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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Wikipedia article
Cousin Dupree
Steely Dan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've worked a lot of nowhere gigs
From keyboard man in a rock'n ska band
To haulin' boss crude in the big rigs
Now I've come back home to plan my next move
From the comfort of my Aunt Faye's couch
When I see my little cousin Janine walk in
All I could say was ow-ow-ouch
CHORUS:
Honey how you've grown
Like a rose
Well we used to play
When we were three
How about a kiss for your cousin Dupree
She turned my life into a living hell
In those little tops and tight capris
I pretended to be readin' the National Probe
As I was watchin' her wax her skis
On Saturday night she walked in with her date
And backs him up against the wall
I tumbled off the couch and heard myself sing
In a voice I never knew I had before
CHORUS
I'll teach you everything I know
If you teach me how to do that dance
Life is short and quid pro quo
And what's so strange about a down-home family romance?
One night we're playin' gin by a cracklin' fire
And I decided to make my play
I said babe with my boyish charm and good looks
How can you stand it for one more day
She said maybe its the skeevy look in your eyes
Or that your mind has turned to applesauce
The dreary architecture of your soul
I said - but what is it exactly turns you off?
CHORUS
The lyrics to Steely Dan's song Cousin Dupree tell a story of a man who has come back home to plan his next move but finds himself distracted by his little cousin Janine. The singer of the song has a history of working odd jobs and playing in bands, but he is currently taking some time off and staying on his Aunt Faye's couch. When Janine walks in, he is taken aback by how much she has grown and feels a strong attraction towards her.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "Honey how you've grown like a rose, well we used to play when we were three, how about a kiss for your cousin Dupree." The singer is clearly infatuated with Janine, but she does not seem to feel the same way. In fact, she turns his life into a living hell with her little tops and tight capris. Despite this, he continues to make advances, even going so far as to ask her to teach him how to dance.
The song ends with the singer trying to make his move while playing gin by a crackling fire. However, Janine rejects him, telling him that his mind has turned to applesauce and the dreary architecture of his soul is a turn off. The lyrics to Cousin Dupree are an interesting commentary on the complexities of attraction and desire, and the consequences of acting on those feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I've kicked around a lot since high school
I have gained diverse experience since high school
I've worked a lot of nowhere gigs
I have had several unimportant jobs
From keyboard man in a rock'n ska band
I have worked as a keyboardist in a rock and ska music group
To haulin' boss crude in the big rigs
I have worked as a driver of big trucks that transport petroleum
Now I've come back home to plan my next move
I have returned home to plan my next career step
From the comfort of my Aunt Faye's couch
I am relaxing and thinking at my Aunt Faye's place
When I see my little cousin Janine walk in
When I see my young cousin Janine arrive
All I could say was ow-ow-ouch
I am stunned and excited by her beauty
Honey how you've grown
I can notice how much you have matured
Like a rose
You have blossomed into a beautiful woman
Well we used to play
We used to play together when we were younger
When we were three
When we were young children
How about a kiss for your cousin Dupree
Can I have a kiss from you, cousin Dupree?
She turned my life into a living hell
Having feelings for her made my life miserable
In those little tops and tight capris
Her clothing accentuated her physical features
I pretended to be readin' the National Probe
I pretended to read a newspaper to hide my true intentions
As I was watchin' her wax her skis
I was admiring her while she was preparing her skis
On Saturday night she walked in with her date
She came with her boyfriend on a Saturday night
And backs him up against the wall
She pushed him against the wall
I tumbled off the couch and heard myself sing
I fell off the sofa and made a sound I never thought I could produce
In a voice I never knew I had before
I realized I had a strange voice I was never aware of
I'll teach you everything I know
I can give you all the knowledge I have
If you teach me how to do that dance
You can teach me the dance moves you know
Life is short and quid pro quo
Life is short and the exchange of favors is common
And what's so strange about a down-home family romance?
What is wrong with two family members having a romantic relationship?
One night we're playin' gin by a cracklin' fire
We are playing gin by the warmth of a crackling fire one night
And I decided to make my play
I decided to make a move on her
I said babe with my boyish charm and good looks
I said, with my youthful appeal and attractive features, my sweetheart
How can you stand it for one more day
How can you manage one more day with your boyfriend
She said maybe its the skeevy look in your eyes
She said it is possible that your eyes reveal unpleasant thoughts
Or that your mind has turned to applesauce
Or maybe, you are not thinking straight
The dreary architecture of your soul
Your personality is disappointing or unexciting
I said - but what is it exactly turns you off?
I asked, specifically, what made her lose interest in me
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DONALD FAGEN, WALTER BECKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind