I'll put in my two cents. 1st verse tells how our character never considered himself a loser as he looked out on the 'ramblers and gamblers,' but he finds something romantic about the concept and decides he wants to be a blues man. He thinks there's nothing more to it than picking up the sax and putting feeling into it, drinking too much, and dying early as a loser with a name. He wants to have a good, exciting time, talk with the others like him, get with all the ladies, and play at night.
I think the song is much more sarcastic than many have given it credit for. The narrator isn't supposed to be someone freeing himself from society; he is naive. The idea of someone reinventing their life as a musician, not for the idea of playing music but for living hard and dying a loser, is more than a little ridiculous and should not be desirable.
Interesting notes on the football references. Very cool songwriting.
Steely Dan's songwriting often leaves me with a sense of a biting arrogance that comes from seeing the illusions others chase (Rat Race). Look at the way Kid Charlemagne ridicules the big-headed subject of that song for instance. Jack of Speed is equally acidic in its character analysis. SO, I think your statement about sarcasm has to be considered. But for me, this song has a more "heroic" FEEL to it. The way they sing it, it seems to be glorifying more than criticizing. At the same time it makes sure to keep "honest" and capture the darker aspects of...
Steely Dan's songwriting often leaves me with a sense of a biting arrogance that comes from seeing the illusions others chase (Rat Race). Look at the way Kid Charlemagne ridicules the big-headed subject of that song for instance. Jack of Speed is equally acidic in its character analysis. SO, I think your statement about sarcasm has to be considered. But for me, this song has a more "heroic" FEEL to it. The way they sing it, it seems to be glorifying more than criticizing. At the same time it makes sure to keep "honest" and capture the darker aspects of a - let's call it hedonistic for lack of a better term - lifestyle. The interpretation that made a lot of sense to me was post that said basically "I'll take the risk of hurting myself (dying behind the wheel) and trade in your 9 to 5 for a shot at a dream. And "that shape is my shade" is to me an obvious reference to wanting to bust out of the shadows and experience life. I'm left feeling more inspired and steadfast at the end than depressed.
I'll put in my two cents. 1st verse tells how our character never considered himself a loser as he looked out on the 'ramblers and gamblers,' but he finds something romantic about the concept and decides he wants to be a blues man. He thinks there's nothing more to it than picking up the sax and putting feeling into it, drinking too much, and dying early as a loser with a name. He wants to have a good, exciting time, talk with the others like him, get with all the ladies, and play at night.
I think the song is much more sarcastic than many have given it credit for. The narrator isn't supposed to be someone freeing himself from society; he is naive. The idea of someone reinventing their life as a musician, not for the idea of playing music but for living hard and dying a loser, is more than a little ridiculous and should not be desirable.
Interesting notes on the football references. Very cool songwriting.
Steely Dan's songwriting often leaves me with a sense of a biting arrogance that comes from seeing the illusions others chase (Rat Race). Look at the way Kid Charlemagne ridicules the big-headed subject of that song for instance. Jack of Speed is equally acidic in its character analysis. SO, I think your statement about sarcasm has to be considered. But for me, this song has a more "heroic" FEEL to it. The way they sing it, it seems to be glorifying more than criticizing. At the same time it makes sure to keep "honest" and capture the darker aspects of...
Steely Dan's songwriting often leaves me with a sense of a biting arrogance that comes from seeing the illusions others chase (Rat Race). Look at the way Kid Charlemagne ridicules the big-headed subject of that song for instance. Jack of Speed is equally acidic in its character analysis. SO, I think your statement about sarcasm has to be considered. But for me, this song has a more "heroic" FEEL to it. The way they sing it, it seems to be glorifying more than criticizing. At the same time it makes sure to keep "honest" and capture the darker aspects of a - let's call it hedonistic for lack of a better term - lifestyle. The interpretation that made a lot of sense to me was post that said basically "I'll take the risk of hurting myself (dying behind the wheel) and trade in your 9 to 5 for a shot at a dream. And "that shape is my shade" is to me an obvious reference to wanting to bust out of the shadows and experience life. I'm left feeling more inspired and steadfast at the end than depressed.
Good comment.
Good comment.