Aja
Steely Dan Lyrics
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People never stare
They just don't care
Chinese music under banyan trees
Here at the dude ranch above the sea
Aja
When all my dime dancin' is through
I run to you
Up on the hill
They've got time to burn
There's no return
Double helix in the sky tonight
Throw out the hardware
Let's do it right
Aja
When all my dime dancin' is through
I run to you
Up on the hill
They think I'm okay
Or so they say
Chinese music always sets me free
Angular banjoes
Sound good to me
Aja
When all my dime dancin' is through
I run to you
The song "Aja" by Steely Dan is a story about a man who finds solace in the company of someone on a hill, after a night of partying and dance. The opening line of the song, "Up on the hill, people never stare. They just don't care," sets the tone for the rest of the song. It describes how the man feels completely at ease in the company of these people, who are unfazed by his presence. The Chinese music under the banyan trees adds to the sense of tranquillity and serenity surrounding the scene, contrasting with the bustle of the city.
The second verse describes the man's desire to leave behind the excesses of city life and embrace a different way of living, symbolized by the hill. The double helix in the sky represents the man's fascination with science and the universe, and his desire to explore it further. He decides to "throw out the hardware" and let go of the things that hold him back, embracing this new life on the hill. The repetition of "Aja when all my dime dancin' is through. I run to you" serves as a refrain, reminding the man and the listener of the comfort that is waiting for him on the hill.
The third verse reinforces the man's connection with the people on the hill, who think he's okay and allow him to be himself. The Chinese music continues to set him free, and the "angular banjoes sound good" to him. Overall, the song conveys a sense of longing for peace and simplicity in a world that can be overwhelming and exhausting.
Line by Line Meaning
Up on the hill
The location being spoken about is on a hill
People never stare
The people present there are not the kind to stare
They just don't care
The people present there do not care about the singer
Chinese music under banyan trees
There is Asian music playing in the background
Here at the dude ranch above the sea
The ranch is situated on top of a hill that overlooks the sea
Aja
The title of the song is 'Aja'
When all my dime dancin' is through
After the singer has finished his dance performances
I run to you
The artist comes to someone for solace
They've got time to burn
The people present there have nothing else to do
There's no return
The people present there are relaxed and do not have any pressure on them
Double helix in the sky tonight
There is a double spiral structure visible in the sky
Throw out the hardware
The artist wants to get rid of all electronic and technical equipment
Let's do it right
Let's make sure everything is done properly
They think I'm okay
The people present there view the singer as alright
Or so they say
The singer is unsure if the people are actually sincere in their assessment of him
Chinese music always sets me free
The artist finds freedom and release in Asian music
Angular banjoes
Unfamiliar musical instruments that have an angular shape
Sound good to me
The singer enjoys the sound these instruments produce
Aja
Reprise - The title of the song is 'Aja'
When all my dime dancin' is through
Reprise - After the artist has finished his dance performances
I run to you
Reprise - The artist comes to someone for solace
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oppothumbs1
Better albums:
1 Van Morrison astral weeks
2 Elvis Costello This years model
3 LOVE Forever Changes
4 Neil young Decade
5 Graham Parker and the rumor - Heat Treatment
6 The Replacements Let it Be
7 The Replacements Tim
8 The Replacements Dont tell a Soul
9 The Replacements Pleased to Meet Me
10 The Doors debut
Boz Scaggs - Moments
Dylan's Blonde on Blonde
Ziggy Stardust - Bowie
Hunky Dory - Bowie
Best of Psychedelic Furs
Best of the Smiths
Best of Roxy Music
Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Best of Steely Dan , Best of Hendrix, Mary Wells (most songs written by Smokey Robinson), Best of The Impression
Morrissey Viva Hate
Debut of The Pretenders
Paul Westerberg 14 songs
Paul Westerberg - Eventually
Tears for Fears Songs from the Big Chair
Yeah I don't have jazz or a big range of musical genres but I like all kinds of music but not many 8 min songs.
@teedeeproductions
This is my favorite Steely Dan song ever, probably my favorite song in general.
I remember when I got into the band a few months ago and this was one of the first songs I listened to from the band, it was late at night, AC going, in the dark, just listening to this, I was focused on the music and nothing else.
This song is very special to me, everything is done perfectly, every moment, every note, every instrument and the playing is done in this way that I’ve never heard from any song.
Can’t beat it, this song is too good for this world, it shouldn’t even exist but it does. I don’t think anything comes close from how genius this song is.
Steely Dan is a fantastic band, no one like them.
@operamaticchilltrance4299
Personally I think they had the chops not only to write and play the music, but to secure the best talent available at the time. Steve Gadd the drummer is widely and arguably recognized as the greatest drummer of the last quarter century for this kind of music. Their choice of him and his stunningly unique in the pocket accuracy, along with ground breaking drum solos(4:49 and 5:20 and 7:01 etc in this song in particular), changed music production forever after. Masterpiece.
"Aja is the most popular of all the Steely Dan recordings. Four of
its seven tracks were radio hits with a broad spectrum of appeal.
Musicians had a field day with the title track, which had powerful solos
from Wayne Shorter and Steve Gadd. Gadd, it seems, was the ultimate
foil for the Dan’s demanding assault on a musician’s psyche. For ‘Aja’
he sightread the entire seven-minute chart perfectly, solo and all, by
the second take. An article at the time quoted Fagan as saying, “I was
stunned. No one had ever done anything like that before. I couldn’t
believe it.”
@ajaking8194
I’m named after this song.
@universal-zy5bh
Very cool
@froggekun
Same
@ironmantooltime
Cute 😎
@rmariate
Your pretty
Just like the song
@axen584
rmariate You’re*
@markrudis4419
Wayne Shorter passed today. He made himself known to rock fans playing magnificent sax on this album. 🙏
@hiphoppreacher4real
Is this the same Wayne Shorter that played with Weather Report?
@davidbourgault1369
@@hiphoppreacher4real yessir! And Miles Davis etc
@lauratompkins5006
Will be missed forever. Rest with thr Angels. Play with Walter, and send him my love.❤