The song is just so edgy... like something scary is being decided by desperate guys in the back alley near a crime. That's why it's so difficult to cover by bands with lead singers who haven't faced prison time, and aren't just a bit frustrated as they sing. It takes power and poverty to sing it right. A person's life is in the balance. It should convey that grimness.
Umm,.. Fagen hadn't experienced any of that when he wrote/sung it in the first place! It is a great song though and yeah, edgy, I think because of Skunk's amazing work all through it!
These guys had a bunch of great songs, but none better than this one.
The edgy lyrics and stellar musicianship of Steely Dan has thrilled me for decades. Thanks for the post - well recorded, with some great photos.
Man, makes me miss Mr. Becker!
wow the lyrics really match the music
Street music. And that break is gangster
Classic.
"When the dawn patrol got to tell you twice / They gonna do it with a shotgun."
The song is just so edgy... like something scary is being decided by desperate guys in the back alley near a crime. That's why it's so difficult to cover by bands with lead singers who haven't faced prison time, and aren't just a bit frustrated as they sing. It takes power and poverty to sing it right. A person's life is in the balance. It should convey that grimness.
Umm,.. Fagen hadn't experienced any of that when he wrote/sung it in the first place! It is a great song though and yeah, edgy, I think because of Skunk's amazing work all through it!
Actually, Walter Becker primarily wrote the lyrics to this song. He was known to have been a street junky back in the day.
@@davidfleming4052 Film noir.
Yes, yes, and absofuckinglutely!!!