Their music is characterized by dark, witty lyrical narratives, obscure lyrical allusions and complex, jazz-influenced instrumentation and chord sequences, overlying more ordinary popular song structures. Their fastidious standards in the studio and use of world-class sessions players has also been a hallmark of their work. For this, special credit should be given to their long-time producer Gary Katz and engineer Roger Nichols.
The band was originally a six-piece consisting of Fagen, Becker, David Palmer (vocals), Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (guitar), Denny Dias (guitar) and Jim Hodder (drums), but by 1975, only Fagen and Becker remained.
The band's history can be divided into three stages. In its original conception, the group was a relatively conventional rock band that toured from 1972 to 1974, releasing the singles-chart successes, 'Do It Again', 'Reelin' in the Years', 'My Old School' and 'Rikki Don't Lose That Number'. The group's name was derived from a series of dildos in the 1959 novel, 'Naked Lunch' by the avant-garde writer, William S. Burroughs; the phrase first used in the lyrics of an early, pre-Steely Dan Fagen/Becker song, Soul Ram.
In its second stage (1975 - 1980) the group, now consisting solely of Fagen and Becker, became a purely studio-based act, their album releases showing a growing obsession with polished production values, and whose output became increasingly jazz-orientated, culminating in the highly successful 'Aja' (1977) and 'Gaucho' (1980). The two split in 1981 following a tumultuous recording process for the latter album, and personal problems for both members.
In the Eighties, Fagen released his seminal debut album, 'The Nightfly', and took time away from the music industry, whilst Becker, after recovering from drug dependence, was in frequent work as a producer.
The third stage came when Fagen and Becker reunited in 1993, followed by a world tour (their first touring dates in 20 years). In 2000, the Grammy-award-winning 'Two Against Nature' was released to critical and surprising commercial success. Its successor followed swiftly, 'Everything Must Go' being released in 2003. The two albums show a more relaxed attitude to production, less morbid lyrical themes and an upbeat jazz pop sound, but with the characteristic wit and musical complexity of their 20th century work remaining.
Walter Becker passed away on September 3, 2017. This was followed by legal action between Becker's estate and Fagen over ownership of material. Fagen with additional bandmates continues to tour as Steely Dan.
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Steely Dan's homepage
Wikipedia article
Barrytown
Steely Dan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But over there in Barrytown they do things very strange
And though you're not my enemy
I like things like they used to be
And though you'd like some company
I'm standing by myself
Go play with someone else
I can see by what you carry that you come from Barrytown
Don't believe I'm taken in by stories I have heard
I just read the Daily News and swear by every word
And don't think that I'm out of line
For speaking out for what is mine
I'd like to see you do just fine
But look at what you wear
And the way you cut your hair
I can see by what you carry that you come from Barrytown
In the beginning we recall that the word was hurled
Barrytown people got to be from another world
Leave me or I'll be just like the others you will meet
They won't act as kindly if they see you on the street
And don't you scream or make a shout
It's nothing you can do about
It was there where you came out
It's a special lack of grace
I can see it in your face
I can see by what you carry that you come from Barrytown
The lyrics to Steely Dan's "Barrytown" are a cautionary tale about the danger of judging people by where they come from. The singer of the song is a person who refuses to change with the times, lamenting the way things used to be. They look down on the people of Barrytown, a strange place where things are done differently. The singer claims not to believe the stories they have heard about Barrytown, but their judgment of the person they are speaking to reveals their prejudice.
The song's central message is that preconceived notions and stereotyping are harmful and unjust. The singer's insistence on judging people by their appearance and background isolates them from others and ultimately makes them resentful. The line "It's a special lack of grace, I can see it in your face" illustrates this point, as the singer uses physical features to judge the other person's character.
Overall, the lyrics of "Barrytown" warn against the negative consequences of judgment and encourage listeners to be open-minded and accepting of those who are different from themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not one to look behind I know that times must change
I don't dwell on the past, I understand that things change over time
But over there in Barrytown they do things very strange
The people of Barrytown have unique customs that are foreign to me
And though you're not my enemy
I'm not against you personally
I like things like they used to be
I prefer things the way they were in the past
And though you'd like some company
You seem to want someone to be with
I'm standing by myself
But I prefer to be alone
Go play with someone else
You should find someone else to spend time with
I can see by what you carry that you come from Barrytown
Your attire and belongings indicate that you are from Barrytown
Don't believe I'm taken in by stories I have heard
I don't easily believe rumors and hearsay
I just read the Daily News and swear by every word
But I do trust the legitimacy of what I read in the news
And don't think that I'm out of line
I don't believe I'm being unreasonable
For speaking out for what is mine
In fact, I think it's important to speak up for what belongs to me
I'd like to see you do just fine
I wish you all the best
But look at what you wear
However, I can't help but notice your clothing
And the way you cut your hair
And your hairstyle is very different from what I'm used to
In the beginning we recall that the word was hurled
It's said that the people of Barrytown were originally insulted with a name
Barrytown people got to be from another world
They are often seen as very different and eccentric
Leave me or I'll be just like the others you will meet
If you don't leave me alone, I'll act like the other people who are hostile towards you
They won't act as kindly if they see you on the street
Others won't be as friendly as I am if they encounter you in public
And don't you scream or make a shout
There's no need to make a scene or get upset
It's nothing you can do about
There's nothing you can change about where you come from
It was there where you came out
You were born and raised in Barrytown
It's a special lack of grace
Your behavior and style are quite unusual and awkward
I can see it in your face
This is evident in your facial expressions and demeanor
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER, DONALD FAGEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind