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
I Got The News
Steely Dan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In your lark
You're a mark
You're a screamer
You know
How to hustle
Daddy
Is a rare
I don't care
Yeah you
Got the muscle
I got the news
Yes dear
How did you know
Can't you see our love will grow
Take it
In your hand
All the sirens
And the band
Get to bendin' my ear
How
Was I to know
About the warm
Soulful secret
You been keepin' for years
I got the news
Slow down I'll tell you when
I may never walk again
Broadway Duchess
Darling if you only knew
Half as much as
Everybody thinks you do
What I hear
May be true
I would still be proud
To know you
Spanish kissin'
See it glisten
You came ragin'
Love rampagin'
I got the news
Yes dear
How did you know
Can't you see our love will grow
The lyrics to Steely Dan's song I Got The News are quite intriguing and layered. The track narrates the story of a man who is entangled in a steamy and passionate relationship with a woman, who is somewhat aloof and distant from him. The song’s opening lines introduce the woman as a "screamer", which could either mean she is overly dramatic, or it is a euphemism for a sexually charged woman. The singer of the song, on the other hand, describes himself as someone who has "got the news", possibly referencing his knowledge about the woman's indiscretions.
Later in the track, the man poses a question to the woman, asking her how she knew that their love will grow. This could mean that he is questioning the future of their relationship, despite their passionate encounters. The woman is portrayed as being elusive and mysterious, with the man trying to decipher her intentions and feelings for him throughout the song. This is highlighted by the lyrics "About the warm soulful secret You been keepin' for years", where he suggests that she has been hiding something from him.
Ultimately, the track is an ode to the complexities that come with romantic relationships. It showcases the intricate dynamics that are often present in such situations, with both parties trying to figure out each other’s motives and desires.
Line by Line Meaning
You
Referring to someone in particular
In your lark
In your playful manner
You're a mark
You're a target for deceit or exploitation
You're a screamer
You're a very vocal person
You know
You are aware of something
How to hustle
You have expertise in getting things done in your favor
Daddy
Referring to someone's father
Is a rare
Is rare, unique or one-of-a-kind
Millionaire
Who has a net worth of $1 million or more
I don't care
I am not concerned about that
Yeah you
Referring to someone in particular
Got the muscle
You have the power or capability to do something
I got the news
I have the latest information or updates
Yes dear
An endearing way of addressing someone
How did you know
Questioning how someone came to find out
Can't you see our love will grow
Don't you see that our love is going to flourish?
Take it
Grab hold of something
In your hand
Hold it in your palm
All the sirens
The warning signals or alarms
And the band
The musicians and their instruments
Get to bendin' my ear
Come and whisper secrets in my ear
How
In what way or manner
Was I to know
How could I have known?
About the warm
Concerning the affectionate or loving nature
Soulful secret
An intimate or confidential piece of information
You been keepin' for years
That you have been hiding for a long time
I got the news
I have finally found out the secret information
Slow down I'll tell you when
Calm down and I'll inform you at the appropriate time
I may never walk again
I could be left incapacitated permanently.
Broadway Duchess
A lady who is believed to be flamboyant and extravagant like a duchess who is used to life in Broadway
Darling if you only knew
Addressing someone with a term of endearment and expressing their naivety
Half as much as
Only to a certain extent or degree
Everybody thinks you do
People hold an opinion that you seem knowledgeable about many things
What I hear
The rumors or gossip that's been passed around
May be true
Could certainly be correct
I would still be proud
I would still take pride in knowing you, despite any rumors that are true or otherwise
Spanish kissin'
Passionate kissing
See it glisten
The shine of intense emotion or love is apparent
You came ragin'
You arrived with a lot of passion or emotion
Love rampagin'
A lot of love and intense emotion
I got the news
I have been informed about something important now
Yes dear
An endearing way of addressing someone
How did you know
Questioning how someone came to find out
Can't you see our love will grow
Don't you see that our love is going to flourish?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind