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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Change Of The Guard
Steely Dan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's the laughter in the street
It's the motion in the music
And the fire beneath your feet
All the signs are right this time
You don't have to try so very hard
If you live in this world
You're feelin' the change of the guard
All the cowboys and your neighbors
Can you swallow up your pride
Take your guns off it you're willin'
And you know we're on your side
If you want to get through the years
It's high time you played your card
If you live in this world
You're feelin' the change of the guard
The lyrics to Steely Dan's "Change of the Guard" describe a sense of change in the air. The first stanza speaks of the feeling of change that exists in the world- how you can hear it in the laughter and motion in the streets, and feel it in the music and the passion that people are expressing. The second stanza talks about how this change is affecting people on a more personal level, urging them to shed their pride and leave their guns behind. It suggests that there is a new guard coming, and everyone needs to come together and play their cards right in order to get through the impending changes.
Overall, the song seems to have a somewhat political message, urging people to unite and adapt to change in order to survive. It acknowledges the fear and uncertainty that comes with change, but encourages people to move forward regardless.
Line by Line Meaning
If you listen you can hear it
If you pay close attention, you can sense the changes happening around you
It's the laughter in the street
The happiness and joy of people in their everyday lives
It's the motion in the music
The rhythm and energy of the music that reflects the changing times
And the fire beneath your feet
The passionate energy you can feel within yourself and in the world
All the signs are right this time
There are indications pointing towards a significant transformation taking place
You don't have to try so very hard
You don't need to make a lot of effort to see and understand what's happening
If you live in this world
If you're alive and aware of what's going on around you
You're feelin' the change of the guard
You can feel a shift happening in the dominant powers and systems that govern society
All the cowboys and your neighbors
Both the people who embody traditional ideals and those who live around us
Can you swallow up your pride
Can you let go of your ego and be open to change?
Take your guns off it you're willin'
Put down any figurative weapons you might use to resist the changes happening
And you know we're on your side
We are here to support and assist you in navigating these changes
If you want to get through the years
If you want to endure through the times ahead
It's high time you played your card
It's time for you to take action or make a move towards your goals
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brianna Bush
Lyrics
If you listen you can hear it
It's the laughter in the street
It's the motion in the music
And the fire beneath your feet
All the signs are right this time
You don't have to try so very hard
If you live in this world
You're feelin' the change of the guard
[Post-Chorus]
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na na na
All the cowboys and your neighbors
Can you swallow up your pride
Take your guns off it you're willin'
And you know we're on your side
If you want to get through the years
It's high time you played your card
If you live in this world
You're feelin' the change of the guard
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na na na
If you wanna get thru' the years
It's high time you played your card
If you live in this world
You're feelin' the change of the guard
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Chas Gorman
One of those rare masterpieces where you didn’t think of lifting the needle. Every song an absolute gem. Also, it was their debut album.
Marbles And 45's
a lot of people hate on this LP but its a great one imho
Edward Sholar
Steely Dan, one of the most complex, talented and mesmerizing bands of all-time.
Doctor Mu
...and this is their simplest song! Amazing.
Rich Alderson
For all of their jazzy chops and complex lyrics, The Dan always knew how to write a first class pop song.
Jacob Sarvathayaparan
@Mark Demos There already are at my university! Well not entire courses but their work is studied pretty extensively in some modern songwriting classes
Mark Demos
There will be college music classes on them.
Robert Bradley
Will there ever be another band with this much talent?
Krzyszczynski
@Edward Sholar No - and nor should any of the other sculptures. Desecration of a sacred site.
Eric Springer
No...thee closest band came in the 90s, The Dave Matthews Band....but that is because unique only comes around every so often...no group or band in this day in age comes close