This song explores themes of love, desire, and the complexities of human connection through combining various Elvis Presley song titles and lyrics to create a story about a passionate but tumultuous relationship. The use of referring to iconic Elvis songs helps evoke feelings of nostalgia and longing, while also being a tribute to one of the band's many Western influences. The track paints a picture that love is passionate, chaotic, and filled with conflicting emotions. Despite its difficulties and uncertainties, an underlying desire for the relationship to endure is buried deep within. The songs referenced throughout are "Sweet Caroline," a famous Neil Diamond song, "How Great Thou Art," "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck," "A Big Hunk o' Love," "Suspicious Minds," "Such a Night," "Devil in Disguise," "Midnight," "Rubberneckin'," "Heartbreak Hotel," Eddy Arnold's song "Make the World Go Away," "If You Talk in Your Sleep," "That's the Way It Is" and the Broadway musical "Man of La Mancha," and "Stranger in My Own Hometown."

[Removed by SongMeanings]

Warren wanted a Beach Boys thing for this one, and Carl Wilson and Billy Hinsche came in, with Carl arranging the vocal parts. The other harmony vocalists (credited as the "Gentlemen Boys") were Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Zevon's longtime backers Waddy Wachtel and Jorge Calderon, and Linda Rondstadt/Stone Poneys guitarist Kenny Edwards.

Like a lot of the other comments are saying, I think this mainly about voyeurism. If the song was about his girlfriend, then why would he use the word spy. If you are a spy it means you shouldn't be caught, that is kind of the whole point, and if you are a voyeur, the whole point of the pleasure you get from it, is the fact that the other people don't know you are watching them. See a bit of a connection there?

Techno Ted may be a person who caused Chris incredible emotional pain & trepidation as well as moments of peace & happiness but now is removed and awaiting his fate. Darling may be a different person who is also free of him and can live her life free of Ted's tyranny. "In between all the laughing, and daydreams ... lies: a desert of truth" Lies are like a desert or the omission of Truth: Where there were Lies then Truth was absent. The song, "Techno Ted", may be a cathartic celebration of the downfall of this person.