I think this song is about a 'goldbricker', a woman who tries to 'tie men down' with sex as a way to make them her sugar daddy. But she's a tease and a user. She'll throw out her own gold teeth in a gamble, just to get something better. She's got nothing to offer but her body and teasing (your mouth and legs, your gift for the runaround). Maybe she's even a grifter.
But she's not THAT good. The verse about Peking and Cathy Berberian is saying that even the best know that there's some things they can't pull off. And this woman won't get this protagonist.
He advises her to get real : "use your knack, take one step back". She's outclassed in a town like Chicago and should either go somewhere else or get a job.
God I love this damn band. Is there anything better than Steely Dan lyrics?
rainwalk:
"
He advises her to get real : "use your knack, take one step back". She's outclassed in a town like Chicago and should either go somewhere else or get a job."
rainwalk:
"
He advises her to get real : "use your knack, take one step back". She's outclassed in a town like Chicago and should either go somewhere else or get a job."
I'm not sure if she's outclassed in a town like Chicago, or if there simply aren't the right kind of marks for her special skills, with the right kind of money.
I'm not sure if she's outclassed in a town like Chicago, or if there simply aren't the right kind of marks for her special skills, with the right kind of money.
You nailed it. While Dan's music has always been obscure, I think you pretty much are spot on. You may find the book about them, Reelin' In The Years, and interesting read...
You nailed it. While Dan's music has always been obscure, I think you pretty much are spot on. You may find the book about them, Reelin' In The Years, and interesting read...
@rainwalk
I spent many hours in college analyzing Steely Dan lyrics. More interesting than many of my classes and probably more complex. Excellent review!
@rainwalk
I spent many hours in college analyzing Steely Dan lyrics. More interesting than many of my classes and probably more complex. Excellent review!
I think this song is about a 'goldbricker', a woman who tries to 'tie men down' with sex as a way to make them her sugar daddy. But she's a tease and a user. She'll throw out her own gold teeth in a gamble, just to get something better. She's got nothing to offer but her body and teasing (your mouth and legs, your gift for the runaround). Maybe she's even a grifter.
But she's not THAT good. The verse about Peking and Cathy Berberian is saying that even the best know that there's some things they can't pull off. And this woman won't get this protagonist.
He advises her to get real : "use your knack, take one step back". She's outclassed in a town like Chicago and should either go somewhere else or get a job.
God I love this damn band. Is there anything better than Steely Dan lyrics?
rainwalk: " He advises her to get real : "use your knack, take one step back". She's outclassed in a town like Chicago and should either go somewhere else or get a job."
rainwalk: " He advises her to get real : "use your knack, take one step back". She's outclassed in a town like Chicago and should either go somewhere else or get a job."
I'm not sure if she's outclassed in a town like Chicago, or if there simply aren't the right kind of marks for her special skills, with the right kind of money.
I'm not sure if she's outclassed in a town like Chicago, or if there simply aren't the right kind of marks for her special skills, with the right kind of money.
You nailed it. While Dan's music has always been obscure, I think you pretty much are spot on. You may find the book about them, Reelin' In The Years, and interesting read...
You nailed it. While Dan's music has always been obscure, I think you pretty much are spot on. You may find the book about them, Reelin' In The Years, and interesting read...
@rainwalk Great interpretation. I've always wondered what this meant.
@rainwalk Great interpretation. I've always wondered what this meant.
@rainwalk
@rainwalk
No. Nothing better.
No. Nothing better.
@rainwalk I spent many hours in college analyzing Steely Dan lyrics. More interesting than many of my classes and probably more complex. Excellent review!
@rainwalk I spent many hours in college analyzing Steely Dan lyrics. More interesting than many of my classes and probably more complex. Excellent review!