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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Come Back Baby
Steely Dan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't like wondering why
I got no mercy for a man and his tears
He's just living a lie
I got a feeling like I'm losing my cool
That's no way to be
You got me crying got me playing the fool
That's what you're doing to me
I don't want to say how long it's been
Five days and I gotta know now
Come back baby
I don't want to live alone again
My old man never thought me how
I don't like lying all alone in my bed
Nobody calling my name
I can't say thank you for a kick in the head
But I need you just the same
See me sitting by the side of the road
People staring and smiling
They got no mercy for a man and his tears
Can't you hear me cry
You gotta come back baby
I don't want to say how long it's been
Five days and I gotta know now
Come back baby
I don't want to live alone again
My old man never thought me how
The lyrics to Steely Dan's song Come Back Baby tell a story of a person who is searching for their lover who has left them. The first verse outlines the frustration the singer is experiencing as they wait for their lover to return. The use of the phrase "living a lie" indicates that the singer may know or suspect that their lover has been unfaithful or insincere in some way. The second verse reveals the singer's vulnerability and desperation as they plead for their lover to return. They are unable to tolerate the pain of separation and fear being alone. The line "My old man never taught me how" may suggest that the singer never learned how to deal with the emotions and challenges of relationships.
The bridge of the song expresses the physical and emotional pain the singer is experiencing. They are alone and crying on the side of the road, while others pass by with indifference. The repeated refrain of "You gotta come back baby" reinforces the singer's desire for their lover to return and shows the depth of their feelings.
Overall, the lyrics of Come Back Baby are a poignant and relatable portrayal of the complex emotions that arise during a relationship breakdown. The use of vivid imagery and emotive language creates a powerful narrative that invites the listener to connect with the singer's experience.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't like waiting for a knock on the door
I don't like the anticipation of waiting for someone to come to me.
I don't like wondering why
I don't like not knowing the reason behind things.
I got no mercy for a man and his tears
I don't sympathize with someone's faked emotions meant to deceive me.
He's just living a lie
His tears are a lie, and he's living in deception.
I got a feeling like I'm losing my cool
I feel like I'm losing control of my emotions.
That's no way to be
This isn't a way I want to feel or act.
You got me crying got me playing the fool
You're making me emotional and foolish for letting you do it.
That's what you're doing to me
Your actions are the cause of my current emotional state.
You gotta come back baby
I need you to return to me.
I don't want to say how long it's been
I don't want to disclose how much time has passed.
Five days and I gotta know now
It's been five days and I need to know when you'll return.
Come back baby
Return to me.
I don't want to live alone again
I don't want to be on my own again.
My old man never thought me how
My father never taught me how to be alone.
I don't like lying all alone in my bed
I don't like sleeping in my bed alone.
Nobody calling my name
No one is reaching out to me or acknowledging me.
I can't say thank you for a kick in the head
I can't thank you for hurting me emotionally.
But I need you just the same
Despite this, I still need you in my life.
See me sitting by the side of the road
People can see me sitting alone by the road.
People staring and smiling
People are looking at me and possibly mocking me.
They got no mercy for a man and his tears
People don't have sympathy for those showing emotional vulnerability.
Can't you hear me cry
Can't you hear my emotional distress?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
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