Midnite Cruiser
Steely Dan Lyrics
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Step on in and let me shake your hand
So glad that you're here again
For one more time
Let your madness run with mine
Streets still unseen we'll find somehow
No time is better than now
Tell me where are you driving
Midnight cruiser
Where is your bounty
Of fortune and fame
I am another
Gentlemen loser
Drive me to Harlem
Or somewhere the same
The world that we used to know
People tell me it don't turn no more
The places we used to go
Familiar faces that ain't smilin' like before
The time of our time has come and gone
I fear we been waiting too long
Tell me where are you driving
Midnight cruiser
Where is your bounty
Of fortune and fame
I am another
Gentlemen loser
Drive me to Harlem
Or somewhere the same
The song "Midnite Cruiser" by Steely Dan, features a conversation between the singer and a friend named Thelonius, presumably named after jazz musician Thelonius Monk. The conversation is one between two old friends who are looking to recapture past experiences and go on new adventures. The singer welcomes Thelonius and invites him to join him on a new adventure where their madness can run wild. They are going to explore unseen streets and experience new adventures, while reminiscing about the past.
The chorus of the song is a plea to the Midnight Cruiser, the person who can take them to wherever they want to go. The singer is ready to be taken on a journey to find fortune and fame, even if it means they are "gentlemen losers". They want to be taken to Harlem, or "somewhere the same", a place where they feel comfortable and familiar.
The lyrics convey a sense of longing for the past and a desire to recapture the excitement of youth. The world that the singer and Thelonius knew has changed, and they feel like they've been waiting too long to recapture that excitement.
Line by Line Meaning
Thelonius my old friend
Addressing Thelonius, an old friend of the singer
Step on in and let me shake your hand
Asking Thelonius to come in and greet the singer
So glad that you're here again
Expressing happiness at Thelonius' return
For one more time
Implies that this is not the first time the two are meeting
Let your madness run with mine
Inviting Thelonius to be adventurous with the artist
Streets still unseen we'll find somehow
Suggesting that they will explore uncharted territories together
No time is better than now
Emphasizing the importance of living in the present moment
Tell me where are you driving
Asking Thelonius where he is going
Midnight cruiser
Referring to Thelonius' mode of transportation
Where is your bounty
Asking Thelonius about his riches
Of fortune and fame
Referring to the wealth and notoriety that comes with success
I am another
The artist sees himself as another person in a similar situation
Gentlemen loser
A polite way of expressing a loser in society
Drive me to Harlem
Asking Thelonius to take the singer to Harlem
Or somewhere the same
Indicating that any place similar to Harlem would be okay as well
The world that we used to know
Referring to a past world the artist and Thelonius shared
People tell me it don't turn no more
Others have said that the world no longer exists
The places we used to go
Referring to locations the singer and Thelonius frequented in the past
Familiar faces that ain't smilin' like before
Implying that people have changed and are no longer friendly
The time of our time has come and gone
Suggesting that the artist and Thelonius' time has passed
I fear we been waiting too long
Realizing that they may have missed out on opportunities by waiting too long
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind