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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Kings
Steely Dan Lyrics
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Sad old men who run this town
I still recall the way
He led the charge and saved the day
Blue blood and rain
I can hear the bugle playin'
[Chorus:]
Ring out the past his name lives on
Roll out the bones and raise up your pitcher
Raise up your glass to Good King John
While he plundered far and wide
All his starving children cried
And though we sung his fame
We all went hungry just the same
He meant to shine
To the end of the line
[Chorus:]
We seen the last of Good King Richard
Ring out the past his name lives on
Roll out the bones and raise up your pitcher
Raise up your glass to Good King John
The lyrics of Steely Dan's song Kings in 2-3 are a reflection of the tragic consequences of power and greed in a society. The song is written in a way that suggests the sorrowful reminiscences of the people of a town, who lay down a body, presumably that of their king, who was once powerful and renowned but now dead. The lyrics depict bitter irony as the king, who led and won battles, is mourned by the same people whose children have suffered hunger, which is indirectly caused by the king's actions. They remember the blue blood and rain, possibly alluding to the battle the king led, but the sound of the bugle ringing in their ears is indicative of the loss that accompanied their victory.
The chorus of the song, "We seen the last of Good King Richard, Ring out the past his name lives on, Roll out the bones and raise up your pitcher, Raise up your glass to Good King John," is an epitaph for the king's legacy. The name of Good King Richard will live on in the memory of the people, long after his death; however, it is now Good King John's turn to ascend to the throne. As they raise a glass in honor of the king, they simultaneously roll out the bones, a reference to the game of chance that signified how changeable power was.
The theme of the song is an allusion to Richard the Lionheart and his younger brother John, who replaced him as King of England. In summary, the song is a brutal commentary on the dangerous nature of power, its impact on the powerless, the fleeting nature of success, and the futility of human ambition.
Line by Line Meaning
Now they lay his body down
The song opens up with the scene of Good King Richard's burial
Sad old men who run this town
The local leaders of this town mourn over the loss of the king
I still recall the way
Despite the passage of time, the singer still remembers Good King Richard's leadership
He led the charge and saved the day
Good King Richard was a courageous leader who was instrumental in saving the day
Blue blood and rain
This line suggests that the king was of noble lineage, and the rain could be symbolic of the sadness surrounding his death
I can hear the bugle playin'
The sounds of the bugle suggest a military context and may be hinting at the battles Good King Richard fought
[Chorus:] We seen the last of Good King Richard
Ring out the past his name lives on
Roll out the bones and raise up your pitcher
Raise up your glass to Good King John
The chorus is a tribute to Good King Richard and focuses on his legacy that lives on. The mention of Good King John suggests that he's also someone worth honoring
While he plundered far and wide
This line highlights the king's military conquests and how far he ventured for the sake of the kingdom
All his starving children cried
However, the king's actions also had consequences, and his subjects were left in poverty while he indulged in riches
And though we sung his fame
We all went hungry just the same
The people still praised the king for his accomplishments despite their own struggles
He meant to shine
To the end of the line
Good King Richard was determined to succeed until the very end
[Chorus:] We seen the last of Good King Richard
Ring out the past his name lives on
Roll out the bones and raise up your pitcher
Raise up your glass to Good King John
The chorus repeats to hammer home the idea of honoring this king's legacy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER, DONALD FAGEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind