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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Pretzel Logic
Steely Dan Lyrics
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In a traveling minstrel show
Yes I'd love to tour the Southland
In a traveling minstrel show
Yes I'm dying to be a star and make them laugh
Sound just like a record on the phonograph
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago, oh yeah
But I plan to find the time
I have never met Napoleon
But I plan to find the time
'Cause he looks so fine upon that hill
They tell me he was lonely, he's lonely still
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago, oh yeah
I stepped up on the platform
The man gave me the news
He said, You must be joking son
Where did you get those shoes?
Where did you get those shoes?
Well, I've seen 'em on the TV, the movie show
They say the times are changing but I just don't know
These things are gone forever
Over a long time ago, oh yeah
The title of Steely Dan's song, "Pretzel Logic," is believed to be a reference to the twisted logic and contradictory reasoning people sometimes use to justify their actions. In the first verse, the singer expresses a desire to tour the Southland in a traveling minstrel show, to become famous and make people laugh. He nostalgically longs for a time when he could sound like a record on a phonograph, but acknowledges that those days are long gone. In the second verse, the singer confesses that he has never met Napoleon, but plans to find the time. He finds Napoleon fine upon his hill, but they tell him that the French emperor was and still is lonely. The final verse reveals that the man on the platform questions the singer's unconventional shoes, implying that he doesn't fit in with society's norms. The singer, in turn, acknowledges that maybe things have changed, but he just doesn't know.
Line by Line Meaning
I would love to tour the Southland
I desire to travel across the Southern states.
In a traveling minstrel show
I want to perform in a group of traveling musicians and entertainers.
Yes I'd love to tour the Southland
This is a repeated statement to show the extent of my desire.
Yes I'm dying to be a star and make them laugh
I have a strong ambition to become famous and make people laugh.
Sound just like a record on the phonograph
I desire to sound perfect like a recorded song played on a phonograph.
Those days are gone forever
The time when I could achieve these desires has already passed.
Over a long time ago, oh yeah
It has been a long time since those days that I wanted to achieve my desires.
I have never met Napoleon
I have never had the chance to meet Napoleon Bonaparte.
But I plan to find the time
I intend to create the opportunity to meet him in the future.
'Cause he looks so fine upon that hill
I find Napoleon's image and history attractive and fascinating.
They tell me he was lonely, he's lonely still
Although he had achieved much success, he was still alone and isolated.
I stepped up on the platform
I put myself in the spotlight or public attention.
The man gave me the news
Someone informed me with a piece of information.
He said, You must be joking son
The information I received sounded like a joke, according to the man.
Where did you get those shoes?
The man questioned how I obtained my unusual or unique shoes.
Well, I've seen 'em on the TV, the movie show
I got inspired to buy these shoes after seeing them on television or a movie.
They say the times are changing but I just don't know
I'm unsure if the world is really changing like everyone says it is.
These things are gone forever
The era when people dressed differently or had different views and values is long gone.
Over a long time ago, oh yeah
The passage of time has made these changes irrevocable and definitive.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind