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
The Fez
Steely Dan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh no
No I'm never gonna do it without the fez on
Oh no
That's what I am
Please understand
I want to be your holy man
No I'm never gonna do it without the fez on
Ain't never gonna do it without the fez on
Oh no
That's what I am
Please understand
I want to be your holy man
No I'm never gonna do it without the fez on
Oh no
Don't make me do it without the fez on
Oh no
That's what I am please understand
The lyrics to Steely Dan's song The Fez are a reference to the importance of certain symbols and rituals in religious practice. The fez is a type of hat traditionally worn by certain Muslim men as a sign of their faith, and in this song, the fez is symbolic of the singer's own faith and commitment to their beliefs. The repeated refrain of "No I'm never gonna do it without the fez on, oh no" suggests that the singer is unwilling to compromise their beliefs or abandon their faith, even in the face of temptation or pressure to conform.
The reference to wanting to be a "holy man" suggests that the singer is seeking a deeper spiritual connection and sees themselves as being in the mold of other religious figures. The repeated phrase "That's what I am, please understand" echoes the language of religious confession and emphasizes the singer's commitment to their beliefs.
Overall, the lyrics to The Fez suggest a powerful and almost defiant expression of faith, one that is grounded in tradition and ritual but also deeply personal and meaningful to the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
No I'm never gonna do it without the fez on
I refuse to perform this action without my signature headwear
Oh no
I am emphasizing my steadfast commitment
That's what I am
Being a performer who always wears a fez has become my identity
Please understand
I am asking for your empathy and acceptance of my quirk
I want to be your holy man
I aspire to be your spiritual leader, but only with my fez on
Ain't never gonna do it without the fez on
I am reiterating my refusal to perform this action hatless
Don't make me do it without the fez on
I am pleading with you not to force me to break with tradition
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONALD JAY FAGEN, PAUL LAWRENCE GRIFFIN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind