion there is a strong feeling that something is wrong or not as seems. In this case, the woman he sings about can feel that that his intentions are not what they may seem. (And she is right, he is romantically interested in her, but is not open about - like a spy.
  


• In this context, his mission is his goal or aim. And that is to find out more about this woman.
  
  
• Pretend: to act as if something were true, although it is not. In this case, he acts as if he doesn't know anything about her, even though he does (remember, he's a spy)



• 1: Note that this line is grammatically incorrect. It should read: I pretended not to know anything.¯However in music, in order to make the lyrics sound better, the grammar rules sometimes have to be broken.
  
  
• It's best: it is a good idea.
  Example: When crossing the street, it's best to look both ways.
  


• Discretion: the ability to keep a secret, or to keep something quiet. A good idea for a spy.
  Example: The police used discretion when giving the report. They didn't give out the names of the victims.



• Floodlight: a powerful light. Used at night to light stadiums, buildings, etc... In this case, I think he means her eyes had a powerful emotional effect on him - they were as strong as floodlights.
  


• Confession: the admission that one has done something. In this case, she wants him to tell her what he is really doing.
  Example: After 2 hours of interrogation, he finally made a confession, admitting he committed the crime.



• There is a 1954 novel by Anais Nin titled Spy In The House of Love
  


• Gather: to collect.
  Example: Before humans invented agriculture, they used to hunt animals and gather nuts and berries.
  


• Clue: a piece of evidence. The clues in this song are the pieces of information about the woman that the singer could use in trying to win her love.
  
  
• War of affections: this is not a commonly used phrase, but he is referring to the efforts one makes in trying to win someone's affection or love.
  
  
• Defection: a movement of loyalty to another person or thing. In this case, the singer wants the woman's affection to come to him instead of another man.
  


• Everything that pleased her is everything that made her happy.



• Record: to make a note of something. In this case, he took notes on everything she did.
  Example: The journalist recorded every event in his notebook so that he wouldn't forget anything.



• Plot: to plan something secretly. In this case, he is developing a plan to win her affection (seize her).
  Example: The criminal plotted his revenge from his prison cell.



• Seize: to grab hold of something. In this case the singer uses the word seize because it rhymes with pleased . However he means he wants to make her his girl.



• Japanese cannot be used as a verb, therefore can not be used in this context. What he is referring to is the stereotype that Japanese tourists take a lot pictures, and therefore Japanese her means to take a picture of her. He uses Japanese because it rhymes with seize.
  
  
• A voodoo doll is a reference to the pop culture belief that people who practice voodoo can stick pins into a doll made to look like a certain person, and that person will feel the pain no matter where he or she is. In this case, the singer will hug the doll and the woman will feel it.
  
  
• 5: I'll (I will) is the future tense. In this case will is used because he is promising something (Example: I will help you. Don't worry, I'll finish this report by friday.)
  


• 6: To tap someone's phone is to attach something to the phone (often electronic), so that one can secretly listen to the conversations.
  


• 7: To trail someone is to follow them.
  


• 8: To slip up is to make a mistake.
  Example: John slipped up at the end of match by making a bad move. That was the reason he lost.
  
  
• 9: If she leaves a lip print on a coffee cup, it means she leaves a clue behind, and therefore, gives the singer a chance to get her.
  



• If you just can't help yourself, you can't stop. In this case, the singer can't stop himself from pursuing the woman.