Black Friday
Marian McPartland & Steely Dan Lyrics
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I stand down by the door
And catch the grey men when they
Dive from the fourteenth floor
When Black Friday comes
I collect everything I'm owed
And before my friends find out
When Black Friday falls you know it's got to be
Don't let it fall on me
When Black Friday comes
I fly down to Muswellbrook
Gonna strike all the big red words
From my little black book
Gonna do just what I please
Gonna wear no socks and shoes
With nothing to do but feed
All the kangaroos
When Black Friday comes I'll be on that hill
You know I will
When Black Friday comes
I'm gonna dig myself a hole
Gonna lay down in it 'til
I satisfy my soul
Gonna let the world pass by me
The Archbishop's gonna sanctify me
And if he don't come across
I'm gonna let it roll
When Black Friday comes
I'm gonna stake my claim
I guess I'll change my name
The lyrics to Marian McPartland & Steely Dan's song Black Friday are about the day after Thanksgiving that marks the beginning of Christmas shopping season. However, the interpretation of the lyrics is metaphorical about a man who is ready to take advantage of opportunities whenever they come knocking at his door. When Black Friday comes, he stands by the door, waiting for the "grey men" who jump out of the fourteenth floor. This is a representation of businessmen who jump out of the building because of the stock market crash, and he is there to collect what they owe him. He also plans on not letting his friends know of his good fortune, as he heads out on the road.
In the next verse, he says that when Black Friday falls, it must not fall on him, indicating that he is always prepared to make a killing out of any opportunity that comes his way. He then heads down to Muswellbrook, ready to strike off the big red words from his little black book, meaning he is deleting debtors from his debtors' book. He talks about doing what he pleases and not wearing shoes and socks, indicating that he has money, which provides him with the freedom to do as he pleases, such as feeding the kangaroos.
In the last verse, the man decides to dig a hole and lay in it to satisfy his soul, indicating that he is so wealthy that he can do whatever he wants, including cutting himself off from the world. He talks about an Archbishop sanctifying him, which means being declared holy or sacred, and if he doesn't, he will let it roll. He then plans on staking his claim and changing his name if he has to, indicating his readiness to redefine himself, depending on the world's opportunities.
Line by Line Meaning
When Black Friday comes
The arrival of the high-pressure retail holiday.
I stand down by the door
I stand ready to take advantage of any deals that may arise.
And catch the grey men when they
And I take advantage of the panicked financial workers.
Dive from the fourteenth floor
Who jump from their office windows due to the pressure.
I collect everything I'm owed
I collect all of the money that is due to me.
And before my friends find out
And I do so in a way that keeps my wealth inconspicuous.
I'll be on the road
I'll be traveling away from here.
When Black Friday falls you know it's got to be
The day is too significant to ignore.
Don't let it fall on me
I'm ready for it.
I fly down to Muswellbrook
I travel to a remote location.
Gonna strike all the big red words
I'll remove all of the negative influences from my life.
From my little black book
And start anew.
Gonna do just what I please
I'll live life on my own terms.
Gonna wear no socks and shoes
I won't conform to societal norms.
With nothing to do but feed
I'll enjoy the simple things in life.
All the kangaroos
In this random location.
When Black Friday comes I'll be on that hill
I'll be in a place where the holiday has no presence.
You know I will
I'm committed to this plan.
I'm gonna dig myself a hole
I'll create my own place of solitude.
Gonna lay down in it 'til
And I'll stay there until I feel fulfilled.
I satisfy my soul
Until I feel content with who I am.
Gonna let the world pass by me
In the meantime, I'll let the world go on without me.
The Archbishop's gonna sanctify me
And I'll seek a higher power to validate my choices.
And if he don't come across
And if that doesn't happen.
I'm gonna let it roll
I'll let life progress at its own pace.
When Black Friday comes
When the high-pressure retail holiday returns.
I'm gonna stake my claim
I'll take advantage of the opportunities that arise.
I guess I'll change my name
And I'll do so without any consequences.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind