Steely Dan — Reelin' In The Years
Album: Can't Buy A ThrillAvg rating:
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Length: 4:21
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Your everlasting summer, and you can see it fading fast
So you grab a piece of something that you think is gonna last
Well, you wouldn't even know a diamond if you held it in your hand
The things you think are precious, I can't understand
Are you reelin' in the years?
Stowin' away the time?
Are you gatherin' up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
Are you reelin' in the years?
Stowin' away the time?
Are you gatherin' up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
You've been telling me you're a genius since you were seventeen
In all the time I've known you, I still don't know what you mean
The weekend at the college didn't turn out like you planned
The things that pass for knowledge, I can't understand
Are you reelin' in the years?
Stowin' away the time?
Are you gatherin' up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
Are you reelin' in the years?
Stowin' away the time?
Are you gatherin' up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
I've spent a lot of money, and I've spent a lot of time
The trip we made to Hollywood is etched upon my mind
After all the things we've done and seen, you find another man
The things you think are useless, I can't understand
Are you reelin' in the years?
Stowin' away the time?
Are you gatherin' up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
Are you reelin' in the years?
Stowin' away the time?
Are you gatherin' up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
So you grab a piece of something that you think is gonna last
Well, you wouldn't even know a diamond if you held it in your hand
The things you think are precious, I can't understand
Are you reelin' in the years?
Stowin' away the time?
Are you gatherin' up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
Are you reelin' in the years?
Stowin' away the time?
Are you gatherin' up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
You've been telling me you're a genius since you were seventeen
In all the time I've known you, I still don't know what you mean
The weekend at the college didn't turn out like you planned
The things that pass for knowledge, I can't understand
Are you reelin' in the years?
Stowin' away the time?
Are you gatherin' up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
Are you reelin' in the years?
Stowin' away the time?
Are you gatherin' up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
I've spent a lot of money, and I've spent a lot of time
The trip we made to Hollywood is etched upon my mind
After all the things we've done and seen, you find another man
The things you think are useless, I can't understand
Are you reelin' in the years?
Stowin' away the time?
Are you gatherin' up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
Are you reelin' in the years?
Stowin' away the time?
Are you gatherin' up the tears?
Have you had enough of mine?
Comments (290)add comment
Zep wrote:
I Agree!
That opening riff is tight
I Agree!
dischuckin wrote:
LOL!
stoned away the time
LOL!
stoned away the time
The other night I was surfing through YouTube and a video popped up featuring Elliott Randall reunited with Steely Dan for this song. He still has mad guitar skills and sounds great performing this song nearly 50 years after the original recording.
https://youtu.be/FwS2c48pJ7Y
https://youtu.be/FwS2c48pJ7Y
That opening riff is tight
The least of the Steely Dan songs. It's just tiring, and there are soooooo many better ones.
My least favorite Steely Dan song. Not sure why...maybe too many notes.
ziakut wrote:
Agreed and yes I would allow that. I've matured a bit since I joined here. I now appreciate even tunes I didn't care for on regular radio here. For some reason, when it's played here on RP there seems to be almost a new validity to a song.
Its the difference between a segue and just being on a playlist.
Agreed and yes I would allow that. I've matured a bit since I joined here. I now appreciate even tunes I didn't care for on regular radio here. For some reason, when it's played here on RP there seems to be almost a new validity to a song.
Its the difference between a segue and just being on a playlist.
Problem is when I hear it I think I am in high school again.
colt4x5 wrote:
Amen to that.
High school.
This song is aging better than I am.
This song is aging better than I am.
Amen to that.
colt4x5 wrote:
I'm with you both!
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v
High school.
This song is aging better than I am.
This song is aging better than I am.
I'm with you both!
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v
colt4x5 wrote:
High school.
This song is aging better than I am.
This song is aging better than I am.
Always up for some Dan ,,,,,timeless
Tubing with great friends on the Apple River, Somerset, Wisconsin, with an extra inner tube to hold the beer cooler. Mid-70s?
High school.
This song is aging better than I am.
This song is aging better than I am.
Wonderful memories with this... 
...... Luv it loads so it's "Godlike" for mevolume = way up!
Seeing them do this in concert at Red Rocks last August -- and all the exquisite layered guitar-work -- was one of the highlights of my life!
johnjconn wrote:
Skunk is the man
Steely is the band
Steely is the band
Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:
Agree!
More Dan, please!!
Agree!
More Dan, please!!
ncollingridge wrote:
They don't have Classic Rock Radio in Knebworth, either. Like you, I've always loved this song - I used to listen to it on Radio Caroline in the 70s.
BTW, the tile should be "Reelin' In The Years".
But you did have the Knebworth festival in the 70's.. And Radio Caroline was a groove in the 60's but did get a bit odd with their ' loving awareness ' in the 70's.. Y'all remember that ? And reading about Jeff ' Skunk ' Baxter and missile defence here is bizarre. He jammed at my buddie's wedding in Maui and blew everyone away. Geddit?
They don't have Classic Rock Radio in Knebworth, either. Like you, I've always loved this song - I used to listen to it on Radio Caroline in the 70s.
BTW, the tile should be "Reelin' In The Years".
But you did have the Knebworth festival in the 70's.. And Radio Caroline was a groove in the 60's but did get a bit odd with their ' loving awareness ' in the 70's.. Y'all remember that ? And reading about Jeff ' Skunk ' Baxter and missile defence here is bizarre. He jammed at my buddie's wedding in Maui and blew everyone away. Geddit?
. DIffernet textures woven create interest.
The classics mixed in with new, the obscure woven with some popular makes it interesting.
As long as its in good taste! Fagen and Becker are fantastic!
The classics mixed in with new, the obscure woven with some popular makes it interesting.
As long as its in good taste! Fagen and Becker are fantastic!
Zep wrote:
Yes it does.
Ok the classic rock station argument.... RP is not programmed to be a direct alternative to terrestrial radio. It's not set up to counterbalance what you might hear riding in your car while surfing your local FM.
RP is just what it says: an eclectic mix of rock music with jazz, classical, world, and others thrown in. Just because Reelin' in the Years (and many others) is an FM staple doesn't mean it gets excluded here. To do otherwise is to permit your local FM to influence the programming on RP.
Now, would you allow that?
Agreed and yes I would allow that. I've matured a bit since I joined here. I now appreciate even tunes I didn't care for on regular radio here. For some reason, when it's played here on RP there seems to be almost a new validity to a song.
Yes it does.
Ok the classic rock station argument.... RP is not programmed to be a direct alternative to terrestrial radio. It's not set up to counterbalance what you might hear riding in your car while surfing your local FM.
RP is just what it says: an eclectic mix of rock music with jazz, classical, world, and others thrown in. Just because Reelin' in the Years (and many others) is an FM staple doesn't mean it gets excluded here. To do otherwise is to permit your local FM to influence the programming on RP.
Now, would you allow that?
Agreed and yes I would allow that. I've matured a bit since I joined here. I now appreciate even tunes I didn't care for on regular radio here. For some reason, when it's played here on RP there seems to be almost a new validity to a song.
Been Reelin' in the Years for quite some time now. Me likey!
GREAT "band".
otis_of_moab wrote:
I saw them in July 2011 in Portland, OR. They were terrific which surprised because I always considered SD as more studio wizards. This song among many had people up and out of their seats.
Saw Steely Dan perform live two weeks ago. First time live. Aging but they put on a very good show.
I saw them in July 2011 in Portland, OR. They were terrific which surprised because I always considered SD as more studio wizards. This song among many had people up and out of their seats.
Mar-tay wrote:
I never tire of hearing these excellent guitar solos.
ncollingridge wrote:
Amazing - since my last comment the song title has been updated! I never imagined that a song comment would actually get a response...
Either that, or Bill and\or Rebecca caught that the song title was wrong while putting together a playlist. Sorry if I burst your bubble.
Amazing - since my last comment the song title has been updated! I never imagined that a song comment would actually get a response...
Either that, or Bill and\or Rebecca caught that the song title was wrong while putting together a playlist. Sorry if I burst your bubble.
Your everlasting summer
You can see it fading fast
Timely. Kids are back to school next week where I live. Signifies the end of summer for some.
Great tune from a great disc. One of my fav Dan tracks.
You can see it fading fast
Timely. Kids are back to school next week where I live. Signifies the end of summer for some.
Great tune from a great disc. One of my fav Dan tracks.
Not my favorite 'Dan' track, but I'll take it. It's still an excellent tune. No doubt about it!
Gold !
ncollingridge wrote:
They don't have Classic Rock Radio in Knebworth, either. Like you, I've always loved this song - I used to listen to it on Radio Caroline in the 70s.
BTW, the tile should be "Reelin' In The Years".
Amazing - since my last comment the song title has been updated! I never imagined that a song comment would actually get a response...
They don't have Classic Rock Radio in Knebworth, either. Like you, I've always loved this song - I used to listen to it on Radio Caroline in the 70s.
BTW, the tile should be "Reelin' In The Years".
Amazing - since my last comment the song title has been updated! I never imagined that a song comment would actually get a response...
Dillinquent wrote:
They don't have Classic Rock Radio in Knebworth, either. Like you, I've always loved this song - I used to listen to it on Radio Caroline in the 70s.
BTW, the tile should be "Reelin' In The Years".
ziakut wrote:
The fact that RP plays this and all those other great tunes, new and old, is why I listen to RP.
With so many good 'Dan' tunes out there...does this one really have to be played? I still like it, but it's wearing on me big time. I always cringe when RP plays stuff that you can hear on 'Classic Rock' radio. Oh well...I suppose this is throwin' some candy to those that don't have tolerance for new music. Then again...if they don't, they wouldn't be here in the first place, right? I confuse myself. Ha.
I never listen to 'Classic Rock Radio' (in fact I don't think we've got one of those in Hertford) and I love this song, always have. The fact that RP plays this and all those other great tunes, new and old, is why I listen to RP.
They don't have Classic Rock Radio in Knebworth, either. Like you, I've always loved this song - I used to listen to it on Radio Caroline in the 70s.
BTW, the tile should be "Reelin' In The Years".
Saw Steely Dan perform live two weeks ago. First time live. Aging but they put on a very good show.
I never tire of hearing these excellent guitar solos.
A little Steely Dan here and there, never hurts!
Dillinquent wrote:
Agree wholeheartedly with Dillinquent!
ziakut wrote:
The fact that RP plays this and all those other great tunes, new and old, is why I listen to RP.
With so many good 'Dan' tunes out there...does this one really have to be played? I still like it, but it's wearing on me big time. I always cringe when RP plays stuff that you can hear on 'Classic Rock' radio. Oh well...I suppose this is throwin' some candy to those that don't have tolerance for new music. Then again...if they don't, they wouldn't be here in the first place, right? I confuse myself. Ha.
I never listen to 'Classic Rock Radio' (in fact I don't think we've got one of those in Hertford) and I love this song, always have. The fact that RP plays this and all those other great tunes, new and old, is why I listen to RP.
Agree wholeheartedly with Dillinquent!
If I'd known this was on the rota, I'da had time to dread it.
Just saw The Dan here a couple weeks ago, and they played this. They're fantastic! Try to catch them on tour. They have the great Keith Carlock on drums.
ziakut wrote:
Well said.
With so many good 'Dan' tunes out there...does this one really have to be played? I still like it, but it's wearing on me big time. I always cringe when RP plays stuff that you can hear on 'Classic Rock' radio. Oh well...I suppose this is throwin' some candy to those that don't have tolerance for new music. Then again...if they don't, they wouldn't be here in the first place, right? I confuse myself. Ha.
Well said.
Ya know, they tried their little hearts out to ruin this song and for awhile I couldn't listen to it, but man is the Dan great!
Oh that middle breaki!!!!
Ahh - the Dan - always welcome on a Friday morning!
Always a sentimental spot for these guys...
Live shows are top-notch, too..
Live shows are top-notch, too..
10.. This song reminds me of summer as I fight the sub freezing temperatures of DC!
ziakut wrote:
The fact that RP plays this and all those other great tunes, new and old, is why I listen to RP.
With so many good 'Dan' tunes out there...does this one really have to be played? I still like it, but it's wearing on me big time. I always cringe when RP plays stuff that you can hear on 'Classic Rock' radio. Oh well...I suppose this is throwin' some candy to those that don't have tolerance for new music. Then again...if they don't, they wouldn't be here in the first place, right? I confuse myself. Ha.
I never listen to 'Classic Rock Radio' (in fact I don't think we've got one of those in Hertford) and I love this song, always have. The fact that RP plays this and all those other great tunes, new and old, is why I listen to RP.
Zep wrote:
Yes it does.
Ok the classic rock station argument.... RP is not programmed to be a direct alternative to terrestrial radio. It's not set up to counterbalance what you might hear riding in your car while surfing your local FM.
RP is just what it says: an eclectic mix of rock music with jazz, classical, world, and others thrown in. Just because Reelin' in the Years (and many others) is an FM staple doesn't mean it gets excluded here. To do otherwise is to permit your local FM to influence the programming on RP.
Now, would you allow that?
Friends don't let friends listen to clear channel. 
Yes it does.
Ok the classic rock station argument.... RP is not programmed to be a direct alternative to terrestrial radio. It's not set up to counterbalance what you might hear riding in your car while surfing your local FM.
RP is just what it says: an eclectic mix of rock music with jazz, classical, world, and others thrown in. Just because Reelin' in the Years (and many others) is an FM staple doesn't mean it gets excluded here. To do otherwise is to permit your local FM to influence the programming on RP.
Now, would you allow that?
Friends don't let friends listen to clear channel. ziakut wrote:
Yes it does.
Ok the classic rock station argument.... RP is not programmed to be a direct alternative to terrestrial radio. It's not set up to counterbalance what you might hear riding in your car while surfing your local FM.
RP is just what it says: an eclectic mix of rock music with jazz, classical, world, and others thrown in. Just because Reelin' in the Years (and many others) is an FM staple doesn't mean it gets excluded here. To do otherwise is to permit your local FM to influence the programming on RP.
Now, would you allow that?
With so many good 'Dan' tunes out there...does this one really have to be played? I still like it, but it's wearing on me big time. I always cringe when RP plays stuff that you can hear on 'Classic Rock' radio. Oh well...I suppose this is throwin' some candy to those that don't have tolerance for new music. Then again...if they don't, they wouldn't be here in the first place, right? I confuse myself. Ha.
Yes it does.
Ok the classic rock station argument.... RP is not programmed to be a direct alternative to terrestrial radio. It's not set up to counterbalance what you might hear riding in your car while surfing your local FM.
RP is just what it says: an eclectic mix of rock music with jazz, classical, world, and others thrown in. Just because Reelin' in the Years (and many others) is an FM staple doesn't mean it gets excluded here. To do otherwise is to permit your local FM to influence the programming on RP.
Now, would you allow that?
With so many good 'Dan' tunes out there...does this one really have to be played? I still like it, but it's wearing on me big time. I always cringe when RP plays stuff that you can hear on 'Classic Rock' radio. Oh well...I suppose this is throwin' some candy to those that don't have tolerance for new music. Then again...if they don't, they wouldn't be here in the first place, right? I confuse myself. Ha.
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIIIICCCCCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
AMAZING segues!!! 
hope we hear 'dirty work' sometime soon... reeling in the years is a better song, tho.. ;)
peyotecoyote wrote:
Takes me back to smokin' with the folks (yes, I mean parents) right at our kitchen table back in the 70's. LOVE THIS WHOLE ALBUM!
Takes me back to smokin' with the folks (yes, I mean parents) right at our kitchen table back in the 70's. LOVE THIS WHOLE ALBUM!
I knew there had to be some familial 'gateway' effect. -lol-
FWIW, agree with the sentiment.
Timeless classic.
Terrific song from a great debut album! I loved that they brought their jazz influences to rock and really used a lot of great jazz musicians on their albums.
Thank you sooooooooo much! I needed to wake up.... 
jedley wrote:
in addition to those you name, The Cars, The Doors, and Look Sharp (Joe Jackson) are also worthy nominees.
Greatest debut album ever? If not, it's right up there with Are You Experienced, The Clash, Surfer Rosa, Please Please Me, Talking Heads '77, My Aim is True
in addition to those you name, The Cars, The Doors, and Look Sharp (Joe Jackson) are also worthy nominees.
When they chronicle my life, I'd like this to be the soundtrack... thank you...
Greatest debut album ever? If not, it's right up there with Are You Experienced, The Clash, Surfer Rosa, Please Please Me, Talking Heads '77, My Aim is True
Just viewed the 'Classic Albums' edition of 'Steely Dan - AJA' - a history of the recording sessions for that vinyl, and incidentally a great retrospective of the bands formation with some great insight into their psyche. Wonderful journey.
douzzer wrote:
No, not "'nuff" said. The US military's Ground-based Midcourse Defense has achieved crucial successes in the years from 2002 to 2008.
Or maybe you quite fancy the scenario of North Korea vaporizing Seattle, so that the program's successes are, by your account, failures.
That is very important and yet completely irrelevant to the discussion here. Save it for a political blog.
No, not "'nuff" said. The US military's Ground-based Midcourse Defense has achieved crucial successes in the years from 2002 to 2008.
Or maybe you quite fancy the scenario of North Korea vaporizing Seattle, so that the program's successes are, by your account, failures.
That is very important and yet completely irrelevant to the discussion here. Save it for a political blog.
toterola wrote:
The GOP-led Congress let a session guitarist for Steely Dan plan strategic missile defense, after 911. They probably let Chuck Norris plan the Iraq invasion.
'Nuff said.
No, not "'nuff" said. The US military's Ground-based Midcourse Defense has achieved crucial successes in the years from 2002 to 2008.
Or maybe you quite fancy the scenario of North Korea vaporizing Seattle, so that the program's successes are, by your account, failures.
The GOP-led Congress let a session guitarist for Steely Dan plan strategic missile defense, after 911. They probably let Chuck Norris plan the Iraq invasion.
'Nuff said.
No, not "'nuff" said. The US military's Ground-based Midcourse Defense has achieved crucial successes in the years from 2002 to 2008.
Or maybe you quite fancy the scenario of North Korea vaporizing Seattle, so that the program's successes are, by your account, failures.
jagdriver wrote:
= Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, who later went over to the Doobie Brothers.
From Wikipedia:
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (born December 13, 1948 in Washington, D.C.) is an American guitarist best known for his stints in the rock bands Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers during the 1970s. More recently, he has been working as a defense consultant, chairs a Congressional Advisory Board on missile defense, and he was hired to help compose the theme song of the hit animated series King Of The Hill which he later produced and played with The Refreshments.
Ol' Jeff doesn't have much of a sense of humor, any more. He's turned into a real Right-wing blowhard . Sort of a Ted Nugent, who admits to smoking pot.
If you read the hyperlinked article, notice the date. October, 2001.
A prominent U.S. Representative, Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), is quoted in the article as saying Baxter "...knows all about weapons technology and has a better understanding of the strategic game going on than I do, and I'm on the International Relations Committee."
Baxter also rode into the Beltway via a shady bastard by the name of former U.S. Representative Curt Weldon (R-PA). Weldon was driven out of Congress on a landslide vote in 2006, and he is under investigation for being an illicit arms merchant and peddling influence for his daughter in the defense industry.
That speaks volumes looking back, doesn't it? The GOP-led Congress let a session guitarist for Steely Dan (and The Doobie Bros.) get hired into the Pentagon, by a guy (Weldon) who's so crooked he has to screw his pants on. Then they let said "guitar hero" plan strategic missile defense, in "a post-911 world". They probably hired Chuck Norris to plan the Iraq invasion, as well.
Sorry to pontificate. I lost a cousin and a family friend in Iraq, and I'll always be a bit raw about it, I expect.Slainte Mhath, y'all!
= Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, who later went over to the Doobie Brothers.
From Wikipedia:
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (born December 13, 1948 in Washington, D.C.) is an American guitarist best known for his stints in the rock bands Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers during the 1970s. More recently, he has been working as a defense consultant, chairs a Congressional Advisory Board on missile defense, and he was hired to help compose the theme song of the hit animated series King Of The Hill which he later produced and played with The Refreshments.
Ol' Jeff doesn't have much of a sense of humor, any more. He's turned into a real Right-wing blowhard . Sort of a Ted Nugent, who admits to smoking pot.
If you read the hyperlinked article, notice the date. October, 2001.
A prominent U.S. Representative, Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), is quoted in the article as saying Baxter "...knows all about weapons technology and has a better understanding of the strategic game going on than I do, and I'm on the International Relations Committee."
Baxter also rode into the Beltway via a shady bastard by the name of former U.S. Representative Curt Weldon (R-PA). Weldon was driven out of Congress on a landslide vote in 2006, and he is under investigation for being an illicit arms merchant and peddling influence for his daughter in the defense industry.
That speaks volumes looking back, doesn't it? The GOP-led Congress let a session guitarist for Steely Dan (and The Doobie Bros.) get hired into the Pentagon, by a guy (Weldon) who's so crooked he has to screw his pants on. Then they let said "guitar hero" plan strategic missile defense, in "a post-911 world". They probably hired Chuck Norris to plan the Iraq invasion, as well.
Sorry to pontificate. I lost a cousin and a family friend in Iraq, and I'll always be a bit raw about it, I expect.
Slainte Mhath, y'all!
jagdriver wrote:
= Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, who later went over to the Doobie Brothers.
From Wikipedia:
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (born December 13, 1948 in Washington, D.C.) is an American guitarist best known for his stints in the rock bands Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers during the 1970s. More recently, he has been working as a defense consultant, chairs a Congressional Advisory Board on missile defense, and he was hired to help compose the theme song of the hit animated series King Of The Hill which he later produced and played with The Refreshments.
Actually, the guitar solos on Reelin' are by Elliott Randall. The main solo was ranked 40th all time best of all time by Guitar World readers.
= Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, who later went over to the Doobie Brothers.
From Wikipedia:
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (born December 13, 1948 in Washington, D.C.) is an American guitarist best known for his stints in the rock bands Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers during the 1970s. More recently, he has been working as a defense consultant, chairs a Congressional Advisory Board on missile defense, and he was hired to help compose the theme song of the hit animated series King Of The Hill which he later produced and played with The Refreshments.
Actually, the guitar solos on Reelin' are by Elliott Randall. The main solo was ranked 40th all time best of all time by Guitar World readers.
In high school, my best friend had a serious case of disk-lexia and thought the words to the chorus were "Are you really lebanese?"
Is the word "classic" synonymous with "overplayed"?
Who cares? This is classic.
Who cares? This is classic.
nigelr wrote:
= Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, who later went over to the Doobie Brothers.
From Wikipedia:
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (born December 13, 1948 in Washington, D.C.) is an American guitarist best known for his stints in the rock bands Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers during the 1970s. More recently, he has been working as a defense consultant, chairs a Congressional Advisory Board on missile defense, and he was hired to help compose the theme song of the hit animated series King Of The Hill which he later produced and played with The Refreshments.
Some hot guitar work here, at the very least........personally I love the track and the album.
= Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, who later went over to the Doobie Brothers.
From Wikipedia:
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (born December 13, 1948 in Washington, D.C.) is an American guitarist best known for his stints in the rock bands Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers during the 1970s. More recently, he has been working as a defense consultant, chairs a Congressional Advisory Board on missile defense, and he was hired to help compose the theme song of the hit animated series King Of The Hill which he later produced and played with The Refreshments.
One of the best songs ever!
ginniet wrote:
How many "exes" 'ya got? And what are the names of the songs that make you think of the other one(s)?
ICK—this makes me think of my first ex-husband!
How many "exes" 'ya got? And what are the names of the songs that make you think of the other one(s)?
jools wrote:
This link should answer your question about My Old School. There are a number of different interpretations about the facts involved in the song. The facts are that Fagen and some friends were busted for marijuana at Bard College, that's the reference to "I'm never going back to my old school" since he was ticked off the school did that and supposedly refused to attend graduation ceremonies as a result. There's a number of interpretations about the role of the girlfriend in the song, if you click the link you'll see. The way I interpret that is simply that Fagen portrays a girlfriend in the song as being a cheater and kind of a wild woman who also wants to be treated like a princess, but ends up in the jail for prostitution, so the character in the song dumps her as well as the school. I think that regardless of the facts of the incidents Fagen based the song on, he may have taken some creative liberties to tighten it up and hold it together as its own story as portrayed in the song, but that's just my interpretation. Hope that helps.
I am so impressed as I have never understood the meaning of any of their lyrics!! Now, what is My Old School about.....
This link should answer your question about My Old School. There are a number of different interpretations about the facts involved in the song. The facts are that Fagen and some friends were busted for marijuana at Bard College, that's the reference to "I'm never going back to my old school" since he was ticked off the school did that and supposedly refused to attend graduation ceremonies as a result. There's a number of interpretations about the role of the girlfriend in the song, if you click the link you'll see. The way I interpret that is simply that Fagen portrays a girlfriend in the song as being a cheater and kind of a wild woman who also wants to be treated like a princess, but ends up in the jail for prostitution, so the character in the song dumps her as well as the school. I think that regardless of the facts of the incidents Fagen based the song on, he may have taken some creative liberties to tighten it up and hold it together as its own story as portrayed in the song, but that's just my interpretation. Hope that helps.
I am so impressed as I have never understood the meaning of any of their lyrics!! Now, what is My Old School about.....
andrewimft wrote:
andrewimft wrote:
I always liked this line: in a song full of good lines and a whole wistful attitude— ok she dumps him and he's sadly wondering about her, asking her if she's still reeling in the years, sort of longing for what became of that old flame, but angry about it, and then he realizes what a weird lady she was. Brilliant, plus it comes with those great harmonies and guitar riffs.
robco1 wrote:
Takes me back to smokin' with the folks (yes, I mean parents) right at our kitchen table back in the 70's. LOVE THIS WHOLE ALBUM!
Take me back to "smokin' with the boys upstairs . . . "
Takes me back to smokin' with the folks (yes, I mean parents) right at our kitchen table back in the 70's. LOVE THIS WHOLE ALBUM!
JohnBauer wrote:
When died RP decree they would only play music that's not overplayed? I was under the impression they're committed to playing good music regardless if it's major label, independent, recorded and produced in a garage, played on mainstream commercial radio or never heard before.
We should be judging music based on its artistic merit and the feelings it invokes. All other factors are superfluous.
Horribly overplayed in the early 70s. What is this track doing on RP's playlist?
When died RP decree they would only play music that's not overplayed? I was under the impression they're committed to playing good music regardless if it's major label, independent, recorded and produced in a garage, played on mainstream commercial radio or never heard before.
We should be judging music based on its artistic merit and the feelings it invokes. All other factors are superfluous.
Daaaaamn! I loved this album SO much. I would love to hear more Steely Dan here!
Ahh - The Dan!! A bit of Class for a Friday afternoon!!
siandbeth wrote:
Slather on the Johnson's Baby Oil!
I just got a wiff of suntan oil when this song started! Days before SPF, for sure!
Slather on the Johnson's Baby Oil!
JohnBauer wrote:
Horribly overplayed in the early 70s. What is this track doing on RP's playlist?
Making us think about the early 70s! For me, being a kid.
Loved them then, still love em today.
They are, after all, reeling in the years.
Hope it takes you back!
I always liked this line:
You been tellin me youre a genius
Since you were seventeen
In all the time Ive known you
I still dont know what you mean
in a song full of good lines and a whole wistful attitude-- ok she dumps him and he's sadly wondering about her, asking her if she's still reeling in the years, sort of longing for what became of that old flame, but angry about it, and then he realizes what a weird lady she was. Brilliant, plus it comes with those great harmonies and guitar riffs.
Some hot guitar work here, at the very least........personally I love the track and the album.
Sublime!!!!!
Inamorato wrote:
After fourteen years, Walter Becker has another solo album. Click on graphic for info.
It's a good album, if a bit too reliant on some lazy raggae stylings at times. Easier to get into than Eleven Tracks of Whack, though.
Take me back to "smokin' with the boys upstairs . . . "
ICK--this makes me think of my first ex-husband!
Horribly overplayed in the early 70s. What is this track doing on RP's playlist?
Papernapkin wrote:
My old girlfriend likes Steely Dans.
Is that why she's a former girlfriend?
After fourteen years, Walter Becker has another solo album. Click on graphic for info.
Quite simply one of the best songs ever!
My old girlfriend likes Steely Dans.
it's probably a mark of how long i've been listening to RP that as soon as "When I'm Up" was over, i completely expected the opening riff to this song...
This is the most acceptable of their tunes...
and it rates a 2.
billbangert wrote:
lame lame lame...overplayed then, no need to be ever played on RP. Steely Dan is fine, but not this mainstream of a song.
Did I miss something? Is there an unwritten rule that RP can not play great songs which also happened to be massively popular?
There's a reason songs like this one became so popular and overplayed: they're good songs.
If you had never heard this song before you'd think it was fantastic.
hope you arent paying royalties on this one Bill.
I'd be ok to never hear this particular cut again.
radiojunkie wrote:
I love the Dan, but this is nothing without the Elliot Randall guitar solos. Which at this point I can air guitar down to every last nuance, in my sleep, while driving.
Please pull off the road before you rock out in your sleep. Thanks!
radiojunkie wrote:
I love the Dan, but this is nothing without the Elliot Randall guitar solos. Which at this point I can air guitar down to every last nuance, in my sleep, while driving.
Me2!
This is one of those songs that takes me back to my first marriage--NOT a good thing!
Love it.
Bordering on timeless.
are you reelin' in the ears
stowin' away the time?
are you gatherin' up to tease
have you had enough of mine?
(misheard lyrics are always good for a laugh 
)
)I just got a wiff of suntan oil when this song started! Days before SPF, for sure!
Subtlety personified. Most excellent from the Dan.
Not lame. Not overplayed. Not mainstream. Negativity negated. PLAY ON.
billbangert wrote:
lame lame lame...overplayed then, no need to be ever played on RP. Steely Dan is fine, but not this mainstream of a song.
these last few songs constitute a good run, keep it up!
musikalia wrote:
It's almost like there's a whole other layer there beneath the mainstream sound.
There, in one sentence, is the essence of SD appreciation.
Nothin wrong with mixin this in with all the others. it's why I listen here.
LOL!!! Damn straight!
I love the Dan, but this is nothing without the Elliot Randall guitar solos. Which at this point I can air guitar down to every last nuance, in my sleep, while driving.
harryone wrote:
Maybe I am getting sentimental but the music and lyrics where more bold happier down the years/ Harryon
I think I know what you're trying to say but maybe next time you could attempt it without alcohol and / or recreational chemicals.
rtkmusic wrote:
interesting -
even when the more obscure floyd or zeppelin tunes get streamed here, folks shrieking "classic rock radio sell out" are non-stop.
But here, with a song that was not only a huge hit, but continues to be overplayed in ClearChannel land, nary a peep...
hmmmm.
yes, somewhat curious.
However there's something I've always loved about Steely Dan: They are just about as mainstream as it gets (hell, I've even heard muzak versions of their songs!), yet they are so good. It's almost like there's a whole other layer there beneath the mainstream sound.
lame lame lame...overplayed then, no need to be ever played on RP. Steely Dan is fine, but not this mainstream of a song.
interesting -
even when the more obscure floyd or zeppelin tunes get streamed here, folks shrieking "classic rock radio sell out" are non-stop.
But here, with a song that was not only a huge hit, but continues to be overplayed in ClearChannel land, nary a peep...
hmmmm.
Can you add -10 to the rating?
electronicthroat wrote:
The only Steely Dan song I can tolerate.
+1
gjeeg wrote:
Where does genius and taste and accomplishment like this come from?
And why is it gone from our Age?
Too much fast food maybe?
tapatia wrote:
For me at least, it's hard not to love ANYTHING by this band - with the exception of that one annoying instrumental piece on Pretzel Logic - what is the name of that tune, anyway??
East St. Louis Toodle-OO?
It's a little quirky but I kind of like it.
aflanigan wrote:
I'd rather hear Dirty Work off of this album.
Yeah me too. Still, this ain't bad....
What a great album this was/is!
The other night I was surfing through YouTube and a video popped up featuring Elliott Randall reunited with Steely Dan for this song. He still has mad guitar skills and sounds great performing this song nearly 50 years after the original recording.
https://youtu.be/FwS2c48pJ7Y
Thank You for the info!